PLASTIC: The Brain, Cerebral Palsy, and Neuroplasticity
Laura Shapiro Kramer discusses how her experience raising a son with cerebral palsy led to a new understanding of early brain development.
Changing the Employment Landscape for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum
Jackie M. Marquette Ph.D. details the Connective Interdependent Employment model, and explains how it can be help people with autism find a job they can excel at.
Taking A Trip Outside Your Comfort Zone: A Teen Girl with Autism on Learning Independence
Eryn Segal details her recent experience in a college summer program, and how it helped her develop skills to be more independent.
The Challenges of Home Treatment for Autism
Dr. Brian Udell covers some of the possible problems that can be run into when parents treat their children on the spectrum at home.
Gratitude and Mental Health: How to Feel Thankful Despite Challenges
Darlene Lancer, J.D., M.F.T. discusses the important role gratitude plays in emotional health, and gives tips to feel thankful despite challenges.
I’ve Been Diagnosed with Epilepsy – Now What?
Tom McGranahan Jr. discusses the experience of his diagnosis for epilepsy in the 1960s, and explores how different options and support for the condition are today.
Parenting with Power: Finding Resources for Raising the Neurodiverse
Marcy Willard, Ph.D., NCSP discusses the importance of free information being available to the parents of the neurodiverse, and how creating them became the impetus for Cleape.com
From Silence to Soap: An Entrepreneur with Asperger’s Shares His Journey
Entrepreneur Spencer Kelly, a 16 year old with Asperger's syndrome, discusses how he developed his own company, Expedition Soaps.
When Parents Disagree About Autism Intervention
Dr. Brian Udell discusses how parents can overcome disagreements when exploring options for their children with autism.
Managing Denial After a Traumatic Brain Injury
David A. Grant discusses his recent struggles with denial in advance of the 7th anniversary of his traumatic brain injury.
When Multisensory Meets Multimedia: Embracing Tools for the Neurodiverse
Susan Kahn, developer of Sue's Startegies, discusses the importance of utilizing multimedia content in teaching student with learning challenges.
Embracing Autism, Neurodiversity, and Societal Collaboration
In this blog piece, Mari Nosal reflects on the value of neurodiverse teamwork, and the way society has been positively impacted by harnessing the interests of those of us with different brains.
Working to Make Reading Easier for the Dyslexic Mind
Sarah Blodgett discusses how her son's struggle with dyslexia led her to create a new learning tool, and gain appreciation for the diversity in our brains.
Music As An Alternative To Opioids: Pain Management Stretches To New Paradigms
Martha Summa explores how music therapy's affect on the brain is becoming recognized as a way to aid in battling and avoiding opioid addiction.
The Symptoms of Codependency
Darlene Lancer, MFT lists the symptoms and signs that someone may be suffering from codependency.
The Perils, and Joys, of Raising a Child on the Autism Spectrum: A Review of Donna Levin’s “There’s More Than One Way Home”
In this special review article, Fran Moreland Johns reviews the new book, "There's More Than One Way Home," by our regular columnist Donna Levin.
Planning For The Future: The Importance of Special Needs Trusts
In this blog article, Jennifer Gomez, Esq. highlights the reasons why a Special Needs Trust can be so important for planning the future of loved ones with special challenges.
When Sounds Are Torture: Advocating and Living With Misophonia
Shaylynn Hayes discusses the impact Misophonia has had on her life, and the challenges of advocating for a condition that remains unknown to many.
The War Within: Battling OCD on the Autism Spectrum
Aaron Bouma discusses how having both autism and OCD has affected his life, both for the worse and for the better.
The ADHD Parent: Choosing Your Battles
Lacey Craddock discusses how picking battles carefully helped her have peace, and helped maximize the potential and self-esteem of her neurodiverse son.
Honoring Your Limitations After a Traumatic Brain Injury
David Grant discusses adjusting to his new limitations after a traumatic brain injury. "Akin to learning to drive a new car, I am slowly learning how to navigate through life with my new limitations."
