Children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly face sensory sensitivities. Some children with autism are hypersensitive, meaning they become overwhelmed at things such as loud sounds or bright lights, while others are hyposensitive, meaning they experience not as much input from certain sensory stimuli. These sensory sensitivities can cause children on the autism spectrum […]

Thanks to the hard work of advocacy organizations, researchers and the behavioral health field at large, much progress has been made over the last 25 years in the understanding, acceptance and inclusion of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Many walls have been broken down by their work, which has resulted in major advancements in […]

Behavioral technicians are the people who directly help support children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These people may be Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) or Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). In most cases, RBTs will work one-on-one with patients and report to BCBAs who help coordinate applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy) treatment plans. The job of […]

There are, unfortunately, a lot of negative stigmas that still surround people who have disabilities. Those who aren’t educated or experienced may think that people with certain disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), can’t do things that many of us take for granted. They may instantly think that a person on the autism spectrum […]

Every child learns in different ways. Some may be very good at following spoken directions and interpreting written words, while others may benefit from visual aids. Young children especially benefit from modeling strategies, in which an adult physically shows them how to perform a new skill so that they can “follow the model” that’s been […]

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that most commonly causes deficits in communication and social interactions. Children who have it also commonly have restrictive interests, exhibit repetitive behaviors and/or have sensory sensitivity issues. In addition to these challenges, many children on the autism spectrum also suffer from comorbidities. In other words, suffer from […]

Children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suffer from a greater number of medical issues, and more frequently, than their neurotypical peers1. These issues can span from immune system dysfunctions to gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Researchers have found in recent years that children on the autism spectrum suffer from many GI symptoms, including constipation, diarrhea, heartburn […]

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly face deficits with social interaction and communication. They also typically have restrictive interests, exhibit repetitive behaviors and/or experience sensory sensitivities. Recent research has also shown that children on the autism spectrum are likely to suffer from immune system dysfunction. A study conducted in 2022, for example, found that […]

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects people for their entire lives. Even though children are born with autism, the common signs and symptoms aren’t easy to spot right away, which is why most people are diagnosed between the ages of 3 and 5. ASD can span a very wide spectrum of […]

Hearing that your child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can certainly be jarring. Many parents in this situation experience a variety emotions — from sadness, grief, worry and concern, to anger, frustration and more. Children with autism will need a lot of support, though what exactly they will need depends on the severity […]