While I was studying for my undergrad I was in a sorority. This sorority, about a year before I graduated, changed their philanthropy, and started supporting Autism Speaks. Before this moment I knew NOTHING of the organization. Really, until my daughter’s diagnosis I never really thought much of it. So, I do understand the many […]
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Autism has very specific traits. Many of the misconceptions around Autism have to do a lot with misunderstanding about what are Autistic traits and what are traits of comorbid conditions. That are many different conditions that are often comorbid (simultaneously present). Misunderstandings like the one I heard recently where a man was explaining that someone […]
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Before becoming a mother, I admittedly did not know a lot about Autism. When I thought about Autism, I pictured the very stereotypical blunt, robotic, routine driven individual. I did not understand how many of these are misconceptions about Autism. As my oldest daughter was creeping up on her second birthday it was suggested by […]
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National Autism Awareness Month: We Don’t Need Awareness, We Need Acceptance. Many of you, whether or not you have anyone close to you who is autistic, have heard of Autism Awareness Month in April. Really, however, we do not need to be aware of Autism. So many are aware of Autism. What is needed is […]
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With most neurodiverse children, like Autistic children, the Christmas season can be very overwhelming. This overwhelm can be hard for any neurotypical child or adult to understand. There are many different ways during the holidays to make sure the Autistic child in your family is not completely left out and ignored due to their differences. […]
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There are many things we’ve known, grown up knowing, and just thought were fact, that are social constructs. Our society works in a way that tells us one thing is just the way it is when, other societies do or see things differently. For instance, gender is a social construct because biologically there are not just two sexes but many genetic possibilities. What it means to be feminine, and masculine is a social construct because those definitions differ depending on the society and culture you’re in. This is true also for disability. What is considered a disability depends on society and is made true by the norms and practices of society.
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One parenting topic that is readily available with any parenting group is screen time. Do you limit? Do you not limit? Do you parents get Ipads or other devices? Do they just get to watch the TV some? At first, when my oldest was first born I did worry about her exposure to screens. Why? […]
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Potty Training, especially for a first child can be a daunting feat on its own. Naturally, you will look for guidance online, on social media, from friends and family. Likely too, you will consider potty training your autistic child before they are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Whether your child is autistic or neuro-typical my […]
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As a parent, when your child is first diagnosed autistic and you have no previous understanding, experience, or knowledge of it, learning and knowing where to start can be daunting. You will find all kinds of voices out there. People claiming, they have a cure for autism. People claiming vaccines caused their child’s autism; and […]
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General life skills and tasks can be hard to start and complete when you have an executive functioning disorder. Executive function is a set of skills that includes flexible thinking, self-control, and working memory. These skills are used daily to learn, work, and manage daily life. When you have an executive functioning disorder it can […]
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