The most professional move to make is to hand your 2 weeks notice to your boss first and in person.  You will usually need to schedule a meeting, but if you work at a small company and are on close terms with your boss, you might be able to drop by his or her office unannounced. Close the door behind you as you enter to keep the conversation private. Hand your boss your 2 weeks notice and explain, as you hand it over, what the letter is. Your boss will likely want to discuss the situation with you. Even if your letter already answers the questions posed to you, answer each question completely. Thank your boss as you leave the office and shake hands. This can vary by company, but usually, the Human Resources department will need a copy as well as any other supervisors you work under. If you do send the letter to multiple people, include a “CC” line indicating who has received a copy. This can help facilitate communication and coordination as your company deals with your resignation. Co-workers, mentors, team members, and clients should be told in person about your resignation. They do not need an official copy of your 2 weeks notice. If you offered to finish up any major projects before leaving when you wrote your letter, you need to follow through and finish those projects.  Even if you did not make any promises, you cannot slack off during your final 2 weeks of employment. The transition will be difficult for everyone, and it is your professional duty to make that transition as smooth as possible for the employer you are leaving. Don’t let your company take advantage of you by asking you to do work well beyond the scope of your normal duties in your remaining 2 weeks. Stay polite and professional, but be firm about which tasks you will be completing before you leave.

Summary: Take your 2 weeks notice directly to your boss. Submit copies to anyone else who may need one. Work hard and tie up loose ends.


Trans fats, like those found in many fried foods, vegetable shortening, cookies, crackers, margarine, chips, and baked goods, contribute to greasy hair and skin without providing any nutritious value to your body. Try to limit these foods entirely, and reduce the amount of saturated fats you consume through meat and dairy products.  High carbohydrate, high sugar foods also cause your body to produce more sebum, or thick oil, on your skin – including your scalp and hair. Baked goods and foods high in processed white flour (white breads and pastas) should be replaced with whole grains, low-starch vegetables, legumes, and fruit. Continue eating sources of good fats, or foods with essential fatty acids such as nuts, seeds, fatty fish, and unrefined whole grains. These foods provide your body with fats that it needs, and deficiencies in these fats can actually have a negative impact on your skin and hair health. Touching your hair transfers oils from your fingers and hands onto your hair. Try to touch your hair as little as possible when you’re not styling it.  If you need to fix your hair, use a clean brush or comb instead of your fingers. Dry heat, much like hot water, tends to strip hair of its natural oil, causing it to overcompensate by producing even more oil. Allow your hair to air-dry after washing it as often as possible. Brushing takes grease from the scalp and moves it down the hair follicles, so you should take hair to clean your hairbrush regularly. Remove hair from your brush as often as possible. Clean your brush once a week by squirting a few drops of dish soap into it, adding water, and rubbing the ends of the bristles with the soap suds. Rinse all the soap from your brush and let it air-dry. Because brushing moves oil down your hair, you should also avoid overbrushing. Try to brush your hair only when it is tangled or when you are styling it for the day.

Summary: Eat a diet low in carbs and trans fats. Touch your hair less frequently. Avoid heat-drying as much as possible. Clean your hairbrush.


It's normal for autistic people to stim or attach themselves to certain objects or subject matters. Don't teach your child that it's wrong to stim or enjoy special interests, because it stunts their emotional growth and makes them feel ashamed and afraid to show their true selves. Special interests can help build confidence and expertise. They may even turn into a great career someday. Many autistic children thrive when they have a regular, predictable routine. Knowing when they will eat, play, learn, and sleep makes the day less frightening, overwhelming, and unpredictable. This helps relieve anxiety and the meltdowns that can follow it. Implementing a new routine can be difficult, so be patient. It will take some time for your child to understand the routine and realize that it will remain the same or similar every day. Explain the routine to your child, and use a picture schedule to help them predict events. Your persistence will pay off – once the routine feels natural and internalized, your child will feel better. Keep this play relaxed and child-directed, and let your child play as they want to play – even if this play is somewhat unusual or repetitive. For example, if your child likes buttons, give them a handful of them to play with, and join in if possible. Older autistic children may enjoy setting up their toys in scenes. Toys such as Legos can be good choices for an autistic child. Some autistic children respond very well to music. If you notice a lot of anxious behavior, try playing something soft and pleasant. Doing so may help your child relax. Incorporating a brief massage into your child’s daily routine may help promote relaxation. This massage doesn’t have to be professional – you can perform it yourself! Recognize that your child is doing their best with the limited resources they have. If your child feels chastised or attacked, he or she will likely retreat to a solitary world. Therefore, it’s best to stay warm, kind, and positive, even if you feel frustrated. When chiding your child, remain compassionate and reassuring, giving your child time to calm down afterwards. Assume that your child is struggling, not intentionally misbehaving. For example, instead of "my child won't tell me what's wrong," think "my child can't tell me what's wrong." This attitude can help you focus on helping, instead of punishing. Tell your child that they are just as important as other members of the family, and follow through on your words by treating your child with love, respect, and generosity. When children feel secure, they are less likely to need the rigid and repetitive habits.  Make sure your child knows that you love them, autism and all.
Summary: Accept their repetitive behaviors and desire for routine and consistency. Stick to a routine. Play with your child often. Try music. Consider massage therapy. Keep a positive attitude. Make sure your child feels valued.