Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Autism Spectrum Disorders

Connie Anderson, Ph.D. IAN Community Scientific Liaison Many behavioral therapies have been used to treat young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), including Applied Behavior Analysis and Pivotal Response Training. Older children, teens, and adults with ASD may benefit from another intervention with a behavioral component: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Beyond behavior Therapies based on the science of behavior have been effective for people of all ages, and are an essential item in any mental […]

My Tips for Homeschooling a Child with Autism

Education can be a challenge for any child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. In response, there are many parents who turn to homeschooling1 rather than traditional education means. However, to unlock your child’s full potential, you have to make the most of your homeschooling lessons. In this article, we are going to take a look at some of the ways that you can help your child thrive in their early education and beyond. With these […]

Families Face Autism Stigma, Isolation

Marina Sarris Interactive Autism Network at Kennedy Krieger Institute Parents report that their child’s autistic behaviors, combined with social stigma and isolation, make their lives more challenging, according to a new study of the Simons Simplex Collection (SSC). In one of the largest studies of its kind, Ruth L. Fischbach PhD looked at how and why stigma affects families. Stigma occurs when people feel shamed, inferior and isolated because they are different from others.1 Her […]

Homeschool Students with Special Needs Options

Creating a calm homeschool environment focused on your special needs child is very different from the effort required to establish a basic homeschool classroom.  Teaching students with learning, behavioral, mental health, medical, or intellectual disabilities requires attention to a level of detail far beyond anything that might be created for a basic K-12 homeschool experience.  Important factors to consider might include: Does your classroom set-up provide the right kind of environment for your special needs […]

Autism And The Importance Of Self-esteem

Self-esteem refers to an individual’s opinion of him or herself. People with healthy self-esteem trust their own instincts and abilities, believe that they are worthy of good things happening to them, and are confident that, with effort, they can accomplish any necessary or desired task. Unhealthy self-esteem can range from a dislike of oneself to an over-inflated self-opinion. Research has shown that an individual’s self-esteem strongly influences his or her interpersonal relationships, behavior, and learning. […]