No-brainer: families with autism end up with lower incomes

Posted by Beth Finke on April 23rd, 2008

The results of a study in this month’s Pediatrics journal will come as no surprise to those of you raising children with autism. The study surveyed the parents of 11,684 school-aged children with autism. It found that on average a household with a child with autism makes $6,200 per year less …Read More » »

Learn while you P.L.A.Y

Posted by Beth Finke on December 28th, 2007

An article in yesterday’s Orlando Sentinel highlights anEaster Seals program that shows parents how to turn play into therapy. The story features Amanda Nero, who has two children with autism:
She felt unsure years ago, when doctors diagnosed her older son, Christian, now 5, with autism, and again when her younger son, Jaden, 3, was diagnosed …Read More » »

Jenny McCarthy, louder than words

Posted by Beth Finke on October 5th, 2007

I was on vacation last week and during some long flights, I had time to think over some of the things I’d heard about Jenny McCarthy’s September 18 appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show. McCarthy was on tour promoting Louder Than Words: A Mother’s Journey in Healing Autism.

During her Oprah appearance, …Read More » »

Brothers and sisters of autism

Posted by Beth Finke on September 26th, 2007

A story in this month’s issue of Vanity Fair reports how famous playwright Arthur Miller had his son Daniel, born with Down syndrome, placed in a “home for infants” in New York City.

Miller was concerned about what his daughter Rebecca’s life would be like if she grew up with a brother who had a disability. …Read More » »

Joey’s Gift and respite: a healthy break for families

Posted by Beth Finke on August 20th, 2007

Tonight’s Engaged and Underage reality TV show on MTV features Michelle Minotti Wright, a volunteer at Easter Seals Volusia and Flagler Counties in Florida. Michelle volunteers in memory of her brother Joey, who had Down syndrome and autism, and received services there.

Joey died …Read More » »

Autism and baseball trades: what a relief!

Posted by Beth Finke on July 31st, 2007

The July 26 sports section of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch had a story about a possible baseball trade that – get this – has a human element to it.

In the story “Human element enters into any talks about dealing Springer,” Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is quoted as saying, “There will be a …Read More » »

Accessible accommodations at the ASA Conference

Posted by Julie Dorcey on July 13th, 2007

The hotel industry is customer-focused by nature, but here in Scottsdale, Arizona, the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa has taken hospitality to a new level in hosting the Autism Society of America’s (ASA) 38th Annual Conference.

ASA and Westin staff began laying …Read More » »

The boys of summer

Posted by Ellen Harrington-Kane on June 15th, 2007

Jeff Sell is the Director of Chapters and Membership of the Autism Society of America, as well as a former board member — and the father of twin boys with autism. I first met Jeff at a conference on services for adults with autism where he was a speaker. Since then, he has been another great friend of Easter …Read More » »

The Greatest Gift

Posted by Patricia Wright on June 14th, 2007

Mike Barbour is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Florida State University. He loves to travel, has a love for theatre and is the father of two. I met Mike in his role as Dad — I’m friends and colleagues with his daughter Amy. I had the pleasure of sharing time and space with Mike when he and Amy’s brother …Read More » »