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Travel + Leisure interviews Stuart Spielman… From the cliffs of Lake Louise to the historical sites around Washington D.C., and even atop the Eiffel Tower, Autism Speaks Senior Vice President of Advocacy Stuart Spielman offers a heartwarming glimpse into traveling with his … with strangers across the globe or with local wildlife. Read full article . Related travel resources See our list of autism travel resources to help autistic people and their families Listen to the Adulting on the Spectrum podcast: Russell …
Making sense of autistic meltdowns in adults… adults have trouble thinking and with their memory during a meltdown, and may not even recall their episode. What causes an autism meltdown in adults? Sometimes meltdowns have a single triggering event. Other times meltdowns occur after a series of … del Suicidio y Crisis: 1-888-628-9454. For help finding a mental health provider and related resources, contact the Autism Speaks Autism Response Team (ART) using the form here , through our Live Chat, accessed on our website (lower right …
In my own words: Finding my true self in honesty … because I had no words when most other kids my age were already talking. Shortly after that visit, I received an official autism diagnosis. From that point until I was about 7, I was in applied behavior analysis (ABA) thanks to my parents. They … I’m a Division III swimmer at Marywood University in Scranton, Pa., an accomplishment that I’m so proud of. Aside from my autism, I was also diagnosed with bipolar 1, ADHD, some social/processing delays and other struggles as well. I have always talked about my challenges, but never about my autism because I didn’t know how people would treat me. Recently, I realized I can’t hide who I am, so I decided to come out …
My reality of growing up with a severely impacted autistic brother… Autism in the family is a struggle, but it doesn’t make us any less human. In fact, our struggle strengthens us in ways … that it doesn’t come from a malicious place, but nobody chooses to live this way. Not the person severely impacted by autism, not their family, not anybody. Of course, some people in the autism community have totally different experiences, …
Self-advocacy tips for LGBTQ+ autistic adults seeking medical care… deeply troubling that the Trevor Project also released a report last year finding that LGBTQ+ youth who were diagnosed with autism had over 50% greater odds of attempting suicide in the past year compared to those who had never been diagnosed with autism. “While more attention is being paid to this area since the 2020 study, the healthcare system is still not currently …
Broadening our approach to neurodiversity… I’ve had the privilege of serving the global autism community for over 20 years. During that time, I’ve witnessed a fundamental shift in how we understand autism. What was once seen through a narrow medical lens has evolved into a broader and more nuanced perspective, thanks in … and limit our ability to develop effective solutions for everyone. Neurodiversity encompasses far more than just autism. We need to adopt a holistic view that includes individuals with other developmental and mental health conditions. …
Autistic adults and nutrition: When and how to find a registered dietitian… Many individuals with autism have food aversions and sensitivities. Additionally, gastrointestinal (GI) issues are a common co-occurring condition with autism. As such, autistic people are at risk of poor nutrition and related negative health effects. Registered Dietitians (RD) can help. Here we help explain what an RD is, when you should seek one out and how to find an autism-friendly one. What is a Registered Dietitian? First, Registered Dietitians (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutrionists …
Expert Q&A: Supporting siblings of autistic children with aggressive behaviors … relationship has its ups and downs, and this is no different for siblings of autistic children. Having a sibling with autism brings many joys, but when an autistic sibling exhibits aggression or other severe behaviors, it can be especially … or (857) 523-1145. How do aggression and other severe behaviors impact siblings of children with autism and other developmental disorders? Research tells us that in general, there’s no significant difference in … of children with behavioral health needs. We welcome family members of children with many different diagnoses, ranging from autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to early onset schizophrenia. The program is available at the national level, not only for …
New Year’s Evolution… This is a post by Kimberlee Rutan McCafferty, author and mother to two sons on the autism spectrum and an Autism Family Partner at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Kim is also the author of a blog about her two …
Happy Father’s Day from Armani Williams… and his dad, Del, and the invaluable lessons they’ve taught each other. Being with my dad through the ups and downs of autism and in racing has been an incredible journey, filled with unforgettable memories. I will always be grateful for his … believes in me and is willing to help whenever I need it has meant everything to me. Going through the ups and downs of autism and racing with my dad has been an incredible journey, filled with countless shared memories. He’s always there to … of being confident in everything I do in life. I understand life is always going to challenge me, especially with my autism, but I will always stay positive and confident in my abilities. His words have really resonated with me, and I will …