Robots could help people with autism

Posted by Beth Finke on March 13th, 2009

A story in this week’s Washington Post describes a new generation of service robots that can provide therapy, coaching and monitoring for people with disabilities. Among the early successes of these “socially assistive machines” are robots that might help children with autism. The story says that researchers first need to determine what these socially assistive robots can do for …Read More » »

President signs ADA Amendments Act!

Posted by Beth Finke on September 25th, 2008

I’m afraid that with all the economic upheaval in the news, something important might go largely unnoticed this morning. President Bush just signed the ADA Amendments Act into law! The requirements of the new law will become effective January 1, 2009.

In-between its stories of the bail-out package and questions of whether or not the presidential debate is really going to …Read More » »

Family with autism embraces laughter — and chaos

Posted by Beth Finke on July 22nd, 2008

If you missed it, an absolutely beautiful essay in yesterday’s Washington Post describes a mother’s love for — and appreciation of — her son Owen, who has autism.

My favorite line from the essay:

How absurd, how absurdly delightful, to be drawn into Owen’s world and yet still stand outside it, appreciating its contrast to the typical one.

The essayist, …Read More » »