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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...
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The InsideOut Program: Promoting Fitness and Friendship in College Students
Students Tackling Autism-Related Syndromes (STARS) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) that was founded by Kim Jameson, the parent of an autistic son, in 2015, at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN, to support students socially, academically, and pre-professionally. STARS is open to all students at...
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SMART Homes, Meaningful Lives: Incorporating Wellbeing Practices into Independent Living Supports
James moved into his own apartment in January of 2024. He liked his independence but didn't have much to say when his support staff spoke with him during their daily video check-in. He was “fine.” His day went “okay.” And, he had nothing to report for wants and needs. James was languishing...
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A Wellness Incentive to Empower Health and Community
There is a plethora of research that has documented the importance of physical activity and wellness interventions specific to the neurodivergent population. A recent meta-analysis of 22 studies that included 763 young adults with ASD indicated that physical activity interventions improved the...
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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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It’s Never Too Late to Communicate: Increasing Communication Access for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism
An estimated 5 million people in the United States are living with complex communication needs (CCN) (Beukelman & Light, 2020). This estimate includes people across all age groups and disability types who experience difficulties meeting their communication needs using only verbal speech....
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More Than Words: Empowering the Voices of People with Autism
Living Resources, a Capital Region agency where I proudly work, serves about 1900 people with autism or other disabilities and life-challenging conditions. As I pen this piece during the holiday season, I am reminded of one of the most rewarding and instructive moments I experienced at one of the...
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Beyond Words: Overcoming Barriers to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) for Autistic Individuals
Key Points: Speech-language pathologists work to enhance communication and independence in autistic individuals through the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) AAC tools. Challenges to using AAC include lack of knowledge, negative attitudes, financial and time...
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The Power of Person-Centered Planning in Supporting Autistic Adults
Everyone wants to be heard and supported in ways that truly resonate with them. For adults with autism, this means having a voice in how their lives are shaped, and person-centered planning is the key to making that happen. It’s a process that ensures individuals are at the heart of their own...
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Building Self-Advocacy Skills in Autistic Young Adults
Adulthood is the time when teachers and parents can no longer advocate for their children the same way they could during the school-age years. Much of it becomes the responsibility of the adult. At the beginning of my career, I had the opportunity to develop an evidence-based curriculum in...
