During Autism Acceptance Month, we’ve been paying special attention to inclusion. Those considerations include sensory friendly egg hunts, playgrounds, even sports stadium seating areas. They include ear plugs offered in loud auditoriums, flexible seating options in school classrooms, and sensory inclusive experiences or kits at zoos, museums, movie theaters, and other attractions. Gradually, everyday places […]
Study: Parents who reframe child tasks can adopt healthier approach
The pressures of parenting stack up and often conflict: Do I finish zipping my child’s coat and put on her shoes so we can leave on time? Or do I let her figure it out on her own and be late? Sometimes, we don’t even realize when we hurriedly complete tasks our children should do […]
Study: Kids’ lack of focus does not mean lack of learning
Us adults excel at filtering out irrelevant information and focusing on key facts. So, understandably, it drives us crazy when our kids jump on the couch, daydream, talk, or doodle while we’re trying to give instructions or explain the schedule for the day. But new research published in Psychological Science found that kids may absorb […]
A different kind of New Year’s goal
Happy New Year! First off: Children and families, we care deeply for you, and we are rooting for you as you step into 2025. Rather than offering a New Year’s resolution idea, here’s a suggestion of a trajectory to pursue this year. One of the most valuable skills we can teach our children is to […]
A gift guide for neurodivergent kids
If you have a neurodivergent child on your gift list this year – even if that child is yours – it can be daunting to think through options that child will love. (If the child is a friend or relative, it’s always good to start by asking the parents for ideas!) Here’s a basic framework […]
Play for the win: Study finds parent-child play helps with friendships
Early parent-child play can be a key predictor in how successfully children interact with peers, according to a new study from the University of Georgia. Most of the time, parents take the lead role, but play can flip the script, allowing a parent to respond to a child’s lead, according to the study, summarized in […]
Stop ‘should-ing’ yourself to death and just play (it’s good for you)
The masses of parenting advice out there leave modern parents slugging along under the weight of a million “shoulds” — and their close companion, guilt. But let go of that for a minute. You love your child(ren) desperately. Now take that minute of letting go and spend it just enjoying your child(ren). We advocate playful […]
Should I seek an ADHD evaluation for my child? 5 questions to help
One million more U.S. children had received an ADHD diagnosis in 2022 compared with 2016, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 1 in 9 children between the ages of 3 and 17 have received the diagnosis, prompting the report to label ADHD as “an ongoing and expanding […]
5 Life-Changing Habits To Transform Your Mental Health
As the saying goes, “If you keep a habit, sooner or later it can feel like a part of you.” For parents — especially those supporting their children through distinct challenges — self-care is vital to maintaining the health of the family. Fortunately, you can transform your mental health with 5 surprisingly simple habits. Start small, […]
14 Unexpected Ways to Boost Your Mental Health Now
Practicing good mental health doesn’t always mean a lengthy list of “shoulds” and “should nots.” You can boost your mental health right now through activities you want to do. Here are 14 research-backed ways to boost mental health (for adults or kids) that may surprise you: Have fun playfully boosting your spirits! We wish you […]
Xboxes and PlayStations: The World Through The Lens Of Neurodivergence
“Think of it like comparing an Xbox and a PlayStation,” neurodiversity advocate Ethan Lisi says in a TED Talk. “They’re both highly capable consoles with different programming. But if you put your Xbox game in a PlayStation, it won’t work, because the PlayStation communicates differently.” Sometimes, the world can feel like that to a neurodivergent […]
The Power of Play
5 reasons play therapy helps neurodivergent children thrive For neurodivergent children, verbal communication and social cues may feel unnatural — and that can make traditional therapies difficult or uncomfortable. Enter play. This intuitive language of childhood — a language of exploration, expression, and making sense of the world — becomes an accessible connection point. By […]
Balancing Act: Managing Work, Family and a Neurodivergent Child
Picture this: The epic adventure of parenting, complete with astonishing acts of bravery, heartwarming moments, and the occasional plot twists that leave you thinking, “Wait, what just happened?” Now, sprinkle in the magical essence of raising a neurodivergent child, and you’ve got a rollercoaster of emotions that’s both exhilarating and challenging. Ah, the Balancing Act […]