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How Developing a Freelance Brand Changed My Career
One thing I never expected in my professional life was creating a freelance brand that empowers me. I originally developed it as a way to showcase my talents, much like a website portfolio. I’ve always blended my lived experiences with my professional interests; human services and special...
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Brilliance in Motion: How Autistic Students Navigate Unpredictable School Environments
The high school where I worked operated without the basic structures most people associate with education. There were no bells, no traditional classes, no grades. Students moved between community internships and loosely defined independent projects, navigating spaces filled with noise, movement,...
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Not Quiet. Just Listening. A Reflection on Autistic Girlhood—Then and Now
In the late 1960s, a little girl carried a book under her arm—a simple gesture that masked a constant search for calm. She moved through the world as if following a quiet cadence, attuned to subtleties others didn’t notice: a hint of a smile, the tension behind a voice, the pattern of...
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Beyond the Autistic Barbie: Seeing Children as They Truly Are
“Mummy, I want the autistic Barbie for Christmas.” It’s an ordinary request on the surface — a child asking for a doll — but it reveals something larger about the moment we’re in. Neurodiversity has become a storyline the marketplace is eager to package: a label here, a superpower...
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What Is the Autistic Neurotype? Rethinking Autism Beyond the DSM
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines Autistic people through medicalized criteria that judge Autists from the outside; its diagnostic framework is constructed on allistic (nonautistic) observations, largely without Autistic input. As a result, the dominant...
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The Autism Society of America Awards Felicity House the 2025 Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Leader in Adult Autism Award
January 7, 2026, Rockville, MD — The Autism Society of America is pleased to announce Felicity House was named as the 2025 recipient of The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Leader in Adult Autism Award. This distinguished honor recognizes organizations and leaders who champion the autonomy of...
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When Puberty Meets Autism: The Hidden Struggles of Autistic Girls
Why Puberty Is a Turning Point for Autistic Girls Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social interaction, communication, and patterns of behavior (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). These differences often include...
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A Family Guide to Disney World Orlando with a Neurodivergent Child
In July, writer Dave Chapman, visiting from the UK, visited Disney World in Orlando, Florida with partner Amy and son Jamie, who has autism. Planning a trip to Disney World Orlando can feel overwhelming for any family, but when your child is autistic, the challenges—and rewards—are unique. We...
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Supporting Children with Autism Through the Early Childhood to School-Age Special Education Transition
The transition from Preschool to Kindergarten is a significant milestone in any child’s life. For children with disabilities, however, particularly children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it can be particularly complex (Marsh et al., 2017). It is a season filled with mixed emotions:...
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Transitioning to Life as an Autistic Senior Citizen: We Need Much More Information
Making the transition into old age and becoming a senior citizen is challenging for almost everyone in our society. This was most colorfully expressed by the great Hollywood actress Bette Davis, who lived to be 81 years old and famously said that “old age ain’t no place for sissies”. Those of...
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Wellbeing as a Buffer: Helping Autistic Individuals Thrive Through Life’s Transitions
Transitions are an inevitable part of life. For autistic individuals, they can also be some of the most stressful. Starting school, moving into adulthood, entering the workforce, or navigating new living arrangements can bring an array of changes - new routines, expectations, and social landscapes....
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When Dementia Looks Different: Transitions for Older Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are living longer lives then they have ever before (Bishop et al., 2015). Increased longevity means an increase in age-related changes and disorders such as dementia. Strydom et al. (2009) found that individuals with IDD are two to...
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Equipping Communities for an Aging I/DD Population: Challenges, Solutions and Advocacy
As life expectancy increases, a growing number of individuals with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are entering older adulthood. This demographic shift brings new challenges—and opportunities—for service providers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and...
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“Just Let Me Try”: Autistic Self-Advocates Redefine Independence
For decades, conversations about autism and adulthood have been centered on building independence through goals, interventions, and structured curricula (Bouck & Joshi, 2015). Yet when autistic self-advocates describe independence, they do not speak in terms of compliance, readiness checklists,...
