J-Mac makes points for autism


Posted by Beth Finke on February 12th, 2008

Just found out that the theme for the Valentine’s Day Larry King Live TV show this Thursday is The heartbreak… and hope of autism. Guests slated for the show that night include Holly Robinson Peete, Doug Flutie, Toni Braxton and Jason “J-Mac” McElwain.

If you ask me, McElwain is sure to be …Read More » »

Lose the training wheels — bike therapy


Posted by Beth Finke on February 1st, 2008

In my other life, I’m a writing teacher. I teach a weekly memoir-writing class for senior citizens in Chicago, and I give seminars on writing at libraries and conferences.

After a writing seminar at the Oak Park …Read More » »

Karate kids with autism


Posted by Beth Finke on January 18th, 2008

Okay, Monday I blogged about yoga and autism; Wednesday I blogged about surfing and autism. So heck, why not finish my trilogy with a blog about… karate and autism.

A friend on our …Read More » »

Hang ten: surf therapy for children with autism


Posted by Beth Finke on January 16th, 2008

I live in Chicago. I don’t know a whole lot about surfing. When I saw a blog about a surf therapy program for children with autism, I wasn’t sure if it was a joke or not.

So I asked an expert.

Dr. Patricia Wright lived in Hawaii …Read More » »

Last minute shopping for people with autism


Posted by Beth Finke on December 19th, 2007

Our son Gus doesn’t talk. He shows a keen interest in very few things, but he sure knows what he likes — handheld tape recorders, for example. He takes the recorder in one hand, places it near his ear, transfers it to the other hand, places it near that ear, transfers it to the other hand, places it near that …Read More » »

Celebrating bubble wrap


Posted by Beth Finke on December 7th, 2007

My plan today was to post some tips on buying holiday gifts for kids who have autism. As I often do, I checked a blog called Autism Vox for ideas. In a November 20 post, Kristina Chew pretty much says to forget the gift — concentrate on the wrapping!

Chew writes that her son …Read More » »

Have disability, will travel


Posted by Beth Finke on September 28th, 2007

A quick note from your Easter Seals autism blog moderator – just want to let you know I’ll be away from the blog for a week. A friend is marrying a woman from Poland, and my husband and I are flying to Warsaw for the wedding.

I’m feeling less anxious about this trip than I have in previous ones – probably because this time we won’t …Read More » »

Fantasy football, real-life dreams


Posted by Beth Finke on August 7th, 2007

Here’s something else to consider when making your fantasy football picks for the upcoming August deadlines. Gene Wojciechowski’s espn.com column last week says that despite everything we’ve heard about steroids, dog fights and gambling in sports, there are still many good athletes out there.

One of the good guys Wojciechowski singles out is Ahman Green.

The …Read More » »

Autism-friendly screening: Harry Potter


Posted by Beth Finke on July 23rd, 2007

If only we lived in England! Among all the buzz I heard this weekend about the new Harry Potter book I happened to catch wind of a theatre in Nottingham featuring a special autism-friendly screening.

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