The Autism Advocate

For years it was assumed that those with autism did not feel emotion because they did not show emotions the way neurotypicals do. It was assumed they did not want friends because they didn't know how to make friends. Yet, we hear more and more from young people on the spectrum that they want connections with others; they want friends. Read More

Most of us have naturally been creating different circles of supports, since birth. If a person has difficulties in initiating and establishing social relationships and in communicating with others, it is likely that their circles of supports are small and that they need expanding. Read More

"The Story of Luke" is the tale of a young man with autism who wants to live his own life—he wants a job and a girl. Read More

When people see what life with my autistic son, Jeremy, entails they often ask, “How do you do it? How do you handle raising a child so impacted by autism, besides having Rebecca?” Read More

Research shows that mothers of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are worrying across their child’s lifespan, particularly at that time of transition from public education services, and worrying more than other families of young adults with disabilities. Read More

Children on the autism spectrum are at a higher risk of being hurt, victimized or wandering off, to name a few worries that are high on the list of parental concerns. Read More

Mentors can help figure out how to turn an interest into a job, or into a means to earn money. Another important area to consider is what your teen or student likes or is passionate (ie obsessed) about. For most on the spectrum, a job will be their one connection to the community, and their main activity. Read More

People with autism act the way they do because of their various sensory processing challenges and the difficulties they have in making sense of their environment. Read More

In honor of Mental Health Month (as is May) I am posting an essay by my friend and disability advocate, Diana Pastora Carson. This is her story, and the story of her brother, Joaquin, and their battle for his release form an institution so that he may live near his family. Read More

That's why in honor of Autism Awareness Month, I'm co-sponsoring a free on-line conference with momsfightingautism.com on April 9 and 10. Many parents can't attend conferences because of the cost or lack of respite coverage for their child, others live in rural areas. On these two days, they can attend on-line a conference for free.Temple Grandin is the Keynote. Read More

Most children with autism have a terrible time with change. They like things to stay the same, as they are used to the familiarity of routine. Imagine what it is like for them when they notice something really freaky - their body is changing and they have no control over it. It is even worse if no one has told them what was going to happen. Read More

Here are some tips to help you and your teen on the spectrum not only survive the adolescent years, but to grow in a positive way: Read More

Family life is all about relationships and communication: relationships between two people in love, parents and children, siblings, extended family members. Yet, autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are all about communication challenges, misunderstanding of social cues, and lack of emotional understanding, thus affecting every relationship in the family. It has been estimated that the divorce rate is in the 80% range in families with children who have autism (Bolman, 2006). Despite high rates of marital conflict, many couples do not reach out for couples therapy. Read More

Often parents in the autism community will joke that we become more religious during the holiday season: we pray our children will behave while we are visiting relatives.... and above all - we pray that we will have the strength to politely ignore the judgments passed upon us and our ‘misbehaving' children.

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