Autism

Back to school time is usually filled with shopping lists, new clothes, and meeting new teachers and classmates. For many kids this can be an exciting time. But for others, especially teens on the Autism spectrum, back to school can be filled with anxiety and trepidation.  For teens on the Autism spectrum, change and new…

As many as 80% of children with autism spectrum disorder have sleep problems, often from an early age. As parents and professionals seeking accurate diagnoses are encouraged to look to signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder in early childhood, researchers at the University of Washington have started to research the effect of sleep patterns on brain…

It can be hard to recognize if your autistic teen is being bullied at school if you expect them to report social struggles. Autistic teens with social struggles may also be less likely to understand that they are being targeted and may believe they’ve chosen to withdraw. As they may have a hard time understanding…

Most parents identify possible signs of autism in their child in the first few years of their lives, often as they notice developmental delays in motor skills, language, and social skills before elementary school. A recent study found that at least 25% of teens on the spectrum are undiagnosed, even though they show traits of…

Is your child feeling overwhelmed by holiday stress and social events? For many, the holiday season is a time of joy and connection, but teens on the spectrum often experience significant holiday stress as festivities may disrupt their familiar routines. Without the structure of school over winter break, teens struggle to channel their energy into…

While Autism is considered a developmental disorder and is often diagnosed in early childhood, some signs of autism become more noticeable in adolescence. When autism is diagnosed in teens, they may struggle more to accept their diagnosis as they haven’t had years of support to understand what it means. During adolescence, social and behavioral differences…

When your child is having problems with communication and reciprocal social interaction, it can be frustrating for parents to know how to best support them. As one of the primary treatment goals for teens with autism is developing self-efficacy and independence, it is important for parents to stay involved in the treatment process. From the…

A lot of people use empathy and compassion interchangeably, although there are several key differences. One myth about teens with autism is that they lack empathy. While teens with autism often care a lot about relationships and are sensitive to the emotions of others, they have a hard time understanding other people’s needs and possible…