• Understanding Autism from the Inside

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Navigating the Holidays with Autism: Part VI: Grocery Shopping Online

Many people are now participating in the online shopping experience. Thanks to companies like Revel Systems and their software (to learn more, read here), it is not offered by many more stores and it is even possible to order on your mobile or to use a self-service kiosk if you …

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Navigating the Holidays with Autism: Part V: Beyond Gift Shopping—Groceries

Family is coming over…expectations are high. This time of year places a tremendous amount of stress on everyone, and people with autism are no different. But beyond the stress of gift giving, and interacting with family that may or may not know or understand an autistic person’s struggles, is the …

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Navigating the Holidays with Autism: Part IV: Holiday Shopping Tips

You are navigating stores, people are pushing, looking for sales items, full parking lots, with a screaming ASD child in tow. Does this sound like your typical holiday shopping experience? If so, here are a few tips that may help you get through those crazy crowds and keep a small …

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Navigating the Holidays with Autism: Part III: Gift Giving and Surprises

In Part II of this series we discussed children and adults with autism’s need to know what to expect. They crave and thrive on routines. Being uncertain about what to expect, even if it is only what to expect in the box, can be a strong source of stress. Many …

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Navigating the Holidays with Autism: Part II: Family Gatherings

Family gatherings are the number one sited source of stress during the holidays for families touched by autism. Leaving the safety of home, traveling (even if just across town), and being expected to eat certain foods in a strange environment can be enough to cause a full-blown meltdown. When Family …

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Navigating the Holidays with Autism: Part I: Thanksgiving with Picky Eaters

Why are autistic children picky eaters? Many autistic children are picky eaters. The reasons are multi-faceted but the first thing to consider is sensory issues. Children with autism may be overly sensitive to tastes, smells, and textures—all of which will affect what they will or will not eat. If smells …

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DSM-V: New Diagnostic Criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

In 1975, 1 in 5,000 children were diagnosed with autism. By 2013, that number has risen to 1 in 55 children identified and diagnosed with autism spectrum. Some believe that these staggering numbers represent a rise in children born with autism, while others believe better research and understanding of this …

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Why Is It Difficult for Those with Autism to Complete Tasks or Meet Goals?

It is often difficult to for those with autism spectrum disorders to work towards goals. This difficulty can be explained by the inability to sustain problem solving capabilities—part of the job of our executive functioning system. In those with autism this system can be inhibited. Executive Dysfunction or a deficit …

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Hyperlexia – Do Autistic Children Speak?

Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that it affects people to varying degrees with a large array of symptoms and traits. Some people with Autism are non-verbal, and cannot communicate verbally; however, even verbal communication affects those with Autism Spectrum Disorders to varying degrees. Some autistic children experience delays in …

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Does My Child have Autism; What is Autism?

Autism was first identified by two Australian psychiatrists in the 1940’s. Dr. Leo Kanner studied children who would later be identified as autistic, or to have “classic Autism”, and Dr. Hans Asperger studied children who have what is now known as Asperger’s Syndrome, which is a high-functioning form of Autism. …

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