NEWS

The dreaded tantrum. Tantrums can test the limits of even the best parents, especially when you’re dealing with one in public. Any parent of a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) knows that kids with ASD are more susceptible to tantrums and have more triggers than other children. What’s not always obvious to parents […]

Trick or treating is a tradition that many families look forward to each year, Unfortunately, some aspects can be truly frightening and overwhelming for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Unfamiliar faces/costumes and sensory stimuli, such as strobe lights, sound effects and fog machines are some of the common encounters children with autism struggle with on […]

Parenting a child with autism and children without autism can be a unique, and sometimes daunting, balance. You have to provide extra support for your child with autism and navigate the path of what is best for him, while also carving out time to ensure his brother’s and sister’s needs are met. Research shows that […]

Summer can provide a welcome break from the demands of the school year and a chance to create special memories of family vacations and adventures with friends, which is why preparations for the new school year may seem bittersweet as September draws near. Transitioning back into school routines can be extra challenging for students with […]

Bullying occurs at an alarming rate and, sadly, kids with Autism and Asperger’s are much more vulnerable targets to bullies. If left unchecked, there can be serious consequences for children that are chronically bullied. These risks include: Withdrawing from school participation, lowered test scores and deteriorating GPA Skipping class or dropping out of school Suffering […]

Most parents of children with Autism know first-hand that wandering is a common and potentially dangerous issue. For some parents, the fear of wandering has stopped them from enjoying outdoor activities, contributed to social isolation and caused a lack of sleep over concern of a possible break out in the middle of the night. While […]

Most people encounter and process various types of sensory information all day every day and don’t give it a second thought. However, a common trait of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is sensitivity to sensory information, particularly to sounds, smells and lighting, which means the same sensory input that the rest of us take for granted […]

When it comes to education for children with autism, the great debate is whether to mainstream or go to a school specifically designed for kids with autism. It is a choice that almost all parents of kids on the spectrum consider at one point or another. The answer that’s right for your child depends on […]

The Sarah Dooley Center for Autism would like to congratulate Richmond’s own Pam Mines for being a FINALIST for the Good Neighbor Award presented by Steve Harvey. Pam is an Autism Advocate superstar whose non-profit JP JumPers Foundation is a local treasure. Make sure to go to neighborhood awards.com and vote for her on June […]

Summer is the time when most kids look forward to playing outside, staying up later, going to summer camp and having care free days at home. Unfortunately, for kids with ASD, the transition can be difficult. Summer causes a disruption of the schedule and structure that school provided over the past 10 months and this […]