November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time dedicated to acknowledging and supporting the millions of family members and friends who selflessly care for loved ones who are aging, ill, or disabled. With over 53 million Americans providing unpaid care valued at more than $470 billion, caregivers are the primary support system for those in…
23 percent of all employees in the United States identify as disabled, with only 30% of these disabilities being visible to others. October is National Disability Employment Month (NDEM for short). NDEM seeks to not only shed light on disabled folks but increase inclusivity through education to workplaces.. Each year NDEM has a theme, 2024’s…
What is Naturalistic Environment Teaching? Naturalistic environment teaching, or NET, is a client-focused teaching tool in which the client’s interest and enjoyed activities are at the forefront of the ABA session. This flexible and client-led teaching model enables clients to learn new skills and behaviors within a familiar environment, allowing them to engage with…
September marks National Deaf Awareness Month, a time to promote awareness, understanding, and inclusion of the d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. The month focuses on educating the public about deafness, breaking down stereotypes, and advocating for equal rights, access, and opportunities. Why Deaf Awareness Matters Promoting Inclusivity: Deaf Awareness Month is an opportunity to promote inclusivity…
When discussing the concept of disability and the ASD community, the language that we choose to use is a prominent tool to shape how disability itself is viewed. Within the ASD community, the two most recognized ways of referring to individuals are person-first language (PFL) and identity-first language (IFL). Self-advocates and allies advocate for using…
Recognizing Women’s Contribution to Behavioral Science August 26th marked the anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. This change granted women the right to vote. On this day we remember to recognize the ongoing struggle for gender equality in our country. When we reflect on the history of behavioral science and autism research, the…
A Historical Milestone Juneteenth, observed on June 19th, 1865, marks the day when Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of the Civil War and the freedom of enslaved individuals. Coming two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, the announcement legally abolished…
This June, NWABA celebrates Pride Month, honoring the diverse identities within our families, employees, and clients. We recognize the important intersections between the LGBTQ+ and Autism communities, acknowledging the unique experiences of individuals who navigate both. Intersectionality examines how various social categories, such as race, gender, religion, and health status, interconnect and impact our lives.…
Have you ever heard the airplane instructions to “put on your own oxygen mask before helping your child”? This powerful metaphor highlights the importance of self-care so you can better care for others. As we close out May, we want to recognize the mental health of caregivers and address the topic of caregiver burnout. Caregiver…
