Note: Shared anonymously. The writer presents a case of self-identified autism. Views are personal and not to be associated with Future Smart. It is also important to note that not all autistic individuals will achieve what the writer has. While discussing The Big Bang Theory, a few years ago, my best friend looked at me […]
READ MORETherapists and special needs educators buckle up, because we’re diving into the world of communication with our incredible students with special needs. We all know the importance of fostering clear and effective communication. But for these learners, traditional methods might not always hit the mark. Today, we’ll unpack a toolbox brimming with […]
READ MORELet’s face it, parenting is a rollercoaster. Throw in a diagnosis like autism, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. But sometimes, all these overwhelming thoughts and emotions can morph into denial. We all want the “perfect” kid, the one who aced all their milestones and fits neatly into a box. Autism messes with that picture, […]
READ MORESometimes, we learn the hard way that there are no shortcuts for autism. This is an account of just one of the harrowing tales. A reader of our previous blog, “Do Vaccines Cause Autism?”, shared her story. Names (when and where they appear) have been altered to protect identity. No Shortcuts for Autism […]
READ MOREMany parents today are convinced that vaccines for children, such as MMR (measles, mumps and rubella vaccine), are an irrefutable cause of autism. The origin of this theory goes back to February 1998. That’s more than 25 years ago! Since then, a lot has happened. Today, we will investigate and establish a timeline of […]
READ MOREI don’t speak much, but I can hear everything. Mama, baba, my brother Ahmed and everyone else calls me Yusuf. I will be five years old in exactly 157 days. I love dinosaurs. And I hate getting wet, but Mama says good boys must get a bath every day. That’s the worst time. Our […]
READ MOREWhat is Occupational Therapy? Occupational therapy (OT) is a healthcare profession that helps people of all ages participate in the activities they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). OT practitioners use their knowledge and skills to help people attain a better lifestyle and participate in meaningful occupations […]
READ MOREChildren with autism, grow up to be… adults with autism. That is a barebones fact. Children may learn to adapt, but autism isn’t an infection that goes away. Because the world is only just opening its eyes to what autism looks like, many people around us may have autism, without anyone ever suspecting. Today’s blog […]
READ MORECenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released 2020 data on the prevalence of autism in the United States. According to this, nearly one child in 36 8-year-olds has autism. The 2018 estimate was 1 in 44 children. This means that there has been a 20% increase since 2018. However, researchers say this reflects increased […]
READ MOREThere are good reasons why we think moms should not be their child’s therapist! We are sure we will receive flak for this hot take. But truth must prevail. Autism, ADHD and other disorders are complex. To manage them effectively, children need someone with specialized knowledge and training. Parents, specifically mothers, play an […]
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