National Autism Association

05/30/2026

Wandering can happen quickly and silently.

If a child is missing, search nearby water first — pools, ponds, lakes, creeks, retention ponds, and any other water source nearby. Every second matters. 💙

Visit NAA’s website for free autism safety resources for families, first responders, teachers, and communities.

05/29/2026

Picky eating in autism is common, but it’s not always simple.

Sensory sensitivities, gut discomfort, food reactions, anxiety, routines, oral-motor challenges, and past negative experiences can all play a role in why a child may avoid certain foods or get “stuck” on the same few foods.

Understanding the why can help families respond with more compassion, less pressure, and better support.

Watch "Beyond Picky Eating: Understanding the “Why” and Supporting Better Eating in Autism" webinar with Julie Matthew, MS on expanding your child’s diet on NAA’s website. Link in the comments.

05/29/2026

Update: We are heartbroken to report that MJ Ashmead has been found deceased in a pond near his subdivision.

Our deepest condolences go out to MJ’s family, friends, and the entire community during this devastating time.
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Celina, TX area friends: Please be on the lookout for this missing 8-year-old and share this post to help spread the word. "MJ was last seen on Rostherne Drive in the Sutton Fields neighborhood and may be wearing training pants and carrying a tablet."

If you see this child, call 911 immediately. If a child with autism is missing, always search water first.

🚨 CRITICAL MISSING CHILD ALERT 🚨

The Celina Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating MJ Ashmead, an 8-year-old male who has been reported as a critical missing child.

MJ was last seen on Rostherne Drive in the Sutton Fields neighborhood and may be wearing training pants and carrying a tablet.

If you have seen MJ or have any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact Sgt. Kennedy immediately at 469-617-8809 or Collin County Dispatch at 972-547-5350.

Please share this post to help bring MJ home safely and reunite him with his family.

Stay Safe, Celina!

05/27/2026

I SHINE JUST AS BRIGHT AS ANY OTHER STAR.
IF EVER I APPEAR SMALLER IT'S BECAUSE YOU'RE TOO FAR.

05/26/2026

We don’t give up on the hard days.
We learn.
We adjust.
We advocate.
We love harder.
We show up again tomorrow.
That’s autism parenting. 💙

05/25/2026

"My 10yr old daughter washed her own hair in the shower. This was a big milestone for her and for me." - Penny S.

No milestone is too small to celebrate. Share a recent milestone with us, and we may highlight it on our social media.

05/25/2026

Today and every day, we remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. 🇺🇸

05/24/2026

Tomorrow is Milestone Monday. ⬇️ Share a recent milestone in the comments below to celebrate with us and help encourage and support other families.

🎈We believe there is no such thing as a small milestone.

You can:
• Simply comment with a statement
• Or Post a photo
• Or Email us a video at [email protected]
We may feature your milestone on our social media or website. 💙

05/23/2026

Co-regulation is defined as warm & responsive interactions that provide the support, coaching, and modeling that children/adults need in order to understand, express, and modulate their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

This will allow more effective teaching of self-regulation, which is described as the conscious control of one’s own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

05/22/2026

WHAT IS APHANTASIA? For people with Aphantasia, visual imagery is absent or markedly impaired. It is a multisensory condition that may reduce capacity to access other mental senses, such as imagining sound, movement, smell, taste, and touch...or an increased capacity in certain areas.

People with Aphantasia may have more difficulty with autobiographical memory and face recognition. Studies have shown a higher rate of Aphantasia in autistic adults compared to non-autistic adults.

On the other end of the spectrum is Hyperphantasia. Those who have Hyperphantasia experience extremely vivid imagery or memories.

05/21/2026

What is Sensory Overload?

Sensory Overload is common in those with autism. It occurs when an individual is receiving more sensory input than what their brain can sort & process.

This input can include certain sounds, smells, tastes, textures, visuals, commotion, as well as heightened empathy towards the feelings of others.

Once overwhelmed by this input, the brain may respond as it would to a life-threatening situation & enter fight, flight, freeze, fawn mode. Long-term panic responses like this can lead to severe anxiety, narrow preferences, phobias, PTSD & avoidance.