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When Transitions Become Routine: Supporting Autistic Adults Through Daily Change
Routines and transitions are a big part of our lives. When my alarm goes off in the morning, I jump right out of bed and head directly to the coffeemaker. And while my coffee is brewing, I make my bed and then brush my teeth. Always in that order. By then, my coffee is ready. I slow down and take...
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From Children’s Program to Adult Residential Care: Navigating Systems and the Hurdles of Transition
The transition from pediatric services to adult residential care for those on the autism spectrum is a complicated process. Educational systems, healthcare providers, social service agencies, and housing authorities all have a hand in this transition. However, the significant shift is from a system...
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Building Meaningful Lives: How Moving Forward Towards Independence Supports Neurodivergent Adults
Mac Anderson and Tom Feltenstein wrote; Change is Good... You Go First and understanding that change and the transitions it requires is a source of anxiety for much of humanity. Twenty-eight years ago, a group, all parents of neurodivergent children, were feeling the full weight of transition...
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Navigating Lifespan Transitions for Autistic Older Adults: Aging, Independence, and Dignity
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent challenges in social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Many autistic adults, like Michael, a 61-year-old man diagnosed later in...
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Supporting Families Through the Transition from School to Adult Life
For families of young people with autism and developmental disabilities, the transition out of high school and into adulthood represents one of the most emotionally and practically challenging periods of the lifespan. Throughout childhood, the public education system provides structure,...
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How to Choose the Right Career Path as an Autistic Adult
Choosing a career can be a challenging and exciting journey for anyone, but for autistic adults, the process often comes with unique considerations. Understanding personal strengths, challenges, and workplace needs is essential for finding a fulfilling career path. With the right strategies and...
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Hiring Autistic College Graduates in STEM: A Best-Practices Model
Businesses in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) can better employ autistic students. 85% of autistic college students after having graduated for 5 years are currently underemployed or unemployed in the industry (Advanced Autism Services, 2025). A model of best practices for...
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Preparing for Aging and Transitions for Adults with Developmental Disabilities
Understanding the changing needs of adults with disabilities as they age is important. A recent report predicted that the number of adults with autism and/or intellectual disabilities over the age of 60 will nearly double by 2030, from 641,860 to 1.2 million. At Chapel Haven...
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Vocational Skill Building Improves Transition Outcomes for Young Adults with Autism and Low Vision
For many young adults, the transition from school to adulthood is a time filled with excitement and new experiences. For those with disabilities, it can also present unique challenges. Moving from a supported educational environment and accessing adult services is a big leap. What predicts greater...
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When Systems Don’t Fit: Navigating Lifespan Transitions for People with Profound Autism
Every year, in every state, hundreds more individuals with Profound Autism age out of educational services and enter the adult services system. This process is described by many as “falling off a cliff.” Families despair of finding services that will allow their adult child to maintain their...
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Finding Strength in Stress: An Autistic Author’s Journey Through Crisis and Recovery
I wish I could tell you that I don’t ever stress as an autistic person. I wish that I could tell you that I am a professional and that I have mastered the art of destressing and staying calm, but the truth is I stress. Ever since I was a kid dealing with stress has never come easy for me as an...
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“Autism Class”: Teaching Students in K-12 Autism Schools About Who They Are
The new student looks understandably full of questions. "Hi!" I say, intentionally gregarious. "What's your name?" Which we exchange...I then give them a sly facial expression and tone—we autistics are bad at reading non-verbal communication, but we usually live long enough to learn a thing...
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Supporting Neurodivergent Children in the Transition from Pediatric to Adult Healthcare
Families of neurodivergent children, such as those with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and learning differences, often find themselves having to fiercely advocate for every service they need across medical, behavioral health and...
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Let Them Be: Supporting Neurodivergent Young Adults Through Independence
The transition into adulthood is a major shift for any family, but parents of autistic and neurodivergent young adults often face additional layers of complexity. You’ve spent years helping them navigate systems, environments, and expectations that weren’t always designed with them in mind. As...
