Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a wide-ranging neurodevelopmental disorder that can affect people from all walks of life in all different ways. There are many things that define it, including challenges with social interactions and communication, sensory sensitivities, restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. Not every person who’s on the autism spectrum will experience all of […]
One of the biggest misconceptions about autism is that people who have it are unaware of their diagnosis. The reality is that many people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are self-aware of the condition they have as well as how they are affected by it. ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can affect people in […]
Applied behavioral analysis, or ABA therapy, has long been considered the leading treatment method for children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research has shown time and again that when ABA therapy can be started at a young age, children can have immense success building the social, communication and daily life skills they need to […]
Nutrition is an essential aspect of anyone’s life. An increasing amount of research is showing that there’s an overwhelming link between what you put into your body and not just your physical health, but also your mental health, your mental acuity, your behavior and more. That’s why it’s so important to eat a healthy, balanced […]
Individuals who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have a deficit in their social communication. This is part of the diagnostic criteria that’s used for ASD, and it describes how they may not be on equal footing with their neurotypical peers when it comes to this skill. In many ways, children with autism simply have […]
If you have a child who has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), you might notice that they prefer to be alone. They might spend an inordinate amount of time playing by themselves, rather than joining in on group play activities with other children their age. They may even prefer to play alone or be alone when […]
One of the early warning signs that a child might have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is that they don’t respond to their name. This question is asked on the M-CHAT, or the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, which is a screening questionnaire for autism that parents fill out during their child’s 18-month and 24-month […]
Children go off into magical worlds, blurring imagination with reality in what is called pretend play. It’s truly a pleasure to watch children having fun exploring and acting out different scenarios this way, but pretend play is also a crucial component of cognitive growth. Pretend play helps to shape the foundation of children’s minds. It […]
People who have autism face many challenges that they deal with on a daily basis. Some of the common challenges include communication, social interaction and regulating emotions. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) might not be able to fully comprehend what emotions they are feeling1. This may cause them anxiety, frustration and/or stress. In addition, […]
Some children who have autism might avoid eye contact more so than their neurotypical peers. This isn’t a symptom of their autism spectrum disorder (ASD), though, as not every child on the autism spectrum avoids eye contact. The reason why children with autism make less eye contact than others is because of a condition called […]
