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Supporting Caregivers During the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed the lives of many. Beginning in March 2020, many became immediately isolated, experiencing increased stress and anxiety. Parents caring for children of all ages were impacted by these variables the most. It is already known that parenting is a stressful...
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Improving Parent Engagement for Your Child with Autism
If you are a parent of a child with special needs, you’ve had to balance many new challenges along with those you already face on a daily basis. Lately, you may be spending more time than ever with your child, but more time doesn’t mean you’re getting more quality time. While it may not be...
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Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Home: How to Thrive as a Family Unit
Various research studies have shown that early intervention for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is important for providing the tools and strategies needed for long term success in areas such as education, career, and life in general (McEachin, Smith, & Lovaas, 1993). It is...
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Guidelines for Parents on Addressing the Needs of Siblings
There is little doubt that those of us raised with siblings have been influenced by that relationship. Living with a brother or sister with an autism spectrum disorder adds more significant and unique experiences to that relationship. Throughout numerous accounts of parents and siblings of children...
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Preparing for a Successful Holiday Season
Parties! Gift giving! Twinkling lights! The holiday season can be a source of joy and excitement for some but for individuals with ASD the holidays present unique challenges. With communication, planning, and patience, individuals with ASD and their families can successfully navigate and enjoy the...
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When Residential Schooling Is an Option
As a single mom of a nine-year-old autistic son, I would never have imagined my son being placed in residential schooling. All of the autism characteristics were there at the tender age of two. Through early intervention services and then my son being placed in a New York City District 75 program,...
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Why Autism Parents Say: “I Can Never Die”
The caregiving workforce shortage is and will be a crisis for so many Americans. “I can never die.” This is the rallying call of autism parents everywhere. Why do we feel that way? Because many autistic adults live with their parents – 85%, according to autism researcher Peter Gerhardt....
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Supporting Parents in the Transition Process
Adulting was on Oxford Dictionary’s 2016 short list for word of the year. “Adulting” is an endearing word that flashes an instant, sympathetic understanding about the scary, confusing, and sometimes dull aspects of being a grown-up. Parents watching their children’s wobbly advances toward...
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“The Lighter Side of the Spectrum – a Mom’s View” – A Vulnerable Child
When my son Jack was about four years old, I lost him in the mall. I was pulling a sweater on over my clothes to see if it would fit, and in the three seconds it took for me to poke my head through the fabric, he was gone. One minute, he was there, standing right in front of me with his overalls...
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“The Lighter Side of the Spectrum – a Mom’s View” – Did You Know?
You may not know this, but a couple of months ago I un-friended you on Facebook. I mean, we weren’t exactly friends in the regular sense. We never met for coffee or talked on the phone or texted each other. We don’t even live in the same state, and I haven’t seen you in over ten...
