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 » »

McCain and Obama on autism


Posted by Patricia Wright on August 26th, 2008

It seems ages ago that I posted a blog about the Democratic primaries and Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama’s ties to Illinois, the state where I live. Now the Democratic and Republican conventions are finally starting, and suddenly, after a seemingly endless primary season, the presidential election is right around the corner.

To help with your decision, the …Read More » »

Do social skills define autism?


Posted by Beth Finke on August 21st, 2008

I just read a blog post questioning the emphasis put on “social skills” when defining autism.

Yes, autism affects how autistic people socialize. We don’t do it like neurotypicals. But that isn’t the root or sole effect of autism, nor is it even enough for a diagnosis. Having a hard time socially is something many, if not most, of us …Read More » »

Pragmatic pediatrician ponders autism


Posted by Beth Finke on August 20th, 2008

I just read a post titled “Kids with Autism” on a blog called the Pragmatic Pediatrician. The Pragmatic Pediatrician works in a remote area with few healthcare providers – I bet that being able to blog helps her feel more connected to others in the field. Hers is a federally-funded community health center that accepts all insurance plans and …Read More » »

Thumbs down for “Tropic Thunder,” thumbs up for Maurice


Posted by Patricia Wright on August 14th, 2008

I love going to the movies. Everything from Batman to Juno will get me to a theater. There is nothing better than sitting in anticipation with my popcorn and waiting for the big screen to light up.

But I won’t be in the theater this week when the feature film Tropic Thunder opens.

I get it. Ben Stiller’s new …Read More » »

Try a symbol-based web browser for free


Posted by Patricia Wright on June 26th, 2008

A comment to my blog about web accessibility for people with autism and other disabilities offered a 30-day trial of Webwide. I wanted to let you know about this offer, in case you missed the comment.

If any readers are interested, you can try Webwide for free for 30 days by …Read More » »

Maurice Snell inspires Joe Mantegna, and vice-versa


Posted by Maurice Snell on June 16th, 2008

Friday, June 13 turned out to be a lucky day for Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago. Emmy and Tony Award winner Joe Mantegna returned to his native Chicago to share his perspective of Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago’s New Therapeutic School and Center for Autism …Read More » »

Three cheers for autism program innovation


Posted by Erin Rogers on May 13th, 2008

Last month at the Easter Seals Training Conference I had the great honor of accepting an award for my affiliate’s expansion of comprehensive services for children and families living with autism. The award is the Lou Lowenkron award for Program Innovation, and it’s given to one Easter Seals affiliate staff person each year.

They say it takes a village to raise …Read More » »

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 » »

What do autism assistance dogs do?


Posted by Beth Finke on April 17th, 2008

I’m blind. I use a Seeing Eye dog to guide me safely to work each day. I literally couldn’t get around without her.

I know how valuable a service dog can be. In some cases, though, I don’t understand what specific things the service dog does to help with the disability.

A recent story in …Read More » »