Have you ever felt lonely? Have you had a time in your life when you felt separated from society due to a lack of connection with others? Loneliness is something that many people experience in their lives. Unfortunately, loneliness in autism is also a common characteristic. Autistic people may struggle to build those necessary connections, […] The post Autism and Loneliness: Understanding Social Isolation appeared first on Autism Parenting Magazine. Get a FREE issue of Autism Parenting Magazine at https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/freegift ..read more

For so many children on the autism spectrum, receiving a successful haircut can be a very difficult experience. Sensory sensitivities and anxiety levels that often occur in people with autism can make this everyday task overwhelming. But the right strategies and planning – finding out how to get ready, learning skills, and enlisting support – can make for a much more positive experience with an autism haircut. If you’d like to learn more about sensory processing disorder, you can download your free guide here: Why do autistic children struggle with haircuts? Many children with autism have a he ..read more

People often communicate with more than just words. Our facial expressions and body language can help communicate what we are feeling about a situation. However, some people on the autism spectrum struggle to understand these social cues. They may misinterpret them and not know how to respond appropriately. Oftentimes, autism affects how the brain processes information from social cues. Individuals with autism will often miss subtle hints about how a person may be feeling. However, there are ways to help people with autism spectrum disorder develop the skills to recognize social cues. If you’d ..read more

I was born in 1971. I was reading by age three and doing complex math by age six. Yet I sat alone on the school bus, in school, and at lunch. I spoke to no one unless I had no choice. If I “played” with other kids at recess, I didn’t find joy in it. I only did it because it was expected.  I’d laugh at jokes not because I found them funny but because those around me laughed. My laugh wasn’t genuine and always came later than it should. I hoped no one noticed, even though I knew they all did. Growing up on the spectrum This is what it’s like to be an autistic child surrounded by those who a ..read more

Feeling stuck, even when you want to move, is a reality for many people who have autism spectrum disorder. This phenomenon, known as autistic inertia, is more than just procrastination. It’s a unique challenge deeply rooted in differences in cognitive processes. Unfortunately, autistic inertia is often linked to depression. Before we learn more about it, make sure you check out your free guide on autism and depression here: What is autistic inertia? Autistic inertia means the person may have problems initiating or ending tasks. Unlike general inertia or evasion, it is an explicit problem for a ..read more

Everyone in the world has a stim to help calm or regulate themselves. These repetitive behaviors are more commonly noticed among people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Skin picking in autism is one of the most common ones found in those on the spectrum. While skin picking may provide needed sensory input for people on the spectrum, it can also be problematic. A skin-picking disorder can lead to scars and emotional distress. So what do you do if your loved one is skin-picking, and how do you convince them to stop? If you’d like to learn more about stimming and repetitive behaviors in autis ..read more

Of all the traits that we as parents would like our children to embrace, empathy is perhaps among the most critical. Yet, is it possible to have too much empathy? Could we feel too much for another person and experience their emotional situations too strongly? Such is the case with hyper-empathy in autism. Hyper-empathy is defined as a neurodivergent condition characterized by having an overreactive emotional response to what others are experiencing to such a point that it becomes difficult to regulate one’s own emotions as a result. Sometimes, these intense emotions can cause anxiety. If you ..read more

For most of us, time concepts are second nature. But for those who struggle with the passage of time, planning, organizing, or structuring their day can be a challenge. It’s crucial to pay attention to these three concepts. By helping autistic children understand the concept of time, you’re equipping them with valuable life skills. Let’s break it down. Today means right now, this very moment, or the current day. Yesterday refers to the day before today, and tomorrow is the day after. It might seem a bit confusing for children with autism, so let’s see how you can make it easier for them to und ..read more

Finding engaging and supportive daily activities for autistic children is key to their development and well-being.  It’s important for activities to match an autistic child’s unique needs, such as social skills and cognitive development. Create routines that will not only affect their daily lives but encourage independence for their older years. However, many of us are aware of how challenging it can be to find the right ones. Let’s explore practical and engaging activities that parents, caregivers, and educators can easily fit into their children’s daily routines to help them gain essent ..read more

Parents of children on the autism spectrum have all experienced it. One moment your child appears to be fine, and the next, they tend to be going further into the characteristics that define where they fall on the spectrum. It always raises the question, “What makes autism worse?” There are many factors that can exacerbate autism symptoms. Some of them may be environmental, while others may be sensory. Let’s look at some of the factors that can make autism worse. If you’d like to learn more about signs of autism, you can download your free guide here: 1. Too much exposure to sensory experience ..read more