Housing on the Spectrum: Helping Adults with Autism Build a Future
Denise Resnik, founder, president, and CEO of First Place and co-founder of SARRC, discusses the importance of community support in creating resources for growing people with autism.
Music as Medicine: The Effects of Music Therapy on Depression
Megan Baksh takes a look at recent studies highlighting the good listening to music can do in alleviating depression and anxiety.
A Change of Perspective: Receiving an Autism Diagnosis as an Adult
Simon Lewin shares the story of his adult diagnosis with autism, and how it has given him a new perspective on life.
Competency Based Early Childhood Learning: Educating Different Brains
Bob Sornson, Ph.D. discusses what competency based learning is, and how it could help neurodiverse children succeed.
An Educator’s Guide to OCD in Children
Leah Davies, M.Ed. gives tips and tools for educators working with children that have OCD.
How Do You Measure Positive Impact? The Challenges of Advocating for Neurodiversity
Canadian ADHD and Neurodiversity advocate Shawn Smith reflects on how a recent presentation at a conference reinforced his concept of how to measure the positive impact of his work.
Reaching “Critical Mass”: Supporting Autistic Individuals to Achieve Their Goals
Aaron Bouma, a Canadian advocate with autism, explains how having a core group of supportive family and friends - a "critical mass" as he calls them - helped him overcome challenges growing up.
Neurometabolism and Epigenetics: Understanding Neurodiversity Through a New Metabolic-Molecular Lens
Dr. Malav Trivedi discusses his research into the processes that may prove to be behind some of the differences in our brains: Neurometabolism and Epigenetics.
Tennis As a Therapeutic Tool for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Lisa Pugliese, Speech Pathologist and the Founder and CEO of Love Serving Autism, discusses the ways tennis can help children on the spectrum develop important skills.
Living With a Sibling That Has Asperger’s Syndrome
In her first blog for Different Brains, Brooke Segal discusses growing up with a sister diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome.
Staying Strong with Epilepsy
Epilepsy advocate Tom McGranahan, Jr. discusses the importance staying strong and persevering despite having a seizure disorder.
Normal Challenges, With A Twist Of Autism: Growing Up On The Spectrum
Eryn Segal highlights the day to day challenges she faces as a young woman on the autism spectrum.
Exploring Alternative Routes to Meaningful Income for Adults with Autism
Nick Venturella of AutismHR.com discusses how the "gig economy" can present income and experience to those on the autism spectrum that may otherwise be unable to find employment.
Rock Steady Boxing: Knocking Parkinson’s Disease Down for the Count
Steve Dinnen reports on Rock Steady Boxing - a growing chain of gyms dedicated to helping people with Parkinson's fight their symptoms.
Asperger’s and Hyperinterests: Finding Your Strengths on the Autism Spectrum
Aaron Bouma, diagnosed with Asperger's at 12 and now an advocate in Canada, discusses how his love of military history and model building has blossomed into a career.
Changing the Educational System for the Good of Different Brains
Bob Sornson, Ph.D. discusses the flaws in the educational system that can cause neurodiverse students to be poorly served, and gives tips on how to improve it.
Trauma, PTSD, and Codependency: How Life Experiences Affect Our Relationships
Darlene Lancer explores trauma's influence on relationships, and the connection between codependency and PTSD.
Navigating Society With a Hearing Impairment
Alina Pacheco discusses growing up with a hearing impairment, and navigating the social difficulties that can come with a disability that hampers communication.
What I Learned at the United Nations on World Autism Awareness Day
Advocate Anita Lesko describes the experience of addressing the United Nations on World Autism Day, and the work being done to help those on the spectrum around the world.
Autism and Speech Apraxia: Do Language Challenges Influence Behavior?
Dr. Brian Udell discusses a surprising new study that suggests there is no correlation between language deficits in children on the autism spectrum and their propensity to have meltdowns or perceived misbehavior.
