-
Supporting Sexual Independence for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum
As an individual on the autism spectrum, I have struggled with and achieved many types of independence, such as going to college, living on my own, learning how to cook, and starting my own business. While I did receive varying degrees of assistance with each of these endeavors, sexual independence...
-
“The Lighter Side of the Spectrum – a Mom’s View” The Music Within His Body
There’s something on my mind lately; a knot I’ve been trying to untangle. I thought maybe we could talk about it. Stimming. You know, stimming? The way my 12-year old son Jack jumps and hops and grunts at least, oh, I don’t know, fifty times a day? Stimming is short for self-stimulation,...
-
Autism and Dating: Practical Tips for Parents
Navigating the dating scene is not easy for anyone, whether or not they have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Dating is filled with many challenges to maneuver, resulting in awkward situations. These awkward situations happen to almost every young adult who dives into the dating scene. However,...
-
“The Lighter Side of the Spectrum – a Mom’s View” This Boy Jack
It’s August now. The days are still long and hot and humid, but there is a tinge of autumn in the air, especially at night. Most of you are starting to think about school again. You are reading over your supply list for seventh grade and wondering if your new teacher is nice or strict. I...
-
Increasing Psychological Flexibility When Parenting a Child with ASD
Parents and caregivers of a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are presented with extreme challenges and demands. Oftentimes, this begins immediately when the parent notices that their child is displaying developmental delays. Parents commonly experience a great deal of uncertainty,...
-
“The Lighter Side of the Spectrum – a Mom’s View” Because of You
I almost lost my marriage because of you. It was the year my son named Jack was born, and you were born right along with him. At first, we had no idea. He was just a squirming chubby baby who didn’t sleep too well and hated to be swaddled and cried a little more than we expected. Slowly, you...
-
“It’s All My Fault!” Understanding Guilt in Parents of Children with ASD
Guilt is a powerful emotion. It has both motivating and destructive effects. It can be seen as a moral conscience, directing us toward doing the “right thing.” Imagine a society where there was no sense of moral guilt - this could lead to a situation where there is anarchy. Our guilt allows us...
-
“The Lighter Side of the Spectrum – a Mom’s View” Will He Live on His Own?
Rarely a week goes by when I don’t wonder if my son, Jack, will ever be able to live on his own. I mean, that’s what kids do, right? They keep you up at night and drink all your milk and leave their wet, muddy boots all over the kitchen floor and cost you a bajillion dollars and then, at some...
-
Autism and Hospitals: A Difficult Match
As a resident, you always have that one patient who sticks out in your mind—the one who had some profound impact on your practice of medicine and your life outside of medicine. For me, though, it wasn’t just one patient. It was one patient after another with the same challenge: autism. Having...
-
Dear World, From Someone with Autism
Editor’s Note: I wrote this from my son Jack’s perspective, based on conversations and observations of him in Disney and in life. Dear World, Last week my family went to Disney. We went to the one in Florida, not California. The one in California is called Disney Land and it...
