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Sensory-Friendly Hospital Experiences for Children with Autism
Going to the hospital is typically accompanied by fear and stress, which is never easy for any family. For parents of children with autism, it can be even more overwhelming to think about going to the doctor’s office or the hospital. 95% of children with autism also have sensory processing...
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Sensory-Friendly Tools and Resources for Autism Caregivers
As registered and licensed occupational therapists (OTR/L) in pediatric school-based settings, many of the students we support are diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). Therefore, we have extensive experience with various developmental, motor, social, and sensory conditions, and the...
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Supporting Sensory Diversity: Building Inclusive Classrooms
Traditional classrooms were initially designed in the early 1900s, and some school districts have retained a similar structure. These settings typically involve large groups of children seated, remaining stationary, and primarily learning through listening and reading. Traditional classrooms...
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The Power of Sensory Integration: Enhancing Communication for Non-Speaking Individuals
Communication is complex and extends beyond verbal expression. This is especially important to understand in non-speaking individuals. Non-verbal cues such as facial expression, body language, and sensory experiences play crucial roles in conveying and understanding messages. Sensory integration...
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The Role of Sensory-Focused Education in Inclusive Classrooms
In inclusive classrooms, all student learners have strategies, techniques, support, respect, and a welcoming environment to promote academic success (Webster, 2014). Inclusive classrooms require the integration of differentiated instruction tailored to the unique academic, mental, and physical...
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Autism Spectrum News Interviews Jessica Sassi, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA, President and CEO of The New England Center for Children
Autism Spectrum News recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jessica Sassi, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA, who was appointed President and CEO of The New England Center for Children (NECC) in 2021. In this exclusive interview, David Minot, Publisher of Autism Spectrum News, speaks with Dr. Sassi about her...
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Genetics, Diagnosis, and the Male-Female Gender Gap in Autism
I hesitated to write this article. What business does a psychologist like me have writing about genetics and the gender gap in autism? I am not a geneticist. At most, genetics plays a small role in my professional life. But questions kept nagging at me. Some are specific to autism spectrum disorder...
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Helping Youth with Autism and Co-Occurring Low Vision and Blindness
The prevalence of autism has been increasing over the years. The CDC estimates that 1 out of every 44 children has an autism spectrum condition (CDC, 2021). It has changed from a low-incidence disability (i.e., 1 in 10,000) to a more common one. Blindness, on the other hand, is currently considered...
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Find Autistic Talent with Hire Autism
Unemployment rates for autistic adults in the United States are staggeringly high. Recent statistics show that between 50% to 90% of autistic adults are unemployed or underemployed, making autism the highest unemployed disability (Steven Zauderer, Cross River Therapy). In addition, studies in the...
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All Are Welcome: Creating an Inclusive Festival
Almost 11 years ago, I founded an organization, Autism Personal Coach, that provides coaching to autistic adults and teens to improve the quality of our lives. Within the first year of our existence, I realized that the lack of community was a glaring and alarming need for many of our clients. That...
