Key Points: Bipolar disorder and autism can show overlapping behaviors, but their root causes and patterns are very different. Emotional highs and lows in bipolar disorder differ from autism’s consistent traits and social communication challenges. An accurate diagnosis is essential, and professionals use specific criteria to tell the two apart. When a child is struggling […]
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Key Points: Autism memory problems often affect working memory and recalling social or verbal information. These memory differences can impact learning, communication, and daily routines. Parents can use practical strategies to help their child strengthen memory and navigate challenges confidently. Every parent wants to understand how their child thinks, learns, and remembers the world around
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Key Points: Many autistic children experience emotions more intensely and may have difficulty expressing or managing their feelings. Emotional sensitivity is not a weakness—it can be supported with understanding and the right tools. Parents can help by recognizing triggers, validating feelings, and building emotional regulation skills over time. All children experience big feelings, but for
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Key Points: Autistic burnout and depression share some similar symptoms but have different causes and solutions. Autistic burnout is linked to long-term masking and sensory overload, while depression stems from clinical mental health factors. Understanding these differences can help parents support their child with the right strategies and care. It’s not always easy to tell
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Key Points: Anger in autistic adolescents often stems from sensory overload, communication struggles, or emotional regulation challenges—not defiance. Parents can support their teens by identifying triggers, staying calm, and teaching coping skills. ABA therapy offers structured strategies to help teens manage anger and develop better emotional responses. Adolescence can be a rollercoaster of emotions for
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Key Points: Masking occurs when autistic people suppress their natural behaviors in order to blend in with others socially, which can often result in mental fatigue. Unmasking involves learning to accept and express one’s authentic self without shame or fear. Parents can support their children in unmasking by creating safe environments, practicing acceptance, and seeking
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As Fairfax County faces a significant budget shortfall, proposed cuts are targeting a vulnerable segment of the community: neurodivergent young adults. Programs that help individuals with developmental disabilities, including autism, transition into higher education and adulthood are at risk of being reduced or eliminated—sparking outrage and fear among families who rely on these services for
A growing concern is echoing across Fairfax County as parents and caregivers speak out against a proposed cut to a crucial support program for college students with disabilities. At the center of the conversation is the College Steps program, which offers individualized assistance to students with developmental disabilities, including autism, helping them navigate academic and
A newly released map showing autism rates by state has sparked national attention, highlighting a dramatic rise in diagnoses across the country. According to a study cited in Newsweek, Virginia ranks among the top three states with the highest percentage of adults living with autism, right behind Massachusetts and just ahead of Connecticut. This finding
Creating inclusive spaces isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessity. And now, the Virginia Museum of History and Culture (VMHC) is leading by example, announcing major changes that will make it more welcoming for individuals on the autism spectrum. With its recent designation as a Certified Autism Center (CAC), VMHC is setting a powerful precedent for
