​Guest post by Patrick Bailey
In recent years, the lasting effects of teasing or bullying have become more apparent. Suicides linked to teasing have increased significantly. The spread of drug or alcohol addiction is also often attributed to a history of being bullied. Understanding the correlation between being made fun of and dependence on drugs or alcohol may help fend off future substance abuse problems.

Guest Blog Post originally published by Learn from Autistcs, September 15, 2020
Tracey Cohen is an experienced ultrarunner, author, and speaker, and has competed in thousands of races around the world. She was featured on Learn from Autistics last year discussing some of her experiences growing up undiagnosed, her current advocacy work, and her love of running. Tracey was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at the age of 39 and speaks regularly about autism to school groups and at conferences. She is the author of several books, including Six-Word Lessons on Female Asperger Syndrome, Six-Word Lessons on the Sport of Running, and the recently-released My Life on the Autism Spectrum: Misunderstandings, Insight & Growth. This week she shared how she’s been surviving the pandemic and the unique, personal nature of her new book.

​-- by Trevor Pacelli
​A decade ago around this time, my high school's drama club had its year-end ceremony celebrating the students' accomplishments throughout the year. At the end of that night, it was time for the club supervisor to announce next year's new officers. At that point, I had nominated myself to be the historian (or photographer), and prepared so vigorously to make sure I was seen as the right candidate for the job. I met with and shadowed the historian at the time, Louise Whitaker, wrote out my speech, gathered materials for it, and even dressed up to show how serious I was about it. To my absolute joyous surprise, after the supervisor said, "the Historian is…" he paused and said my name (albeit incorrectly). I walked right up to the stage to Louise, she congratulated me with the greatest of joy she ever expressed for me, and gave me this blue Styrofoam wand as a memoir of the torch being passed down. I was literally shaking with joy at this moment, this was a monumental achievement in my life that I still am so grateful about.

Guest Blog by Jane Spitz, RoadwayMoving.com

Moving to a new home can be one of the most stressful and challenging situations in life. Aside from being a hassle, it can disrupt the way you live your life, especially when making some significant adjustments in terms of the new environment, neighborhood, and a lot more.
Thus, what is stressful and tedious to you is definitely more problematic to your autistic child.  Since most children with autism need to adhere to a strict routine in a familiar environment, any deviation from that schedule, such as moving, can cause more anxiety and increased stress. Luckily, even if it’s impossible to eliminate all the fear a relocation might cause, there are ways to make the process much more comfortable for your child with autism. Consider these tips to make the move easier:

Guest Blog Post by Dr. Steven DeLisle, DDS
A trip to the dentist can lead to some anxiety, even for adults. The process of regular dental cleanings and X-rays can be uncomfortable for children who aren’t familiar with them. Even more involved treatments like fillings are done more quickly and painlessly than most people expect.
 But parents of children with ASD, know that a trip to the dentist is quite different. The unfamiliar location, people, sights, smells, and sounds can easily make a child uncomfortable and uncooperative. Many parents feel helpless when their child is at the dentist, not knowing what to do or how to help their child deal with the ordeal.
Below are six ways parents can help. Of course, you know the saying, “If you’ve met one child with autism, you’ve met one child with autism.” Since every child with autism processes sensory events differently, not all of these tips may apply to their unique situation.

Guest post by Don Lewis of AbilityLabs.com

Are you at your wits end with a child who won't sleep? There are many reasons children with autism may have sleep problems, from allergies to circadian rhythm disorders. These are some of the most common issues contributing to sleep problems in children with autism and how bedroom design can help combat them.

Guest post by Tracey Cohen, author of Six-Word Lessons on Female Asperger Syndrome 

​     Socializing and social events are incredibly difficult and 'tricky' for many people on the autism spectrum including myself. We very much want to be included but are overwhelmed quickly - by the social situation itself as well as the very notion of attending. As a result, we often decline invitations and/or make very brief appearances which are often seen as standoffish; some even assume us to be arrogant. But such assumptions could not be further from the truth. In fact, what may appear to be a small 'token' effort is actually monumental and often a huge achievement for many of us on the spectrum.

Guest post by LighthouseAutismCenter.com
It can be a challenge for children with autism to stay active and healthy. Here are some activities and ideas for meeting those challenges.

Guest post by Autism Home Support Services