Blog Category: Parenting

  • Self-Regulation Strategies for Parents of Neurodivergent Children

    By: Shreeja Vachhani, MSW Intern & Janelle Schenk, LMSW

    July 12, 2024

    Parenting can be tough, even under the best circumstances, and managing stress is an essential part of the journey. We have put together a few practical, and easy-to-implement, self-regulation strategies designed to support when emotions run high.

  • Water Safety

    By: Maisy Seale, MSW Intern & Janelle Schenk, LMSW

    June 21, 2024

    Swimming can be one of the most thrilling parts of summer for a child, but it can also be one of the most dangerous. Take time to create appropriate safety plans, now, for a worry-free summer!

  • Autism Spectrum & Eating Out

    By: Zachary Burton, MSW Intern and Janelle Schenk, LMSW

    June 14, 2024

    This blog details strategies for supporting your child at restaurants, create a more accessible restaurant, and tips to help you enjoy your restaurant experience as an autistic adult.

  • How to Tell your Child About the Medical Diagnosis of a Loved One, Part II

    By: Emily Doane, MSW Intern & Janelle Schenk, LMSW

    June 7, 2024

    Categories: Anxiety, ASD, Other, Parenting

    When sharing a loved one's medical diagnosis, many of the tips and guidelines appropriate for neurotypical children are also relevant for autistic children, just with a few additional recommendations.

  • Introducing Food to a Picky Eater

    By: Zachary Burton, MSW Intern and Janelle Schenk, LMSW

    May 10, 2024

    This blog post will detail strategies you can utilize to introduce new foods to your child, your adult, or even yourself, and how those strategies can support formulating nutritional and diverse diets.

  • Getting a Sensory-Friendly Haircut

    By: Maisy Seale, MSW Intern & Janelle Schenk, LMSW

    May 1, 2024

    While getting a haircut can be relaxing to some, it can be a stressful experience for others. It involves a lot of sensory input, which can be challenging. Read on to learn more about sensory sensitivity and gather tips for the next haircut. 

  • Strengths of Autistic Children

    By: Shreeja Vachhani, MSW Intern & Janelle Schenk, LMSW

    April 26, 2024

    As you read through this blog, you will learn about the diverse strengths of autistic children and discover how embracing these strengths can lead to positive outcomes and a deeper understanding of neurodiversity.

  • ASD and Love

    By: Maisy Seale, MSW Intern & Janelle Schenk, LMSW

    April 12, 2024

    Categories: ASD, Other, Parenting

    People have different ways of expressing love, and preferences of receiving love. Neurology research of autistic individuals show that different areas of the brain are activated for 'love' than for neurotypical people. Read on to learn more about the expression of love from neurodivergent perspectives. 

  • How to tell your Child About the Medical Diagnosis of a Loved One

    By: Emily Doane, MSW Intern & Janelle Schenk, LMSW

    April 5, 2024

    Categories: Other, Parenting

    Read more to learn considerations for parents, how to start a conversation, what to keep in mind during this conversation, and some differences in how you may deliver or approach a conversation with a child based on their age.

  • Sleep Disturbances in Autism Spectrum Disorders

    By: Yexenia Vanegas, MSW Intern and Janelle Schenk, LMSW

    January 19, 2024

    Categories: Anxiety, ASD, Other, Parenting

    Recent studies confirm that sleep difficulties in the autistic population have prevalence rates ranging from 60% to 86%. This blog explores the most common sleep difficulties in individuals with ASD, their underlying causes, and effective interventions to improve sleep quality.

  • Talking to Kids about Death

    By: Juno Elsa Ottathengil, MSW Practicum Student & Janelle Schenk, LMSW

    January 12, 2024

    Categories: Anxiety, ASD, Other, Parenting

    We discuss how parents and clinicians can talk to kids about the loss of a loved one in an age-appropriate manner, as well as a few clinical interventions used to help kids cope with grief and a list of online grief support resources that may be helpful for kids and their families.

  • Ways to De-Stress for Individuals with Autism

    By: Christine Charpie, MSW Intern and Janelle Schenk, LMSW

    December 22, 2023

    Categories: ASD, Other, Parenting

    This blog aims to share helpful, evidence-based strategies for managing stress that are inclusive of and relevant to the real-world experiences of people on the autism spectrum.