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From Exclusion to Belonging: Confronting Stigma Through Disability Education in Schools
Today’s classrooms are more neurodiverse than ever before. In the U.S., over 15% of public school students receive special education services (National Center for Education Statistics, 2024), and many more have diverse learning profiles that go unrecognized. Schools have made strides in...
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Behind the Behavior: Stigma, Misunderstanding, and the Emerging Profile of Pathological Demand Avoidance
“Stigma is the process by which the reaction of others spoils normal identity.” - Erving Goffman When a child resists instruction, lashes out under pressure, or refuses school altogether, the dominant narrative still points toward oppositional defiance, behavioral reinforcement systems, or a...
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Calm Minds, Ready to Learn: Empowering Children with Relaxation Training
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a wide range of challenges, particularly in social communication, sensory integration, and self-regulation. Children with ASD struggle to regulate sensory input: sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, vestibular, and proprioceptive input. They also struggle to...
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The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Adult Autism Fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina: Advancing Direct Care Services to Improve Outcomes
In 2023, about 22.5% of people with a disability in the U.S. were employed, a shocking contrast to their age-matched, non-disabled peers that are employed at 65.8% (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023). Over the next decade, a significant number of youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD),...
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Overcoming Barriers in Math Education and Assessment for Autistic Children
In the 21st century, there is no disagreement that a math education is considered important for all students, including those with disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), so that their access and success contribute to the development of skills necessary for an independent life. Good...
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Artificial Intelligence in Education: Benefits and Risks for Neurodivergent Students
Artificial Intelligence (AI), seemingly all of a sudden, has permeated our world. New advances in technologies have the potential to assist students inside and outside the classroom and increase the potential for independence and success. AI can be used by educators to support students. It can be...
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What Families With Autism Should Consider When Evaluating School Programs
One of the greatest challenges parents of children with disabilities face is finding the most appropriate educational program. When searching for a school for a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the task can be complex. Understanding instructional and social variables can help parents make...
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Supporting Autistic Adults: Am I College Ready?
Am I college ready? Such a question drew the attention of high school senior students in college readiness sessions at AHRC New York City’s Middle/High School. College readiness encompasses academic, social, and emotional learning support for students with autism and intellectual disabilities to...
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Supporting Students’ Self-Regulation Needs: An Occupational Therapy Perspective
Self-Regulation is an individual’s ability to process and manage behavioral and emotional reactions to what is happening in their immediate environment. Throughout the day, a child’s nervous system is constantly attempting to process the sensory components of opportunities presented to them....
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Setting Students Up for Success: Balancing Sensory Needs in the Classroom
Sensory considerations play a key role in developing a classroom environment conducive to learning. When classrooms are arranged with sensory needs in mind, teachers will often see increased levels of social participation and task engagement. Some students face challenges finding their voice in a...