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Navigating the School-to-College Transition: A Guide for Families of Autistic Students
If you have an autistic child looking to progress into further education (FE) in the UK, chances are that you have felt abandoned by both their school and the prospective college. Whilst the transition from primary to secondary school may have seemed more informed and managed by the school, the...
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Navigating Change on the Autism Spectrum: My Journey to Grad School
When you live life on the autism spectrum, it’s easy to become so used to your own patterns that you miss the problems those patterns cause. You fail to see the obstacles that keep tripping you up, and why. I want to share a story of my own pitfalls when it comes to the autistic aversion to...
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From Dissertation to Destination: Navigating the Post-PhD Transition to Employment
Have you had a dream where you wake up and realize you’ve overslept and are missing your exam? Where you scramble to leave home, sprint to school, and futilely run down an empty corridor to an exam that’s done? That’s how I feel right now, but I’m not dreaming and, though the situation...
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When School Ends: The Hidden Crisis Facing Adults with Profound Autism
For nearly two decades, our mornings have been marked by the familiar sound of a school bus pulling up in front of our home. The doors hiss open, followed by a greeting from the bus driver as they pull Philip’s wheelchair onto the platform. The bus would rumble away, leaving behind a silence that...
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Letting Go, Holding On: Life After Raising an Autistic Son
My war is mostly over, and I miss it terribly. Raising Billy, my son who has autism, was like going through a war, every day a battle. And now he is 33 and he is gone. Not completely gone -- he lives in a group home 10 miles away, and it only takes me 22 minutes to get there. But I no longer...
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Helping Autistic Children Cope with Divorce and Co-Parenting Transitions
Divorce and associated transitions can be challenging for any family, but changes in family dynamics and routines can present unique challenges for families with autistic children. With a high rate of divorce among parents of children on the autism spectrum, it is crucial to focus on strategies...
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A Therapist’s Guide to Teaching Autistic Adults Self-Directed Living Skills
Supporting autistic adults in creating self-directed lives, guided by their own preferences, goals, and values—is one of the most meaningful roles a therapist can play. Whether you are a behavior specialist, psychotherapist, social worker, counselor, or life skills coach, fostering autonomy...
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Coaching Through Career Transitions: Supporting Autistic Professionals Toward Clarity, Confidence, and Well-Being
Life transitions can feel disorienting for anyone, but for autistic adults – and especially those navigating workplaces that misunderstand their brilliance – the stakes are particularly high. Autistic professionals often carry the cumulative impact of masking, misinterpretation, chronic stress,...
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Building Futures: Transition Planning and Success for Autistic Youth at StarUnite Café
While many children on the autism spectrum receive individualized education planning and interventions to support their successful achievement throughout their kindergarten, elementary and high school years, it is equally important to plan for success throughout adulthood. Some adults with autism...
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Recognizing and Addressing Loneliness in Autistic Seniors
Loneliness is a challenge many seniors face, but for autistic seniors, it can manifest differently and have unique consequences. Understanding these nuances is key to providing effective support and improving quality of life. Loneliness in Autistic Seniors Autistic individuals often...
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The Transition to Adulthood: Bridging Skill Gaps to Strengthen Community Inclusion
For autistic individuals, the transition to adulthood represents a pivotal developmental period filled with both potential and uncertainty. While for the most part, adolescence through special education programs often comes with robust educational supports and structured services, adulthood...
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Becoming an Autistic Mother: Navigating Pregnancy, Parenthood, and Support
Becoming a parent is an experience that reshapes people’s lives. For autistic mothers, it can bring joy but also create a unique set of challenges. Understanding of autistic women's experiences is increasing, but autistic women remain under-diagnosed and under-researched. Parenting information...
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A Special Education Adventure to Autonomy
I was that kid who couldn’t always focus well in class, and not mildly so, but in a way that interfered with my ability to blend in with society in a school setting. I would frequently miss instructions, not pick up on various learning cues and have difficulty processing many parts of concepts...
