American Library Association honors autism books for kids


Posted by Beth Finke on March 20th, 2009

Two children’s books about autism are included on a new American Library Association list of “outstanding books that portray emotional, mental, or physical disability experiences.” Here’s how the American Library Association describes the two books about autism on the list:
Choldenko, Gennifer. Al Capone Does My Shirts. Putnam’s Sons, 2004.
Twelve-year-old Moose Flanagan moves to Alcatraz Island …Read More » »

Any lists of books about autism?


Posted by Beth Finke on July 8th, 2008

I’m back from the American Library Association annual conference — I was there with my Seeing Eye dog Hanni to accept a Henry Bergh children’s book award from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). You can find out more than you’d ever want to know about the award ceremony, what I wore, …Read More » »

Blogging about autism


Posted by Beth Finke on February 19th, 2008

I tell people I am the only blind woman in America being paid to moderate a blog. I’m not sure that’s true, but so far no one has challenged me on that statement.

This Thursday I’m one of the presenters at a session called “It’s My Party, and I’ll Blog if I Want To.” That’s just one of many sessions being …Read More » »

Maurice Snell rocks on


Posted by Maurice Snell on October 29th, 2007

I wonder what lies ahead of me as I spend my days being back to the normal Maurice Edward Snell, without the perks of being the Easter Seals 2007 National Adult Representative kicking in. All I can say is — I really enjoyed this time of my life when I visited several interesting places and …Read More » »

Five stars for the new autism bookstore!


Posted by Beth Finke on August 27th, 2007

Check out the new “Bookstore” link on our autism Web site – the list features books reviewed on this blog, and every time you order a book through our bookstore, a portion of that sale will go to Easter Seals.

Ellen Harrington-Kane, assistant vice president for medical rehabilitation and …Read More » »

Inclusion and “All Kids Can”


Posted by Beth Finke on July 11th, 2007

Ever since my memoir Long Time, No See was published I’ve been asked to guest-lecture for college classes. I usually talk about writing, about the assistive technology I use to write, or simply about what it’s like to live with a …Read More » »

Celebrating independent living on Independence Day


Posted by Beth Finke on July 3rd, 2007

This Fourth of July will be the fifth year our son has lived independently of us.

Our son Gus is 20 years old. He communicates by propelling himself to whatever it is he needs. When he wants to hear music, for example, he scoots to the piano.

Gus doesn’t talk or sing, but he does laugh and poke at the piano keys …Read More » »