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Every person with autism will face social, communication, and behavior challenges, and they will need ongoing assistance and support. However, autism is a developmental disorder that’s a spectrum, meaning children with autism may experience mild, moderate, or severe symptoms and impairments. Understanding Differences In Moderate To Severe Autism As the parent of a child with […]

Autism is a spectrum that includes mild, moderate, and severe symptoms. In general, a person’s level of autism is determined by his or her level of functioning and the level of support required for the individual to remain safe. What Is Severe Autism? Severe autism, also known as low-functioning autism or profound autism, is the […]

Teacher Michelle Hughey has changed hundreds of lives at our Sarah Dooley Center for Autism over the past 13 years. For her unrelenting dedication and compassion, NBC12 surprised her with their Excellence in Education Award. Michelle gives her all to every student and makes the most of every teachable moment. She works with some of […]

As a parent, you monitor your child’s development very closely. So when you start to notice unusual behavior, you may worry that he or she has autism. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects as many as one in 59 kids. It includes high, moderate, and severe levels of need. Children with severe autism require […]

Adam Dreyfus aspires to help parents of children with autism outside of his role as our Autism Center Director. In 2016, he co-founded AnswersNow as an online platform that provides parents instant digital access to counseling from licensed clinicians. After participating in the MetLife Digital Accelerator program, Dreyfus and the AnswersNow team were invited by […]

Children and young adults with low-functioning or severe autism experience intense challenges. Many individuals with severe autism suffer from the following: Cognitive impairment Sensory sensitivities Social challenges Communication difficulties Behaviors such as self-injury, aggression, spinning, rocking, or flapping Successfully care for your loved one with severe autism, and improve his or her quality of life […]

“How will my child learn?” “Will I have to send her to a special school?” “His situation is so different from everyone else’s; how will anyone accommodate him?” These are common concerns of parents with an autistic child. Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), describes children with difficulties communicating, engaging in social situations or responding […]

Research shows that making music can create changes in the human brain, especially strengthening connections between the auditory and motor regions. In addition to the potential benefits music can provide a child with autism in speech and academic learning, Villa volunteer Lydia Heitman shows it’s just plain fun! For three summers, Lydia has brought joy […]

Has your child been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or does he or she exhibit symptoms of autism? Before seeking autism-specific assistance, make sure the diagnosis is correct. You may learn that your child has Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder (SCD). Recently added to the most current, fifth-edition of the DSM (Diagnosis and Statistical Manual […]

According to the CDC, autism affects one in 59 children. Many children receive a diagnosis when they’re young, but you may not notice unusual behavior or question if your child has Asperger’s syndrome until your child becomes a teenager. Learn the signs of Asperger’s and what steps you can take if your teen has the […]