I’m on the autism spectrum, and one thing I wish more people understood is this: autism isn’t a disease. It’s not something broken that needs to be fixed. It’s a difference in how our brains are wired. Autism is something people are born with. It’s not something you catch, nor does it suddenly appear later in life like an illness. For that reason, it’s also not something that can be “cured” like a disease. And honestly, framing it that way misses the point of who we are. Our brains simply proces

🌻 Have You Heard of the Sunflower Lanyard at Airports? The Sunflower Lanyard is a simple tool that lets airport staff know you or your child may have a hidden disability. This can include autism, ADHD, anxiety, sensory differences, PTSD, or other invisible challenges. It’s a quiet way to signal, “I might need a little extra patience or support.” ✈️ How It Can Help When staff recognize the sunflower, they may: • Speak more clearly or slowly • Offer extra time in lines • Give simple directions •

Most parents remember exactly where they were the moment they heard the words. Sometimes it happens in a doctor’s office.Sometimes during a school meeting. Sometimes after months—or years—of wondering if something was different.In that moment, it can feel like the ground shifts a little. Suddenly there are new terms, new appointments, and questions you never expected to be asking. If that’s where you are right now, take a breath. You are not the first parent to feel this way, and you are not alo

When I was a kid, my parents made the kitchen a place where I could learn. They didn’t just cook while I watched from the sidelines. They actually involved me, even if the jobs were small. That’s something I always recommend to parents. Give kids simple, safe tasks depending on their age. Maybe it’s melting butter in the microwave, washing fruit, or handing you ingredients while you cook. Little things like that make kids feel useful and included. It’s also a great chance to show them what you’r

I’ve been thinking about something that happens a lot in dating. Someone develops a crush, and the first instinct is to go all in. Text constantly, push for attention, and try to move things forward quickly. But honestly, that can backfire. If you like someone and you’re not sure how they feel yet, the worst thing you can do is pursue them aggressively. Give them time and space. Interest needs room to grow. Sometimes a person might actually like you, or at least be open to the possibility. But w

I hear a lot of parents worry about their kids playing too many video games. But sometimes I wonder if we’re looking at it the wrong way. If your son is playing games and his grades are outstanding, that’s already a pretty strong sign that something is working. School performance usually drops when something is truly becoming a problem. If he’s still doing great academically, maybe the games aren’t hurting him at all. In fact, video games can require a lot of thinking. Strategy, problem solving,

It is designed to allow individual with disabilities to receive long term care services in their home or community. It supports independent living and provides care that is tailored to their individual needs.

One of the realities of profound autism is severe communication differences. Some children have minimal or no spoken language. Many rely on alternative and augmentative communication like pictures, symbols, communication devices, or consistent gesture systems. Communication can be very context-bound and sometimes inconsistent, and often it requires patient support from the people around them. When my son was younger, we didn’t know what spoken language would look like for him. We focused on othe

As a parent, I absolutely believe kids should only watch age appropriate material. Younger children need guidance. They’re still learning how to process what they see, and it’s part of our job to make sure what they’re watching is healthy and suitable for their age.But I also think there needs to be a point where that control starts to loosen.As teens get older, especially once they’re adults, they should be able to decide which movies or shows they want to watch. Part of growing up is learning

Something I’ve been contemplating a lot lately is this idea that if we want to understand the way we think and why we sometimes make misjudgments, we first have to look at what influences our behavior.For a long time I used to feel confused about social situations. I would replay conversations in my head and wonder if I said the wrong thing or if someone misunderstood me. Occasionally I misread a tone, or I didn’t pick up on a subtle social cue. Other times I assumed someone was upset with me wh

One of the most interesting shifts happening in the IT industry right now is the move toward Edge AI and TinyML. Instead of sending all data to the cloud for processing, more machine learning models are now running directly on edge devices like microcontrollers, smartphones, and smart cameras.In simple terms, this means AI can run where the data is created.This approach is becoming increasingly important because it addresses several major challenges in modern computing. When machine learning run