Masking in autism refers to the conscious or unconscious effort made by individuals, particularly women, to hide or suppress their autistic traits in social situations. This behavior often involves mimicking neurotypical peers and adopting socially acceptable behaviors to fit in. Masking can include various actions, such as imitating facial expressions,
Families of children with autism in Indiana are confronting alarming challenges following the announcement of major changes to Medicaid coverage for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. These changes—introduced without input from families, clinicians, or providers—signal a troubling shift in how the state plans to support children on the autism spectrum.
Selective mutism is classified as an anxiety disorder in the DSM-5, which was released in 2013. This condition is characterized by an individual’s inability to speak in specific social situations while still being able to communicate in others. It primarily affects children and is relatively uncommon, with less than 1% of children diagnosed
Autism is a term that’s now widely recognized, often appearing in conversations about child development, education, and neurodiversity. But it wasn’t always this way. There was a time when the unique behaviors and needs of autistic individuals were misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or simply ignored. So, when did things begin to change? When
Certain types of medications can assist in managing severe symptoms associated with Asperger’s syndrome or related conditions. While there are no drugs specifically approved by the FDA for the treatment of Asperger’s or autism spectrum disorders, some medications can help alleviate related symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. The use
Functional Communication Training (FCT) is a widely recognized intervention used in ABA therapy that effectively addresses severe behavior problems. Initially described by Carr and Durand in 1985, FCT aims to help individuals, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder, replace challenging behaviors with appropriate communication methods. This can include gestures, sign language, or
