One family shares their story of an OCD diagnosis and advocating for the treatment that ultimately helped

Can autism be inherited

ocd international awareness week

international ocd awareness week

Jan Stewart is a highly regarded mental health and neurodiversity advocate. Her brutally honest memoir Hold on Tight: A Parent’s Journey Raising Children with Mental Illness describes her emotional roller coaster story parenting two children with multiple mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders.  

Her mission is to inspire and empower parents to persevere through the most difficult of times and have hope, as well as to better educate their families, friends, health care professionals, educators and employers.  Jan chairs the Board of Directors at Kerry’s Place Autism Services, Canada’s largest autism services provider, and was previously Vice Chair at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. 

She spent most of her career as a senior Partner with the global executive search firm Egon Zehnder. Jan is a Diamond Life Master in bridge and enjoys fitness, genealogy and dance.

Are you raising a child with special needs? We're here to help with personal stories, expert advice, the latest research, and tips on how to support your child.

Family

Let us help navigate daily life with your growing family, with everything from kids’ craft and activity ideas to advice on discipline and birthday party inspiration.

Special needs

Resources available in both Canada and the US for families navigating an autism diagnosis

autism supports and services

how to find autism supports and services

how to find autism support and services

VP of Autism Speaks shares strategies for a successful school year

back to school

<p>Lindsay Naeder joined Autism Speaks in 2012. Lindsay leads the organization’s national Autism Response Team (ART) and Outreach teams to deliver Autism Speaks mission priorities through Information &amp; Referral and educational community programs and events. Prior to her work at Autism Speaks, Lindsay held a variety of leadership roles in non-profit program development and social services in NYC. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz, and a Master of Social Work degree from Hunter College, School of Social Work. Lindsay is proud to have a personal connection to the mission of Autism Speaks as the sibling to her autistic brother. She lives in the Philadelphia metro area with her wife and son.</p>

Autism expert shares why ADHD, anxiety and OCD are common conditions among autistic people.

The Conditions That Go Along With Autism

Accommodating my son’s Tourette Syndrome is easier than accepting the social stigma that comes with it.

My son has Tourette's

My son has tourette's

Nicole Hunt is a kindergarten teacher, turned Stay-At-Home-Mom, turned writer. She loves books, nature walks, and having coffee with friends. She and her partner-in-chaos, Matt, live in Oakville with their four quirky kids and their golden retriever, Ruby.

Special needs

It's International OCD Awareness Week–What You Need to Know

How to Find Autism Services and Supports

Back-to-School: Autism in the Classroom

Co-occurring Conditions with Autism

Stop Staring! My Son Has Tourette Syndrome