The "Ins" and "Outs" for a Great 2026 For You and Your Child with Autism

Hi everyone and Happy New Year! For the start of 2026, I wanted to share a list of “ins” and “outs” of 2026 for supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The "Ins and Outs" trend is usually done around the beginning of the year, and allows us to establish what exactly we want to see in this new year!

What is the "Ins and Outs" Trend?

The annual “in and outs” trend highlights activities or routines that people are looking forward to adopting (“ins”) or eliminating (“outs”) in the new year. This was a trend that originated on social media that continues to inspire some of us to stick to our goals and incorporate new habits to change our lives. Raising a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder requires specific routines in the hopes to encourage comfortability with the new, while building independence.  

The “Ins”

The very first “in” for supporting your child with Autism Spectrum Disorder is finding early intervention services. Early intervention is so crucial for helping your child find new ways to meet their milestones. If you already listened to the Parent Partner’s August 2024 podcast about early intervention with Dr. Siddiqui, you may remember that we explored the different steps involved in early intervention, such as taking a screening/ assessment, finding resources, and getting insurance or finding the right tools even without insurance. This process is so much better when it starts earlier on, because socialization and language development starts early, especially during their critical period (between 0 and 7-8 years old). Luckily, I learned from Dr. Siddiqui that Autism Spectrum Disorder can now be diagnosed as early as 18 months of age. This is a BIG “in,” and a big win in the long run!

Another “In” for this year is social groups. Finding ways to socialize naturally can be difficult for a multitude of reasons, which can include:

• if you child is homeschooled full-time or part-time
• if he/she is currently struggling with language development or speaking
• he/she enjoys or prioritizes their alone time
• they want to socialize, but get frequently burnt out by masking

All of these reasons are perfectly okay and are normal reasons for refraining from socialization. Social groups help create an environment where your child would feel more inclined to engage in conversations and explore/ take interest in other peers’ thoughts. A few of the pediatric patients that I work with have reported that they feel comfortable in small social groups and like to talk with their peers. Even one parent last week let me view their child’s quarterly report from their social group, and told me that she has seen a ton of improvement holding conversations, asking relevant follow-up questions, and having small talk. This is amazing progress and can help your child work on their language and conversational/manding skills towards peers and adults.

One of my favorite "ins" for the new year is language building. Recently with my patients, I have been using newer "big" words around them and have seen them pick up these new words very quickly. For example, during their lunch times, I would eat my meal and say "mm delicious!" instead of the usual "yummy." This gives children a chance to pick up on a ton of new words they may not hear otherwise! Building vocabulary gives a wider variety of words for your child to express themselves with.

The “Outs"

The first "out" is escalating tantrum or meltdowns when your child is upset. It is important to understand the difference between the two, and figure out what behaviors of yours may escalate the situation without you even knowing. Firstly, we need to identify the difference between tantrums and meltdowns, as they are not the same. When children tantrum, it’s to garner attention from their parental figure or whoever is in charge at the time (maybe teachers, babysitters, or peers). On the other hand, meltdowns occur when your child has less control over their emotions. This is less about gaining access or attention, and is likely a consequence of overwhelm and/or overstimulation. In both situations, it is best to limit escalation by remaining calm and not screaming back at your child. It may feel like the best course of control is raising your voice louder than your child's, or asserting your stance and reasoning, but the truth is that raising your volume or higher amounts of verbal exchange will likely make the situation worse. 

During these moments, it is best to limit your verbal contribution! This could escalate the situation and make it difficult to deliver further instructions (in tantrum) or to offer your help (in meltdown). The best thing to do in a tantrum is to ignore the undesirable behaviors, and once they start calming down, you can reinforce them for calming down some, and then prompt other options for them to get your attention or express themselves. 

Another "out" for this year is surprise changes in your child's routine! I think we have all been in a situation where one small change can throw off your whole day (I know I have been there!). It is easy to become frustrated with the unexpected, so try your best to keep your child's routine pretty similar each day. This routine can help your child become independent while having reference images to help them remember the order of their day and what to expect. Some examples for schedule charts that are helpful are located below.