Getting an autism or ADHD assessment can be a deeply emotional and even life-changing experience. I can lead to insight, clarity, validation, and access to accommodations.  But in many cases, the assessments can also be based on outdated, deficit-based models of these conditions. The assessment process can feel confusing, inadequate, invalidating, and even traumatizing. Neurodiversity-affirming assessments change that.

When a parent or a professional describes an autistic person, they often use the words "mild" or "severe" autism. Sometimes I hear that...

Often, a response to a meltdown is that the child is acting spoiled. This post offers a more accurate and helpful view.

Depression is more common in autistic individuals than it is in neurotypical individuals. It is also harder to diagnose.

Several easy strategies can make it easier for the child to connect to the people and activities around them.

For children on the autism spectrum, it might take a long time to become comfortable with masks and gloves. Here are some tips to help them

Repetitive and restricted behaviors do not need to be pathologized. They have many useful functions.

Research shoes that the more anxiety a child is experiencing, the less control they have over their emotional reaction.

There probably is not a more overused and less useful term in the field of autism than "high-" or "low-functioning."

Updated information about services and remote learning for children on IEPs and 504s in MA.

Most of us have been staying home for weeks. As a neurodiverse individual, what can you do about the fatigue that is starting to set in?

I hear from many families that their children have trouble with online lessons. What can we do to help?

Now that so many autistic people are confined to their homes, having a special interest is a gift and a coping strategy.

How to manage staying at home with children on the spectrum, with ADHD, anxiety and other related challenges during school closure.

School closures affect all children, but children with disabilities are at risk of regressing without the services they are entitled to.

"Behavior is communication." But how many times is there a thoughtful discussion about what exactly is being communicated?

Almost a half of the individuals with ASD have atypical anxiety symptoms related to the core symptoms of ASD that do not fit DSM-V criteria.

Sexual education is a right of each autistic person, All autistic individuals require specialized education in this area.

Friendship is a rough measure of social skills, well-being, sense of belonging, feeling happy in school, being part of community and family

If you are a parent of an autistic girl, if you tell people that your daughter is autistic, they might not believe you.