Dating is a topic that has been hot, hot, hot in my office for weeks. My young adult clients are seeking loving, genuine relationships based on common interests. This can be a tricky relationship to build, particularly for my somewhat introverted, shy, anxious, home-centered clients. Here are some tips to help with the Dating Project. […]
My colleague and I were brainstorming the questions parents ask, directly and indirectly, about the developmental tasks their offspring are facing as they trend toward adulthood. Some of the questions are typical (where can I find a new psychiatrist in a college town), and some were questions that parents seem embarrassed to ask, yet really […]
This is a time of year when a number of transitions take place: graduations, end of the structure of the school year, the start of a less structured summer, perhaps a new job. Transitions, while necessary, can be stressful. Here are some tips for navigating a transition: Recall your past successes: When have you successfully […]
There are so many controversial topics in autism: gluten, age of diagnosis, “where you are on the spectrum,” should America still have Asperger’s as a diagnosis, and whether or not the experience of living on the spectrum varies by gender. Increasingly, I am being asked, “Where are all the girls?” and “Do you think we […]
The journey from wondering if something is developmentally different with your child to becoming an informed advocate may feel daunting. Fortunately, Jan Starr Campito has written the exceptional book Supportive Parenting: Becoming an Advocate for Your Child with Special Needs. This book belongs in every pediatrician’s office. Supportive Parenting outlines the steps, both practical and […]
As graduation season nears, I’ve been reflecting on the role of parenting and the goals of adulting. This year I have a disproportionate number of folks transitioning in some formal way (middle school to high school, graduating from high school or college) and a number of folks who continue to transition toward adulthood in general […]
One advantage of relentless networking on behalf of my clients is that people send me links and resource ideas. Sometimes I can’t make an entire blog post out of a link (uh, seriously full schedule on my end), but I really want to share the links. Welcome to a hodgepodge post of a bunch of […]
My clients, who are awesome, continue to bring me book titles to consider reading. A few weeks ago one of my young adults brought in Autism Adulthood by Susan Senator. Wowza. If you need a compelling narrative to get you motivated to learn the complex systems of adulthood on the spectrum, this is a must […]
When you have a child who struggles with language, how do you help them structure the day? How do you communicate the impact of choices in a meaningful way? You could use a picture schedule, but what to do if you are in the middle of Target and you don’t have enough options in your […]
Ah, spring break! What a lovely time to kick your feet up, relax, sneak in a nap, and rejuvenate for the second half of the semester. Happily you have weeks and weeks to get your academic work done. Chill! Or not. This is a great time to dust off your syllabi, grab your calendar, and […]