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Anderson Family Partners: Extended Family, Redefined
For Colleen Contreni, Family Liaison at Anderson Center for Autism, the concept of ‘extended family’ has long inspired her work. “I have always been a very family-oriented person, and this role at Anderson is a reminder that by cultivating a spirit of kinship among parents, caregivers, and...
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Autism and Marriage: Making Your Relationship Work Under the Pressures of Caregiving
Having a child with autism can certainly put strain on a marriage. I should know. After over 20 years of marriage with two children on the autism spectrum, my marriage came to an end. So why am I writing an article about making your relationship work? Because it’s too important not to. My...
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Teamwork: Building A Successful Neurodivergent-Neurotypical Marriage
As I sit down to write this, my husband and I just celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary. We met through a mutual friend - an ex-boyfriend of mine. Joseph and I had gone our separate ways a few months before I received a phone call from “Caper” (his chosen “call sign”). I was surprised by...
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Navigating the Sandwich Generation: My Personal Journey as a Neurodivergent Entrepreneur, Mother, and Daughter
I am a sandwich generation mother and daughter; I can attest to our unique challenges. I have the added challenge of a disability, or as I like to refer to it, a unique neurotype. Despite growing up thinking I was a neurotypical person who was just unlikeable or “weird,” I have always been...
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(Autistic) Girls on Film? An Analysis of Autistic Female Characters in Media and Fan Interpretations
Contrary to popular belief, autistic characters in TV and film are nothing new. The first instance of an autistic person being portrayed o-screen is popularly believed to be Amanda from the 1969 crime drama Change of Habit, starring Elvis Presley and Tyler Moore. Initially, the little girl is...
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Living and Aging Independently on the Autism Spectrum: An Inside View
Having been diagnosed late in life at the age of 44, I lived for the better part of my life on the autism spectrum without myself or anyone else being aware of it. During the time in which I finally knew about this, I was already an older adult and, most recently, a senior citizen. Unlike so many...
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New Curriculum and Pilot Program Affirms Adults with Autism Want to be Loved
I Aspire to Be Me, LLC (I AM) is a service provider committed to dispelling the myth that adults with autism do not seek meaningful intimate relationships. It’s important for society to recognize this population can and does desire intimacy, just like everyone else. Unfortunately, they often lack...
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Uncovering Neurodiversity in a Relationship
Neurodiversity in a partnership signifies that partners’ brains are wired differently from one another. When a couple learns that someone has a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it can fundamentally shift the way they view their relationship. While there are inherent challenges that...
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Neurodiverse Couples: Making Meaningful Moments of Every Day – Having a Good Afternoon
Every day there are countless opportunities for partners to create small connecting moments to enhance emotional connection in their relationship. Taking advantage of these little moments can make for big changes in your relationship dynamics. “Having a Good Afternoon” is the second of the...
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Webinar: Preparing for Puberty in Children with Autism
In this recorded webinar, Cora Taylor, PhD, discusses puberty in individuals with special developmental needs, including: Helping children understand and prepare for body changes associated with puberty Encouraging good hygiene Understanding public/private behaviors Handling issues...
