Browse Articles By Topic
Here you will find the articles that address a spectrum of vital topics for the autism community.
If you prefer, you can read each quarterly issue of Autism Spectrum News.
* This section is a work in progress and will grow over time, so check back often!
Adolescents
- Guiding Your Child with Autism Through Puberty
- How to Navigate The Topic Of Driving with Autism
- Parent and Adolescent Outcomes Following Participation in the PEERS© Program
- Early Start: Preparing Adolescents for the Transition Years
- Finding David’s Space
- The Importance of Self-Advocacy Skills for Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum
- The Soft Skills – A Call to Remember the (Not so Easy) Steps to Success
- Walking the Tightrope: Promoting Success in the Adolescent with ASD
- Developing Independence: Teaching Goal Setting Skills to Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum
Adults
- How to Build a Satisfying Recreation Program for Adults with Disabilities
- Social Activities and Communities for Individuals with Autism: Meeting a Basic Human Need
- Supporting Pioneers: Building Better Networks for Adults Aging with Autism
- Autism After 65 – Making the Most of the Golden Years
- Older Adults on the Spectrum Face a Variety and Number of Major Challenges
- Supporting Older Adults with Autism
- Best Practices in Support of Aging Adults with Autism
- Three Strategies to Strengthen Communication for Adults with Autism and Learning Differences
- Moving Forward with Will Power
- Transition to Adulthood: Many Difficult yet Essential Challenges for Autistics
- Preparing for the Challenges of Adulthood
- Adults with Autism Face a Unique Set of Dangers and Hazards
- Online Dating and Neurodiversity
- Adult ASD Diagnosis: “It’s Not a Label – It’s an Explanation”
- Balancing Health and Safety Issues with Individual Rights in Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
- Support and Social Groups: An Essential and Vital Need of the Autistic Community
- The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation’s “NYC Overload Project” Creates Employment for Singer/Songwriters
- Tackling the Unemployment Crisis for Adults with Asperger Syndrome
Advocacy
- With Greta Thunberg in Time’s Spotlight, Those on the Spectrum Seeing “a Profound Moment”
- Mentors Over White Knights – How to Support Autistic Women for Success
- The First Step in Bullying Prevention Is Normalizing Our Differences
- An Autism Spectrum News Interview with Temple Grandin
- Learning the Powerful Language of Inclusion: A Mother’s Journey to Acceptance and Hope
- There’s More to Communication than Language, Grammar, and Vocabulary
- The Risks and Consequences of High or Low Functioning Autism Labels
- Moving Forward with Will Power
- NY State Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara’s Personal Mission of Advocacy on Behalf of New Yorkers with Disabilities
- Autism Saved My Life
- Supporting Students on the Autism Spectrum: Many Things Need to Change
- The Face of Grief Before and After the Autism Spectrum
Assessment and Diagnosis
- Considerations in Diagnostic Assessment of Females for Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Presentation of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Females: Diagnostic Complexities and Implications for Clinicians
- So Your Child Was Diagnosed with ASD: What Comes Next?
- Assessing If a Diagnosis is Necessary: Clinical Utility of an Autism Diagnosis Across the Lifespan
- An Accurate Assessment is the Foundation of Your Child’s Future
- Evaluation and Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder
- In Genetic Diagnosis, a Path Forward – Discovering Their Son’s Genetic Diagnosis Helps One Family in Many Ways
- The Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R)
Challenging Behaviors
Children
- Posts not found
Communication
- If My Son Could Speak
- Breaking Down the Barriers of Social Communication for Young Adults
- What NOT to Say…
- Introducing the Use of Behavior Skills Training to Achieve Staff Proficiency in the Use of PECS
- A Group-Format Parent Training Program to Improve Communication Skills in Young Children with ASD
- Three Strategies to Strengthen Communication for Adults with Autism and Learning Differences
- Improving Communications with Children with Autism and Special Needs Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication Strategies
- The Development of Theatre Arts to Facilitate Social and Communication Skills for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Improving Communication Skills: Using Behavior Analytic Science Effectively
- An Overview of Communication Problems in Children with ASD
- Building Communication Competence through Milieu Speech-Language Therapy
- Strategies to Support Communication and Address Challenging Behaviors
- Language Intervention for School-Aged Children
- Communication Modality Decisions for Individuals with ASD
- Communication is Key to Building Functional Independence Skills in Adults with Autism
- Should All Nonverbal Young Children with Autism Immediately Have AAC Taught to Them?
