In an article on the CNN website, Zoe Gross, director of operations at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, notes that “autism is a diverse disability and everyone’s needs are different.” As the article describes, travelers with autism will have different needs and challenges depending on “personality, where they are on the autism spectrum, and how…
It has never been easy for parents to visit the doctors for their children with autism spectrum disorder or ASD, rather it has been a scary thing for the children. After all, they are going to experience something for the first time. When a child is going to meet the pediatrician for the first time,…
I was diagnosed as autistic at the age of 52. I had worked it out well before then! The realization came when my oldest child was diagnosed at age 11. I have a clear memory of being in the car with him as he had the routine post-school meltdown. “I’m a freak,” he cried and…
The quickest growing population in the United States has the lowest autism diagnosis rates, according to several studies, and the big question on everyone’s mind is: Why? Well, according to pediatricians across the country, the primary reason for low diagnosis rates in Hispanics is due to the confusion of the questions on the screening questionnaire. The solution presented to this is a…
Young people with autism often have differences in their flexibility skills. Sometimes these are called “problems with flexibility” or “cognitive and behavioral rigidity.” Certainly these differences can get in the way of many day-to-day situations such as social interactions, transitioning to less preferred activities, managing differences/change, and flexible thinking (“big picture” thinking). But these differences…
When a child with autism enters a new classroom, there are many worries. First and foremost, the child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be anxious about the year, the teacher, and the work expectations. The child’s parents may worry about how the child will manage the work, the social demands, and the change in…
In this original blog, autism professional Elisse Bachman lays a humorous eye on traveling with a family member on the Spectrum. This blog is divided in two posts, the first of which was published last week, on August 2. And that’s what it’s like when you FINALLY get on the plane. Where do you sit?…
In this original blog, autism professional Elisse Bachman lays a humorous eye on traveling with a family member on the spectrum. This blog is divided in two posts, the second of which will be published next week, on August 9. The beginning….I’d like to say, congratulations if you are traveling with an autistic family member. …
“Swim Team,” an award-winning documentary, came out in theaters in New York City, Los Angeles, and select cities around the country in July. The documentary tells the story of Kelvin, Mike, Robert, and their families. The three young men are on the autism spectrum and are part of the same swim team, the Jersey Hammerheads.…
ABA therapy is often an essential part of a child’s with autism’s treatment plan. Through weekly visits, and shared successes, ABA centers often take up a big role in the daily lives of families with members on the autism spectrum. Action Behavior Centers has chosen to share some of these success stories with the OAR community.…
