For children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), many things that might come naturally to other children are very slow to develop. Certain life skills that we may take for granted in our everyday lives develop into seemingly insurmountable challenges for kids with ASD, especially when it comes to social skills, learning, and self-sufficiency skills from concrete things like picking out and […]
August 2020 - Page 2
My Child Was Given an Autism Diagnosis: What Now?
While they may or may not have had an autism diagnosis, more than a tenth of Americans live with autism spectrum disorder, a condition that was unknown a century ago, and has become better understood over time both in the mainstream and within the psychiatric community. When it was first discovered, it was theorized to be a […]
Navigating the Teen Years with Autism
Puberty is a tremendously difficult time for any child, but it can be several times more challenging for a child with autism spectrum disorder. Navigating the teen years on the spectrum is certainly no simple task, and can come at a very inopportune time – for many parents, puberty may be the time when they feel […]
Social Cues That May Be Missed with Autism
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is diagnosed through a series of different symptoms. Few are as recognizable and common as the symptoms of ASD relating to social dysfunction. It’s noted that cases of mild and severe autism often exhibit some form of social dysfunction, particularly in the realm of subtle, non-verbal communication. It’s important to recognize that […]
Transitioning to Adulthood With Autism
Adulthood in autism is a very important subject, particularly because of how we define what adulthood is. Where do we draw the line between a child and an adult? If we are being honest with each other, we know it isn’t age. People don’t magically become adults once they’re 18. Some start taking on far […]
Understanding Asperger’s in Relation to Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition with a variety of behavioral presentations. Some individuals with autism may experience difficulty with self-expression and the understanding of social cues. Others may struggle with motor skills, language, or executive function. Asperger’s Syndrome is a developmental disorder which has in the past been differentiated from or viewed […]
What Co-occurring Conditions Can Accompany Autism?
People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are much more likely to struggle with one or more co-occurring physical and/or mental health conditions. Wherever they are identified, these conditions can present extra stress for the person – which can make life much harder. Some of these conditions can be hard to catch early on, because they might not differentiate […]
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a term used to describe a group of complicated neurodevelopment disorders. The spectrum, rather than just describing intensity, represents a long list of different symptoms that have been identified as autism. Symptoms begin to present themselves very early on in childhood, and the disorder affects all races and ethnicities, although […]
What’s the Difference Between High-Functioning and Low-Functioning Autism?
Autism has a complicated history. It is an inherently complex condition, and those that live with it have often faced plenty of stigma and misunderstanding. As complex as it is, the autism diagnosis still struggles with generalization and oversimplification. Much progress has been made in determining how autism should be defined, and what parents with children on the spectrum […]
Why Are Autism Behavior Analysts Important?
The study of the human mind has grown dramatically since the inception of psychology, and our understanding of what is and isn’t a matter of mental health has evolved and continues to evolve. While Freud’s contributions to modern psychiatry are significant, they have been deeply flawed – and as we learn more about ourselves, we […]