Jul 14, 2026 · 14 min · 10 segments
Dr. Mary Barbera reflects on nearly three decades in the autism world as both a mom and professional. She shares how denial, long waitlists and limited early support can delay progress for children…
In many ways, parents like you today are still being pushed into the same kind of delay I experienced back in the late 1990s.
Yes, there is more awareness, but in many ways, we're still treating autism like it's 1999.
You're still waiting 9 months, 12 months, or even 2 years for evaluations, and often even longer for therapy to begin while your child's most critical developmental window slips away.
And once you finally do get help, too often it looks like this: one hour of speech, one hour of OT, maybe an hour with a teacher, and everyone acts like this is enough.
Not when tantrums, sleep issues, picky eating, potty training struggles, and unsafe behaviors are taking over daily life.
Not when you are desperate for answers and spending hours scrolling social media trying to figure out what to do next.
In many ways, parents like you today are still being pushed into the same kind of delay I experienced back in the late 1990s.
Yes, there is more awareness, but in many ways, we're still treating autism like it's 1999.
You're still waiting 9 months, 12 months, or even 2 years for evaluations, and often even longer for therapy to begin while your child's most critical developmental window slips away.
And once you finally do get help, too often it looks like this: one hour of speech, one hour of OT, maybe an hour with a teacher, and everyone acts like this is enough.
Not when tantrums, sleep issues, picky eating, potty training struggles, and unsafe behaviors are taking over daily life.
Not when you are desperate for answers and spending hours scrolling social media trying to figure out what to do next.
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