We often tell children to be patient, to wait their turn, and to quietly behave. This advice is especially emphasized for autistic children, who may undergo interventions designed to help them conform to these expectations. Yet, when these children grow into adults, the world demands something very different. Success in social situations, dating, and job seeking requires speaking up, advocating loudly, and pushing boundaries. We are doing autistic children (and all children) a serious...

Most everyone has heard of validation and it’s power when raising children. And when used well, it can be incredibly helpful for communication, trust, and helping children feel seen. But like any tool, it has nuances — es pecially when you’re raising a neurodivergent child whose communication style, sensory needs, and emotional processing may differ from your and others’ neurotypical expectations. Validation can be incredibly powerful when connecting with anyone at any age who is...

Connecting with Autistic Individuals: One Ball at a Time Imagine you’re outside on a sunny day, tossing a ball back and forth with someone you care about. You throw the ball, they catch it, and when they’re ready, they throw it back. That’s the rhythm of connection: one ball at a time, one exchange at a time. Now picture something very different: instead of waiting for the ball to come back, you keep hurling ball after ball, faster and faster. Suddenly, it’s not a game of catch anymore—it’s...