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About Autism

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Understanding autism — signs, diagnosis, and the basics.

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All About Autism

52 articles
Autism Awareness Month: The History and Today About Autism

Autism Awareness Month: The History and Today

What is Autism Awareness Month? Each year during the month of April, individuals and organizations across the globe celebrate Autism Awareness Month with events to educate local communities and raise...

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Laura Danforth

Mar 19, 2025 · 3 min read
Autism and Stereotypes: A Few Tips For Survival About Autism

Autism and Stereotypes: A Few Tips For Survival

I used to get yelled at a lot when I was younger, especially when it came to homework. In one particular episode, a peer slapped his hands together while shouting, "You should be able to answer these...

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Grady Bolding

Mar 19, 2023 · 7 min read
Autism and Dance Therapy About Autism

Autism and Dance Therapy

Dancing is a universal language, and many on the autism spectrum can easily learn it. In my time at college, I had the privilege of taking a dance class. I needed the credit for my major, and, I...

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Grady Bolding

Oct 1, 2022 · 6 min read
From Disorder to Divergence: Charting the Progress of Perceptions of Autism About Autism

From Disorder to Divergence: Charting the Progress of Perceptions of Autism

The dramatic shifts in societal views of autism from being a moral failing to a celebrated part of neurodiversity have not been linear or binary. These views have been mixed throughout time and can...

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Amairani Asmad

Sep 24, 2022 · 6 min read
Safety First! 8 Ways to Keep Children on the Autism Spectrum Safe About Autism

Safety First! 8 Ways to Keep Children on the Autism Spectrum Safe

Autism can impact the safety of both autistic children and the adults caring for them. Learning to be proactive in keeping children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) safe is no small feat....

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Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan

Jun 11, 2022 · 6 min read
The Persistence of Time: Managing Time on the Spectrum About Autism

The Persistence of Time: Managing Time on the Spectrum

Time on the Spectrum Think about time. Does every task take longer if you’re on the autism spectrum, or if you have a child on the spectrum? Does your family have special rules regarding...

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Signe M. Kastberg

May 28, 2022 · 5 min read
May Is Physical Fitness Month! About Autism

May Is Physical Fitness Month!

Adapting Activities for Your Autistic Child: Silent Disco Anyone? Staying physically active has many health benefits, including improved mood, increased energy, memory, and cognition,...

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Kenna McEvoy

May 8, 2022 · 6 min read
A Mother's Day Tribute to Autism Moms About Autism

A Mother's Day Tribute to Autism Moms

Happy Mother’s Day! A tribute to all mothers, but especially to the mothers of children on the autism spectrum Most every mom looks forward to that one day of the year when they may get to...

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Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan

Apr 27, 2022 · 4 min read
Start Planning Your Summer Vacation Today! About Autism

Start Planning Your Summer Vacation Today!

6 Ways to Prepare Your Autistic Child for a Successful Vacation Summer can be a fun time to plan vacations, but – for many on the autism spectrum – new environments, different locations, and...

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Kenna McEvoy

Apr 17, 2022 · 6 min read
Conquering Negative Thoughts When Parenting Autistic* Children About Autism

Conquering Negative Thoughts When Parenting Autistic* Children

Every parent thinks negatively from time to time, but the negative and often fear-filled thoughts parents of autistic children struggle with can be off the charts because they are so different...

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Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan

Apr 9, 2022 · 6 min read
World Autism Acceptance Month: From Autism Awareness to Autism Action About Autism

World Autism Acceptance Month: From Autism Awareness to Autism Action

April 2 is the start of the internationally recognized World Autism Awareness Month. In recent years, many have advocated, and some changed the name to World Autism Acceptance Month, citing...

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Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan

Apr 2, 2022 · 5 min read
Recognizing Signs of Autism in Girls About Autism

Recognizing Signs of Autism in Girls

Autism in Girls Can Look Different than in Boys: Support for Girls Sometimes Needs to Look Different Too Check out our free handout on this topic, Specific Support Strategies for Girls With...

