Guiding Exceptional Parents

11/14/2025

Really wonderful presentation by Barry Prizant to the Young Scholars Academy on the importance of trust when working with neurodivergent students, and ways to foster trust.

Dr. Barry Prizant: Supporting Emotional Regulation in Children and AdolescentsWith the world-famous author of Uniquely Human.Join internationally renowned sp...

11/13/2025

This is big news.

Before this, medical professionals felt they had to recommend ABA therapy for their autistic clients. In particular, they now recommend developmental relationship-based interventions (DRBI) and naturalistic developmental-behavioral interventions (NDBI). RDI (what we do at Guiding Exceptional Parents) is a developmental relationship-based intervention. w00t!

This policy statement from AACAP outlines the urgent need to expand access to evidence-based interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual developmental disorders (IDD), addressing workforce shortages, insurance c

11/06/2025

Terrific resource for finding community-based housing for a person with a disability.

Explore existing and emerging housing designed for neuro-inclusion. Filter by state and/or your specific needs on our housing directory.

11/06/2025

https://www.propublica.org/article/mental-health-su***de-highmark-bcbs-insurance-denials

It once took us over a year to win the fight against our insurance company's denials for speech therapy for our son.

My husband wrote, at the end of the nearly 200 page final appeal, "The time I have spent fighting these denials would have been much better spent being with my son."

We won.

I was stunned to learn that only 1 in 10,000 people fight such denials. What a racket. And meanwhile, people's lives hang in the balance.

After a North Carolina man attempted su***de twice, his wife tried to get him help at an inpatient clinic. But their insurance provider refused to cover the treatment, deeming it “not medically necessary.”

10/31/2025

Our family is now a member of this class. 🤬 "...people with IDD... have been disenrolled during redetermination despite their continued financial eligibility for Medicaid."

September 25, 2025 Plaintiffs allege that the State’s system for making Medicaid eligibility determinations is dysfunctional, violates due process, and has placed more than 18,000 Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities at risk of losing critical supports. Brown, Goldstein & L...

10/25/2025

This is a great opportunity for families of autistic high school students who are exploring Summer options.

On Sunday, November 9, the Autism Summer Program Expo will highlight nine unique summer programs designed specifically for autistic teens—ranging from residential learning and academic experiences to travel adventures. This free virtual event lets families:

• Hear directly from program leaders
• Learn about a range of summer opportunities in one place
• Ask questions and compare options live

Programs featured include: Mercyhurst, Beacon, Beyond Akeela, Camp on Tour, Focus Collegiate, Camp Kodiak, Franklin, ASPIRE Kinney, and CIP.

Register here: https://www.spectrumcourses.com/products/live_events/summer-program-expo?utm_source=colleagues

10/24/2025

Fascinating story about the first few months at the Social Security administration under Lee Dudek.

DOGE has ignored urgently needed reforms and upgrades at the Social Security Administration, according to dozens of insiders and 15 hours of candid interviews with the former acting chief of the agency, who admits he sometimes made things worse.

10/23/2025

The xMinds Fall Fun-Raiser is fast approaching — Sunday, October 26th!

xMinds (the Partnership for Extraordinary Minds) is a wonderful Montgomery County resource organization that empowers parents and educators to improve education for autistic students.

Learn more here: xMinds.org/event-6341334

10/21/2025

If you live in Prince George's County, and have a child with a disability, this is a good opportunity to share your experiences with with Senator Washington, the new PGCPS superintendent Dr. Shawn Joseph, and the Maryland State Dept. of Ed. Superintendent Carey Wright.

This is an unusual collaboration, and a genuine opportunity to have a real impact!

10/15/2025

Halloween can be really hard for kids with neurodevelopmental differences. This guide can help make it easier! 🎃

Read here: https://pathfindersforautism.org/articles/seasonal/parent-tips-halloween-make-it-a-better-experience/

10/10/2025

Co-regulation isn't just about emotions.

It's also about tuning into the other person and reacting in a way that invites the other person to respond. I cover this in my talk tomorrow.

Watch it for free by registering here: https://guidingexceptionalparents--behaviorrevolution.thrivecart.com/behavior-sos-2025-pass/

10/09/2025

Something my friend Penny & I bonded over early on was that the way we thought we were supposed to parent wasn't working for our kids.

Together, we learned that what our kids need most is to feel safe and loved. If you want to learn a different way to parent your neurodivergent kids, Penny's upcoming summit will help you.

Register for free here: https://guidingexceptionalparents--behaviorrevolution.thrivecart.com/behavior-sos-2025-pass/