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Wellbeing as a Buffer: Helping Autistic Individuals Thrive Through Life’s Transitions
Transitions are an inevitable part of life. For autistic individuals, they can also be some of the most stressful. Starting school, moving into adulthood, entering the workforce, or navigating new living arrangements can bring an array of changes - new routines, expectations, and social landscapes....
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Helping Autistic Children Cope with Divorce and Co-Parenting Transitions
Divorce and associated transitions can be challenging for any family, but changes in family dynamics and routines can present unique challenges for families with autistic children. With a high rate of divorce among parents of children on the autism spectrum, it is crucial to focus on strategies...
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Finding Strength in Stress: An Autistic Author’s Journey Through Crisis and Recovery
I wish I could tell you that I don’t ever stress as an autistic person. I wish that I could tell you that I am a professional and that I have mastered the art of destressing and staying calm, but the truth is I stress. Ever since I was a kid dealing with stress has never come easy for me as an...
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When the Going Gets Tough: How to Foster Safety and Stability During Challenging Situations
The journey through autism and disabilities is certainly complex – filled with excitement and achievements, as well as challenges and uncertainty. Some challenges may relate directly to the disabilities themselves, such as navigating insurance denials for essential therapies or medications,...
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We Can Get Through This – How Autistic Individuals Can Cope with Massive Burnout
It is not surprising that burnout is one of the toughest things that autistics face in their lives. Granted, each autistic suffers from burnout differently, but it is a difficult situation nonetheless. Burnout can affect the ability to cope with sensory sensitivities, manage executive...
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The Day I Learned That Stepping Away Isn’t Giving Up – It’s How Autistic Brains Navigate Change
Whenever I have had a big change coming, I tell myself "I can handle this." I have always been good at problem-solving, at figuring things out methodically. Moving away from home for the first time to live at a program for young adults with autism? No problem – I was prepared to learn everything...
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Managing Anxiety: Tools and Strategies for Emotional Balance
Key Points: With autism comes a high level of comorbid anxiety due to characteristics of ASD that contribute to anxiety such as sensory sensitivities and difficulty with unpredictability. The most successful way to help support anxiety in individuals with autism includes a multifaceted...
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Your Child Has Just Been Diagnosed with Autism – Now What?
Every family has their own personal journey towards an autism diagnosis for their child. Whether it brings the confirmation of what may have been suspected or the news of something completely unexpected, the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder can have a significant impact on a family. Like the...
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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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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...