- Employing Theater Arts to Enhance the Lives of Individuals with ASD
- Better Language Comprehension Through Brain Connectivity
Community Engagement
- Promoting Community Engagement and Social Connections Through Employment and Volunteering
- A Small Village Becomes an Autism Supportive Community
- Strategies for Increasing Social Networking and Job Readiness for Individuals with ASD Through Community Engagement
- Partnering with the Community to Provide Information and Resources Related to OPWDD’s New I/DD ID Cards
- Creating Community for Adults with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities
- The Importance of Community-Based Instruction for Individuals with Autism Across the Lifespan
- Home-Based Services as a Means to Increasing Community Engagement in Individuals with Autism
- Strengthening Community Engagement with Vocational Training and Employment for Young Adults with Autism
- Taking a Multi-Cultural Approach to Promoting Autism Awareness
- Community Engagement Through Integrated Community Living Options for Adults with Autism
* Coronavirus / COVID-19
- Autism Spectrum News and Behavioral Health News: Supporting the Community During the COVID-19 Crisis
- Displaying Courage, AHRC NYC Staff Support People with I/DD in Group Homes and Remotely with Technology
- Helping Parents Address Challenging Behaviors During These Challenging Times
- Interpersonal Relationships and Social Engagement in a Virtual Landscape
- Utilizing Digital Media to Enable Continuity of Autism Services
- The Impact of COVID-19 on Families
- Unmasking New Opportunities Through Virtual Learning
- How Spectrum Designs Foundation Pivoted to Support First Responders and Healthcare Providers
- How We’ve Always Done It
- Mobilizing to Maintain Continuity of the Yes She Can Training Program
- What Do Change in Schedules, Virtual Meetings, and Face Masks Have in Common?
- Transitioning an ABA Company to Telehealth Service Delivery Model
- Using Telehealth to Create a Virtual Community for Adults with Autism
- Unforeseen Advantages of Virtual Learning: Improved Attendance, Participation and More
- Maintaining Best Outcomes for Students in a Congregate Care Setting Amidst a Pandemic
- Coping During COVID-19: Strategies to Reinforce Executive Functioning Skills During Times of Change
- The Effects of Stress Are on a Spectrum Too: Why I Can’t Think
- Life in the Time of COVID-19: An Autistic Perspective
- Thriving During COVID-19: Transitioning to Virtual Programming for Individuals with Disabilities
- A Unique Program to Support Autism Educators During COVID-19 Distance Learning
- Maximizing Virtual Visits to Maintain Essential Touchpoints in Autism Care
- Silver Linings: Potential Benefits of “the New Normal” for Individuals with ASD
- Cover Up for Safety! Suggestions for Mask Toleration for Individuals with ASD
- Stronger Than We Think: The Advantages of Neurodiversity in the Face of Adversity
- Understanding and Mitigating Challenges Faced by the Healthcare System when Treating Children with ASD and Problem Behavior
- Stress and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Paying Attention to Your Cortisol Level in Challenging Times
- Examining the Challenges Service Providers Have Faced as a Result of COVID-19
- How to Recover Financially From a Crisis When You Are Autistic
- Help for Parents Managing Challenging Behaviors for Children with ASD During COVID-19
- COVID-19: Tips for Working From Home (And Finding Relief) With Your Children Out of School
- Why Is There Laughter During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
- Top 6 Questions Asked by SLPs During COVID-19
- You Are in Control
- Talking to Individuals with Autism About COVID-19
- Addressing the Psychological Fallout of The Coronavirus Pandemic
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): Preparation Tips for Families Affected by Autism
- Be Mindful, Be Present, Be You: How to Handle Crisis Anxiety
- COVID-19: Helping Families With Special Needs During a Public Health Crisis
Education
- Giving Girls a Chance: Educating Females with Autism
- Using Summer Programming to Prepare for Post-Secondary Education
- Learning Neurodiversity in a College Program for Middle / High School Students with ASD
- Scaffolding Communications Skills for Elementary Students with Autism
- Back to School Tips for Parents of Children with Special Needs
- Communication Challenges in College Students with ASD
- There are No IEPs in College: Succeeding with Accommodations
- Empowering Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Literacy Supports for Learners with Autism
- My Professor Can’t Teach! What College Students Can Do to Accommodate Themselves
- Creating Individualized, Data-Based, and Effective IEPs
- An Autism Spectrum News Exclusive Interview with the Co-Directors of the New Shrub Oak International School
- Building the Skills for School Readiness
- Promoting Student Independence and Successful Inclusion Through Systematic Use and Fading of Supports
- Autism, Sexuality, and Postsecondary Education
Employment
- Individual with Autism Succeeds from Classroom to Career
- Autism, Neurodiversity and Employment: Working Together for Positive Futures
- NY Nonprofit Dog Treat Company Expands Their Mission of Employment for the Disabled Community
- Corporate Neurodiversity Hiring Programs: Scratching the Surface?
