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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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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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Building Effective Autism Treatment Plans: A Collaborative and Compassionate Approach
“Treatment plan,” it’s a word one hears over and over again in the field of ABA. Treatment plans are fantastic in helping us guide programming for the clients and families we serve. Although treatment plans can often be received defensively by a client, parents, and other caregivers....
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Breaking the Cycle of Food Selectivity: How MEAL PlanR Supports Autistic Children and Their Families
Limited and picking eating is a common occurrence for children with autism. Feeding challenges include food selectivity, food refusal, behavioral rigidity during meals, and limited dietary variety (Sharp et al., 2013). Upwards of 89% of autistic individuals have feeding difficulties (Cermak et al.,...
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Building Resilience Through Self-Care and Support Teams During Divorce Transitions
Stressful times can take a toll on a person’s physical, psychological, and emotional well-being, and for those experiencing divorce transitions, the stress is taken to another level. According to the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), also known as the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale,...
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Project ImPACT: Empowering Parents with Evidence-Based Strategies for Early Autism Intervention
The prevalence of autism has increased dramatically over the last 20 years, with current estimates at 1 in 36 children having a diagnosis or special education classification of autism (CDC, 2023; ADDM surveillance network, 2023). The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children...
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Empowering Families Online: Reducing Barriers through a Virtual, Group ESDM-based Caregiver Coaching Program
Autistic children often experience difficulties with language and communication development (Tager-Flushberg et al., 2005). Early intervention (EI) is an integral and highly efficacious tool to target and promote optimal development in this population (Zwaigenbaum et al., 2015). By targeting...
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Practical Tips for a Sensory-Friendly Christmas for Autistic Children
Christmas is just around the corner. Unlike the white, snow-covered wonderland that many associate with Christmas, the festive season can be very lively and noisy and filled with appointments and various stimuli. There is a well-known quote that I think puts into words the way autistic...
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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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The Critical Role of a Caregiver in Navigating Systems of Care
No one knows your child better than you. When it comes to understanding their unique needs – you are the expert. This is critical for parents and caregivers of children with emotional, behavioral, and cognitive differences. Whether you are navigating systems of care, identifying areas of concern,...
