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Supporting Emotional Regulation in Non-Speaking Children
Every parent of a non-speaking child knows the moment. The grocery store gets too loud, a routine shifts without warning, a sibling grabs the wrong toy, and a child who seemed fine a minute ago is on the floor, or running, or frozen. Adults nearby may see "bad behavior." What is actually happening...
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Communication, Regulation, and Trust: Supporting Non-speaking Autistic Individuals in Everyday Life
A Few Truths The world is often set up in ways that are highly unreliable and unpredictable for autistic people. This sets the stage for frequent dysregulation, disengagement, and disability, all of which can be even more extreme for non-speaking autistic individuals. The frequent bias towards...
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Life Through an Autistic Lens: UFOs (Unexplainable Freak Outs)
Labels. Not the mean kind. Not the kind that put you in your place, or that demystify you for others. The kind found on shirts, couches, dishtowels, and bedding. I'm feeling agitated just writing this. This is difficult for me. Labels. Tags. Those scrunched up, scratchy pieces of paper...
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When Special Interests Look Typical: Understanding the Hidden Intensity in Autistic Girls
Most autistic individuals develop special interests—deeply focused passions that go beyond typical hobbies. These interests are often characterized by intensity, prolonged engagement, and difficulty shifting attention away from the topic. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders...
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Why Recreation Belongs in Education, Health, and Community Systems for Individuals with Autism and Other Disabilities
Play and recreation are where many of the most important parts of human development take shape. Through shared activities, people learn how to connect with others, how to manage differences, how to experience themselves to their fullest abilities, and how to feel part of something larger than...
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How Animals and Pet Therapy Enhance Recreational Experiences for Autistic Individuals
For individuals on the autism spectrum, recreational activities can sometimes feel overwhelming or stressful. Loud noises, crowded spaces, or unfamiliar social interactions can make participation challenging. This is where animals can make a big difference. Animals provide a comforting,...
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The Role of Anime as a Special Interest in Autistic Well-Being
Media has been a way to share stories, express ideas, and provide a sense of connection and understanding. Many individuals consider shows a special interest, and it becomes a strong topic and passion in their social lives. One example of media that is commonly discussed is cartoons and animated...
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How Enhancing Access to Art Activities Supports Well-Being and Social Inclusion of Children on the Autism Spectrum
For many toddlers, some of the earliest joys are simple things: the playground, toy trains, building towers out of blocks. But one of the first things that truly captivated my son Matthew was something much quieter. It was crayons. When Matthew was very young — before he was speaking much...
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Rhythm Nation: How Music Helps Neurodivergent Children Communicate, Focus, and Thrive
I was introduced as “Ms. Gina” to two, cherub-faced little boys who attended kindergarten group speech sessions together at their school. Space was limited, so we were given a smaller “pre-school” room to use for our meetings. My first memory of my “little drummer” was that in a room...
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When Puberty Meets Autism: The Hidden Struggles of Autistic Girls
Why Puberty Is a Turning Point for Autistic Girls Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social interaction, communication, and patterns of behavior (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). These differences often include...
