This is an article about acceptance. A fitting topic as we enter the ever-evolving Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation month of April. We have moved beyond awareness to discussions of accepting the neurodiversity the autism spectrum offers and making room in our world for all the possible ways of being. Which brings me to my…
Pet Challenges and Solutions
Pets are an amazing way for autistic children to experience companionship, understand boundaries, share responsibilities, and reduce anxiety. Caring for a pet also provides opportunities to learn new skills — such as patience, empathy, communication — while also supporting an avenue of emotional expression. It’s important for all families to do some research on the…
“Are Chicken Nuggets a Vegetable?” and Other Mealtime Musings: Selective Eating in Autism
One of the first jobs of parenting is to keep your child healthy and nourished by ensuring they eat a variety of nutritious foods, alongside the extra treats and occasional Happy Meal that accompanies childhood. Before having children, many of us felt like this would be the easy part. Three meals a day, snacks sprinkled…
It’s Time for the Dentist!
What feelings does this title bring to you? I can tell you that just writing about the dentist brought up all the anxiety-induced emotions that having a loved one with autism spectrum disorder, I/DD, and/or anxiety can bring. I (Kim) vividly remember my three-year-old son needing to have his blood drawn. It took a papoose…
My Journey of Understanding a World of Misunderstanding
Throughout my life when I was asked to describe myself, I constantly had no clue as to what to do. I had masked myself into a corner, To myself I was even a foreigner. Then at thirty-one the dials on the locks began to click, Suddenly it all fell into place so quick. How…
A Parent’s Perspective on Handling Meltdowns
Meltdowns happen. Meltdowns happen first thing in the morning, right before bed, and all the times in between. They happen at your in-law’s house, at the grocery store, and during religious services. Meltdowns seem to be the number one reason that parents seek a diagnosis of autism for their child. That was true for me…