When a child with autism has difficulties with eating, it can be due to a variety of reasons, including sensory sensitivities, routine rigidity, or difficulties with new textures and tastes. Addressing these eating challenges requires patience and strategic approaches. Today I share some tips for helping a child with autism who won't eat, as well […]

Making friends can be challenging for any child, but for children with ADHD, forming and maintaining friendships can present unique obstacles. ADHD affects a child’s attention, impulse control, and emotional regulation—all of which play crucial roles in social interactions. However, with the right support and strategies, children with ADHD can learn to build meaningful, lasting […]

Making friends can be challenging for many kids, and for children with autism, social connections may feel especially difficult. Children with autism often face unique challenges in socializing due to difficulty with communication, social cues, and sensory sensitivities. However, with understanding, patience, and support, they can build meaningful relationships that enhance their quality of life. […]

So what is the difference? Many people often confuse shyness with social anxiety, as both involve discomfort in social situations. However, there are significant differences between the two. While shyness is a common personality trait, social anxiety is a more severe condition that can impact your child’s daily functioning. Understanding these differences can help you […]

What Really is a Panic Attack? We often think of a panic attack, sometimes referred to as an “anxiety attack” as this abrupt and spontaneous experience of intense anxiety, possibly occurring in some sort of public setting, from which there is a need for immediate escape to someplace calming and “safe.” A panic attack is […]

First things first... I find it quite disparaging to refer to anybody by a label or by a condition – such as “autistic”, “schizophrenic”, “bipolar” or as a “depressive” as opposed to “a person who has been diagnosed with autism”. A person’s condition is one small aspect of their identity, it does not define them. […]

The Bermuda Triangle?? Okay, so what does Bermuda have to do with this post besides the fact that it’s a really cool place to go on vacation? Well, not much, and admittedly I included it just to get your attention. The triangle context I’ll be using today has much better outcomes than the one from […]

Let’s look at the numbers. The more current CDC autism prevalence estimates are for 8-year-old children across 11 monitoring sites in the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. Why the Increase? The general explanation for the increase in autism rates over the past few decades is typically related to a number of factors. It's […]

This is a fascinating and frequently–asked question. We often hear that autism and ADHD are both on the neuro-divergent spectrum and therefore have an inherent connection. However, after 35 years of seeing these conditions firsthand, I will tell you that while there are similarities in how the condition impacts children’s daily functioning, ASD and ADHD […]

There is always a search for remedies for symptoms of ADHD. Children with ADHD struggle with distractibility, impulsivity, and being fidgety if not outright hyperactive. These difficulties can interfere greatly with daily functioning. This includes in the classroom, but also at home with getting through homework, getting off to school in the morning, or doing […]