“It Really Is Disneyland”: The Benefits of Sleepaway Camp for Autistic Children and Adults

• By: Emily Blumberg Freelance Writer
• April 3rd, 2026
• autism summer camps, camper inclusion, community building, family engagement, individualized support, recreational activities, social skills development, Spring 2026 Issue, staff training
• 182    0

After 32 years as the Director of Family Support Services at Citizen Options Unlimited, Savita Sharma still begins a countdown to the organization’s Camp Loyaltown in Hunter, NY each January. “Parents tell me: ‘Bags are packed, it’s only January. [Our child] knows camp is coming,’”...

Bridging the Gap: Empowering Families Awaiting an Autism Diagnosis

• By: Andrea Lavigne, PhD, BCBA, LBA, LABA Nick James Autism Care Partners
• October 2nd, 2023
• at-home toolkits, diagnosis delays, diagnostic evaluation, early intervention benefits, empowering caregivers, Fall 2023 Issue, family engagement, family support needs, individualized goals, pre-diagnostic gap, progress tracking, skill building activities, telehealth programs
• 2052    1

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) continues to rise. According to the CDC, 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with autism by the age 81 and as a result, the need for comprehensive family support systems has never been more pressing. Unfortunately, the barriers to clinical support and...

Supporting Immigrant Parents (Now U.S. Citizens) In Navigating Services for Autistic Children

• By: Trudy Ann Pines, EdD AHRC New York City’s Middle/High School
• October 2nd, 2023
• Fall 2023 Issue, family engagement, immigrants, language barrier, multilingual support, parent counseling, parent training, parents, school, transition workshops
• 3986    0

There has been an increase in the prevalence of childhood disability worldwide. One in six children, ages 3-17, has recently been diagnosed with a developmental disability.1 Parenting children with a disability poses challenges for all parents, although immigrant parents experience more...