Medicaid Funding Changes Will Impact ASD Providers
WTWO Channel 2 recently featured a meeting at Harsha Autism Center in Terre Haute with Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, Indiana State Senator Jon Ford, other state leaders, and Mel Kirchner, the Director of Harsha Autism Center. Lieutenant Governor Crouch...
Brain Differences in Girls and Boys with Autism
While four times as many boys are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than girls, the reason for this disparity is not well understood. Girls tend to be diagnosed much later than boys are and show different symptoms. For example, girls with ASD are less...
Autism and Epilepsy
One of the medical conditions that can develop in individuals with ASD is epilepsy, a neurological disease characterized by recurrent seizures. There is a strong association between epilepsy and autism; while epilepsy affects an estimated one percent of the general...
Is Watching TV Good for Kids with ASD?
While some studies suggest that too much screen time can negatively impact the development of young children’s language and social skills, watching television can offer valuable tools and lessons and be very beneficial for kids with ASD. For example, videos that teach...
Can Some Children Outgrow Autism?
Is it possible for a child diagnosed with autism to ‘outgrow’ it when they get older? A 2013 study of 112 children published by the National Institutes of Health suggested that 34 individuals diagnosed with ASD went on to function as well as neurotypical...
5 Tips for Making the Holidays Autism-Friendly
While the holiday season is a time to reflect on your blessings and express gratitude for all the wonderful things in life, it can also be very stressful for people with autism and their families. Here are some tips for making the holidays autism-friendly with...
ASD and Covid 19 – What Caregivers Need to Know
It’s no secret that COVID-19 caused significant disruptions in the daily lives of youth with ASD and their families, from changes in school routines to quarantines and social isolation. COVID restrictions and mask-wearing requirements were difficult enough for many...
Easing the Stress of Chronic Caregiving
Findings from a recent report published by Family Process are not surprising: nearly 50 percent of mothers of children with autism reported symptoms of depression compared to mothers with neurotypical children over the same time period. The researchers also...
Is Your Child Bullied at School? How Parents of Children with ASD Can Help
Nationally, an estimated 22 percent of students ages 12 – 18 experience bullying, which can result in negative physical, emotional, social, academic, and mental health issues. Bullying can happen on or off school grounds, and in rural, suburban, and urban areas. It...
Traveling with an Autistic Child
Changes in routine and daily structure can be challenging for children with autism. However, parents and caregivers can try these recommendations from experts and other families when planning a trip or vacation with their autistic child: A couple of weeks before you...