Temple Grandin: A Breath of Fresh Air

Posted by Beth Finke on September 3rd, 2009

Imagine my happy surprise to switch on the radio Tuesday morning and hear Terry Gross interviewing Temple Grandin on NPR’s Fresh Air. Turns out the show was a re-broadcast. It’s “Animal Week” on Fresh Air, and their January 5, 2009 interview with Grandin was one of their best animal-related stories this year, so they decided to air it …Read More » »

Except Me: Award-winning radio piece about a brother with autism

Posted by Beth Finke on December 1st, 2008

I love making homemade bread. Kneading can get tedious though, so I usually listen to the radio during that part of the process. On Thursday morning, while preparing a loaf to bring to my sister’s house for Thanksgiving, I switched on National Public Radio.

Lucky me — they were playing all the winners of the Third Coast Festival’s Richard …Read More » »

Autism things considered

Posted by Kathy Patrick on June 3rd, 2008

Having a child on the autism spectrum gives me a lot to wonder about. Why were we destined to be challenged every day? How different (not better, different) would our lives have been otherwise? How much money would we have had if it wasn’t spent on interventions and support?

With all those notions clouding my brain, it can be hard …Read More » »

Land of Lincoln, Obama and Clinton

Posted by Patricia Wright on December 4th, 2007

I moved to Illinois – and to my position as National Director of Autism Services for Easter Seals – a year ago. I value my right to vote, so of course I registered immediately.

And now with the presidential election looming in the not-too-distant future, I find myself voting in a state that two major Democratic candidates can call home. …Read More » »

Effective services requires financial support

Posted by Patricia Wright on September 28th, 2007

When a child is diagnosed with autism, parents do what they know best – pursue the most effective intervention services they can find for their child. This is what Joe and Elizabeth Micheletti did for their son Jake when he was diagnosed with autism two years ago. They found an effective intervention.

What they also found is that their medical insurance would …Read More » »

Teenager is second mom to brother with autism

Posted by Beth Finke on September 4th, 2007

Recently, National Public Radio’s All Things Considered featured a story written and recorded by a 17-year-old in New York who helps take care of her younger autistic brother.

Sara Martinez speaks English. Her parents, who are from Mexico, do not. As her family’s bridge to the English-speaking world, Sara takes on a …Read More » »

Autism…should health insurance cover treatment?

Posted by Ellen Harrington-Kane on August 17th, 2007

Listening to National Public Radio yesterday morning, I heard a news story about a parent who pushed through legislation in South Carolina to provide insurance coverage for autism services. 

As a person who has been a health care professional for over 25 years, it still amazes me that there is such a disparity …Read More » »