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 » »

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 » »

20 million voters with disabilities expected to vote


Posted by Beth Finke on November 4th, 2008

I’m about to put Hanni’s harness on so she can lead me to my local polling place. Sounds like this year I won’t be alone.

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) reports that nearly 20 million people with disabilities are expected to vote in this election.

“A 20 million strong voting block can easily decide a …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 » »

Gov. Palin pledges to make U.S. more welcoming to special needs kids


Posted by Beth Finke on September 4th, 2008

Ever since Sen. John McCain (R – AZ) announced Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska, as his running mate last Friday, much has been made of her choice to have a baby she knew would be born with Down syndrome. Sarah Palin talked about her son Trig in her acceptance speech last night at the Republican national Convention:

You know, from …Read More » »