ASA & other disability organizations: “Sotomayor is our champion”

Posted by Beth Finke on July 13th, 2009

With the Senate confirmation hearings for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court starting today, I thought our blog readers might be interested in what activists for people with autism and other disabilities are saying about Judge Sonia Sotomayor. The Autism Society of America, along with dozens of other disability groups, signed a letter supporting Sotomayor’s confirmation. The letter was …Read More » »

July 15 is deadline for ASA conference scholarships

Posted by Patricia Wright on July 9th, 2009

Individuals with autism and other disabilities can be disenfranchised in our society. People who are ethnic minorities can also be disenfranchised in our society. Put these two together and it can have a multiplying effect. TASH (formerly The Association for the Severely Handicapped) is a civil rights organization for, and of, people with mental disability, autism, cerebral palsy, physical …Read More » »

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 » »

Thanking Newsweek for providing a voice for people with autism

Posted by Patricia Wright on May 26th, 2009

Before heading off for a three-day weekend last week, I wrote a letter to the editor at Newsweek thanking the magazine for publishing Claudia Kalb’s article, Erasing Autism. The article featured 21-year-old Ari Ne’eman. Ne’eman has Asperger syndrome, and he founded the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) — a nonprofit organization run by and for people with autism.He certainly …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 » »

Know your options when it comes to occupational therapy

Posted by Ellen Harrington-Kane on April 29th, 2009

What a pleasure it is to introduce guest blogger Sandra Schefkind, MS, OTR/L, pediatric coordinator for the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

Know your options when it comes to occupational therapy

By Sandra Schefkind

It’s no secret that parents want the best for their kids. When they’re at home they know firsthand what’s happening … but let’s face it — …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 » »

Surfing and autism

Posted by Patricia Wright on February 18th, 2009

It must be the weather … living here in Chicago in the dead of winter makes me want to talk about warm weather sports! Last year at about this time, we posted information about Surfer’s Healing, and now I just saw a great video on the Ocean Psychology blog about surfing and individuals with autism.

From that blog post, …Read More » »

A wonderful afternoon … the Holiday Celebration on Ice

Posted by Beth Finke on November 26th, 2008

Today, I’m happy to introduce Leyla Kayi as a Guest Blogger. Leyla is Amway Global’s public relations specialist and she played a key role in making Easter Seals inclusion in the Holiday Celebration on Ice …Read More » »

Maurice + Ozzie Guillen = a good team for autism services

Posted by Maurice Snell on November 24th, 2008

This past weekend was another annual holiday gala for Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago. More importantly, it marked another beginning of Easter Seals and what future lies ahead. Many people showed up to support many different services Easter Seals has to offer through the Chicago area, …Read More » »