It’s no secret that hypersensitivity is a hallmark attribute of many children and adults living with autism. After all, as research has demonstrated, the filtering mechanism in their brains frequently operates differently from neurotypical individuals in terms of processing touch, smell, hearing, taste, or sight.   In this space alone, we have often looked at…

It’s no secret that starting treatment early on in children with autism can give them a significant push in minimizing core autism symptoms and becoming more behaviorally adaptive. And with autism diagnoses happening earlier and more frequently, researchers are gaining crucial new data on just how effective early treatment can be.   One such treatment…

Parenting, while hugely rewarding, is undoubtedly one of the most stressful things a person can embark on in their lives. But when you talk to most parents, they will often argue that for all of the headaches, the drama, and the tough times, they wouldn’t trade the time they spent raising their children for anything…

In 2015, we live in an age where autism is diagnosed more frequently than ever—at a rate of 1 in 68 children in the U.S.—which means that more people are aware of the condition than ever before. However, the rate of diagnosis and general understanding of autism was but a minute fraction of what it…

As we move past the halfway mark for 2015 and take a look so far at this year in autism, one particular trend has received increased medical and journalistic attention: better understanding the relationship between girls and autism. As we have documented at length in this space, a number of new studies have come out…

As we’ve discussed at length in this space, there are two primary paths of research into the cause and possible cure of autism: the neurological approach and the genetic approach. The former camp argues that by studying and mapping the brain, we will find the key to what causes and what can possibly help treat…

Whether one considers oneself to be artistic, there is no denying the power of art—be it in the form of painting, sculpture, photography, or even filmmaking—to serve as a therapeutic outlet for a person’s emotions and mental distress, such as depression or anxiety.   Previously in this space, we took a snapshot at some of…

It is a commonly held belief that children with autism can experience a substantial nutritional boost from following such specialized diets as gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) diets. In addition, many parents also rely on dietary supplements to help their children follow their special diets and provide them with nutrients they may be lacking.   However,…

A couple weeks back, we shared the extraordinary story of Shawna Wingert who penned an open letter to JetBlue Airways to commend them for their commitment to making flights for individuals and families with autism much easier.  For a mother like Wingert, who has to fly with her son, who has autism, upwards of nine…

When you go to the website for The Art of Autism, you’re greeted with a message that makes it clear what the project’s agenda is: “2015 is Autism Acceptance Year.”   For any of you who read our coverage of Autism Awareness month or feel that every day should be Autism Awareness Day, this statement…