How to Overcome Dental Health Challenges for Children with Autism

• By: Jessica Sassi, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA The New England Center for Children (NECC)
• October 2nd, 2023
• anxiety, behavioral concerns, community partnerships, dental care, dental desensitization, dental skills curriculum, dental visits, dentist, Fall 2023 Issue, improved access to care, in-house dental clinic, mock dental suite, oral health disparities, oral hygiene, quality of life, sensory overload
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Dental visits can be difficult, if not impossible, for children and teens with autism and developmental disabilities. These challenges can preclude important preventative care that impacts underlying health issues. In these situations, dental care also becomes a quality-of-life issue - not only...

11 Compassionate Parenting Tips for Families with Autistic Children

• By: Heidi Hillman, PhD, BCBA-D, LMHC Eastern Washington University
• April 11th, 2023
• actually autistic, compassionate parenting, embracing differences, family, hope, parenting, positivity, sensory overload, Spring 2023 Issue
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Few people realize the challenges of being a parent, until they become one. Now, imagine the added challenges of parenting an autistic child which is becoming more common as the number of children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) increases. According to the Centers for Disease...

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Comorbidity: A Systematic Approach to Treatment

• By: Heidi Hillman, PhD, BCBA-D, LMHC Eastern Washington University
• July 19th, 2022
• actually autistic, anxiety, assessment, comorbidity, natural environment teaching, sensory overload, sensory processing, Summer 2022 Issue, treatment, trust
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Comorbidity refers to the presence of one or more mental or physical conditions that coincide with a primary mental or physical condition (Al-Beltagi, 2021). Research has shown that 70% of autistic children meet the criteria for one comorbid disorder and 40% meet the criteria for two or more...

Navigating Sensory Processing Disorder

• By: Claudia Rose Addeo, MS, BS Teacher, Award-Winning Writer, PhD Student, Neurodiverse Advocate
• July 18th, 2022
• journaling, restricted and repetitive behaviors, sensory decompression, sensory modulation disorder, sensory overload, sensory pleasure, sensory processing disorder, Summer 2022 Issue
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As someone who not only is earning their doctorate in the field of literacy education but was diagnosed at the tender age of two with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), a category found among autism spectrum disorders (ASD) along with a list of additional sub-diagnoses, it’s safe to say that...