What medications are prescribed for autistic children?
Medication may be a treatment option for families who need additional support for behavioral and psychiatric conditions that may or may not be related to an autism diagnosis. This is often referred to as a “comorbid diagnosis” by medical providers and psychiatrists. Medications may be prescribed to address a variety of symptoms and conditions such […]
Is biting a sign of autism in toddlers? Understanding sensory signals and communication
Your toddler leans over at a playdate and sinks their teeth into another child’s arm. The room goes quiet, and you feel your cheeks burn. Other parents glance over, and you’re left wondering what just happened and what it means. Biting is one of those behaviors that stirs immediate concern, partly because it is so […]
When kids fall apart at home: Understanding and supporting masking fatigue
“The teacher says she’s doing fine, but every afternoon when we get home, it’s tears and yelling. She slams her backpack, and hides in her room. By dinner she sometimes seems better, but by then, we’re both worn out.” This is a common story for parents of neurodivergent children who mask during the day. On […]
Should my family look for an alternative to ABA therapy?
If you’re researching autism services, you’ve likely come across Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. ABA therapy is often described as the “gold standard” of autism treatment and many pediatricians recommend it as the default path. But if you’re a parent, you may have also heard another side: the growing criticism of traditional in-center or in-home […]
Parenting a non-speaking child rewired my brain and my beliefs
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about reality. About truth. About the version of my life someone would see if they were charged with logging and processing every moment. Not just the photos, not just the appointments or tasks completed, but the rhythm, speed, and logistics of it all. If they really watched, I think most humans […]
Adult autism evaluations: a path to understanding
More adults are seeking autism evaluations later in life—a trend fueled by shifting diagnostic criteria and a growing public awareness of what autism can look like beyond childhood. There is an increasing recognition of autism as a spectrum with a variety of presentations. For some, the push for assessment comes when long-used coping mechanisms start […]
Academic accommodations: what I wish someone told me as a kid
As a student with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), depression, and anxiety, I’ve had academic accommodations nearly my entire life. The first thing I remember being told in elementary school about my diagnoses were my strengths and challenges. My parents, teachers, and psychiatrist wanted me to understand that I struggled in ways my peers didn’t, […]
What is sensory overload?
In a world filled with buzzing lights, humming machines, crowded places, and nonstop notifications, our brains are constantly filtering and interpreting sensory information. For some people, however, this sensory input can quickly become overwhelming, leading to what is commonly known as sensory overload. Sensory overload isn’t a behavioral issue or a sign of weakness. It […]
Understanding ADHD and autism: Key differences and shared strengths
In our beautifully diverse world, no two minds are exactly alike — and that is something to be celebrated. Neurodiversity is a term that honors this natural variation in the human brain, including differences like ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and autism. Rather than seeing these differences as deficits or problems to “fix,” a neurodiversity-affirming perspective recognizes […]
What I know now: A mother’s introduction to profound autism
I didn’t know the word autism would one day be part of my children’s medical files. I only knew the ache in my body when something felt off – a deep, neurological zip, like a quiet flicker of primal curiosity trying to break through. It was weak, maybe, but it was there. It pulsed in my […]
