"It was my way of telling him that we’re here for him through thick and thin and not to worry about what may come at him in life."Source: The Autism Site

These common household chemicals are found in shampoo, cosmetics, detergents, food packaging, vinyl flooring, and more. Source: The Autism Site

By Gretchen McIntire For years I have struggled with my weight being mixed with my self-confidence. I’ve had quite a few health issues that also contributed to my weight and water retention as well. I’ve gained weight. I’ve lost it. It finds me every time I swear. I’ve been a size two and I’ve been …

By Chloe Rothschild My involvement with health care professionals increased in August 2015. I was hurting and exhibiting behaviors as a result of pain in my bladder. All I could communicate was “tummy hurt,” because I did not recognize the difference between stomach and bladder pain. My parents too…

A Letter from Our Guest Editor By Lydia Wayman Like many aspects of daily life, illness is especially challenging for autistic people. We often have trouble understanding what we are feeling and communicating it to others. We struggle with changes in our daily routines. Being poked and prodded at ap…

Autistic Health Care Advocacy By Ann Oldendorf, MD I am a retired urologist and a mom who will never retire. My two children are now young adults, but they continue to seek my guidance as they learn their new roles in society. My son, who is the eldest, was diagnosed with autism at age 3 in 1999. So…

By Delaine Swearman The year was 1987. I was seven years old and had just returned home from school. Earlier in the day I had taken a spelling pre-test which would determine whether I needed to study that week’s “regular” words, or whether I could study the “challenge” words for the final test late…

By Campbell Teague Autism is a neurological condition that affects 1 out of 59 people. Most people are diagnosed when they are children. Eventually those children grow up. When an autistic person becomes an adult, all the changes can make it an especially challenging time for them and their familie…

Issue 17’s Big Question What is the most important thing for doctors to know about treating #ActuallyAutistic patients? Our editorial team asked this question to the #ActuallyAutistic Community on Twitter and Facebook. Here’s a snapshot of what many of them had to say: “Like any other patient, cons…

By Conner Cummings So much has happened in 2019. This issue of Zoom is all about health. How appropriate for the new year. Each year for their New Year’s resolutions, most people hope for good health, to be in shape and to live healthier lives. Autistic people are no different. This issue will hopef…

By Daniel Derrico Hello! My name is Daniel Derrico. I am 23 years old and live in the Greater Washington D.C./Northern Virginia area. My biggest passion in life is music. I love the process of creating, writing, and producing different original songs — some about my own experiences and going t…

By Megan Amodeo Going to the doctor for routine visits, vaccinations and sick visits is something most people experience. Even if you aren’t prone to getting sick, you still visit doctors for injuries and check-ups. Since I am a mom of three, I have been to numerous medical facilities for everything…

He has difficulty communicating verbally, but his drawings are a way for home to express himself -- and they are exceptional.Source: The Autism Site

"Myelination could be a problem that ties all of these autism spectrum disorders together."Source: The Autism Site