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Setting the Record Straight on Autism
Proposed HHS changes particularly threaten autism science. Key Points: Most individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can achieve developmental milestones like others. The recently proposed registry of individuals with ASD is an unethical breach of patient confidentiality. More...
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Autism in Cuba
Ground Rules: Context “Context,” the word, is not at risk of vanishing just yet, but “context,” the concept, could soon go the way of “critical thinking,” or “racism,” wherein parties that seemingly know little about these terms have the power, through the act of thoughtless...
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Celebrating Our “Dadvocates” on Father’s Day
On Father’s Day, we honor fathers, as well as the many paternal figures and mentors who make a meaningful difference in our families and our communities. It also feels like an opportune time to discuss fatherhood engagement in our systems of care, which can often feel like a hurdle to navigate...
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How a Small Blue Envelope is Changing Lives Across the Country
Every year in America, an estimated 20 million traffic stops take place – over 50,000 a day. For all drivers, the prospect of being pulled over by the police is a stress-inducing event. What did I do wrong? Am I in trouble? In our car-dependent societies, such interactions have become a regular...
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Acting Neurotypical: How Becoming an Actor Helped Me Thrive in Society
When I was younger, I thought I had life all figured out: I was the math kid, not the social one. That was my lane. I accepted early on that the world saw me differently—and treated me that way, too. But that perception started to shift when my sister got into acting. Her passion for the silver...
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Navigating Autism as a Black Parent: Our Story, Our Struggle, Our Strength
When my son Joshua was first diagnosed with developmental delays—and later with autism—our lives changed in profound ways. The impact wasn’t just emotional; it was deeply systemic. We entered a world not designed for families like ours. Our story began with quiet questions. Why...
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The Impact of Autism and Co-Occurring Gastrointestinal Issues on Child Flourishing
Author’s note: Recent trends in language use within the autism community show a divide between professionals who often prefer person-first language (e.g., “person with autism”) and autistic advocates who often favor identity-first language (e.g., “autistic person”), for reasons of...
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Navigating Autistic Shutdown and Burnout Through a Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach
(Note: This article is written in neurodiversity-affirming language, including identity-first language) Autistic shutdown is a widely recognized but poorly understood neurological response to overwhelming stress. Despite its significance, research on shutdown remains scarce, with most scholarly...
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The Power of Accountability in Autism and Wellness
The right course of action in life is usually a mean between two extremes. For example, if I am a student who wants to do well in school, my path runs between the opposing extremes of not studying on the one hand and consistently pulling all-nighters with the books on the other. And if this...
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Trauma-Informed Care in the Criminal Justice System: Supporting the Emotional and Physical Wellness of Autistic Individuals
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face unique and complex challenges within the criminal justice system, largely due to environments and interactions that are often not suited to their sensory, communication, and emotional needs. A critical yet underexplored issue is the intersection...
