“We are people of color, we’re Black, that’s part of our culture…the experience as a Black caregiver, it’s very, very layered.” The caregiver went on to say that the experiences of Black caregivers of autistic children are layered due to intersecting identities led by how they perceive themselves and how they are perceived and treated…
For Latinx families in the United States, healthcare services are not always easy to navigate for reasons beyond mere language barriers. The challenges encountered while pursuing health services for their autistic loved one can escape even the most culturally competent healthcare settings. Susana, the mother of an autistic nonspeaking 6-year-old boy says it best: “When…
Interest in nutrition and fitness for people with autism has never been higher. Families, educators, and support professionals overwhelmingly agree that healthy eating, movement, and aging well matter for one’s quality of life. Yet when it comes time to join a program, attend a class, or change routines at home, participation often drops. This gap…
Relationships can be confusing—even when you want them, value them, and try hard to do them “right.” You might leave an interaction wondering whether something went well, whether you said too much or too little, or whether discomfort is just part of connection. These questions are common, and they are not a sign that you…
When your child receives an autism diagnosis, the world shifts, quietly, and then all at once. The air in the house feels different. Your thoughts rearrange themselves. And suddenly, you’re not only a parent, but an interpreter of a new language. Sharing that diagnosis with neurotypical siblings and extended family can feel like opening a door that may not feel very safe…
Her words are always with me. “You can’t talk to me! You don’t know what it’s like to have to fight for your child’s life every single day! I’m always fighting. I’m exhausted.” I was conducting an autism workshop for community leaders in Brooklyn, New York, when Tamika* walked straight up to me at the front of the room. Her words, spoken through tears of…
The alarm goes off late. You rush through the morning, skipping breakfast and brushing your teeth with the last squeeze of toothpaste. By the time you’re out the door, the plan for the day already feels derailed. It’s a familiar pattern. One small change snowballs into giving up on the rest. Keeping up with sleep, hygiene, and nutrition can be hard for anyone, and…
A huge industry exists to address the needs, activities, and preferences of older adults (65+) and those approaching older age (50+), a rapidly growing segment of our population. Autistic adults are among this growing population and, like everyone else, have emerging needs as they enter their 50s, 60s, and above. Some needs are like those…
For many children, the start of a new school year is filled with excitement—fresh notebooks, new classmates, and the excitement of seeing their friends after a summer apart. For children with disabilities, this time can also bring anxiety, uncertainty, and worry about not having friends at school. Students with disabilities often face emotional and physical…
When families think about college preparation, it’s easy to focus on grades, test scores, and applications. But for autistic students, success in college has just as much to do with what happens outside the classroom—things like managing a schedule, asking for help, or figuring out what to eat for dinner. Many autistic students arrive academically…
