The Problem with “Mental Age”

One unfortunate way that you'll often see people with developmental disabilities, including autistic people, described is with the concept of mental age. "Oh, they're a ten year old in the body of a twenty-one year old." "My daughter's eleven, but functions as a six year old." "My cousin's legally an adult but is mentally four." … Continue reading The Problem with “Mental Age”

AAC, Autism, and the Communication First Approach

One thing that often confuses people new to the autism world are all the acronyms. It seems like just about everything has a three-letter acronym associated with it, and I can understand why it would be difficult to keep all of them straight or remember what they all stand for. But there's one acronym that … Continue reading AAC, Autism, and the Communication First Approach

How to make the Holiday Season Less Stressful for Autistic People

"It's the most wonderful time of the yearWith the kids jingle bellingAnd everyone telling you be of good cheerIt's the most wonderful time of the year" Well, at least for some people. The "most wonderful time of the year" isn't wonderful and magical for everybody. For autistic people especially, the holidays can drive much more … Continue reading How to make the Holiday Season Less Stressful for Autistic People

On Autistic People and Dogs

This is my family’s dog Doodlebug. He’s a barrel-chested, chubby-bellied (ok fine, he's overweight) energetic, happy beagle mix who we’ve had for eleven years now. A dark-brown and white beagle-mix dog sits next to a person with medium-length curly red hair wearing a green shirt and black shorts (me). The person is looking perpendicular to … Continue reading On Autistic People and Dogs