Foughtismの April 2026 の目次

Surviving and Thriving in High School: An Autistic Teen's Survival Guide High school can feel like a giant maze, crowded hallways, lockers that refuse to open on the first try, and social rules that sometimes make zero sense. For autistic teens, this environment can be exciting but also overwhelming. The good news is that small strategies can make daily life much smoother. Many autistic students find it helpful to build simple routines, like checking a planner every morning or breaking long term projects into smaller steps. Executive function skills take practice, and tools like phone reminders, color coded folders, or visual schedules can really help. Social situations can also feel tricky, but it is perfectly okay to keep friendships simple and genuine. A few trusted friends who share your interests,…

"Our Biggest School Win": Parents Share Their Advocacy Success Stories Every family who supports an autistic learner eventually faces a moment where they must speak up for their child. Sometimes it feels intimidating, but many parents discover that persistence can lead to real change. One parent, Marisol, shared that her son Luca struggled through loud classrooms and returned home exhausted each day. After several meetings and careful notes about sensory overload, the school agreed to provide a quieter workspace and a part time classroom aide. Within weeks Luca began participating more and even raised his hand in class for the first time. Another parent, Dev, described how his daughter Raina loved science but froze during written assignments. By explaining her autism learning style and suggesting visual presentations instead of long…

Foughtism Reads: The Learning Edition Welcome to our book club corner, where curiosity meets good storytelling. This month we explore books that celebrate autism learning styles, neurodiversity, and inclusive education. A gentle starting point for younger readers is All My Stripes by Shaina Rudolph, a warm picture book about a zebra who learns that being different can also be wonderful. It opens lovely conversations about neurodiverse classrooms and empathy. For families navigating education choices, The Homeschooling Guide for Autistic Learners by Dr. Meredith Fallon offers practical advice on creating flexible routines, sensory ... ...friendly learning spaces, and passion based lessons. Many parents say the book helps them see that learning does not always have to look like a traditional classroom, and that is honestly a refreshing thought. For readers who…

The Power of Universal Design for Learning in the Home and Classroom Dr. Lila Navarro, an education specialist who works with neurodiverse students, often reminds parents and teachers that good learning design should help everyone in the room, not just one student. This idea sits at the heart of Universal Design for Learning, often called UDL. Instead of expecting every child to learn in the exact same way, UDL offers different paths to understanding. The framework focuses on three simple ideas, engagement, representation, and expression. In real life this can look very natural. A teacher might explain a science idea through a short video, a diagram, and a spoken explanation. At home a parent might let a child show what they learned by drawing a comic, building a model, or…

Know Your Rights: A Primer on Educational Law for Parents When a child is autistic, school meetings can sometimes feel like stepping into a room full of complicated words and thick documents. Two laws often come up in these conversations, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504. Both exist to protect students and ensure equal access to education. Under these laws, autistic learners have the right to a Free Appropriate Public Education, often called FAPE. This means the school must provide learning support that truly meets the child’s needs, not just the minimum. Another key idea is the Least Restrictive Environment, which means children should learn alongside peers whenever possible with the right supports in place. These protections are the foundation of autism education rights and help ensure…

Twice Exceptional: When Giftedness and Autism Intersect Some children surprise everyone by solving complex puzzles, memorizing huge amounts of information, or asking deep questions about science or history, yet they may also struggle with everyday school routines. This profile is often called twice exceptional, or 2e, meaning a child is both gifted and autistic. Educational psychologist Dr. Rowan Bennett often explains that these students can experience asynchronous development. A child might discuss astrophysics like a mini professor but feel overwhelmed by group work or noisy classrooms. Another common experience is masking, where a student tries very hard to hide difficulties in order to appear typical. Over time this effort can become exhausting. Families and teachers who understand the 2e profile begin to notice both the strengths and the hidden challenges…

Your Questions: Answered by a Special Education Advocate Q. What should I do if my child is being bullied at school? Jordan Blake, Special Education Advocate. A. Start by documenting everything, dates, incidents, and how your child is affected. Then request a meeting with the school team. Schools are responsible for providing a safe learning environment, and bullying can directly impact a child’s access to education. Q. The school says they do not have the resources. What now? Jordan Blake, Special Education Advocate. A. This can feel frustrating, but schools are still required to meet your child’s needs under special education law. Stay calm, ask for written explanations, and focus the conversation on solutions. Sometimes just asking clear follow up questions can shift the tone. Q. How can I request…

Beyond the Report Card: Redefining Educational Success for Your Autistic Child For many families, school success is measured by grades, test scores, and how well a child fits into classroom expectations. But for autistic learners, those measures do not always tell the full story. A child who asks curious questions about dinosaurs, spends hours building detailed Lego cities, or finally raises their hand to share an idea is also achieving something meaningful. True autism education looks beyond numbers on a report card. It includes engagement, confidence, emotional well being, and the ability to explore special interests. Many autistic children learn best when they are deeply interested in a topic, and that focus can lead to incredible knowledge and creativity. Parents can watch for small but powerful signs of progress, like…

Build Your Own Homework Station & Supply Caddy Creating a calm homework station can make a big difference for autistic learners, especially when organization and sensory comfort are part of the design. Step one is choosing a quiet corner of the home where distractions stay low. Next pick a calm color for the space, soft blues, greens, or warm neutrals often help create a relaxed mood. Now build your supply caddy. Take a small box, basket, or recycled container and divide it into sections using cups or cardboard pieces. Place everyday items where they are easy to see, pencils, erasers, markers, sticky notes, and a timer. Keeping supplies visible reduces the executive function load because students do not have to search for things during homework time. Step two is making…

When School Is Easier for Me: Understanding My Sibling's Different School Day Sometimes siblings notice that school looks different for their autistic brother or sister. Maybe one child goes to a resource room, meets a tutor after class, or comes home feeling completely worn out. It can seem confusing at first. School is not the same experience for every brain. Many autistic learners work extra hard to process sounds, instructions, and social situations that other students may handle more easily. Imagine trying to solve math problems while the lights feel too bright and the hallway noise never really stops. That effort can make the school day exhausting. Supports like tutoring, quiet spaces, or extra help from teachers are not special treatment, they are tools that help autistic students learn in…

The Architects, Engineers, and Artists: How Autistic Thinkers are Building the Future Many innovations in our world have come from minds that see patterns, details, and possibilities a little differently. Autistic thinkers often bring intense focus, visual thinking, and creative problem solving to the table. Animal scientist Temple Grandin is a well known example. Her ability to think in detailed images helped transform livestock facility design, improving both animal welfare and farm safety. Another inspiring story is Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of Pokémon. As a child he spent hours observing insects and collecting them, a deep interest that later inspired one of the most successful game worlds ever created. These examples remind us that autistic traits like deep curiosity and sustained focus can lead to extraordinary innovation when supported and…