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Can Autism Be Diagnosed Before Age 2?

Can Autism Be Diagnosed Before Age 2?

Explore whether autism can be diagnosed before age 2, early signs to watch for, and how early intervention can improve developmental outcomes in young children.

Can an Autistic Person Drive?

Can an Autistic Person Drive?

Learn if autistic people can drive, what challenges they may face, and how proper support and training can lead them to safe, independent driving skills.

Best Board Games for Autistic Adults

Best Board Games for Autistic Adults

Discover the best board games for autistic adults that are engaging, fun, and supportive of social skills development. Explore top picks and tips for choosing games.

Meet Our Blog Authors

Jonathan Reeves

Jonathan Reeves

MS, BCBA

Jonathan has worked in special education from just about every angle: paraprofessional, classroom teacher, and now school-based BCBA.

Maria Delgado

Maria Delgado

MEd, BCBA

Twelve years of parent training has taught Maria one thing: families don't need more pamphlets, they need someone who actually gets it.

Priya Anand

Priya Anand

PsyD, BCBA

Priya found her way into ABA through developmental psychology, and she's spent the last 13 years focused on the earliest years,

Rebecca Hollister

Rebecca Hollister

PhD, BCBA-D

Seventeen years in ABA has shaped Rebecca's philosophy: good therapy isn't just about data — it's about dignity.

Jonathan Reeves

Jonathan Reeves

MS, BCBA

Jonathan has worked in special education from just about every angle: paraprofessional, classroom teacher, and now school-based BCBA. Fourteen years in, he specializes in bridging the gap between what ABA recommends and what schools can actually pull off on a Tuesday afternoon. He has consulted on 150+ IEPs and behavior intervention plans, and regularly trains teachers and paraprofessionals on evidence-based practices for students with autism. He writes honest posts about the school side of autism, like prepping for IEP meetings, understanding behavior plans, working effectively with school teams, and planning for transitions as kids grow up. MS in ABA from Simmons University | Board Certified Behavior Analyst | Licensed Behavior Specialist | Certified Special Education Teacher | 14+ years in schools.

Maria Delgado

Maria Delgado

MEd, BCBA

Twelve years of parent training has taught Maria one thing: families don't need more pamphlets, they need someone who actually gets it. She started as a behavior technician in a bilingual early intervention program and has since coached more than 400 families through in-home and telehealth caregiver training. She writes for the parents who are exhausted, overwhelmed, and still showing up every day. Her posts cover the messy real-life stuff, like grocery store meltdowns, sibling dynamics, sleep battles, and what to do when a new diagnosis flips your whole world upside down. Maria is bilingual in English and Spanish, leads caregiver workshops for regional autism organizations, and makes sure Spanish-speaking families are part of every conversation, not an afterthought. MEd in Special Education (ABA) from Arizona State | Board Certified Behavior Analyst | Bilingual English/Spanish | 12+ years supporting families.

Priya Anand

Priya Anand

PsyD, BCBA

Priya found her way into ABA through developmental psychology, and she's spent the last 13 years focused on the earliest years, when little moments of connection matter most. She works with toddlers and preschoolers using play-based, naturalistic approaches like the Early Start Denver Model, and has guided more than 200 families through the first months after diagnosis. She writes for parents in that overwhelming first chapter after a diagnosis: what early signs actually look like, why play is real therapy, and how to trust your instincts when everyone has an opinion. Priya trained at Rutgers, speaks at regional pediatric conferences on early autism identification, and collaborates regularly with speech therapists and developmental pediatricians because no one helps a kid alone. PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Rutgers | Board Certified Behavior Analyst | Certified ESDM Therapist | Licensed Clinical Psychologist | 13+ years in early intervention.

Rebecca Hollister

Rebecca Hollister

PhD, BCBA-D

Seventeen years in ABA has shaped Rebecca's philosophy: good therapy isn't just about data — it's about dignity. She started as a behavior technician while earning her degrees and worked her way up to Clinical Director, overseeing 300+ treatment cases across home, clinic, and telehealth settings. She specializes in clinical decision-making, functional behavior assessments, and compassionate, assent-based ABA. Her writing tackles the bigger questions parents actually ask, like how to tell if therapy is working, what "evidence-based" really means, and when to push back on a treatment plan. Rebecca earned her PhD from Western Michigan University, has presented at ABAI's annual conference, and actively mentors BCBA candidates through supervised fieldwork. PhD in Behavior Analysis | Board Certified Behavior Analyst – Doctoral | Licensed Behavior Analyst | ABAI & APBA member | 17+ years of clinical experience.