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Getting a Second Opinion During Long Evaluation Waitlists
Read More…: Getting a Second Opinion During Long Evaluation WaitlistsWhen an evaluation report does not sound like the child you know, another opinion may help. Use the wait to organize records, understand school rights, and choose the next evaluator carefully.
Stimming Isn’t a Problem to Fix
Read More…: Stimming Isn’t a Problem to FixA child’s rocking, hand movements, humming, or pacing may be doing an important job. Start with safety and curiosity before asking an autistic child to stop stimming.
Bullying and Autism: Signs Parents and Schools Should Watch For
Read More…: Bullying and Autism: Signs Parents and Schools Should Watch ForBullying may show up as school refusal, shutdowns, missing belongings, or a change a child cannot yet explain. Here is how families and schools can listen, document, and build a child-specific safety plan.
When It’s Not “Just Autism”: ADHD, Anxiety, and GI Issues
Read More…: When It’s Not “Just Autism”: ADHD, Anxiety, and GI IssuesA practical parent guide to noticing when attention, anxiety, sleep, pain, or gastrointestinal symptoms may need their own evaluation alongside autism.
A Sensory-Friendly Halloween Game Plan for Autistic Kids
Read More…: A Sensory-Friendly Halloween Game Plan for Autistic KidsHalloween can ask a child to tolerate scratchy clothes, bright decorations, unfamiliar doors, and a social script all at once. This sensory-friendly plan uses comfort, practice, communication choices, and a clear way home to make the night feel manageable.
Planning Ahead: What I Learned About ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts for My Son’s Future
Read More…: Planning Ahead: What I Learned About ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts for My Son’s FutureThere’s a question I’ve spent too many nights turning over: what actually happens to my son if my husband and I aren’t here one day. Here’s what I found when I finally sat down and researched ABLE accounts and special needs trusts, plus how to find the right options in your own state.
From Neurodiversity to Prosperity: A Guide for Entrepreneurs
Read More…: From Neurodiversity to Prosperity: A Guide for EntrepreneursFrom Neurodiversity to Prosperity: A Guide for Entrepreneurs” celebrates the unique strengths and perspectives of neurodivergent individuals in the business world. It highlights their exceptional ability to think creatively, pay meticulous attention to detail, leverage specialized expertise, and build strong support networks. The piece emphasizes the importance of investing in education, crafting comprehensive business plans, creating engaging content for marketing, and maintaining good financial health. It encourages neurodivergent entrepreneurs to embrace their unconventional perspectives and use them as assets on their journey toward entrepreneurial success. The Spectrum Parenting Blog, known…
Potty Training my toddler on the spectrum
Read More…: Potty Training my toddler on the spectrumOur journey with potty training Kairos, a child on the autism spectrum, began amidst challenges stemming from his non-verbal communication and sensory sensitivities. Despite initial setbacks and a temporary pause post-diagnosis, our tailored approach focused on a comfortable environment, visual aids, consistent schedules, positive reinforcement, and adaptability to sensory needs. With a dedicated timeframe, excluding external influences, we strategically positioned the potty, utilized reward charts, and celebrated milestones to build Kairos’s confidence. Over approximately five months of consistent effort, Kairos mastered bowel and bladder control, marking a significant achievement in…
My Journey with Potty Training – A Two-part Series Potty Training Tips for Kids with ASD. 6 Steps to Success
Read More…: My Journey with Potty Training – A Two-part Series Potty Training Tips for Kids with ASD. 6 Steps to SuccessThe Journey of Potty Training is not easy! Let’s start by acknowledging that you are not alone, and we have all been there. I think that potty training for a neurotypical child is difficult, and for us parents of a child with ASD, it might even seem like an unattainable dream. This was a post/blog I could not write before, as I too was struggling with this subject. I had to turn the page and hit the reset button many times, gave up multiple times, cried alone, and had multiple…
Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports
Read More…: Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and SupportsA book review by Caren S. Kelley Coleman’s book is a must-read for parents of disabled children. It’s a comprehensive guide that provides practical advice on how to navigate the complex medical, educational, and social service systems that are essential to a child’s success. The book covers a wide range of topics, including diagnosis, working with your medical team, insurance, financial planning, disability rights and advocacy, and individualized education plans. What sets this book apart is the author’s empathetic and humorous approach. Kelley Coleman presents key information, templates, and wisdom…
Recent Posts
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New Autism Research, Translated: What 2026 Studies Actually Mean for Parents
An IEP Checklist Before the School Year Starts
The Services Cliff: What Parents Should Understand Before High School Ends
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About Me
I am Caren – I’ve been wanting to start a blog because I feel the need to share my journey, struggles, and victories with others. When it comes to describing myself, I wear many hats: wife, keeper of my house, corporate world employee, friend, sister, and daughter. But above all, I identify most strongly with being called “Mama.” In this space, I’ll be focusing on the role of motherhood, which has taken me on the wildest roller-coaster ride of my life.