Autism Archives - Family Pathways Coaching

November 12, 2026

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Stigma & Shame: Helping Our Kids See Their Worth

One of my sons was 12 years old when we met with the director of a weekend program we were considering joining. This conversation was the first time I heard my son talk about himself as the victim of stigma, and I was both surprised and impressed with his ability to articulate his irritation. My son was angered on two levels. As a budding scientist, he was offended by parents who didn’t understand the difference between causation and correlation. On a more personal level, he was hurt by parents so afraid of their children developing autism that they would rather ignore proven science and risk contracting measles than ending up like him.

October 28, 2026

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Halloween: Finding the Fun, Avoiding the Frenzy

Halloween was a favorite holiday for my boys. When they were very young, their costumes led to imaginative play all year long. But that didn’t mean the holiday wasn’t exhausting, from the craziness of trick-or-treating to the sugar rush that followed. Kids can be overwhelmed by the commotion and may not want to participate in parties or wear uncomfortable costumes. Or they may struggle to strike a balance between playful pranks and chaos.

August 12, 2026

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Back-to-School: Make it Familiar to Reduce Stress

It’s August, and my friends with elementary-age kids are deep into planning after-school activities. These friends are part of a generation former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy was hoping to reach in his “Advisory on the Mental Health & Well Being of Parents.” In his 2024 report for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Murthy warned that parental stress is increasing, partly as a result of parents’ perceptions that in order for kids to succeed they need to have hobbies and participate in enrichment programs … all the time. And of course it’s mom and dad’s responsibility to get them there, cheer them on, and keep them going. If these conditions are increasing the stress of the general parental population, what is happening to parents of neurodiverse kids?

July 30, 2026

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Autistic Burnout: When Your Child Suddenly Can’t Cope

I learned about something new this week: autistic burnout. My son sat me down for a heart-to-heart the other day, and he explained this condition that can affect people on the autistic spectrum. Autistic burnout is a state of extreme physical, emotional, or mental exhaustion brought on by intense stress, and it can immobilize a person.

June 8, 2026

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Changed Expectations Can Still Be Great Expectations

A few weeks ago we had the distinct pleasure of watching our 28-year-old son receive his master’s degree diploma, mugging happily for the university’s Jumbotron and giving a thumbs up and wide grin as he walked across the stage to shake hands and accept his conferment. This moment was a big one – for him and for my husband and me – and I shed a few tears of pride as I thought of his long journey.

April 15, 2026

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I’m Only as Happy as My Least Happy Child…

“I’m only as happy as my least happy child.” I have heard parents recite this phrase for decades. I know why they say it, I know the pain that elicits this reaction, and I still push back on it every time.

February 10, 2026

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Screen Time: How Much is Too Much?

It’s cold in the Northeast right now. Really cold. And when it’s cold out, it’s harder and maybe less pleasant to be outdoors, away from our screens. So what happens to our kids – in particular our neurodiverse children – when they are glued to the couch and even more likely than usual to turn to their screens for entertainment, information, and company? Read on for help discerning between too much and just enough screen time, and how to use technology to support your child’s development, rather than impede it.

February 3, 2026

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In Honor of Black History Month

This past weekend, in honor of February’s Black History Month, I listened to a 2021 conversation with David Ikard, renowned professor of African American and Diaspora Studies at Vanderbilt University. Prof. Ikard’s work focuses on the idea that we need to view history accurately in order to learn from it. In this same vein, we need to examine honestly how Black neurodiverse children are diagnosed and supported in an effort to provide everyone their best care.

October 7, 2025

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Autism

The Facts About Autism & Tylenol

On Sept. 22, 2025, President Donald Trump and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. held a press conference to discuss their opinions about pregnant women using Tylenol. If I were generous, I would say the president’s outlook was slanted for political gain: It’s on-brand for him to say this issue is more evidence that he’s the truth teller, and the experts can’t be trusted. But I can’t be charitable here. That September announcement was irresponsible at best, dangerous at worst.