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Dental Care and Autism: What You Should Know
Going to the dentist can be nerve-wracking for anyone. However, for a child with autism, dental care can be a much more difficult experience. An overload of sensory elements can make going to the dentist overwhelming and scary. Luckily, choosing the right dentist, knowing what to expect, and...
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When Anxiety and Depression Coexist with Autism
Today, one in fifty-nine children are diagnosed with Autism. The characteristics of Autism often present in poor communicative and social skills, restricted or inappropriate affect and poor emotional regulation. Most of these individuals have significant functional impairments in one or more areas...
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Partnering with Your Child’s Doctor to Navigate the Special Needs World
We all want the best medical care for our children, and a crucial part of obtaining proper care is finding a doctor who is knowledgeable, experienced and compassionate. Partnering with the right doctor is especially important for children with special needs, who often require more frequent doctor...
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Autism and Comorbidities: Opening the Pathway to Communication Through Treatment
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder commonly suffer from other medical conditions, or comorbidities, that can sometimes mask or even exacerbate symptoms of autism. At the top of the list are psychiatric conditions, neurological issues and even gastrointestinal problems. In fact, 70 percent...
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Analyzing Health Informatics to Ensure Safety and Wellness
As the amount of data recorded in classrooms continues to expand, so, too, does the opportunity for individual, organizational, and systemic improvements informed by that data. One area of increasing focus is the collection and analysis of health and wellness data, collectively known as health...
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Advancing Behavioral Health Strategies as Individuals Approach Adulthood
Individuals connected to the behavioral healthcare system are well aware that autism does not magically disappear on a teenager’s 18th birthday. Yet, the challenges facing people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) shift considerably as they make the transition to adulthood....
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Comprehensive Programming to Support Children with Developmental Disabilities and Significant Medical Conditions in a School Setting
Supporting children with autism or other developmental disabilities and significant co-occurring medical conditions presents substantial challenges to teachers, parents and all involved caretakers. This article presents an overview of the interdisciplinary model and a representative case study...
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Understanding the Relationship Between Autism, OCD, and Repetitive Behaviors
One of the long-standing challenges in supporting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is the high rate of repetitive behavior they demonstrate. In addition to these individuals demonstrating high rates of repetitive behavior, many caregivers and support providers find it difficult to...
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Helping Children with Autism Fall Asleep and Stay Asleep Without Medication
Sleep is an essential restorative process for every child’s body and brain. Sleep has been shown to promote growth of one’s muscles, bones, and skin, help protect the heart, combat germs, sickness, and injuries, and impact one’s weight. Further, research has shown that sleep helps individuals...
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Obesity and Related Issues in Individuals with ASD: The Scope of the Problem and Potential Solutions
Obesity is a major problem around the world and in the United States for individuals with and without disabilities. The World Health Organization (2011) identified childhood obesity as one of the most serious public health risks in this century (Alwan, 2011). Obesity rates in the United States have...
