Mental health among autistic individuals is an underdeveloped area of research—a situation that many autistic people are advocating to change. This is especially crucial since rates of depression and thoughts of suicide are higher among autistic people than in the general population. Read more ›
Sarah Greichen came up with the idea for Score A Friend at age 13 when she wanted her twin brother, who has an autism spectrum disorder, to have the same opportunities she enjoyed as a teenager in school. She began a mission to ensure her brother – and students of all abilities – could build friendships and experience authentic inclusion at school and in communities. Read more ›
There are numerous examples of people with learning disabilities and mental health disorders doing extraordinary things: the child on the autism spectrum who is masterful at putting together incredibly intricate Lego creations, the young person with Asperger’s syndrome who knows more about presidential history than most adults, the child with dyslexia who is a master chef in the kitchen.
This is not a coincidence, according to a book that could help turn the stigma associated with these challenges on its head.
Dr. Dennis P. Wall of the Wall Lab at Stanford University discusses current autism-related research projects (such as Autism and the Microbiome) and novel wearable technology that helps children recognize emotions. Read more ›
Interventions shown to be highly effective in treating symptoms of autism are already limited, but the options shrink even further in the presence of anxiety comorbidities, particularly obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Research has been focused not only on identifying a specific anxiety disorder in children and adolescents with autism, but also in distinguishing between the symptoms of each disorder and how to treat each disorder. Read more ›
Did you know that sensory integration therapy improves daily function in children with autism? Learn more about this therapy and how it can benefit your autistic child. Presented by Vibha Pathak, OTD, OTR/L. Read more ›
There are 13 categories that guide how disability is defined under the federal special education law known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In order to be eligible for special education and related services as a “child with a disability,” a child’s educational performance must be adversely affected due to the disability. Read more ›
Sensory rooms are specially created environments created to provide an immersive sensory experience. For children on the autism spectrum, sensory rooms are designed to have a calming effect that reduces anxiety and improves focus.
This video is part of the Schools That Work series from Edutopia featuring Meriden Public Schools in Connecticut and the ways in which the district has redesigned its special education services. Read more ›
Sensory rooms not only help students with special needs feel more comfortable and empowered in the classroom, they may also keep them in their neighborhood schools, according to K-12 administrators.
The carefully designed rooms may include dim lights to help students who are sensitive to light, weighted blankets to give them comfort or a swing they can gently rock on to become calm or spin in a circle for stimulation.
The Council for Exceptional Children says sensory rooms are getting popular in districts to help calm overstimulated or anxious students. Read more ›
Early intervention for children with autism can make a huge difference in their development. In this presentation, CHC expert Gina Baldi discusses the most effective methods of early intervention and how to identify the resources you need. Read more ›
