Autism Tips for Emergency Responders: Autism and Violence
I often get asked during my autism trainings for first responders whether or not it is more likely to see someone with autism using drugs and alcohol, specifically when I describe sensory issues and...
View ArticleI’m an Autistic Adult… and I’m in Purgatory
I’m 18. I graduated high school last July. I’m “high functioning” enough to be able to take care of my brother and myself when my mom is on night shift on the ambulance. I can dress myself (although...
View ArticleAutism Tips for Emergency Responders: Stop Echoing Me!
Have you ever had that one annoying sibling when you were growing up that would torture you all afternoon by repeating EVERY. SINGLE. THING. YOU. SAID? No matter what you did, you couldn’t get them to...
View ArticleTop 5 Autism Sensory Items to Keep in Your Jump Bag
If you are on a chaotic scene and you’ve identified either a patient or family member as autistic, congratulations! Understanding a person’s gifts and challenges and communication style goes a long way...
View ArticleEmergency Responders: 7 Things You NEED to Know About Autism Wandering
As an autism mom, worry and fear can be my constant companions. My entire life can change in the blink of an eye, especially because my child wanders. My son has been wandering since he could walk. One...
View Article5 Possible Causes of Autism Self-Injurious Behavior
Both of my teens experience significant gastrointestinal issues as part of their autism. I was out running errands with my daughter (who just turned 19! How did this happen?!) and she had severe...
View Article7 Tips for Communicating with a Nonverbal Autistic Patient
Just because a person can’t speak doesn’t mean they have nothing to say. Communication is a basic human need. In fact, it falls fairly predominantly in the middle of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, under...
View ArticleBeyond Bullying: Autism and Sexual Abuse
I’m a petite single female working in public safety. I’m strong; I lift heavy weights six days a week, I run every other day, I do MMA workouts on the days I don’t run, and I take boxing classes on...
View ArticleAutism Tips for Emergency Responders: Temperature Regulation
Getting my son to wear a coat in the winter takes an act of Congress, regardless of the frigid outside temperatures. I used to think he was lazy, or perhaps that the material of the coat bothered him...
View Article9 Everyday Things That Young Adults with Autism May Struggle With
It seems obvious that young children with autism struggle with many tasks because of deficits with gross and fine motor skills, sensory processing issues, language delays and more. Naturally, this...
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