Different Brains and the Bottom Line: The Corporate and Social Value of Neurodiversity
Ira Bedzow discusses the benefits of integrating neurodiverse individuals into corporate environments, and how employees with different brains create stronger teams.
A Mother’s Day Shout Out To Special Needs Moms
Mari Nosal, M.Ed. reflects on the sacrifice of special needs parents, and on the rewards of raising a child that has challenges.
What My Autism “Looks Like”: Differences and Similarities Across the Spectrum
Eric Zimmerman discusses the variations of interests and skills of people on the spectrum, and the myth that people with autism "look" a certain way.
Coding Autism: Helping People on the Spectrum Find Employment and Develop Skills
Oliver Thornton discusses his own diagnosis with Asperger's syndrome, and how he hopes his new venture, Coding Autism, can help others on the spectrum find meaningful employment.
Life After a TBI: The Invisible Challenges of an Invisible Disability
David A. Grant discusses invisible disabilities, and relays two stories about every day challenges presented by his traumatic brain injury.
Bottoms-Up: The Innovative Thinking Style of the Asperger’s Mind
Samantha Craft discusses the concept of "bottom up" processing, which is common amongst people on the autism spectrum.
Neurodiversity and Fitness: The Value in Exercise for Different Brains
Steven Dinnen discusses the importance of exercise for anyone that may have a different brain, and the fitness challenges neurodiverse conditions can present.
Autism and ABA: What is Applied Behavior Analysis?
Rebecca Womack discusses what applied behavior analysis therapy is, and how it could be useful for some children on the autism spectrum.
Living In a World with Autism When You Don’t Know You Have It
Eryn Segal discusses life before and after her diagnosis with autism, and the social challenges she finds herself facing every day.
ADHD, Learning Challenges, and Life Changes: Finding a Better Way to Assess Different Brains
Tammy Elkon discusses how the journey through finding proper educational assistance for her son led her to develop a tool for assessing the abilities of those with different brains.
When Adults with Autism Face Difficult Life Change: 16 Supportive Actions
Jackie M. Marquette discusses the adversity that has touched the life of a close friends with autism, and offers tips for supporting a person on the spectrum that may be facing life changes.
Just the Essentials: Can Insomnia Be Relieved Through Aromatherapy?
Megan Baksh details her recent experiences using essential oils to relieve her insomnia, as well as recent studies that suggest the value of aromatherapy as an alternative treatment for the condition.
Medications and Different Brains: Ensuring Safe Prescription Use For Everyone
Lynn Harrelson, Pharm BS, FASCP discusses common problems related to taking medications, and offers tips on how to avoid them.
Is It a Behavior or Brain Problem? Neurological Deficits in Different Brains
Debbie Hampton discusses how what might look like impulsive, irresponsible, selfish, disorganized, or unmotivated behavior may actual be a result of a problem in the brain.
Oh, The Things You Can Think! Working Together for People with Autism
Denise Resnik discusses the importance of creating supportive environments for people on the autism spectrum.
Neurodiversity in the Arts: “Mindblind” by Jennifer Roy
Donna Levin reviews Jennifer Roy’s Mindblind, a novel about a 14 year old boy on the autism spectrum, from Skyscape Publishing.
Living After Traumatic Brain Injury – The Evolution of Life as a Survivor
David A. Grant discusses the disruptive life changes caused by his brain injury, and how he persevered as a survivor.
Paving the Path to Jobs and Vocational Success for Different Brains
Angela Mahoney, M.Ed. discusses the importance of developing vocational skills for those of us with different brains, and lists simple starting points to put individuals on the path to finding employment.
Neuropsychology: The Map of the Head and the Benefits of Massage
Giuliana Fenwick discusses neuropsychology, maps out the various sections of the brain that play a roll in what we consider "neurodiversity", and offers some head massage methods she believes can reduce the symptoms of autism and similar diagnoses.
