Autism
Gender-Inclusivity and The Autism Spectrum
At the Focus Group, gender inclusivity is not just a policy, but a commitment our community makes to fostering a supportive and understanding environment. We believe in the power of inclusivity and acceptance, especially for our students on the autism spectrum or those with other neurodevelopmental difficulties. Our community is all-gender and while our houses…
Read MoreAutism and The Neuroverse
Dr. Brandon Park, Neuropsychologist and Founder of New Focus Academy, in collaboration with Alta Swarnes, the academy’s passionate Family Connections Director, proudly announces the debut of their insightful new podcast. This innovative series aims to shed light on autism, neurodiversity, and related co-occurring disorders, merging the latest in neuroscience with genuine family and professional support strategies.…
Read MoreWhat TV Gets Right and Wrong About Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Atypical, The Good Doctor, and the new Power Rangers movie: what do they all have in common? They all include a main character on the spectrum. While neurodevelopmental disorders on tv is more inclusive than ever before for autism in the media, some have pointed out that it’s only showing one side of autism. No…
Read MoreNew Study Shows the Cons of Typical Schools & Pros of Autism Schools
If you’re the parent of an adolescent on the spectrum, it’s no surprise to you that kids with autism often feel left out in school. They often feel like outcasts, like they don’t fit in–and their neurotypical peers don’t really try to change that. Autism schools–that is schools created specifically to aid students on the…
Read MoreWhat is an Autism School and How Can it Help My Child?
Research has indicated that students with autism can make progress on educational and social goals within inclusion classrooms. While both public and autism-focused schools can provide assistance for your child, there are a few important things to consider prior to making the decision of where to enroll your child. According to the National Research Council…
Read MoreOur Treatment Team’s Approach Using the Autonomy Development Model
Teens with autism struggle with becoming more independent and making decisions on their own. They are more likely to reject help and act impulsively or self-destructively or rely on caretakers to continue to meet their needs. Neither of these paths are effective in helping teens with autism live healthy, independent, and productive lives. While…
Read MoreLearning the Levels of Autism
Autism has become more and more visible in our world in the past few decades. From better understanding the diagnosis to seeing autistic characters in movies and TV shows, our perspective on autism has continued to widen. And while we may see more information about autism, it is important to understand that autism does not…
Read MoreCould a Residential Treatment Center Help Your Teen on the Spectrum?
As parents, we want to believe that we can meet all of our teen’s needs at home. But the reality is that some children can actually benefit more from time away from home in a supportive environment where they can work with peers and mental health professionals. What is a Residential Treatment Center? A residential…
Read MoreResidential Treatment Offers Support to Teens with Autism
Deciding how to best provide support to your autistic teen can seem a daunting choice especially when there are so many options and strategies available. If interventions at home have not had the desired success, sending your child to a residential treatment center can have powerful benefits for both your child and the entire family…
Read MoreEmotional Difficulties for Children with ASD
Children who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum disorder will experience similar challenges with emotional and social skills. While research indicates that these struggles are linked to a lack of development in certain areas of the brain tied to social-emotional functioning, early detection, and quality intervention can help improve these skills in children with ASD.…
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