autism

Explore why "high-functioning autism" was replaced by support levels. Learn how modern terminology better reflects the diverse needs of the autistic community.

Tactile sensitivity means everyday touch feels too intense. Learn the signs (tags, seams, messy play), hyper- vs. hyposensitivity, and when to see an OT.

Learn what is the hardest age for autism, common challenges at different stages, and strategies to support children’s development effectively.

If you’ve noticed your child pressing their chin to a table, shoulder, or even another person, you might be observing a behavior known as “chinning.” It’s a specific, recognizable form of stimming, and once you know what to look for, why it happens, and when...

Most parents leave their first IEP meeting with a plan that sounds reasonable and helps less than it should. “Improve social skills.” “Work on communication.” Goals like these aren’t wrong, exactly, they’re just too vague to actually measure, which...

For most families, the last day of school is a day to celebrate. For families of autistic children, it can be the start of one of the most stressful stretches of the year. The routines, structure, and predictable social scaffolding that school provides all disappear at the same time....

The most effective calming tools for autism are the ones matched to a child’s specific sensory profile — deep-pressure tools like weighted blankets and lap pads for proprioceptive input, chewable jewelry for oral-motor needs, noise-canceling headphones for auditory sensitivity,...

Is side glancing always autism? Learn what this behavior means, when to be concerned, and what signs parents should look for.

A successful Halloween with an autistic child starts six to eight weeks early. The biggest wins come from picking a comfort-first costume (no masks, no scratchy seams, dress rehearsals two weeks before October 31), practicing the trick-or-treat script for weeks, mapping the route to...

ack-to-school anxiety in autistic kids is best managed with a 4-week countdown plan that gradually rebuilds the school sleep schedule, previews the classroom through visits and visual schedules, drafts a clear teacher introduction letter, reviews the IEP or 504 plan, and protects...