Showtime! Movie screenings for families with autism

Posted by Beth Finke on March 3rd, 2009

A year and a half ago, I published a post here called Autism-friendly screening: Harry Potter. The post talked about changes a theatre in Nottingham, England had made to help patrons feel more comfortable at a screening there.

“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” will air in a special “autism-friendly” setting at Broadway Cinema in Nottingham today …Read More » »

What can we do? How Easter Seals North Texas responded to budget cut threat

Posted by Jennifer Friesen on February 25th, 2009

Easter Seals North Texas has an Autism Treatment Program (ATP) that is primarily funded through a $1.25 million grant contract with the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS).

In 2008, we, along with three other service providers in Texas, received the funding to provide applied behavioral analysis (ABA) services to children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). …Read More » »

Accessing autism services after age 21

Posted by Patricia Wright on January 28th, 2009

A parent commented to the Easter Seals autism blog last week — she was asking for help for her son. He is an adult with autism, and he has aggressive tendencies.

The needs for services and supports for adults with autism is a growing crisis. Entitlement services typically end at age 21. The parent who commented has a son who …Read More » »

If not now, when? If not us, who?

Posted by Jim Leiker on January 12th, 2009

I started my morning last Wednesday with a visit to KMAJ-AM radio in Topeka. Julie Smrha (Easter Seals Capper Foundation Marketing Coordinator and Marketing Partner) joined …Read More » »

Living with Autism Study in the news!

Posted by Beth Finke on December 18th, 2008

It’s no surprise that the Easter Seals Living with Autism Study has been getting a lot of media attention since Tuesday, when we revealed the results. After all, autism now affects more than 1.5 million Americans and their families, and the study results paint a startling picture of the life-long fears, anxieties and critical supports needed to raise a …Read More » »

Living with Autism Study reveals parents’ fears for their children with autism

Posted by Patricia Wright on December 16th, 2008

The one consistent message Easter Seals hears from families — after the initial apprehension and anxiety of learning their child has autism – is an overwhelming concern about the life-long supports their child with autism may need to be independent.

Until today, we have had no data to quantify what we’ve heard anecdotally over the years. So Easter Seals worked with …Read More » »

Join us Tuesday as Easter Seals unveils its Living with Autism Study

Posted by Jim Williams on December 12th, 2008

Please join us this Tuesday, December 16 when we unveil Easter Seals’ Living with Autism Study, a nationwide study made possible through the generous support of Easter Seals National Corporate Partner MassMutual Financial Group and conducted by Harris Interactive.

The study asked families from Easter Seals and the Autism Society of America about their concerns for their children …Read More » »

Autism, amplify, Austin

Posted by Beth Finke on November 20th, 2008

Greetings from beautiful Austin, Texas. I’m sitting outside with my talking computer during a 15-minute break from sessions at the 2008 Convio Summit. Convio develops the software Easter Seals and a number of other non-profit organizations use for online fundraising, advocacy and Email marketing.

I first found out about Convio when I participated in the U.S. Department of Commerce’s …Read More » »

A last-minute look at the candidates

Posted by Beth Finke on October 31st, 2008

Five days until the election. If you are still undecided, here are some links to information on each presidential candidate’s view on autism and other disability issues.

The Autism Society of America (ASA) website features a presidential election resources page with full statements by Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama.

If you prefer going directly to each …Read More » »

What are your priorities for autism supports and services?

Posted by Beth Finke on September 10th, 2008

You might remember a post Patricia Wright wrote last December about Dr. Stephen Shore’s appointment to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee.

That committee has been hard at work since December. I just gotword that they are asking members of the autism community — that’s you! — to comment …Read More » »