Big Kid
Our Day On The River With The Teenagers
I seem to see life themes in everything my kids do these days. Taking them kayaking was an interesting peek into their different approaches to life.
Big Kid
A Tale Of Two Teens Headed Back-To-School Two Ways
When back-to-school means different things for different teens in the same family, the name of the game is making sure that everyone gets what they need.
Big Kid
Special Needs, Yes Indeed: Find Your Family’s Tribe
When you’re parenting kids with special needs, finding another family who gets it is invaluable, for both kids and parents.
Big Kid
The Glass Is Exactly As Full As It Should Be
While trying to balance helping my autistic son’s potential and limitations, I don’t always get it right. The good news is, he does, in spite of me.
Big Kid
The Unbearable Rightness Of Being
One of the hardest lessons for my teens is that, sometimes, there are some things more important than being right.
Health & Safety
Separation Anxiety in Overdrive
A toddler has been experiencing atypical separation anxiety since her first few weeks of life. Her mom is not satisfied with the answers she has received thus far. What should she do now?
Education
Dealing With a New Diagnosis
My son has just been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I haven’t the faintest idea what I’m supposed to do next.
Big Kid
Helping Your Student Manage Year-End School Stress
As we near the end of my autistic son’s first full-time year back in public school, the stress is wearing him down, but really, he’s doing great.
Toddler
Toddler Hearing vs. Toddler Listening
A parent (whose day job is as an occupational therapist) is trying to weigh some concerns brought up by her son’s caregiver his development against her own observations and professional opinion.
Big Kid
Well-Adjusted Teens, Sans Team Sports
Team youth sports are a fantastic way to nurture multiple avenues of personal growth, but what about when your teen isn’t into them? Relax, it’s okay.
Big Kid
The Poor Sensory Sport
A mom needs advice on how to help her sensory-seeking child handle disappointment on the sports field as it’s now starting to affect his relationships.
Big Kid
More Than Just A Birthday
Birthdays with teenagers can feel a lot like a timer ticking down, but sometimes they feel like victory, too. For my late bloomer, this birthday feels huge.
Big Kid
Dysfunction Junction: Improving Executive Function In Challenged Teens
A disorganized teen can make for an unhappy family. A few good coping strategies for improving executive functioning, everyone ends up happier, more productive.
Big Kid
Autism and Illness: Our Last Frontier?
As my autistic son grows and matures, his awareness and coping skills grow, too. But I’m still grappling with his awareness (or lack thereof) when he’s sick.
Family Fun
New (fur)babies are stressful
In the excitement of adding a second dog to our household, I may have forgotten how hard it can be for everyone involved, even when it’s a good thing.
Big Kid
The Family That Clays Together…
It can be sometimes be hard for our family to do “fun” things the way other families do. We threw caution (and cleanliness) to the wind and had a blast.
Young Child
Won’t You Be My (ASD) Neighbor?
A mother wants to explain Asperger’s in positive way to her children now that they have a new friend who is on the spectrum.
Big Kid
College Application Time: Should Your Special-Needs Student Disclose?
When it’s time for your special needs child to apply to college, should they disclose? I think you know which side of this debate I’m on.
Big Kid
The Good, the Bad, and the Dorm
I’ve been focusing so much energy on getting ready to let go of my college freshman, I forgot I was going to have to do a trial run with her brother, first.
Big Kid
Drive, Baby, Drive: Time for my Youngest to Step on the Gas
As we ever-so-gently force my youngest to get behind the wheel, he’s learning he’s more capable than he thought, and I’m delighting in watching him do so.