When School Hurts: Understanding Autism and School Avoidance (EP 85)

Dr. Theresa Regan, a neuropsychologist and certified autism specialist, explains school avoidance in autistic students: how everyday school demands can overwhelm the nervous system, common warning signs, and research showing higher rates of problematic non-attendance. The episode offers concise, practical strategies—assess schedule, sensory and social demands; build sustainable schedules with scheduled breaks and recovery time; create meaningful roles and connections at school; reduce overload without removing participation; consider homeschooling when needed; and mentor students toward gradual independence. Dr. Regan Blog entry with research citations Understanding Autism Book Series Autism in the Adult website  

Dr. Theresa Regan explores how school transitions and hidden daily demands tax the autistic nervous system, making participation about capacity—not motivation. She explains sensory, social, and organizational challenges that accumulate across the school day and offers a different framework for understanding school avoidance and fatigue. This episode introduces a series on school, college, and adulthood, and includes practical ideas for designing participation, accommodations that protect recovery, and a case story about Alyssa to illustrate why early support and curiosity matter. Understanding Autism Book Series Autism in the Adult website  

This episode explores how coming home after a trip is its own important transition, especially for neurodiverse households. Dr. Theresa Regan explains how vacations can drain resilience and why the nervous system needs intentional recovery time. Practical ideas include planning quiet re-entry days, using sensory comforts, breaking tasks into smaller steps, and honoring individual ways of refilling energy so everyone can truly feel at home again.   Understanding Autism Book Series Autism in the Adult website

Dr. Theresa Regan explores how families can plan vacations that match each person’s nervous system and energy, focusing on managing transitions, sensory demands, and recovery. She shares practical examples—like choosing trains over airports, assigning roles, and packing regulation tools—and emphasizes choosing manageable challenges that build confidence. The episode offers concrete questions to guide planning (e.g., what parts of the trip demand the most energy, what routines can be preserved, and how much recovery is needed) and reframes successful travel as creating conditions for participation and belonging rather than copying others’ vacations.   Understanding Autism Book Series Autism in the Adult website

Dr. Theresa Regan explores how vacations can serve restoration rather than appearances for neurodiverse households. She urges families to prioritize what fits each person this year—considering sensory needs, energy, and life changes—rather than following traditions or social expectations. Practical ideas include flexible plans, staycations, and making space for different ways of recharging so everyone can return home feeling restored and connected. Understanding Autism Book Series Autism in the Adult website

Dr. Theresa Regan explores how conversations move beyond exchanging information to creating connection. Using childhood play as a model, she outlines three core building blocks—making space for the other person, offering something personal, and allowing mutual influence—that help conversations feel satisfying and shared. She explains how these principles apply in adult interactions, links them to theory of mind, and offers three reflective questions to improve everyday conversations and relationships. Understanding Autism Book Series Autism in the Adult website

In this episode, Dr. Theresa Regan explores how conversation often serves social and relational purposes beyond sharing facts. She explains the difference between semantic (factual) and episodic (experiential) memory, why personal stories invite connection, and how storytelling can look different across neurotypes. Listeners will learn how to recognize conversational invitations, practice sharing sensory and emotional details, and receive stories with warmth to deepen relationships. Understanding Autism Book Series Autism in the Adult website

Neuropsychologist Dr. Theresa Regan explains how everyday questions can be invitations into different conversational roles and why that ambiguity can be confusing. She offers simple strategies: ask to clarify the invitation, give a brief factual or blended response, or decline the invitation. Learning to identify the "why" of conversation helps people make clearer choices and maintain connection in ways that work for them within in neurodiverse relationships. Understanding Autism Book Series Autism in the Adult website

Dr. Theresa Regan explains how friendships evolve with brain development and why autistic individuals may struggle when social demands change—especially in middle school and high school—exploring theory of mind, social vs. non-social emotions, and shifting friendship expectations. The episode offers practical guidance on recognizing different friendship styles, reducing blame, and using curiosity and communication to build authentic connections. Understanding Autism Book Series Autism in the Adult website

Dr. Theresa Regan explores how play—humor, teasing, shared activities, and quiet companionship—shapes friendships, family life, dating, work, and parenting across adulthood. The episode explains adult play styles, how autistic and non-autistic people may experience play differently, why teasing can hurt or connect, and offers practical questions to improve understanding and closeness. Understanding Autism Book Series Autism in the Adult website