A special home for a special son with autism

Posted by Beth Finke on January 26th, 2009

Yesterday’s Chicago Tribune featured a story about a house that was rehabbed especially for a young adult with autism.

Larry and Beth Markin have a 22-year-old son, Eric, who is autistic. Two years ago, because of his aggressive behavior and the problems involved in caring for him, Eric was declared a crisis case by the state. The Markins knew …Read More » »

Living with Autism Study in the news!

Posted by Beth Finke on December 18th, 2008

It’s no surprise that the Easter Seals Living with Autism Study has been getting a lot of media attention since Tuesday, when we revealed the results. After all, autism now affects more than 1.5 million Americans and their families, and the study results paint a startling picture of the life-long fears, anxieties and critical supports needed to raise a …Read More » »

MassMutual’s SpecialCare helps families with autism set up special trusts

Posted by Beth Finke on August 25th, 2008

In my “Adults and autism: Our kids might outlive us” post last year, I told readers that
Mass Mutual, one of Easter Seals’ national corporate partners, offers helpful resources for people with disabilities and their families when it comes to estate planning.

Now I’m starting to think, hey, …Read More » »

Autism-recognition training for police

Posted by Beth Finke on July 21st, 2008

Ever since January 1 of this year, new police officers here in Illinois have been required to take autism-recognition instruction. Some local police departments are extending the training to all first-responders on their staffs.

An article in today’s Chicago Tribune reports that a growing number of states are requiring autism-recognition training for law enforcement officials.

Illinois legislators last fall …Read More » »

Jamie Smith, our very Special Olympian

Posted by Jim Williams on December 13th, 2007

How exciting it was to pick up Sunday’s Chicago Tribune and see the terrific front page article on Jamie Smith! Jamie is a 24-year-old Special Olympian medal winner. He’s a man with autism, strong in more ways than one.

On Tuesday, December 11, Jamie’s mother Alice — along with Wendy Murphy …Read More » »