Trying to fit in can be a real challenge for autistic children. They may want to be social but lack the necessary skills. Or they may be happy to go it alone but feel tremendous pressure from family and school to be more social. Physician and researcher Alexander Kolevzon, MD, discusses his efforts to help autistic children and their families as well as ongoing research to improve therapeutic approaches. A second interview, with Marli Marinelli, mother of an autistic child, provides an insider’s view of parenting an autistic child.

Check out more episodes of Road to Resilience —as well as guest pictures, transcripts, and more— on the Mount Sinai website.Road to Resilience brings you stories and insights to help you thrive in a challenging world. From fighting burnout and trauma to building resilient families, we explore what’s possible when science meets the human spirit.