Getting a Second Opinion on an ADHD Diagnosis
Julie Saumsiegle discusses the importance of getting second opinions and trying all avenues when caring for a child with a different brain.
Neurodiversity and Sleep: Tips for Helping Different Brains Rest
Dr. Ben Weinstock examines the common sleep problems related to neurodiverse conditions, and offers a checklist on to combat those problems.
Bridges to Adelphi: A Model for Supporting College Students on the Autism Spectrum
Mitch Nagler discusses Bridges to Adelphi, and the model it has become for services colleges should offer students on the autism spectrum.
Telling Your Children You Have Epilepsy
Tom McGranahan Jr. discusses the challenge of a parent with epilepsy sharing their diagnoses with their children, and gives advice on how best to do so.
The ADHD Parent: Comfort Levels and ADHD
Lacey Craddock discusses the challenges a child with a neurodiverse diagnoses can face while growing up, and the concern parents can have in safeguarding their children through that process.
Medication’s Changing Use in Different Brains
Lynn Harrelson, Pharm. B.S., FASCP looks at how the interactions between patients and prescriptions have changed over the years, and highlights risks everyone should be aware of.
The Adderall Debate – Life Before and After my ADHD Diagnosis
Roland Jung discusses his first year after receiving his ADHD diagnosis, and his ongoing dilemma with medication.
Understanding and Supporting Weaknesses in Executive Brain Functioning
Cheryl Checkers, M.S. outlines how weaknesses in the executive functions of the brain can create problems for the neurodiverse, and reviews strategies for how to improve those functions.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Living with an Invisible Disability
In his first blog for Different Brains, David A. Grant tells the story of how having a traumatic brain injury has not only changed his life, but his perspective on society.
Getting Assessed – Life Before and After my ADHD Diagnosis
Roland Jung continues the story of his personal journey with ADHD. In this installment, he discusses going from self-diagnosis to receiving a real assessment.
Sharing the Challenges of Epilepsy
Tom McGranahan Jr discusses common misconceptions about how to help someone that is having a seizure, and the importance of education for those caring for someone with epilepsy.
Executive Brain Functions and their Link with the Neurodiverse
Giuliana Fenwick discusses the executive functions of the brain, and how she believes directed massage can aid in mitigating issues with cognitive control.
Reflections on Employment Issues for People with Autism, and Ways to Improve It
Rebecca Witonsky recounts her history as a woman on the autism spectrum seeking employment, and discusses some of the tips others have proposed to improve job prospects for the neurodiverse.
Social Challenges for Women on the Autism Spectrum
Sarah Howard, a woman with autism who wasn't diagnosed until the age of 29, discusses the inherent challenges in facilitating social events for women on the spectrum.
More Big Steps for Individuals with Autism, Families, and Housing in 2017
Denise Resnik discusses First Place Arizona, and how their recent groundbreaking marks a personal milestone of progress for helping people on the autism spectrum achieve independence.
Just Keep Swimming: Life Before and After my ADHD Diagnosis
In the first part of his ongoing blog series, Roland E. Jung discusses life before and after receiving his diagnosis of ADHD.
New Year, New Resolutions: Prescription Safety in 2017
Lynn Harrelson, Pharm. B.S., FASCP discusses the need for prescription safety, and taking precautions to avoid negative interactions between medications.
Defining Neurodiversity for 2017: It’s Different Brains
In our final blog of 2016, Different Brains founder Hackie Reitman, M.D. discusses the problem of isolation when dealing with a diagnosis, and the way individuals and all of society can benefit when all of us come together for our common goals.
The Emotional Brain
Giuliana Fenwick discusses the amygdala, a part of the brain that rules emotion and sensory stimulation, and how some massage techniques can alleviate related stressors.
Autism, Predictability, and the Desire for Interpersonal Relations
Eric Zimmerman discusses how a recent trip forced him to expand his horizons, and confront is anxiety.
