Two of the most common school supports are IEPs and 504 Plans. Families often hear these terms and feel unsure about what they mean. Here is a simple way to understand them so you can be an informed partner in your child’s care.

If you are a parent wondering whether your child may be on the autism spectrum, you are not alone. And you are not overreacting. Many families start this process with a quiet question they have been carrying around for a while: How do I even get an autism diagnosis?

As a kid I would have strange symptoms I couldn’t understand. An ear that would turn red after I ate, sensitivity to noise and light and certain smells. I would frequently get carsick and often feel lightheaded or a little dizzy.  When I was 10 years old, the horrible headaches started, so awful that I couldn’t function, and I was having trouble staying in school.

From time to time, as parents, we find ourselves wondering, is this normal?
Questions come up about development, headaches, learning, behavior, or things that are hard to put into words but do not quite feel right. Sometimes a teacher or school raises a concern. Other times it is simply something that has been sitting in the back of your mind.

Knowing when to wait, when to check in with your pediatrician, and when a specialist might be helpful is not always clear. At Brainchild, we see families every day who are not only looking for a diagnosis, but guidance and clarity.