“Give them a real smile!” “They’re talking to you - look at them!” “Give Grandma a hug!” “Show them what you learned in school!” These are common phrases that a child may hear on a regular basis. At first glance, they feel normal, expected. They are statements made with the intention of guiding children to cultivate relationships, communicate with others, and develop manners. Those are important skills that should be encouraged, but with nuance. As an adult, many of us woul

Your child having an autism diagnosis may make complete sense to you, yet feel shocking to someone else. Remember that what others see is only a snapshot of the whole story.

The idea of Halloween elicits an internal film reel of fun costumes, family outings, and adorable squeals of “Trick or Treat!” as you gallivant around a crowded, festive neighborhood. The thing about those thoughts, though, is that they often don’t match reality. Halloween may actually come with costume refusal, candy aversions, and a whole lot of overwhelm. Instead of letting the possibilities haunt you, treat yourself to a Halloween with less stress by creating a plan that