Sometimes what we need most are clear, doable next steps. The section breaks down resources, tools, and everyday strategies that make life a little easier for families like ours.
When your child is first diagnosed with autism, it can feel like stepping into a whole new world. I remember those early days when I was trying to understand what support looked like, who to ask for help, and how to make sure my child got the right autism services in school. It’s a lot to…
Feeding Therapy: A Personal Journey My parents describe me as an extreme picky eater when I was a kid. For years, my diet was basically a bowl of plain rice and a banana—and that was it. Even now, while I eat a much wider variety of foods, I still struggle with mushy textures or anything…
When you first step into the world of autism support, it can feel overwhelming. Suddenly, there are evaluations, reports, and new terms you may have never heard before—things like “sensory processing,” “joint attention,” or “fine motor skills.” Acronyms such as OT, SLP, and ABA start to fill conversations, and it can feel like you’re learning…
When parents first hear the term Occupational Therapy (OT), it’s easy to assume it has to do with jobs. The word “occupation” often brings to mind adults at work, not young children learning to eat, play, or dress themselves. In reality, Occupational Therapy for children is something very different—and it can be one of the most…
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…
My child started speech therapy when he was just 2 years old—before we even had an autism diagnosis. At the time, he didn’t seem to have any desire to communicate. He was far more fascinated by watching the circular motion of ceiling fans than by trying to talk. His first real words didn’t come until…
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…
If your child has an autism diagnosis, one of the most important parts of their school journey will be the IEP meeting (Individualized Education Program). This is where the school team, specialists, and you as the parent come together to decide what supports your child needs to succeed. Making IEPs work can feel intimidating at…
Autism services in California can feel like a maze—especially if you’ve just moved. When we moved to California, I realized the autism services in California were completely different from what I’d known before. I had to start over and research everything from scratch. One of the first pieces of advice I received was to apply to the…
Connecting Your Child to Services Once your child has a diagnosis, one of the most important next steps is connecting your child to services. This is where the report you just received starts to open doors. The therapies and supports recommended in that report – like speech therapy, occupational therapy, or behavioral support – are…
