Information To Know About Special Needs Parents
Parenting kids with special needs can prove to be a strategic balancing act. It encompasses the whole family. Not only do special needs kids face challenges, but so do their parents and siblings.
Let It Roll: New Options, More Choices for Adults with Autism
Last year, we connected with a social group for young adults with autism and special needs and find ourselves bowling most Saturday afternoons. With or without bumpers, bowling is a great equalizer.
8 Times Social Media Made a Difference for the Neurodiverse
All of us have heard of instances where bullies used social media to victimize their peers whom learn differently. Fortunately, social media has also promoted displays of communal support, and mainstreamed that support to more people than ever possible. Here is a list of 8 occasions where social media was responsible for making the difference in the life of someone neurodiverse.
Lynn University: Helping the Neurodiverse Transition
Lynn University has a mission- to make sure that all students, whether traditional learners or nontraditional learners, have a chance. That people from any walk of life should have the ability to succeed, and that the University strived to be the place where the building blocks to that success were laid. The sincerity and dedication of Kevin Ross and his colleagues came though loud and clear. That’s leadership. And that is what this conference-- Lynn University’s Transitions 2016-- is all about.
Replace Autism Awareness With Autism Acceptance
Autism awareness, what does this really mean? Logos, colors and symbols that represent autism awareness are prevalent during the month of April. People equate the symbols with the autism spectrum. However, being aware that autism exists and comprehending what the autism spectrum is composed of, the challenges faced by families, children and adults who live with autism 12 months out of the year is a totally different and pressing issue.
A Community Smiles: Building Hope for Adults With Autism
Cleaning out closets, drawers and the garage seemed like a good plan for ringing in the New Year. Matt’s closets took the longest. The biggest challenge: parting with the cue cards, flashcards, Velcro-backed picture cards and all kinds of games, systems and tools that have helped Matt learn, communicate and advocate for himself.
The Asperger’s Trip to Israel
For ten days, from December 21, 2015 through January 1, 2016, I was part of a trip to Israel, specifically for young adults with autism. Though all of us on the trip were adults on the spectrum, we did not define ourselves or our trip in terms of autism.
Rare Show of Unity by Florida Politicians Will Benefit Neurodiversity
“All children deserve the opportunity to pursue their own unique educational and career goals. Unfortunately… all too often children diagnosed with developmental disabilities lose out on important opportunities as services are provided through a one-size-fits-all system that too frequently leads to a life of government dependence.”
Autism in the Classroom, Autism in the Home: The Need for Consistent Supports
Many supports that students with autism have available to them in school should also be available and used at home. These supports are used as tools to help these students be successful. Many of these supports we use in our everyday life- but we may call them something different.
Seasonal Smiles For Adults with Autism & Their Families
This holiday season marked my husband’s 60th birthday. Rob insisted: no surprise parties or gifts. His choice: spending his Sunday birthday filling SMILE Biscotti holiday orders from across the country...
Navigating Airport Anxiety for Different Brains
Different brains look at holiday air travel differently. Some brains don’t mind it; others don’t deal with it too well. The way my brain is, I don't much care for the whole air travel process any time of the year, but particularly during the holidays.
Tips on Air Travel for Families with Autistic Members
By Peter Bochner
While traveling by plane can provoke anxiety for even seasoned air travelers, for people with autism who are fearful of new things, it can be terrifying. In fact, according to foxnews.com in an article titled “Flying with Autism: What You Need to Know”, many families that have children or adult family members who are autistic don’t travel anywhere because the process is so nerve-wracking, or else because they fear that a situation can unravel quickly.
Peter Bochner is a writer and editor for subjects related to information technology and medicine. He has worked on such publications as Computerworld, Asian Sources and the Journal of Alzheimers Disease, served as editor for several TechTarget websites, and has written for several high-tech research firms. In addition, he served as editor for the recently published book Aspertools: The Practical Guide for Understanding and Embracing Asperger’s, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Neurodiversity, by Harold S. Reitman, M.D.
It’s a Wonderful Life: Autism and the Holidays
Alicia Palelis offers some basic tips for autism parents to help get through the holidays season - and still enjoy it!
The Club of True Neurodiversity Champions
It was at the end of July, and I’d had a good day at the U.S. Autism and Asperger Association’s national conference in Tuscon, Ariz. From my spot at the author’s table, I had met many wonderful people in the autism community...
Navigating Adult Life and Autism with a SMILE
When our son Matt graduated from high school in 2013, his daily routines and patterns, developed for years within the same safe, supportive environment, came to an end. We asked ourselves, how can we fill 168 hours each week with meaningful, purposeful activities and not allow Matt to slide backwards.
Autism Coaching in the Neurodiverse School System
I am a wife, daughter, mom to a son and daughter, a breast cancer survivor, a friend to many and an autism coach.
One blogger’s vote for note-taking by laptop vs. longhand
By Peter Bochner I recently listened to a webinar titled Engaging the Rewired Brain, in…
ADHD – What else could it be?
By Brian Udell In medical parlance, the title = “The Differential Diagnosis of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder”.…
The Birth of the Chocolate Spectrum
By Valerie Herskowitz How I ended up here is a great mystery to me, because…
For Its Own Good, American Business Must Embrace Neurodiversity
All businesses can take a hint from Apple and Google: if you want your business…
Sad Because You Don’t Fit In? Don’t “Bee”
The Bee Girl It’s known as the Bee Girl music video, and if…
Asperger’s syndrome student’s socialization skills soar, leading to award nomination
Whether you want to call it a stereotype or a defining trait, if there’s one…
Autism Awareness Month: Jacqueline Laurita posts on loving her autistic son
As you may know, one of the major points of my book Aspertools is that…
Kudos to Comedy Central’s “Night of Too Many Stars”
It’s not just that they have raised over $18 million for the autism spectrum disorder…
