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For autistic adults and children, a comprehensive approach to patient care can enhance individual strengths, provide tools to overcome challenges, and improve long-term outcomes. As the prevalence of autism has increased, so has the recognition of the value of occupational therapists (OTs). In an engaging conversation on the “Navigating Autism, Transforming Lives” podcast, guest Shelley Hughes, an occupational therapist and director of portfolio management for Pearson Assessments, called OTs “integral members of the autism care team.”

Talent pools are drying up across high-risk industries like public safety and critical infrastructure sectors (e.g., energy and nuclear). According to the National Institute of Building Sciences, the construction industry will need 439,000 new workers to meet demand in 2025. Staffing at many police and fire departments has reached historic lows. 

Available evidence suggests these trends will continue. Younger workers prioritize considerations like work/life balance, low stress, and high flexibility in their jobs — things that high-risk industries aren’t historically known to offer.  

While high-risk employers cannot change the nature of their work, they can get creative with recruiting and retention tactics. Organizations that act now can gain a long-term advantage over their competitors.  

Do you ever feel like you need a vacation from your vacation?

It’s a common lament — and a reality educators may experience as they return from winter break. That’s because the holiday season can bring both excitement and exhaustion. Between checking off first-semester action items (like finalizing grades and organizing end-of-year activities) and managing personal obligations (like planning celebrations or travels), it’s easy to feel drained from wrapping up the school year. The holiday season can also magnify and compound personal struggles, which can lead to a heightened risk of depression or anxiety. Due to the “busyness” of the holidays, it can be difficult for educators to prioritize their own mental health. Yet, it can be tough to “pour” into others when one’s own mental health is compromised.

While the time off during the holidays can be a source of much-needed rest and rejuvenation, the start of a new year can also bring its own set of pressures, from setting new goals to tackling unfinished work. Here are some tips to help start the year right with mental health as a priority. 

According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 11% of U.S. children ages 3 to 17 years have ever been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Boys were overwhelmingly more likely to be diagnosed than girls, at 15% to 8%, respectively. Similarly, dyslexia affects approximately 20% of the world population, and some studies find that males are more often diagnosed with the disorder than females. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that ADHD and dyslexia occur more often in boys. The more likely situation is that girls are underdiagnosed.

As society continues the shift toward embracing diversity and inclusive practices, the need to understand and accommodate individual sensory preferences is becoming increasingly recognized in mental health settings. Dr. Elana Moore, an expert in sensory processing and mental health, took some time to highlight the critical role that sensory environments play in the therapeutic process.

Many educators have found themselves in this scenario: looking at a student's test results and feeling puzzled by what they see. For example, the student may read proficiently and have well-developed reasoning skills, but their verbal ability restricts how well they express what they know. These uneven cognitive profiles are far more common than many realize, and they often leave us asking ourselves, "What now?" 

While we recognize that every student has strengths and weaknesses, it can be challenging for educators to know the next step for students who perform well in one area and struggle in another. Let’s explore how to approach the situation in a way that ensures the student receives the support they need. 

Despite the high levels of stress and trauma, discussing mental health with their supervisors, families, or healthcare professionals remains a stigma within the public safety industry. Officers often fear that admitting to mental health struggles could be perceived as a sign of weakness or negatively impact their careers. This stigma frequently prevents officers, and others suffering from mental health issues, from seeking the help they need.

Given the unique challenges faced by police officers, it's crucial to have effective tools to identify and support their mental health needs so that they can maintain fitness for duty.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often considered a childhood disorder that diminishes in adulthood. But it can also be diagnosed in adults.

In the United States, 15.5 million adults have been diagnosed with ADHD or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. More than half who received their diagnosis in adulthood experience symptoms that include trouble paying close attention to details, sustaining attention, following instructions, forgetfulness, talking excessively and/or interrupting.

“There used to be an old saying that people who had ADHD would grow out of it,” explains clinical psychologist Patrick Moran. “I think what really happened is that they would learn compensatory coping skills so that they could do some of the downregulation with their emotions and behaviors. In essence, they just got better at managing it, so it was less obvious to the external observer.”