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Kenna McEvoy

Feb 27, 2022 · 5 min read
Top Strategies for Supporting Time Management for Those With Autism About Autism

Top Strategies for Supporting Time Management for Those With Autism

Time management is an important concept to consider when supporting individuals on the autism spectrum. Because time management and executive functioning skills (e.g., emotional regulation,...

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Kenna McEvoy

Feb 6, 2022 · 7 min read
The Power of Optimism When Raising a Child on the Autism Spectrum About Autism

The Power of Optimism When Raising a Child on the Autism Spectrum

Without a doubt, raising an autistic child can be extremely stressful and challenging. Learning to embrace a more optimistic mindset, focusing on the strengths and abilities of your autistic...

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Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan

Jan 25, 2022 · 5 min read
Pushing the Envelope: Autism Rates are Increasing About Autism

Pushing the Envelope: Autism Rates are Increasing

A Letter from the CEO: 1 in 44 Children are Now Being Diagnosed with Autism So Why is this Good News? The CDC just released new estimates on the number of children in the U.S. who are being diagnosed...

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Angela Nelson

Dec 4, 2021 · 3 min read
Greta Thunberg and her Superpower About Autism

Greta Thunberg and her Superpower

Exploring the Positive Side of Autism and Building on these Strengths to Help Your Child Thrive Let’s step into the shoes of a parent who has been informed her child is diagnosed with autism....

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Isabelle Eng

Dec 4, 2021 · 5 min read
My Sister and Me – Both on the Spectrum About Autism

My Sister and Me – Both on the Spectrum

One of my older sisters, Shaylin, was born in September 1995, in Knoxville, Tennessee, a lovely, blue-eyed infant, the second daughter of my happy parents. From the time my parents took her home to...

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Olivia Diaz

Sep 13, 2021 · 6 min read
How to Help Autistic* People Who May be Feeling Suicidal About Autism

How to Help Autistic* People Who May be Feeling Suicidal

Taking action when someone is suicidal is critical to saving a life. This article will identify warning signs and what you can do to help. Background Research shows that autistic persons are at...

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Signe M. Kastberg

Sep 12, 2021 · 5 min read
How Grandparents Can Support Their Autistic* Grandchild About Autism

How Grandparents Can Support Their Autistic* Grandchild

Grandparents can have a unique role in the lives of their grandchild with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). They can be a source of support, guidance, connection, encouragement, and love. ...

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Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan

Sep 4, 2021 · 6 min read
Identity First: On Knowing Who You Are About Autism

Identity First: On Knowing Who You Are

What is the difference between “people-first” and “identity-first” language with regard to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? How do culture, identity, and statistics play a role in this question? How...

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Signe M. Kastberg

Sep 4, 2021 · 12 min read
Twice Exceptional: Untangling the Paradox of Giftedness and Autism About Autism

Twice Exceptional: Untangling the Paradox of Giftedness and Autism

Parents and teachers may wonder if their student is on the Autism Spectrum, or is intellectually gifted, or both. “Twice Exceptional”, or “2e,” are the current descriptors for students who have both...

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Signe M. Kastberg

Jul 31, 2021 · 9 min read
10 Things a Grandmother of a Child with Autism Would Like Other Children to Know About Autism

10 Things a Grandmother of a Child with Autism Would Like Other Children to Know

AUTISM AWARENESS AND ACCEPTANCE TO PREVENT BULLYING There has been a lot of talk about Autism Awareness and Acceptance through the years, and while we still have a ways to go, much has improved since...

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Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan

Jul 29, 2021 · 9 min read
Autism and Substance Use Disorders: Is There a Connection? About Autism

Autism and Substance Use Disorders: Is There a Connection?

A review of the research, risks and protective factors, components of addiction, and a preview of treatment options for autistic individuals who struggle with the disease of addiction 1 Recent...

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Signe M. Kastberg

Jul 18, 2021 · 9 min read
How To Use Shaping to Teach Children with Autism New Behaviors at Home About Autism

How To Use Shaping to Teach Children with Autism New Behaviors at Home

As children become older and begin to develop new skills, it can be overwhelming for caregivers and parents to teach more complex behaviors, such as developing new language, making requests, cleaning...

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Marianne Coppola

Jul 18, 2021 · 4 min read

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