Parent Resources
Discover a comprehensive hub for parent resources centered on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Find practical insights and activities for those caring for individuals with autism whether as a parent, guardian, or caregiver. Navigate the complexities of ASD with confidence and uncover actionable strategies designed to support both you and your child.
Discover a comprehensive hub for parent resources centered on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Find practical insights and activities for those caring for individuals with autism whether as a parent, guardian, or caregiver. Navigate the complexities of ASD with confidence and uncover actionable strategies designed to support both you and your child.
What a Day of ABA Therapy Actually Looks Like
When parents ask us, “What is ABA therapy?” there's almost always a second question underneath it, and it’s the one that's harder to say out loud. What will my child actually be experiencing during those hours? Will they be seated at a desk all day? Will they face...
Stimming in Babies and Toddlers: What It Means and How to Support It
You have watched it over and over again. Your baby rocking back and forth on their hands and knees, long after they've figured out how to crawl. Your toddler spins in circles until they're dizzy, then does it again. Their hands flutter with excitement when the bubbles...
Adventure Awaits: Helping Your Child with Autism Take On Summer Travel
Summer is the season of getting away. Road trips to see family, a flight to somewhere new, a week at a rental by the lake. Travel can be the best part of summer, and it can also be a lot for a child with autism. Long hours of sitting, unfamiliar places, and a schedule...
Fireworks and Autism: Helping Your Child Cope with the Noise and Lights
The Fourth of July ends in a burst of color and sound that many people look forward to all year. For families raising a child with autism, though, fireworks can be the hardest part of the holiday. The sudden booms, the bright flashes, the late hour, and the crowds can...
Water Safety and Autism: What Every Parent Needs to Know
Summer is here, and that often means time spent at pools and the beach or trips to the lake. Time spent on or near the water can be the highlight of the summer for many families. For families with children who have autism, water can also represent a serious and often...
Building a Summer Sensory Kit: How to Stay Ahead of Overload at Any Summer Outing
It is an all-too-common scenario. You are out with your child, having fun at a backyard cookout or the local county fair, and then, seemingly all of a sudden, your child has gone from happy-go-lucky to a full-on meltdown in a matter of seconds. The cumulative effects...
From School to Summer: Keeping Routine When the School Year Ends
The last day of school can bring a mix of feelings. There is relief, excitement, and the promise of long, open days ahead. But for many families of children with autism, summer can also bring a quiet worry. The school year gives your child something they rely on every...
What Is Visual Stimming? Understanding Why Your Child Flaps, Spins, and Rocks
You're at the grocery store. Your child starts flapping their hands and rocking back and forth in the cart. Other shoppers glance over. You feel the urge to stop it. But then you wonder: Should I? What is this even about? What you're seeing is called visual stimming,...
Snip, Snip, No Meltdown: How to Help Your Child with Autism Get Through a Haircut
For many children with autism, a haircut is one of the hardest parts of everyday life. It combines loud sounds, strange smells, unfamiliar places, and physical sensations that are hard to predict or control. What takes most people ten minutes can feel overwhelming for...
Your Child Has Rights at School. Here’s How IEPs and 504 Plans Work and How to Choose the Right One
If you've been to a school meeting and walked out with more questions than answers, you're not alone. Terms like "IEP" and "504 plan" get thrown around a lot. Most parents have heard them. Far fewer understand what they actually mean, how they're different, or which...