Autism-Talk

Many parents notice this pattern early. Their child clearly wants something — a snack, a toy, a turn on the tablet, or help opening a container — but instead of asking, they may cry, grab, scream, or become overwhelmed. It can feel confusing and frustrating. You might even wonder: Do they know how to ask? The truth is that requesting is a skill , and like many social-communication skills, it often needs to be taught explicitly  for autistic children. Difficulties with communi

Understanding Sensory Processing in Autism: What Parents and Teachers Should Know TL;DR Summary Sensory processing is how the brain takes in and responds to information from the senses. Many autistic children experience over- or under-sensitivity to sound, touch, movement, or light. Sensory behaviors like spinning, covering ears, or seeking pressure are ways to self-regulate. Adults can help by watching for patterns, creating supportive environments, and using visual tools. V

Will my autistic child talk? Table of Contents Why Speech Looks Different in Autism Speech vs. Communication: Why Both Matter Small Signs of Communication Growth Building Blocks That Lead to Speech Celebrating Every Form of Communication Tools and Supports That Help How Parents Can Support at Home Developmental Preschools & Free Services (US) When to Seek Extra Help Relevant Research Findings TL;DR Summary Speech is only one form of communication.  Even before words, gestures

TL;DR (Quick Summary) Autism and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) are two ways of describing the same condition. “ASD” is the clinical/medical term used by professionals and in official diagnoses. “Autism” is the everyday term that parents, teachers, and autistic individuals often use. The term “Asperger’s” is no longer used as a diagnosis; it’s now part of ASD. The most important thing is supporting your child, not which label you use. Introduction Recently, a few people have

Early Signs of Autism in Babies and Toddlers: What Parents Should Know Meta Description:  Discover the early signs of autism in babies and toddlers, including communication, social, and behavioral red flags. Learn what to watch for as a parent. TL;DR (Quick Takeaways) Autism signs can appear as early as infancy, often before 18 months. Early red flags may include limited babbling, lack of gestures, unusual eye contact, or repetitive movements . Early diagnosis matters—interve

📌 Quick Navigation What Happened to Asperger’s? Is It Still a Diagnosis? Asperger’s vs ASD Why It Was Removed Controversy Around the Term What Parents & Teachers Should Know FAQs Related Posts Free Tools Quick Takeaways: Asperger syndrome was removed from the DSM-5 in 2013 and is now considered part of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The change was made to create more consistency and improve access to support services. Individuals once diagnosed with Asperger's are now typic

Learn how alexithymia affects emotional awareness in autistic kids and how to help with visuals, body clues, and emotion coaching strategies.

What is ARFID? Understanding Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder and How It Differs from Picky Eating Table of Contents Introduction: Our Family’s Experience with Extreme Picky Eating What is ARFID? ARFID vs. Picky Eating: Key Differences How ARFID Shows Up in Autistic and Non-Autistic Children Why ARFID Is Often Overlooked When to Seek Help Final Thoughts + Free Support Resource Extreme Picky Eating When I was first navigating extreme picky eating with my twins, the te

Autism and ADHD often occur together. It seems like lately, every time I read something online from the autism community, AuDHD is mentioned. In our household, we have a mix of both autism and ADHD, so I have an interest in this topic. If you have a child or work with autistic children, you may already be familiar with the term. AuDHD refers to a combination of autism and ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) characteristics , and it's more common than you might thi

Hyperlexia refers to children who possess an extraordinary ability to read at a very young age, often well before receiving formal reading i

selective mutism is a complex anxiety disorder, not a choice or an act of defiance. It’s one way that anxiety can manifest in children, and

As someone who was once on the path to a Ph.D. in special education, particularly interested in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the question of whether subtypes exist and how they can be distinguished has always intrigued me. Before I became a parent to twins, I worked as a teacher and therapist, witnessing firsthand the diverse range of behaviors and abilities among children with autism. Despite sharing the same technical diagnosis, each child was obviously uniquely differen

The concept of assigning levels to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses emerged as an alternative to the previous labels of "low" or "high" functioning in 2013. These levels, ranging from 1 to 3, were designed to provide a more nuanced understanding of individuals' support needs. However, it's essential to recognize that these labels, like any classification system, have limitations, especially considering the complexity of human behavior and the individual variability am