- AHRC New York City Prepares People with Disabilities for Jobs
- Tech Startup Daivergent Turns to AHRC NYC to Fill Jobs with People on the Autism Spectrum
- Transitioning to Work
- Supporting Students with Autism Through Evidence-Based Employment Intervention
- Post-Secondary Employment for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- 27% of Adults with Autism Who Use State Disability Services Have No Work or Other Activities – 2017 National Autism Indicators Report
- Responding to the Changing Needs of Job Seeking Adults and Adolescents with Autism
- Tackling the Unemployment Crisis for Adults with Asperger Syndrome
Financial Planning
First Responders
Girls and Women
- Considerations in Diagnostic Assessment of Females for Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Meeting the Unique Needs of Women on the Autism Spectrum
- Hormonal Fluctuations and Women with Autism: A Call for Increased Awareness and Assessment
- Addressing the Female-Specific Challenges of Autism at Yes She Can
- Mentors Over White Knights – How to Support Autistic Women for Success
- A Shift Towards Better Understanding and Improving the Lives of Girls and Women With ASD
- Providing Menstrual Care Instruction to Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Supporting Young Women with ASD Through Transition Services, Employment and Volunteer Opportunities
- Different is My Identifier
- Giving Girls a Chance: Educating Females with Autism
- Girls and Autism: Overcoming the Gender Gap to Ensure Best Outcomes
- Periods and Pads and Pain, Oh My! Promoting Independence During Self-Care – Skills for Girls with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Social Connections for Women with ASD in Transition: 5 Areas of Importance
- Job Skills Are Skills for Life
- The Failure to Accurately Diagnose Girls with Asperger’s Syndrome
Health and Wellness
- Physical Fitness Activities and Nutrition Support for Autism Families
- Be Mindful, Be Present, Be You: How to Handle Crisis Anxiety
- When Anxiety and Depression Coexist with Autism
- Dental Care and Autism: What You Should Know
- Partnering with Your Child’s Doctor to Navigate the Special Needs World
- Autism and Comorbidities: Opening the Pathway to Communication Through Treatment
- Analyzing Health Informatics to Ensure Safety and Wellness
- Comprehensive Programming to Support Children with Developmental Disabilities and Significant Medical Conditions in a School Setting
- Understanding the Relationship Between Autism, OCD, and Repetitive Behaviors
- Helping Children with Autism Fall Asleep and Stay Asleep Without Medication
- Obesity and Related Issues in Individuals with ASD: The Scope of the Problem and Potential Solutions
- Advancing Behavioral Health Strategies as Individuals Approach Adulthood
- Autism and ADHD: DSM-5 Conditions with Significant Symptom Overlap
- Exercise and Dietary Choices: Practical Advice Drawn from a Review of Current Literature
- Are You Mindful or Is Your Mind Full?
- Healthy Weight Management for Youth on the Autism Spectrum: What We Know and How to Help
- Integrated Healthcare and Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Let’s Get Physical: Exercise and Health Issues in Adults with Autism
- Three Expert Tips for Realizing Your Wellness Goals
Housing
Neurodiversity
- Neurodiversity – The New Normal
- Stuck Between Two Worlds: Having a Brain that is Half Autistic and Half Neurotypical
- Authentic Strength-Based Practice: Can Neurotypical Professionals Make a Paradigm Shift?
