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The Impact of Autism and Co-Occurring Gastrointestinal Issues on Child Flourishing
Author’s note: Recent trends in language use within the autism community show a divide between professionals who often prefer person-first language (e.g., “person with autism”) and autistic advocates who often favor identity-first language (e.g., “autistic person”), for reasons of...
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Neurodiversity in Higher Education: The Link Between Autistic Traits and Student Well-Being and Physical Health
Understanding the relationship between autistic traits and collegiate well-being presents significant challenges due to the diverse range of experiences among neurodivergent students. While some autistic traits, such as memorization and fixation, may facilitate academic success, others,...
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Navigating Health as an Autistic Picky Eater
Like most, if not virtually all autistics, I lived with a variety of sensory sensitivities my entire life. As a child, I was extremely averse to certain visual stimuli (particularly camera flashes), specific kinds of sounds, and the motion of an elevator. Luckily, these subsided as I got older. Two...
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The InsideOut Program: Promoting Fitness and Friendship in College Students
Students Tackling Autism-Related Syndromes (STARS) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) that was founded by Kim Jameson, the parent of an autistic son, in 2015, at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN, to support students socially, academically, and pre-professionally. STARS is open to all students at...
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Secrets to Achieving Physical, Emotional, and Mental Wellness for Individuals with Autism and/or IDD
We all know it can be difficult to stick to a consistent workout routine, healthy eating habits, and taking care of our physical and mental health needs. For neurodiverse individuals with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) – who also may have significant support needs –...
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Wellbeing Over Standardization: A Better Approach to Clinical Training
As autism care continues to evolve, one of the greatest challenges has been moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach. Emotional wellness and overall wellbeing are deeply personal, varying from individual to individual, and any effective treatment must reflect this truth. Catalight Classroom is...
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A Visual System Promotes Fitness, Self-Efficacy, and Independence for Adults with Autism
The rise in autism diagnoses is a well-documented phenomenon, yet the challenges faced by individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in achieving optimal health and fitness remain largely overlooked. Health disparities between those with and without autism are stark, with people on the...
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Beyond Picky Eating: Supporting Lifelong Health in Autistic Children
Picky eating in autism is more than just a childhood phase. Research shows that atypical eating behaviors—such as extreme food selectivity and hypersensitivity to textures—are common in autistic children. One study found that 70% of children with autism display atypical eating patterns,...
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The Importance of Fitness Training for Autistic Individuals
Key Points: Individuals with autism have traditionally tended to live more sedentary lifestyles, which contributes to increased risk for both physical and mental health conditions. To reverse this trend, a variety of physical activity and sport-based training programs are now being offered...
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Managing Feeding and Toileting Challenges in Children with Autism
Challenges with toilet training (e.g., frequent accidents, withholding urine or feces) and eating (e.g., food selectivity, getting sufficient nutritional intake) may have a significant impact on the child’s functioning in the home, school, community, and social events. These issues often impact...
