Finding Strength in Stress: An Autistic Author’s Journey Through Crisis and Recovery

• By: Troy Krombholz Published Author, Musician, and Autism Advocate
• January 5th, 2026
• childhood stress, coping strategies, emotional well-being, family support, health challenges, personal story, social withdrawal, stress, stress management, Winter 2026 Issue
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I wish I could tell you that I don’t ever stress as an autistic person. I wish that I could tell you that I am a professional and that I have mastered the art of destressing and staying calm, but the truth is I stress. Ever since I was a kid dealing with stress has never come easy for me as an...

Building Effective Autism Treatment Plans: A Collaborative and Compassionate Approach

• By: Georgia Efthimiou, MA, BCBA-LBA Eve McCoog, LCSW Andrea Pagan, RBT Howard Savin, PhD First Children Services
• April 4th, 2025
• active listening, caregiver engagement, compassionate care, emotional wellness, family, patient-centered approach, Spring 2025 Issue, stress management, support, therapy, treatment
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“Treatment plan,” it’s a word one hears over and over again in the field of ABA. Treatment plans are fantastic in helping us guide programming for the clients and families we serve. Although treatment plans can often be received defensively by a client, parents, and other caregivers....

Building Resilience Through Self-Care and Support Teams During Divorce Transitions

• By: Mary Ann Hughes, MBA Special Family Transitions LLC
• April 4th, 2025
• divorce, divorce coaching, financial planning, mental health, parenting, self-care, special needs divorce, Spring 2025 Issue, stress management
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Stressful times can take a toll on a person’s physical, psychological, and emotional well-being, and for those experiencing divorce transitions, the stress is taken to another level. According to the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), also known as the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale,...

“Reflecting on the Journey” – A Retreat for Parents of Autistic Family Members

• By: Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP Childhood Communication Services, University of Rhode Island Elaine C. Meyer, PhD, RN Harvard Medical School Barbara Domingue, MEd Community Autism Resources
• October 2nd, 2023
• caregivers, community building, emotional support, Fall 2023 Issue, family support, fun, improved relationships, parenting challenges, parents, reflection, respite, rest, retreat, self-care, social support networking, stress management, stress relief
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This past year marked the 25th anniversary year of our annual weekend retreat for parents of young and adult autistic individuals. This innovative family support activity has become a highlight of the year for us, and for many of the approximately 60 parents of autistic family members who join us...

The Importance of Residential School-Based Family Support

• By: Caitlin Sweetapple, EdD Arij Abdul-Halim, LMHC Lauren Koffler, MSW Shrub Oak International School
• October 2nd, 2023
• co-occurring disorders, Fall 2023 Issue, families and caregivers, parent liaisons, parent support groups, parent training, parent-school relationship, psychoeducation, residential school, stress management, supporting families
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Providing school-age support for families and caregivers with an autistic child varies based on the school program the student is enrolled in. It is imperative that alongside the programming and support autistic students receive, parents receive similar services. This includes but is not limited...

How (and How Not) to Work with Employees with Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome

• By: Daniel Crofts, MA Genesee County Chapter NYSARC
• April 1st, 2014
• actually autistic, Asperger's Syndrome, employer guidance, employment support, job expectations, social communication, stress management, workplace challenges
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Imagine that you are a young person with Asperger's Syndrome. You leave home and go off to college. Happily, you find that your new school is quite able to accommodate your needs (provided you advocate for yourself, of course). Whether it is an alternative location and extra time for testing, a...

Developing Self-Reflection and Resilience in Adolescents with Asperger’s Syndrome and High Functioning Autism

• By: Dot Lucci, MEd, CAGS Massachusetts General Hospital Lurie Center and Aspire
• January 1st, 2014
• adult, college, emotional regulation, resilience building, self-awarenesss, social competence, social skills development, stress management, technology-assisted learning
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Some key ingredients to success as an adult in college or in work are: self-awareness, self-reflection, stress management, social competence, and resilience. This is true for everyone with and without disability. It would be fabulous if we could eliminate stress from all our lives; however stress...