- A Personalized Approach: Three Portraits of Incorporating Neurodiversity in Life Skills Programming for Autism
- AANE’s Online Training for Therapists Gives Hope to Neurodiverse Couples
- The Superpowers of Neurodiverse Couples
- Neurodiversity: An Idea Whose Time Has Come and A Call for Unity
- The Importance of Communication in Neurodiverse Relationships
- Neurology Matters in Couples Therapy – and Training is Now Available
- “Let’s Talk About Sex” with Neurodiverse Couples
News
- Mental Health News Education (MHNE) – Your Trusted Source
- The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation for Adult Autism Shares Its Pioneering Mission On the Global Stage in Beijing, China
- Becca Lory Hector Joins Autism Spectrum News Editorial Board
- Leaders to Be Honored at MHNE June 30th, 2020 Reception in New York City
- NIH Awards $4 Million in Funding for Early Autism Screening
- NYU College of Dentistry Honors Marco Damiani, CEO of AHRC NYC, with Kriser Medal
- Gift from Massachusetts Family Will Support Students with Diverse Learning Challenges
- The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Adds 5th Adult Autism Endowment Fund Assuring a Focus on Adult Autism Public Policy for Generations to Come
- Preparing the Field of Disabilities Services for Managed Care
- 2018 Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation “Leader in Adult Autism Award” Presented to Neal Katz at Autism Society of America National Conference
- Michael Gilberg, Self-Advocate and Special Education Attorney, Joins Autism Spectrum News Editorial Board
- NIH Awards Nearly $100 Million for Autism Centers of Excellence Program
- Berklee to Launch the Institute for Arts Education and Special Needs This Fall
- Fragile X Drug Trial Gets $11.5 Million in NIH Funding – UC Davis Mind Institute to Research Promising Therapy for Language Learning
- The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Announces Groundbreaking Initiatives at Yale School of Medicine and University of Miami CARD
- Ira and David Minot – The Father and Son Team Behind Mental Health News and Autism Spectrum News
- Vaccine Court Denies All Three “Thimerosal Causes Autism” Test Cases
Opinion-Editorial
* The views expressed in Op-Ed Articles are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of Autism Spectrum News
Parents and Caregivers
- Preparing for a Successful Holiday Season
- When Residential Schooling Is an Option
- Why Autism Parents Say: “I Can Never Die”
- Supporting Parents in the Transition Process
- “The Lighter Side of the Spectrum – a Mom’s View” – A Vulnerable Child
- “The Lighter Side of the Spectrum – a Mom’s View” – Did You Know?
- “The Lighter Side of the Spectrum – a Mom’s View” I Know Why He Has Autism
- Empowering Parents: Caregiver Support for Youth and Adolescents with ASD
- “The Lighter Side of the Spectrum – a Mom’s View” The Music Within His Body
Relationships
- Dating and Relationships: A Perennial Challenge for Many Autistics
- Navigating Neurodiverse Relationships: Disclosure and Self-Advocacy
- How to Build a Satisfying Recreation Program for Adults with Disabilities
- Neurology Matters in Couples Therapy – and Training is Now Available
- Autism and Dating: Practical Tips for Parents
- A Spectrum of Love: When Romantic Love is Not Attained
Safety
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): Preparation Tips for Families Affected by Autism
- Addressing the Psychological Fallout of The Coronavirus Pandemic
- Assembling an Emergency Toolkit for Children with Disabilities
- COVID-19: Helping Families With Special Needs During a Public Health Crisis
- Two Sides to the Safety Equation: Bridging the Gap Between Police and Individuals with ASD
- Bullying and Youth with Disabilities and Special Health Needs
- The Link Between Autism and Suicide Risk
- Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Unique People Services Creating Community Connections
- Sexual Misconduct on Campus: A Brief Introduction to Title IX Guidelines and Policies for Parents and Caregivers
Science and Research
- Largest-Ever Genetic Study of Autism Yields New Insights
- Genome Testing for Siblings of Individuals May Aid in a Diagnosis Before Symptoms Appear
- Community Engagement Conference Promotes Partnership Between Autism Researchers and Community
- Scientists Want to Know Your Opinions About Participating in Research
- Using Gene Editing, Neuroscientists Develop a New Model for Autism
- Communication in Brain May Be Remarkably Constant in Autism
- Reducing Disparities in Early Identification of ASD
- New Biomarker Panel Could Accelerate Autism Diagnoses
- Inherited Variations in Noncoding Sections of DNA Associated with Autism
- Suspect Molecules Overlap in Autism, Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder
- What Kind of Research Can Guide the Growth of ASD Services?
