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Perspectives For Parents:
Advice & Support from Parents & Caregivers
Autism Supports: Where Do I Start?
May 15, 2019
There are many different types of therapy that can help children with autism. They can work on different parts of their development. Here are some of the most common examples: Behavioral Intervention - A therapist helps to encourage positive behaviors and discourage unwanted ones. Desired behaviors are broken down into small tasks to build skills. Developmental…
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Introducing the Autism Guide: An Interview with the Flutie Foundation
March 20, 2019
As we publish our most recent Guide, "What to Do If Your Child Has Autism", we sat down with our partners at The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation to hear their thoughts on this new tool for families. Massachusetts is a wealth of information and resources. What does Exceptional Lives have to offer? Why do…
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Fixations for Those with Autism Have Positive Effects in Later Life, Study Shows
February 7, 2017
Whether it is trains, elevators, or film, the preferred interests of those with autism bring about a unique way of interacting with the world. The reasons why those with autism choose to prefer certain objects, concepts, and language is something that is challenging to define. However, a new study shows that these fixations have…
Read moreHow to Love your Child with Autism When They Don’t (Seem to) Love You Back
January 22, 2017
As I shared in this post, finding out your child has special needs is an emotional process. The journey often comes with challenges and pressures, including ongoing therapies, services, arrangements for special education, and medical care. I'd like to peel back another layer and address a topic that often isn't discussed but deserves attention and empathy. I…
Read moreWhat My Daughter with Autism Taught Me About Empathy
October 24, 2016
What started as just another night of reading before bed turned into an eye-opening experience for one mother and her daughter with autism. She learns that her daughter's struggle with reading emotions or feelings is not because she doesn't care - she just doesn't want to assume how the other person is feeling.This one moment between…
Read moreNew Training Program Helps Police Interact with People with Autism
September 27, 2016
Police interactions are always sticky situations. But for individuals with autism, they can also be intense sensory overloads.Stephanie Cooper, a former police officer and mom of a child with autism, started a program called Autism Law Enforcement Response Training (ALERT).The ALERT program helps to:train officers on how to recognize autism in peopleget police officers comfortable with certain behaviorscover…
Read moreThe True Meaning of Autism Awareness Month
April 19, 2016
Autism Awareness Month marks an important time for individuals, families and communities to honor and unite for many reasons. At the Autism Program at Boston Medical Center, we work with hundreds of families each year through direct patient support, family navigation and community-wide initiatives, such as our Parent Leadership in Autism Network (PLAN), Teens…
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