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Screening for Anxiety and Depression in the Context of Challenging Behavior
Challenging behavior is common among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Challenging behavior includes tantrums, self-injurious behavior, noncompliance, and aggression, especially when they occur with heightened intensity or frequency (Machalicek et al., 2016). In addition, anxiety and...
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My Child with Autism Needs Anesthesia, What Should I Know?
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have an increased rate of hospital contact and are likely to require sedation and anesthesia for surgeries, procedures, and imaging tests. Lee et al. has demonstrated that children with autism were about two to three times more likely to experience an...
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Uniquely Human Podcast #4 – Autism and Quality of Life with Becca Lory Hector
Episode 4 - Autism at Quality of Life with Becca Lory Hector Overview What are the indicators for quality of life for people with autism? How can autistic people build a more self-defined life, starting where they are now? Autistic autism consultant and speaker Becca Lory Hector shares...
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Mobilizing to Maintain Continuity of the Yes She Can Training Program
Yes She Can provides a job skills training program for young women with autism and related social and learning disabilities. The program is implemented at Girl AGain boutique where clinical professionals and business managers coach trainees in all aspects of running the business. It has been a...
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What Do Change in Schedules, Virtual Meetings, and Face Masks Have in Common?
The Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted daily life for almost every person around the world; especially daily routines. Routines are a good thing, since the predictability can be comforting. For many, changes to routines are frustrating; but are usually seen as positive, creating novel changes. But...
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Coping During COVID-19: Strategies to Reinforce Executive Functioning Skills During Times of Change
As the world enters a perpetual state of “new normal” due to the COVID-19 pandemic, previously developed routines and coping skills may not be readily accessible - or may not work at all. Along with the closing of many schools and workplaces, drastically changing societal norms,...
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The Effects of Stress Are on a Spectrum Too: Why I Can’t Think
To say that stress and anxiety are issues these days is to state the obvious. I have been having trouble doing my long-term work. I couldn’t focus on anything that wasn’t immediately tangible like a zoom meeting or writing a blog. Autistic and neurotypical friends were having the same problems....
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Stress and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Paying Attention to Your Cortisol Level in Challenging Times
The COVID-19 pandemic not only worries us about our health but our very survival as a society. We all can identify with the emotional, physical and cognitive impact of stress on our bodies and minds. In stressful situations we struggle to concentrate, remember and learn. We are more prone to...
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Talking to Individuals with Autism About COVID-19
“If you are caring for a child or loved one with autism, it is important to speak with him or her about COVID-19 to ensure they have the information and resources they need – without causing unnecessary worry and anxiety.” - Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Senior Vice President and...
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Be Mindful, Be Present, Be You: How to Handle Crisis Anxiety
With the world around us a chaotic mess, it is getting harder and harder to avoid becoming a giant, swirling, ball of anxiety. The current pandemic has disrupted our lives and the world as we know it is on hold for the foreseeable future. It has interrupted routines, forced schools to close, and...
