Autism Spectrum Disorder Collection

Children with autism often share certain traits. By understanding their profile, caregivers can be better equipped to support them and celebrate them.

Young people with autism often think and learn in distinct ways. When caregivers have insight into how they think, they can better connect with children, understand them, and teach them.

Young people with autism sometimes use and understand language in unique ways. This article explains some of the common characteristics of language in people with autism.

Young children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have access to multiple services that can help them to meet their goals.

Children with high-risk congenital heart defects (CHDs) should usually have developmental evaluations at key ages while they are growing up. Evaluations can help families to identify autism and find the best possible services for their child.

When kids have diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder and a congenital heart defect (CHD), caregivers are often unsure if an how to talk with them about their diagnoses. This article can help.

Kids with congenital heart defects (CHDs) often share a common profile as learners, whether or not they have autism. This talk helps to shed light on the unique ways children with CHDs can think and learn.

Children with autism and congenital heart defects (CHDs) should always qualify for Early Intervention (EI). EI services can help them to develop lagging skills.

This step-by-step guide directs parents or clinicians through the process of setting up Early Intervention (EI) services for a child with a heart defect and autism.

Young children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) and autism usually qualify for free public preschool through their district's Special Education. This article explains that process and the available services.

Occupational therapy can help many kids with autism and congenital heart defects (CHDs) to learn skills that help them participate fully in their daily routines.

Young children with autism spectrum disorders often face challenges in communicating with others, and also with eating. Speech and language therapy can help them work on both skills.

School-age kids with autism can have differences in how they understand and use language, and also in how they eat. Speech and language therapy can help them meet goals in both domains.

Teenagers with autism often benefit from speech and language therapy, which can help them with their language and their eating.

Many kids with autism struggle to use language as expected in a social context. This can be called a pragmatic language disorder, and intervention can help.

Children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) and autism can have complex profiles of strengths and needs. This articles summarizes the behavioral health disorders that doctors or psychologists identify in some children.

This collection of resources can help kids to understand and celebrate autism spectrum disorder (ASD), anxiety, depression, ADHD, and other differences in mental and behavioral health.

Young with autism and heart defects often struggle to establish a regular and healthy sleep schedule. These strategies can help.

Raising a child with a heart defect and autism can be challenging and isolating. Here is a collection of resources to support and validate caregivers.

Adults with autism often have disrupted sleep, and may often feel tired. This article explains some of the problems, and possible solutions.

Some adults with autism are diagnosed with a sleep disorder, and may need the help of a doctor or other professional in order to get the sleep they need.

Kids with autism are more likely than others to have disordered sleep. This article explains some of the possible problems, and how to find help.

Children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) and autism are likely to have an anxiety disorder at some time in their lives. Here is more information about children's anxiety and effective treatments.

Parents and other caregivers have a lot of options for helping their children to manage anxiety.

Children with autism and a congenital heart defect (CHD) often face anxiety surrounding their health and medical treatments. This webinar describes strategies to help.

Kids with autism and heart defects often have big feelings, and are more likely than others to struggle with issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, social problems, and/or depression. Therapy can help.

Young adults with autism and heart defects often get help from therapists, who can help them to manage their feelings and thoughts, and to meet their goals.

Young people with congenital heart defects (CHDs) and autism often have challenges with elements of executive functioning. Here's an explanation.

Executive function training or coaching can help some young people with autism, to work on skills such as being flexible, monitoring work, planning, and organizing.

Kids with autism often need supports at school in order to do as well as they can. This article explains Special Education and 504 Plans.

Kids with autism often qualify for Special Education, and an IEP can give them services, modifications, and accommodations that allow them to thrive at school.

Some students with autism do best with a 504 Plan at school, which gives them the supports they require to learn and be part of the community.

Some young people with autism qualify for public school between the ages of 18 and 22, so that they can continue to learn the skills they need to meet their adult goals.

When kids receive Special Education, they should have a transition assessment and transition plan when they are no older than 16 (or 14 in Massachusetts and some other states).

When young people with developmental disabilities are transition to adulthood, they are faced with both obstacles and opportunities. This presentation explains more.

Young adults with autism sometimes require support in caring for themselves and making decisions. This article explains the options available to families.

Young children with autism often are delayed in their social skills. These services and interventions can help.

Children with autism often struggle to engage socially with their peers. These interventions can help them to learn the skills they may be missing.

The teenage social world is complicated and can be harrowing. Social skills supports can help teens with autism to navigate it safely and successfully.

Adults with autism are often not satisfied with their social skills. They can find professional services to help them connect with their social world in the way they want.

Aidan is a teenager with a congenital heart defect. In this video, Aidan and his father tell their story.

Young children with autism often have big emotions, and may struggle to understand, express, and manage them. Here are some options to get support.

Kids with heart defects and autism often struggle to manage and understand big emotions. Intervention can help them to express their feelings in ways that work with their goals.

Teens with autism frequently manage big and confusing thoughts and feelings. These services can help them to understand and express themselves in adaptive ways.

Young adults with autism sometimes struggle to understand and manage their emotions, and the emotions of other people. People are available to help.

Caregivers sometimes struggle to manage the behavior of children with autism. Caring professionals are available to help.

Children with autism sometimes behave in ways that can pose challenges to parents and families. These strategies can help caregivers to effectively manage behaviors in a way that shows love, validation, and respect.

Being part of a community can be important for people's physical health, mental health, and quality of life. People with autism sometimes struggle to find community, but these strategies can help.

Comfort positions can help children to feel relaxed and to cooperate with care at the doctor's office.

Young adults with autism and congenital heart defects (CHDs) often have questions about how to enter romantic relationships safely. Here are some tips.

Pediatricians, cardiologists, and other clinicians often care for young people with neurodevelopmental delays or disabilities. These strategies can help them to do so successfully.

Clinicians can use these tools to measure and monitor children's development, and to identify diagnoses such as autism as early and accurately as possible.

Clinicians such as pediatricians and cardiologists play an important role in monitoring the development of kids with heart defects. Asking these questions can help them to detect neurodevelopmental delays or disabilities, including autism.

Children with autism often struggle with medical procedures such as shots and blood draws. This video describes strategies to support them.

Children with autism often have trouble with transitions, including the transition back to school in the fall. Here are strategies to help.

Kids with autism and congenital heart defects (CHDs) are often vulnerable to being the victim of bullying. Learn how to support

Kids with autism and congenital heart defects (CHDs) sometimes have visible differences that can make them vulnerable to bullying. They deserve to feel safe and respected, and these strategies can help.

When kids have a heart defect and autism, they may have trouble following a doctor's treatment plan. This webinar gives parents guidance to support them and to help them to be more successful.

Swallowing medicine can be particularly hard for many kids with autism. This video shows parents how to teach children to swallow liquids, chews, and pills.

Children with autism often struggle with medical procedures and treatments. Here is advice to help them to feel calmer and more successful.

Some kids with autism and congenital heart defects (CHDs) can find help and support from service dogs. Learn more.

Horse-assisted therapies such as hippotherapy and therapeutic riding can help many kids with autism and congenital heart defects.

Kids with medical diagnoses and developmental disabilities such as autism often can thrive at camps that are designed to meet their needs. Many camps are free to qualifying families.

Adults with autism sometimes have trouble determining if a relationship is safe and affirming. These tips can help.