Imagine arriving at work and being told where to sit, what to do, and how to do it—without being asked what you prefer or how you feel. Your success depends on you doing exactly what you’re told. Every time you try to express yourself, someone redirects you. For many students with profound autism, this is…
All parents worry about their children’s safety, especially when the family is out of the house for any reason, from a walk in the neighborhood to a 4th of July parade. Parents of children with autism may experience heightened anxiety and concerns due to their child’s lack of expressive and receptive language, focused interests, and…
Our bodies are designed to move. Every bit of movement counts as physical activity, which is critical for maintaining good health. Physical activity doesn’t have to be intensive sports or heavy gym workouts. There are many other practical ways to stay active and healthy. Health behavior scientists recognize that excessive sedentary behavior is a risk…
According to the National Council on Severe Autism, nearly 2.7 million people in the United States are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with nearly 30% meeting the criteria for profound autism. While the entire spectrum deserves recognition and support, “profound autism” is a term intended to provide clarification about autistic people who require 24/7…
Does the mere mention of networking make your heart race? If so, you’re in good company. Autistic job seekers often find networking even more stressful than others do. But with the right skills, tools, and a deliberate approach, you can create a productive and successful networking campaign. Why network? In today’s competitive job market, it’s…
Support groups are generally peer-led spaces where people can gather together in a group setting to provide and receive support from others. Groups can vary in their focus, but may include an emphasis on providing emotional support, accountability, or skill-building. Support groups differ from group therapy in their scope and focus, although some support groups…
“Gotta get up, gotta get going…” This beginning of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh theme song often plays in my head. My response is usually “Ugh, I’m tired and not ready.” It can be hard as an autistic parent to not start the day feeling daunted, but my bright-eyed autistic child is definitely…
The number of autistic Asian Americans has been rising rapidly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the rate of autism among Asian-American children is higher than other racial groups. Although the reasons for this increase are unclear, it is well-known that Asian American caregivers of autistic children face multiple barriers in accessing…
Finishing high school and college can be an exciting developmental milestone, but it can also be stressful. Transition programming and/or employment can be a scary next step in the uncertain path towards adulthood and the increasing amount of independence that comes with it for young autistic adults. Reduced support following secondary school can exacerbate already…
This article originally appeared on the UConn Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills website. As a neurodiverse employee, it can be scary, confusing or perhaps overwhelming venturing out into the workforce. Given that we function and behave differently than neurotypical people, it can be daunting to work somewhere where we might have a harder…
