Skip to main content

Our Blog — Page 21

The True Progress Therapy blog is your trusted source for evidence-based ABA insights, autism research, and clinical perspectives. Designed for families seeking answers and professionals raising the bar — because meaningful progress starts with knowledge.

Showing 12 of 543 articles · page 21 of 46

A child is looking at his friend with autism who's avoiding eye contact
Autism Jul 2025

Why Do Children with Autism Avoid Eye Contact? What to Know

Avoiding eye contact is a common behavior in children with autism, often linked to sensory processing differences, social communication challenges, and emotional regulation. For many autistic children, eye contact can feel overwhelming or even physically uncomfortable. The intensity of direct gaze m

Read article
A child is shouting at her mom while she's on the phone
Autism Jul 2025

The Hardest Part of Raising a Child With Autism: Challenges and Insights

Raising a child is a journey filled with joy, growth, and unexpected moments. When a child is diagnosed with autism, that journey becomes more complex—often filled with unique challenges and emotional highs and lows. Parents may feel overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure of the future. But they also disc

Read article
A child looking outside the window
Autism Jul 2025

Challenging Behaviors in Autism: Causes and Strategies

Navigating life with autism can come with many strengths and, at times, certain difficulties. One of the most complex aspects for caregivers, educators, and therapists is managing challenging behaviors in autism. These behaviors can include aggression, self-injury, meltdowns, elopement (running away

Read article
A child with autism building a toy out of sensory materials
Autism Jul 2025

Sensory Breaks for Autism: What They Are and Why They Help

Children and adults on the autism spectrum often experience the world in unique and sometimes overwhelming ways. Every day environments may trigger sensory overload due to sights, sounds, textures, or smells that others might not even notice. That’s where sensory breaks come in—a proactive strategy

Read article
An autistic person driving
Autism Jul 2025

Can an Autistic Person Drive?

Yes, many autistic individuals can and do drive. Driving ability depends on the person’s unique strengths, challenges, and comfort level. Some autistic drivers may need more time to learn, especially if they struggle with sensory sensitivity, motor coordination, or multitasking. With the right suppo

Read article
An RBT and a kid with autism playing with an education toy during ABA therapy
ABA Therapy Jul 2025

Can You Pause ABA Therapy?

Yes, you can pause ABA therapy, but it’s important to do so thoughtfully. Families may need a break due to illness, travel, transitions, or burnout. While short pauses are sometimes necessary, extended breaks can disrupt progress and lead to skill regression, especially in early or intensive phases

Read article
Kid playing with toy train
Autism Jul 2025

Why Do Autistic People Like Trains?

Many autistic individuals are drawn to trains due to their predictability, structure, and visual appeal. Trains follow clear, repetitive routes and schedules, which can feel comforting and reassuring to someone who thrives on routine. Trains also offer rich visual and auditory stimulation, from the

Read article
A boy with autism holding his face while upset
Autism Jul 2025

Do Kids with Autism Get Upset Easily?

Yes, many kids with autism get upset easily due to heightened emotional sensitivity and difficulty with communication or sensory processing. Changes in routine, loud noises, or unexpected situations can feel overwhelming, leading to emotional outbursts or meltdowns. Autistic children often struggle

Read article
An ABA therapist is covering a child's eyes during ABA therapy
Autism Jul 2025

What Age Is Autism Usually Diagnosed?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is typically diagnosed between 18 months and 3 years of age. However, signs can appear as early as 12 months, and a reliable diagnosis is often possible by age 2. Early detection is critical, as early intervention, especially through therapies like ABA, can significant

Read article
A child throwing a tantrum being comforted by his mom
Autism Jul 2025

Autism Emotional Sensitivity: Understanding and Support

Key Highlights Emotional sensitivity in autism is often heightened and may cause intense reactions to everyday situations. Common signs include difficulty identifying feelings, emotional outbursts, or shutdowns. Emotional sensitivity can stem from neurological differences, sensory processing issues,

Read article
A girl with autism and her mother are making a garland
Autism Jul 2025

Visual Stimming in Autism: Causes, Examples, and Support

Key Highlights Visual stimming is a type of self-stimulatory behavior common in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It often involves repetitive movements or visual input like hand-flapping, staring at lights, or watching spinning objects. Visual stimming helps with self-regulation, sen

Read article
A cut out shape of a human head with colorful gears inside
Autism Jul 2025

Theory of Mind and Autism: Understanding Social Thinking Challenges

Key Highlights Theory of Mind (ToM) is the ability to understand that others have thoughts, feelings, and beliefs different from one’s own. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience delays or challenges in developing Theory of Mind. Difficulties with Theory of Mind can impact soc

Read article
About the Author

Michele Young

Regional Clinical Director

MS · CCC-SLP · BCBA · LBA

Michele has been working with young people with autism since 2009, bringing more than 15 years of hands-on clinical experience to every article she writes. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (CCC-SLP), Michele has built programs at Rutgers, led behavioral services at Autism Family Services of NJ, taught graduate students at LaSalle University, and worked in schools across New Jersey and the Carolinas.

As Regional Clinical Director at True Progress Therapy, Michele oversees clinical operations and makes sure every BCBA on the team has what they need to deliver real, measurable results for families.

She writes about ABA therapy, autism support, communication-building strategies, and what families and therapists can do to drive measurable progress — translating decades of clinical experience into guidance you can actually use.

Clinical Specialties

  • Functional Communication Training (FCT)
  • Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
  • Real-world ABA program design
Credentials & Verification

BACB Certification #1-10-6918

Active · Certified since 2010

Verify on BACB