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Beyond the Autism Diagnosis: Understanding the Multifaceted Needs of Parents
As the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) increases, so does the number of parents trying to navigate the complexities that accompany an autism diagnosis. Raising an autistic child is challenging for many parents, and many reported higher levels of stress compared to...
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Autism and Marriage: Making Your Relationship Work Under the Pressures of Caregiving
Having a child with autism can certainly put strain on a marriage. I should know. After over 20 years of marriage with two children on the autism spectrum, my marriage came to an end. So why am I writing an article about making your relationship work? Because it’s too important not to. My...
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Bridging the Gap: Empowering Families Awaiting an Autism Diagnosis
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) continues to rise. According to the CDC, 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with autism by the age 81 and as a result, the need for comprehensive family support systems has never been more pressing. Unfortunately, the barriers to clinical support and...
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Navigating the Sandwich Generation: My Personal Journey as a Neurodivergent Entrepreneur, Mother, and Daughter
I am a sandwich generation mother and daughter; I can attest to our unique challenges. I have the added challenge of a disability, or as I like to refer to it, a unique neurotype. Despite growing up thinking I was a neurotypical person who was just unlikeable or “weird,” I have always been...
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Supporting Families and Caregivers Through a Highly Skilled Workforce: Training with Compassion to Produce Best Outcomes
Effective ABA services do not occur in isolation. We, as behavior analysts, are part of a larger team including those we serve, stakeholders, and other professionals. In fact, our code of ethics outlines that services provided extend to team members such as caregivers (BACB, 2020). While effective...
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Self-Care is Not Selfish: The Important Role Self-Care Plays in Promoting Good Outcomes in Autistic Individuals
Self-care is one of those buzzword phrases that often goes in one ear and promptly out the other. Well-meaning clinicians, and even the latest podcast gurus, talk about prioritizing self-care in a world that is constantly demanding more and more of your time and energy as a family member. We are in...
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Supporting Immigrant Parents (Now U.S. Citizens) In Navigating Services for Autistic Children
There has been an increase in the prevalence of childhood disability worldwide. One in six children, ages 3-17, has recently been diagnosed with a developmental disability.1 Parenting children with a disability poses challenges for all parents, although immigrant parents experience more...
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“Reflecting on the Journey” – A Retreat for Parents of Autistic Family Members
This past year marked the 25th anniversary year of our annual weekend retreat for parents of young and adult autistic individuals. This innovative family support activity has become a highlight of the year for us, and for many of the approximately 60 parents of autistic family members who join us...
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Supporting Families in ABA Programs with Compassion and Sensitivity
Imagine the feeling of expecting a child. You dream for your child, wonder what they will be like, wonder if they will be funny or smart, outgoing, or quiet. You wonder about a lot of things, but you don’t wonder whether they will ever learn to talk. You don’t wonder if they will ever have a...
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The Importance of Residential School-Based Family Support
Providing school-age support for families and caregivers with an autistic child varies based on the school program the student is enrolled in. It is imperative that alongside the programming and support autistic students receive, parents receive similar services. This includes but is not limited...