Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism

Posted by Patricia Wright on June 9th, 2009

I recently overheard someone say, “it took us 20 years to figure out what to do in early intervention and autism — we don’t have that kind of time when it comes to adults with autism.” It’s true. We don’t have time. The much-lauded statistic of “1 in 150 diagnosed” is usually accompanied by a picture of a young child’s …Read More » »

58-year old man with autism communicates through art

Posted by Beth Finke on June 2nd, 2009

Here’s a quick addition to Paula Pompa-Craven’s post about finding housing for adults with autism. An article in the Marina del Rey Argonaut touts Pierre Dumas, an artist in southern California who has autism.Pompa-Craven says interacting with his fellow artists at the art wall has done wonders for Dumas’ development.

“Being part of a community can be very …Read More » »

Housing for adults with autism

Posted by Paula Pompa-Craven on June 1st, 2009

An article in Time Magazine last week called Growing Old with Autism described some of the struggles family members go through when seeking support for their loved one with a significant disability. The piece was adapted from a book called Boy Alone: A Brother’s Memoir, written by Karl Taro Greenfeld about life with his brother Noah.When I was …Read More » »

Data on autism and divorce

Posted by Beth Finke on May 15th, 2009

I’m well aware that when Jenny McCarthy made an appearance on an Oprah Show about autism, she said that the divorce rate among couples who have a child with autism is 90%. And I still remember reading the post Patricia Wright published here about Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) autism statement during the presidential election. In that statement, McCain said …Read More » »

Think high school years are challenging? Try going through them with Asperger Syndrome

Posted by Patricia Wright on May 11th, 2009

Many individuals with Asperger Syndrome report that high school years are particularly challenging. Self advocacy is especially important as these children grow into adulthood.The Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership (GRASP) is an organization led and governed by individuals with Asperger Syndrome. From their web site:What makes GRASP unique, other than its proven four year-old support group network, its …Read More » »

Mother’s Day for special moms

Posted by Beth Finke on May 8th, 2009

For years after our son Gus was born, I begged my husband Mike not to get me a gift for Mother’s Day. “I’m not your mother!” I told him.

Our son Gus has severe mental and physical disabilities — he doesn’t understand what Mother’s Day is. Gus wouldn’t be making me a card. He wouldn’t be presenting me with dandelions picked …Read More » »

Law enforcement and autism: a need for two communities to work together

Posted by Patricia Wright on May 7th, 2009

The prevalence of autism has increased dramatically. With as many as one in 150 individuals in the Unites States experiencing autism, it’s likely that law enforcement professionals will encounter an individual with autism. Effective training is needed for both the law enforcement professionals and for individuals with autism to ensure that these encounters do not escalate into unnecessary violence.

The media …Read More » »

Autism making daily routines impossible? Occupational therapy to the rescue!

Posted by Ellen Harrington-Kane on April 14th, 2009

Did you know that April is both Autism Awareness Month and Occupational Therapy Month? Well, it is true — and I think it is a wonderful match! A press release put out by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) this month explains how occupational therapy practitioners can help people with autism participate in daily routines.

Though a December 2008 …Read More » »

Again with that urban myth about divorce rate!

Posted by Beth Finke on April 8th, 2009

A story in the New York Daily News described how 150 strollers set up in Central Park on World Autism Awareness Day helped make New Yorkers aware that one in 150 children are diagnosed with autism.
It looked like a gigantic play date, but the 150 baby strollers lined up in Central Park Thursday were there for a far …Read More » »

Adults have autism too: World Autism Awareness Day

Posted by Patricia Wright on April 2nd, 2009

Today is World Autism Awareness Day, and that gives me a chance to let you know about the autism services and treatments Easter Seals makes available to families living with autism. A number of wonderful organizations research and study the cause and cure for autism — Easter Seals stands out as the nation’s leading provider of services and support …Read More » »