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Bringing Fitness to an Already Safe Place: Integrating Exercise into Behavioral Health Care
Research has clearly supported the connection between mental health and fitness for all people. In fact, its positive impact on mental health is so significant that it can be viewed as a useful adjunct for mental health and substance abuse disorder treatment interventions (Ashdown-Franks et al.,...
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The Role of Anime as a Special Interest in Autistic Well-Being
Media has been a way to share stories, express ideas, and provide a sense of connection and understanding. Many individuals consider shows a special interest, and it becomes a strong topic and passion in their social lives. One example of media that is commonly discussed is cartoons and animated...
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The Role of Interest-Driven Experiences in Supporting Wellbeing for Autistic Individuals
For much of the past several decades, autism intervention has been organized around two primary aims: increasing adaptive skills and reducing behaviors that interfere with learning and daily life. These priorities have generated important advances in education and clinical practice. However, the...
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Modern Autism Care Requires a New Approach to Education: Catalight Academy’s Model for Clinician Training
Autism care has evolved dramatically over the past decade but, in many cases, our training systems have not. Those of us committed to truly personalized, evidence-based care believe we owe families more – care that is delivered efficiently, collaboration that is thoughtful and outcomes that...
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Planning Stress-Free Vacations for Families with Autistic Kids
Understanding the Challenges Traveling with a child with autism can present unique challenges. Changes in routine, unfamiliar environments, sensory triggers, and social interactions may cause anxiety or overwhelm a child on the autism spectrum. For families, this can make vacations feel more...
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How Enhancing Access to Art Activities Supports Well-Being and Social Inclusion of Children on the Autism Spectrum
For many toddlers, some of the earliest joys are simple things: the playground, toy trains, building towers out of blocks. But one of the first things that truly captivated my son Matthew was something much quieter. It was crayons. When Matthew was very young — before he was speaking much...
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Rhythm Nation: How Music Helps Neurodivergent Children Communicate, Focus, and Thrive
I was introduced as “Ms. Gina” to two, cherub-faced little boys who attended kindergarten group speech sessions together at their school. Space was limited, so we were given a smaller “pre-school” room to use for our meetings. My first memory of my “little drummer” was that in a room...
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Who Is Caring for Whom? Rethinking Care Work and Disability
I feel literally stuck between a rock and a hard place. It’s the night of my choir performance and the choir is grouped by sections and lined up in rows in the community centre auditorium. I find myself in the centre of the soprano section: there’s one row in front of me, one row behind, and...
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Traveling with Children with Autism or Sensory Needs: Tips for Families and Single Parents
Spring and summer travel planning is in full swing, but for many parents, especially those with children with autism or sensory needs, the thought of planning and taking a vacation can be daunting. Fortunately, there are ways to make travel more manageable and enjoyable, even as a single parent of...
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The Autism Society of America Awards Felicity House the 2025 Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Leader in Adult Autism Award
January 7, 2026, Rockville, MD — The Autism Society of America is pleased to announce Felicity House was named as the 2025 recipient of The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Leader in Adult Autism Award. This distinguished honor recognizes organizations and leaders who champion the autonomy of...
