Autism Awareness Centre

09/20/2025

09/16/2025

An autistic shutdown differs from a meltdown. Meltdowns are expressed externally. Often confused with tantrums, they are a reaction to intense feelings of being overwhelmed, distressed, or dysregulated. The intense response of a meltdown causes an autistic person to temporarily lose all control of t...

08/26/2025

We are excited to share the launch of Canada’s National Autism Network!

This inclusive network brings together Autistic people, families, experts, and partners nationwide to help inform Canada’s Autism Strategy. By joining, you’ll help build a more connected and supportive community for all.

Membership is free!
Learn more: www.nan-rna.ca/participate

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Nous avons le plaisir d’annoncer le lancement du Réseau national de l’autisme du Canada!

Ce réseau inclusif rassemble des personnes autistes, leurs familles, des expert·e·s et des partenaires de partout au pays pour renseigner la Stratégie pour l’autisme au Canada. En vous joignant à nous, vous contribuerez à bâtir une communauté plus connectée et solidaire pour toutes et tous.

L’inscription est gratuite!
En savoir plus : www.nan-rna.ca/fr/participate

08/19/2025

Analyzing data from over 5,000 children in an autism cohort study, researchers at Princeton University and the Simons Foundation have identified four clinically and biologically distinct subtypes of autism: https://bit.ly/4nORcfI

07/27/2025

“While PDA is not yet formally recognized in the DSM-5 or ICD-11, international discourse continues to evolve. In the UK, educational and clinical systems increasingly make accommodations based on PDA-informed approaches (Christie et al., 2012). In the U.S., however, the profile remains largely off the radar—especially in school-based settings.”

Pathological Demand Avoidance affects neurodivergent children and understanding it is key to better education and support strategies.

07/15/2025

“Just make a calm-down space in your room!” they say, as if emotional regulation can be solved with a bean bag chair, a glitter jar, and a cute sign that says “breathe.” But here’s what so many people miss: when I’m dysregulated when my nervous system is in fight, flight, freeze, or fawn...

07/11/2025

🧠 Why do some autistic individuals repeat questions or ideas over and over?

It might not be anxiety or defiance. Sometimes, it’s about holding onto a thought—especially when that thought is visual and might disappear without a mental “anchor.”

In this beautifully personal and practical article, autistic author and therapist Judy Endow, MSW, LCSW explains how she learned to work with her neurology rather than against it—and how strategies like mental “garages” and visual reminders can support memory, reduce stress, and empower communication.

✨ Learn about:
✔️ Why perseveration isn’t always what it seems
✔️ Visual strategies to hold and retrieve thoughts
✔️ Respecting autistic neurology rather than masking

📖 Read now:
👉 https://www.spectrumlife.org/blog/autism-perseveration-and-holding-onto-thoughts

💬 “It is so much easier to respect my neurology and work with it than it is to learn to copy the behaviors of neuromajority folks.” – Judy Endow