News

A spotlight on all things Catalight 

In the news |

The Term Neurodiversity Is Good, But Not Good Enough

Twenty-five years ago this month, the word neurodiversity appeared in print in a September 1998 article in The Atlantic. Judy Singer, an Australian social scientist, introduced the word in reference to autism. In 2000, Kassiane Asasumasu, an activist for the neurodiversity movement, coined the term neurodivergent to refer to any person whose development was nontypical. Movements …

In the news |

Telehealth: Is it Right for Parents and Children?

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the availability of telehealth for autism and other developmental disorders has exploded. Now that we are mostly post-pandemic, many parents are asking: “Is telehealth still the right choice for my child’s treatment?” There is no single answer. Below are several considerations for parents to keep in mind if they are thinking …

In the news |

‘We’ve Got To Do More’: Providers Seek To Close Gap In Mental Health Care For Neurodiverse People

People with autism are four times as likely to experience depression in their life than typically-developing peers. Despite the increased risk, people with autism or other neurodiversities often face significant obstacles when seeking mental health care. Barriers like clinicians’ lack of specialty training, staffing shortages and pitfalls with payers often prevent neurodiverse people from accessing …

In the news |

Catalight Career Advancement Services Offers a Look Into Accommodations for the Neurodivergent

Catalight recently launched a Career Advancement Services program to serve neurodiverse candidates seeking employment. The new program offers participants a fully integrated set of services to support them along their career journey, from initial assessments to landing the position that best sets them up for future career success. This person-centered service, focuses on the participant’s …

Article |

What’s in a Name? The History of Autism Spectrum Disorder

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), autism spectrum disorder is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the U.S. It’s also one of the most talked about in the media and by families across the country. But where did the term autism spectrum disorder or ASD come from? To find out where it …

Article |

Words Matter

Language is the primary tool we use to understand and relate to each other. Using inclusive language to refer to people in communities different from our own, reflects our respect for and understanding of that community. A few words can mean the difference between a compliment and an insult, sympathy and disdain, or clarity and …

Article |

Virtual Support, Real Progress

Telehealth has gone through a major transformation since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Once narrowly used, it was widely adopted during the lockdowns of 2020. Many families turned to telehealth to continue essential care for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs). That shift helped change the conversation about where …

Article |

Preparing for a Lifelong Career in Behavioral Health

If you’re interested in making a significant impact on the wellbeing of others, a career focused on supporting people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or intellectual developmental disabilities (I/DDs) may be the perfect fit for you. While certain skills and experiences are needed to work with this diverse group of individuals, there are many paths …

Article |

Solving the Access Issue Once and For All

With today’s behavioral health care staffing shortages and increasing prevalence of developmental disabilities and autism, it’s a major challenge to create enough capacity to be able to serve these communities. But payers’ network adequacy is a key factor affecting access to care and it’s getting more attention from lawmakers because of “ghost networks,” particularly in …

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