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 » »

Walk With Me TV appearance was “totally cool”


Posted by Bob Glowacki on June 24th, 2009

Last week Milwaukee Fox 6 TV featured an interview about our June 19 Walk With Me event.

The interview gave me an opportunity to spend some quality time with Stephanie Mayer and her son, Kyle. Kyle …Read More » »

Adults with autism thrive at new inclusive adult day center


Posted by Bob Glowacki on June 18th, 2009

When we think of autism, we tend to think of early childhood therapeutic interventions. I received a reality check when Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin opened a new inclusive adult day center in Kenosha. The center is located inside the YMCA of Kenosha Callahan branch, and the first three participants who enrolled there have autism. Later on, more adults …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 » »

Man with autism finds employment in struggling economy


Posted by Julia McCollum on June 3rd, 2009

With all the news of the national unemployment rate nearing 9%, some may forget that those numbers are significantly higher for individuals with disabilities. The United States Department of Labor reports that, of those people with disabilities who say they are able to work, only 56 percent are working (PDF) — the rest are looking for jobs. With a …Read More » »

Keeping autism and other disability services a top priority


Posted by Beth Finke on May 18th, 2009

During his first months in office, President Obama has already signed the State Children’s Health Insurance bill (a top priority for Easter Seals) and designated funds in the economic stimulus package to go directly to programs that improve the lives of those with autism and other disabilities.

Easter Seals President and CEO Jim Williams visited the White House recently to personally …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 » »

Aren’t we aware enough already?


Posted by Beth Finke on April 9th, 2009

I am a Nick Hornby fan. His book High Fidelity is one of my favorite modern novels. The movie is fun, too, and it was filmed right here in Chicago! I keep Hornby on my radar, so of course I took notice when I found out a few years ago that his son has autism. And I took notice again …Read More » »