- Autism Science Foundation Announces Expansion of the Autism Sisters Project – 3 New Grants Awarded to Search for the Female Protective Effect
- Parental Age Ups Rate of New Mutations Passed to Children
- Key Advances in Autism Research
- Addressing the Needs of Under-Resourced Families of Children with Autism
- Prevalence, Assessment, and Treatment of Psychiatric Comorbidities in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Living in Residential Care – A Literature Review
- Researchers Link Increased Infant Brain Fluid to Autism
- Simons Foundation: Funder of Basic Science Research, Early Mover in Autism Science
- Anxiety Measure for Children with Autism Found Reliable
- Abnormal Micro-RNA: A Possible Cause of ASD and Schizophrenia
Service Providers / Treatment Professionals
- Medicaid Managed Care Is Essential for Persons With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- Telehealth Program for People with I/DD Launches in New York
- A Community of Caring Agencies Unites to Support Families in Camden County, NJ
- Supporting Employee Professional Development Activities: An Example from a Mid-Size Human-Service Organization
- The Import Role of Adult Service Providers in the Transition Process
Sexuality
- Not as Scary as it May Sound: Getting an Early Start to Sexuality Education for Young Children with ASD
- Autism, Sexuality, and Education
- Supporting the Social-Sexual Development of People on the Autism Spectrum
- 21st Century Sexuality Teaching Resources for Youth with Autism
- The Risky Road to Adult Sexuality: Know the Unanticipated Dangers
- Healthy Sexuality Education for Individuals with Autism
- Supporting Sexual Independence for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum
- Human Sexuality and Relationship Training for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Applied Settings
- Summary of a Systematic Literature Review of Research on Sexuality, Sex Education and Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Siblings
Technology
- A Technology Safety Guide for Parents of Children With Autism
- Digital Resources for Students with Autism
- Swiss Army Knives of Tech: How Mobile Technology Groups Benefit People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- The Use of Technology as an Evidence-Based Practice
- Facilitating Plugged In: Helping Teens with ASD Navigate Life with Technology
- Technology Makes Things Possible
Transition to Adulthood
- The Journey to Self-Determination
- Connections for Transition Success
- Transitioning to Work
- Supporting Parents in the Transition Process
- Transition Planning for the Long Haul – Life Beyond College
- Social Connections for Women with ASD in Transition: 5 Areas of Importance
- Transdisciplinary Transition Assessment and Instructional Planning
- A Transition Model That Works – Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement
- Using Community Collaboration to Support Transition-Aged Students
- Transition Readiness for an Individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Social and Emotional Learning: Transitioning to Adulthood
- Integrating Evidence-Based Models to Educate Adolescents with Autism
- Tools for Successful Healthcare Transition
- The Road to Adulthood: Planning and Preparing for Transition
Treatments and Interventions
- Considerations for Social Awareness as a Critical Domain in Autism Intervention
- Transitioning Back Home from a Residential Treatment Facility
- Incorporating Social Skills Beyond the Teaching Environment
- How Do I Fund My Child’s Applied Behavior Analysis?
- Autism Science Foundation Statement on the Use of Medical Marijuana for People with Autism
- Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make Me a Therapist Match
- Peer-Mediated Intervention for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
- The Use of Self-Monitoring Interventions to Support Inclusion for Adolescents Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Co-Occurring Conditions in Mild Autism Spectrum Disorder: Integrated Treatment Approaches
- Treating Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorders: What Clinical and Moral Breakthroughs in Medical Education Can Accomplish
- Behavioral Treatment Components to Address Delayed or Denied Reinforcement
- The TEACCH Autism Program: First Families, Then Assessment and Program Design
- Is Play Therapy an Evidenced-Based Intervention for Children with Autism?
- Overcoming Anxiety and Fear in Children and Teens
- Research Steps in Establishing Music Therapy as an Effective Treatment for Children on the Spectrum
- New Treatment Directions for Autism Spectrum Disorders – Neuromodulation
- Addressing the Care and Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Complex Disabilities
