The stimulus plan: what’s in it for people with autism?


Posted by Beth Finke on February 23rd, 2009

Here’s an understatement for you: that stimulus package President Obama signed into law last week is huge. It’s a bit daunting, too. To help sort through all the changes, the Disability Policy Collaboration (The Arc of the United States, combined with United Cerebral Palsy) lists the amount of increased spending disability specific programs will receive from the time the …Read More » »

Teaching literacy to students with autism


Posted by Beth Finke on April 16th, 2008

You might remember the blog where Patricia Wright reviewed Paula Kluth’s book You’re Going to Love this Kid. Now Kluth has paired with Kelly Chandler-Olcott to write a new book: A Land We Can Share: Teaching Literacy to Students with Autism.

The publisher sponsored a free webinar about literacy and autism …Read More » »

New NY governor shows how “All Kids Can”


Posted by Beth Finke on March 17th, 2008

I was lucky enough to be on Long Island last week when they made the announcement about New York’s new governor. I’d flown to New York by myself – well, with my Seeing Eye dog — to visit elementary schools there. The idea was to promote my children’s book and teach the kids how Seeing Eye dogs work.

In the end, …Read More » »

Larry King keeps autism in the news


Posted by Lisa Tate on March 10th, 2008

Autism is receiving a lot of attention –- here at Easter Seals, in the press, in the legislature –- it’s everywhere. Shows like last Thursday’s Larry King Live pay a lot of attention to “cause and cure.” If that helps inform and educate people about this increasingly prevalent disorder, I guess I have …Read More » »

P.L.A.Y. in Wisconsin


Posted by Bob Glowacki on March 4th, 2008

Many of you have heard of Dr. Richard Solomon. Dr. Solomon is a board certified developmental pediatrician who specializes in autism. He has over 15 years experience working with families and children with autism. Currently, he has a clinic in Ann Arbor, Mich. where he provides diagnostic services and intervention through his specialized program called The …Read More » »

Autism Spokesperson Network


Posted by Beth Finke on February 20th, 2008

I spent so much time in yesterday’s post bragging about blogging blind — and about the blogging session my colleagues and I will present at tomorrow’s Easter Seals Autism Spokesperson Network meeting — I neglected to explain exactly what the Easter Seals Autism Spokesperson Network is.

So, enough of the self-adulation …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 » »

Bright future ahead for autism therapeutic school


Posted by Maurice Snell on February 11th, 2008

I hope everyone is enjoying the new year so far. 2008 is a year with many major events imminent at Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago. That’s where I work.

One major event that is scheduled to happen this year is the opening of the Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago’s …Read More » »

Autism and the economic divide


Posted by Erin Rogers on February 6th, 2008

A Newsday article looks at why affluent school districts “classify more than five times as many of their students with autism as districts at the opposite end of the economic spectrum.”

The Newsday survey drew on state data from school districts whose enrollments were more than 500.
Advocates who have compiled similar data voice concern that many …Read More » »

Book review: Nancy Wiseman’s “Could It Be Autism?”


Posted by Beth Finke on January 22nd, 2008

When it comes to treating autism, the earlier the intervention the better. That’s why I like Nancy D. Wiseman’s Could It Be Autism?: A Parent’s Guide to the …Read More » »