A space to explore ongoing conversations in the autism community. We’ll look at different perspectives on the questions many families face.
Vaccines and Autism — Clearing the Confusion with Compassion Few debates in the autism community have been as emotional, long-lasting, or widely misunderstood as the one surrounding vaccines and autism. For many parents, especially those who are new to an autism diagnosis, this debate can feel deeply personal. We want to protect our children, make the best…
Debate #2: Screen Time for Autistic Kids – Helpful Tool or Hidden Trap? Few parenting topics spark as much emotion as screen time, and this includes one of the ongoing debates in the autism community. From tablets and educational apps to YouTube videos and AAC communication devices, screens have become an unavoidable part of how many…
Debate #1: “Autistic Child” vs. “Child with Autism” — What’s in a Word? If you spend any time in autism parenting groups or reading articles by self-advocates, you’ve probably noticed a recurring and sometimes emotional debates in the autism community about language: should we say “autistic child” or “child with autism”? At first, it might seem like a…
Sometimes, an autism sign shows up in the tiniest everyday moments—the things only a parent would notice. I began noticing them when my son was just 1. He could spend forever staring at the ceiling fan, completely mesmerized by its movement. He was also so sensitive to touch and sound, and even as a baby, he didn’t…
This week, Donald Trump made headlines again — this time saying that Tylenol during pregnancy causes autism. He even went as far as naming communities like the Amish and Cubans, suggesting they don’t use Tylenol and therefore have lower autism rates. As a mom raising an autistic child, I had a lot of feelings hearing that….
Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Autism parenting comes with challenges that can feel overwhelming, especially in the early years when meltdowns, communication struggles, or uncertainty about the future are at their peak. Books and audiobooks have been my lifeline…
Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As parents, one of our deepest wishes is to understand what our children need and how they feel. For families of nonverbal or minimally verbal kids, communication tools can be life-changing. A communication tool…
What is ABA Therapy? Pros, Benefits, and Controversies If you’re just starting out on your child’s autism journey, you’ve probably already heard the term ABA therapy from your doctor—or you soon will. When I first came across it, I wasn’t sure what to think. I asked our speech therapist, spent hours scrolling through autism parent…
Autism support looks different in every state, and there are many factors that determine the “best” place for raising an autistic child. While some families don’t have the flexibility to move—because of jobs, extended family, or financial considerations—others may be weighing relocation primarily for autism support. If that’s you, it’s helpful to know which states consistently…
Common Autism Labels: Why We Should Move Away from “Asperger’s,” “Low-Functioning,” and “High-Functioning” Before we talk about where to begin after your child’s diagnosis, I want to pause and talk about something that’s just as important—the words we use for our kids.As parents, we know our children are so much more than a checklist of…
