-
The Power of Accountability in Autism and Wellness
The right course of action in life is usually a mean between two extremes. For example, if I am a student who wants to do well in school, my path runs between the opposing extremes of not studying on the one hand and consistently pulling all-nighters with the books on the other. And if this...
-
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,...
-
Embracing Disability as Key to Autistic Well-Being
Accepting ourselves as disabled people is key to autistic well-being. Far from defeatist, identifying as disabled is empowering. When we understand ourselves as disabled, anxiety goes down, and self-esteem goes up. For a long time, I compared myself to non-autistic people, and they seemed to...
-
When the Caregiver Role Reverses: Navigating Caregiving as an Autistic Person
Throughout my career, I have heard many times that people with Autism require structure and routine. I have had countless conversations about caring or providing services for people with Autism. What happens when life takes unexpected turns? What happens when someone becomes dependent on them? How...
-
Enhancing Communication: The Case for Teaching Public Speaking Skills to Autistic Individuals
“My stomach feels kind of weird,” an autistic middle school student once said to me when I asked him how he was feeling before he went on stage to co-host a talent show with me. I told him that he was experiencing anxiety, and people describe this as having “butterflies in your stomach.” As...
-
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 –...
-
Why Don’t Autistic Women Get Diagnosed, and Why Is It So Important?
I’ve diagnosed unrecognized autistic women for ten years and worked with them in therapy. These women are often successfully employed and married or with partners. They might have children and be involved in working with schools on their children’s behalf. Some might have struggled in jobs or...
-
Finding Independence and Advocacy: A Journey Through Autism and Self-Direction (2021-2025)
As a young, happy baby about to become a toddler, my family noticed I was not progressing as a normal toddler would, so they took me for a psychological evaluation at 20 months. At that evaluation, I was officially diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Ever since then, life has been an...
-
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...
-
The Role of Virtual Reality in Autism Therapy: Recent Advancements
Over the years, technology has improved to create a more immersive environment for users. One more popular trend in technology is the use of virtual reality (VR). Although typically used for gaming purposes, professionals have also found ways to utilize VR for therapeutic purposes. Initially, VR...
