Sensory integration rooms are special spaces designed to help children with autism develop and learn. These rooms are filled with various tools and activities that stimulate the senses. But how do these rooms affect the playfulness of children with autism? Playfulness is a mix of enjoying an activity for its own sake, feeling in control, and being able to let go of ...
Moms have many ideas about what causes autism spectrum disorder. Understanding these ideas is crucial for guiding parents and healthcare providers. It can also shape healthcare decisions. A large study looked at data from 2007 to 2020. It involved over 8, 000 mothers of preschoolers, both with and without autism. The study found that less than half of the moms had a ...
A 16-year-old, Vee, is attending a comprehensive evaluation with a team of specialists. Vee was assigned female at birth and uses they/them pronouns. Vee's journey with potential autism began in pre-kindergarten. Teachers flagged concerns, leading to an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for autism services. However, by first grade, Vee no longer met the criteria ...
The use of robots in helping children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been a hot topic. A recent study looked at 14 different studies. These studies were done between 2015 and 2024. They included 408 kids with ASD. The goal was to see if robots really make a difference in their development. The findings were quite clear. Robots do have a big positive impact. ...
Faces tell a story. They help us connect with others. For most people, recognizing faces is easy. However, for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), this task can be challenging. A recent study looked into this issue, focusing on how well autistic adults can recognize famous faces. It also checked how aware they are of their own face recognition skills. The stu...
In Beverly, Massachusetts, a mother's fight for her son's well-being turned into a battle with the school system. A 7-year-old autistic boy was repeatedly placed in a padded timeout room. This room, tucked between two classrooms, was used 13 times in just three weeks. Inside, the boy would kick, punch, and even remove screws from the walls. His mother, Carlee Han...
Parents of kids with autism often focus on how their children's development changes with early support. This includes things like language skills, thinking abilities, and how well they adapt to daily life. However, the impact of these supports goes beyond the kids themselves. It also affects the parents and the whole family. To get a better idea of what parents thin...
Adults with autism often struggle to find jobs that suit their abilities and passions. They are more likely to be jobless or underemployed compared to those without autism. This is a tough situation, but it's not impossible to change. A big part of the problem is the lack of understanding and support in the workplace. To make things better, workplaces need to be mor...
The daily life of a parent or guardian of a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be incredibly challenging. One significant hurdle is the social stigma that often comes their way. This stigma can weigh heavily on their mental health, ultimately affecting the care they provide to their children. However, there's a silver lining. Spiritual and religious belief...
Telomeres are tiny parts of our chromosomes that get shorter as we age. They play a big role in how our cells age and work. Scientists have found that people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have shorter telomeres. This has led researchers to wonder if the drugs used to treat ASD might affect telomere length. In a recent study, researchers used rats to expl...