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The Autistic Special Interest as a Form of Communication
“What is with his obsession with dinosaurs?!?” “She just won’t shut up about Disney movies!” “If these kids would spend half as much time studying as they do playing with Pokémon cards, they’d be a lot better off.” Such are the responses that tend to greet special...
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Painful Conversations: Unconscious Neurodiversity Bias in Higher Education
NOTE: This article is an adaptation of a lecture given at Northeastern University on August 9, 2024. For the full, hour-long video of the presentation, please click here. A shorter version was co-hosted by Vanderbilt University and UCONN on December 13. When I was researching my last book (The...
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A Key Brain Difference Linked to Autism Is Found for the First Time in Living People
For decades, researchers have relied on animal models and post-mortem subjects to help unlock the key to certain social and communication differences that are hallmarks of autism. Now, a new study has uncovered a molecular difference in the brains of autistic people that is linked to the central...
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Voices from China: Psychology Students Reflect on Autism Awareness and Advocacy
Wenzhou-Kean University is one of three Sino-US universities, with Kean University being the only public university that has a campus in China (Stern, 2024). The mission of this alliance is to foster cooperation and encourage people, especially youth, to get to know each other better (Zhang, 2024)....
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Exploring the Overlooked Connections: Sensory Processing Impairments and Communication Challenges in Autism Spectrum Disorders
(Note: “Aspie” is my preferred term for people on the Autism Spectrum) Effective communication is the foundation of strong relationships and personal growth. Sensory and emotional processing disorders affect children on the Autism Spectrum and may persist into adulthood, affecting all...
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Nina: A Nonspeaker Who Found Her Voice
Key Points Access to communication is a fundamental human right. Misconceptions about nonspeaking autism can be harmful. Spelling to communicate (S2C) can be a powerful tool for nonspeaking autistic people. Neurotypicals should presume competence and become helpful...
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“Nothing About Us Without Us” Leaves Voices Out
In the autistic community, we often hear the phrase “nothing about us without us.” On its surface, that seems like the ethical standard that those of us who are not autistic should commit to. It feels respectful for non-autistic clinicians, educators, and researchers like me to take our...
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Social Communications: An Essential but Often Overlooked Skill for Autistics
Autism has been described, and sometimes defined, as a disorder of communication. This is certainly the case for nonverbal autistics and others who are completely unable to communicate, but it is just as true for those who are articulate and able to express themselves verbally. For them, autism is...
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Yes, We Can Socialize
Throughout my life as an autistic person, I have been fortunate to have experienced great moments where I have been able to socialize with others and gain long-lasting friendships. There were also times when, due to my misunderstanding of certain social situations and the anxiety that comes with...
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Neurodiverse Couples: When One Partner Comes Out as Trans
When partners begin neurodiverse couples therapy, they bring a myriad of topics into the session. As a therapist specializing in gender and sexuality, I often hear couples discussing challenges related to intimacy and sex. However, what happens when one partner realizes they do not fully identify...
