In memory of Roger McCarville


Posted by Beth Finke on September 18th, 2009

Easter Seals is mourning the death of Roger McCarville, who died of pneumonia on September 7. You might recognize Roger’s name — Matt McAlear published a post here about Roger McCarville’s A Wider World show …Read More » »

School fights family over autism assistance dog


Posted by Beth Finke on September 17th, 2009

The Associated Press reports that an Illinois family wants their 6-year-old son, who has autism, to be able to bring his dog along to school this year. The family said the dog would help with the transition to a new place and would also help keep him safe from traffic and other dangers. Service dogs are allowed in the …Read More » »

Star surfer champions his autism


Posted by Patricia Wright on September 16th, 2009

Want to learn more about autism? Spend time with someone who has autism!Surfing star Clay Marzo is doing his part by educating his fellow surfers. Clay was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome a few years ago, and he has been informing the surfing community about disability ever since. Marzo’s participation in surfing contests gives his fellow surfers the …Read More » »

Temple Grandin: A Breath of Fresh Air


Posted by Beth Finke on September 3rd, 2009

Imagine my happy surprise to switch on the radio Tuesday morning and hear Terry Gross interviewing Temple Grandin on NPR’s Fresh Air. Turns out the show was a re-broadcast. It’s “Animal Week” on Fresh Air, and their January 5, 2009 interview with Grandin was one of their best animal-related stories this year, so they decided to air it …Read More » »

A Wider World for kids with autism


Posted by Matt McAlear on September 2nd, 2009

Earlier this year Easter Seals Bay Area was contacted by the PBS show A Wider World. Roger McCarville, the show’s host, had heard about Easter Seals …Read More » »

Dr. Wright interviewed in Education Week


Posted by Beth Finke on August 14th, 2009

Last month, Patricia Wright published a post here called Friendly’s helps kids find Friends Who Care.

FRIENDS WHO CARE® is an interactive educational program designed to help children understand what it means and how it feels to be a young person with a disability. The program shows kids how their peers with autism and other disabilities adapt to …Read More » »

Alan Jackson’s donation is “Right on the Money”


Posted by Beth Finke on August 5th, 2009

My job as moderator of the Easter Seals and autism blog rarely takes me to the world of country music, but thanks to the generous donation country music superstar Alan Jackson recently made to Easter Seals of LaSalle and Bureau counties, my eyes (okay, my ears!) have been opened.

First, some background. Alan Jackson agreed to do a benefit for Easter …Read More » »

Maurice and Patricia on the air!


Posted by Maurice Snell on July 24th, 2009

Last Sunday was a special day for me and my colleague, Patricia Wright. We were two willing people on a mission: our mission was to convey information to families about autism. That’s what we both did Sunday, discussing autism with Bill Jurek from CRIS Radio (950 AM) in Chicago.

When I first met Bill from the radio station, I noticed something …Read More » »

Children with autism grow up to be…adults with autism


Posted by Beth Finke on July 16th, 2009

An article in the Arizona Republic last Sunday reminds readers that children with autism grow up to be adults with autism. The reporter points out what so many tend to forget. Autism is not a childhood disorder. It never goes away.
The child born in 1980 – the year the American Psychiatric Association first added autism to its list of …Read More » »

Reimbursement for special ed at private schools


Posted by Beth Finke on July 1st, 2009

A story on NPR’s All Things Considered explains how a Supreme Court ruling last week makes it easier for parents of special education students to get reimbursed for private school tuition.

The case started in Oregon — the parents of a teenager who was refused special education services at a public high school transferred the student to a private academy …Read More » »