Search Results for: autism

Autism Rocks and Rolls



About 1 in 54 children has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The key word in that sentence is “spectrum.” Some people with ASD are nonverbal; some are highly verbal. Some avoid physical contact; some enjoy it. As one popular saying puts it,  “Once you’ve met one … Continue reading Autism Rocks and Rolls


Male Suicide & Mental Health: A Father’s Story of Love, Loss, and Awareness



Powered by RedCircle We gotta talk about male suicide and mental health. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, you can call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for help in the United States. Call 988 or 800-273-TALK (8255). The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is open 24 hours a day, every day. Services are also … Continue reading Male Suicide & Mental Health: A Father’s Story of Love, Loss, and Awareness


Understanding & Supporting Neurodivergent Boys



Powered by RedCircle How do we best support neurodivergent boys? Approximately 12% of boys in the United States have been diagnosed with ADHD. About 3% are on the autism spectrum. 18% of boys have dyslexia. An untold number are gifted – &, of course, many boys are 2e, or twice-exceptional, with more than one of … Continue reading Understanding & Supporting Neurodivergent Boys


Best of 2022



Powered by RedCircle Which ON BOYS episodes were the Best of 2022?  Some of our favorites! 5. Raising LGBTQ Allies Chris Tompkins, author of Raising LGBTQ Allies: A Parent’s Guide to Changing the Messages from the Playground, recognized the power of unspoken messages when his then 6-year-old nephew asked him — an openly gay man … Continue reading Best of 2022


Picky Eaters, Family Meals, & Nutrition



Picky eaters… are incredibly common. Nearly all kids go through food jags. ALL humans have food preferences. Navigating all of this around the dinner table, though, can feel frustrating and overwhelming. Even for experts. “I felt confident going into parenting!” says Rebecca Toutant, a registered dietician who began her career helping children with autism and … Continue reading Picky Eaters, Family Meals, & Nutrition


Forest Schools Get Boys Learning Naturally



School + nature = forest schools “A forest school is holistic education outdoors in nature,” says Nicki Farrell, co-founder of Wildings Forest School in Queensland, Australia. Learning doesn’t typically follow set curriculum; rather, it’s child-led. Education is individualized and play-based and includes plenty of movement. The kids who struggle the most in traditional schools — … Continue reading Forest Schools Get Boys Learning Naturally


Twice Exceptional Boys (w Ramsey Hootman)



Do you know what the term “2e” means? 2e is short for “twice exceptional,” a term used to refer to people who are both highly gifted and learning disabled. As you might imagine, meeting the social, emotional and educational needs of a 2e child is quite a challenge. Ramsey Hootman is an author and mom … Continue reading Twice Exceptional Boys (w Ramsey Hootman)


ADHD with Ryan Wexelblatt the ADHD Dude



Approximately 3-10% of children have ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder). Many of them — the majority, in fact — are boys. Today’s guest, Ryan Wexelblatt (aka ADHD Dude) describes ADHD as “an executive function developmental delay.” What that means: In all humans, the brain’s prefrontal cortex (or “frontal lobe”) acts as the operating system for the brain. … Continue reading ADHD with Ryan Wexelblatt the ADHD Dude


Teaching Boys Social Skills



Boys interact differently than girls do. Sure, some of that is socialization. (A lot of that is probably socialization.) But the fact remains: boys’ interactions on the playground, in school and at home are different than girls’. The way boys greet and play with one another is different than the way girls do so — … Continue reading Teaching Boys Social Skills