The Autism Parent Coach

03/24/2026

03/24/2026

Screen time is not harmless, even when it comes in the form of educational videos or apps. Research shows that excessive exposure to screens can increase irritability, tantrums, and difficulty with emotional regulation in young children.
The developing brain is highly sensitive to sensory input, and fast-paced digital content can overstimulate neural circuits. This overstimulation makes it harder for children to manage frustration, focus on tasks, and self-soothe. Even programs designed to teach letters, numbers, or shapes can have this effect if consumed in long or frequent sessions.
Behaviorally, children exposed to more screen time often show more frequent emotional outbursts, struggle with attention, and have trouble following directions. Their brains are learning to expect instant feedback and constant stimulation, which makes waiting, listening, or calming down more challenging.
Parents can protect their child’s emotional development by setting limits on screen use, prioritizing interactive play, and engaging in one-on-one time that promotes focus, problem-solving, and social skills. Real-life interactions give the brain the slow, rich input it needs to develop self-regulation, empathy, and cognitive flexibility.
The takeaway is simple: screens may teach content, but they cannot teach calm, patience, or emotional balance. Reducing exposure and replacing it with hands-on learning and parent interaction helps children grow happier, calmer, and more resilient.

03/23/2026

03/06/2026

Every. Time 😵😩🤪

03/06/2026

Hi Everyone!! New content and support coming soon 😊

03/06/2026

COMING SOON! More content, support groups, online courses, and group and individual coaching. I look forward to supporting you all.

03/06/2026

Are you an overwhelmed, exhausted, and stressed-out parent due to constant chaos caused by the challenges of raising a child on the autism spectrum?

Are mornings filled with nagging, yelling, crying, defiance, and tardiness?

Do you dread the evening hours because you know there will be arguments over electronics, homework, activities, dinner, bath time, and bedtime?

Do you find yourself wishing you could go back to the simplicity of life before children, or comparing your own family to the seemingly perfect family next door?

I’m Darcy, the autism parent coach. As a licensed professional counselor, I have worked with many families (including my own) that have improved how they handle the challenges that come with raising neurodivergent kids and teens. Raising kids today is hard enough, but raising kids on the spectrum can sometimes just suck. 😩

I will be launching new content soon, and will be offering online courses, and private coaching sessions! I look forward to interacting with all of you!

04/09/2024

04/09/2024

Today I am pleased to show you what I think will be the definitive book on understanding neurodiversity.

For the last 100 years we have recognized the medical sides of neurodiversity - ways in which people who seemed to be "born different" were observably disabled. Those observations led to the creation of diagnostic labels - ADHD, OCD, autism, Asperger's, and more - that were then conferred upon millions of people, most of whom were schoolchildren.

Was in genetic? Was it lead poisoning? Was it the water, or the vaccine? All those things and more can cause developmental disability in some people, but an overarching concept has emerged - that about 1 in 7 people are born neurodivergent - with atypical neurology - that confers upon them (us) a mix of disability and exceptionality.

Medical people recognized the "what's wrong with us" side of the story, but it took neurodivergent people coming together to tell the world what's right about us, and why we are here.

Neurodiversity For Dummies - despite its annoying title - it a major work that will help anyone understand the complexity of who and what we are, and what we may do to thrive in this world.

Highly recommended, and kudos to John Marble, Ranga Jayaraman and Kushboo Chabra

04/09/2024

At GoZen, we're dedicated to helping kids, teens, and parents navigate emotions and develop healthy coping skills. Explore our collection of animated programs for anxiety relief, toolkits, and other resources—all conveniently located in one place.

Visit gozen.com!

11/14/2023

This is great

Getting a 9 second pause is really hard with adhd, but this is the ideal.

Anybody mastered the ability to think before blurting out? If so, do tell...

09/01/2023

Via Big Life Journal ❤️