Amanda Bacon’s eating disorder was growing worse. She had lost 60 percent of her body weight and was consuming about 100 calories a day. But that wasn’t sick enough for her Medicaid managed-care company to cover an inpatient treatment program. She says she was told in 2017 that she would have to wei…

By Baylie Nixon Since my first post to “The Art of Autism,” I was requested to write another article about how I was diagnosed and how I found out roughly a decade later of said diagnosis. In my last entry, I mentioned I was diagnosed as a toddler, but found out about my diagnosis when I was a teena…

Suggestions on participation in theater productions By Parasuram Ramamoorthi, Ph.D. Drama therapy can benefit autistic children and adults. Drama helps the individual to realize his/her potential through acting out roles and engaging in creative play. Behavioral issues such as hand flapping, rockin…

Buoyed by science behind neuroplasticity and how contemplative practice can alter the structure of one’s brain, I began to practice meditation religiously. By Tom Clements I was raised without religion. I don’t believe in a higher power. Throughout my life I have preferred to remain in doubt and to…

Compiled by Maithri Sivaraman, MSc, BCBA and David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D Association for Science in Autism Treatment Compiled byMaithri Sivaraman, MSc, BCBA and David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-DAssociation for Science in Autism Treatment “You can’t always control what g…

A new database provides genetic and behavioral information about children with autism who have been admitted to hospital psychiatric units. The database, described 10 November in Molecular Autism, gives researchers an unprecedented glimpse of the most severe cases of autism1. Many children with seve…

Thank you, thank you to all the creative, magical and diverse individuals who shared words and peace-filled images with us to honor World/International Peace Day ~ September 21, 2018. We imagine a world where every day is PEACE DAY, lived to the best of our imaginations, consciousness, heart, and ac…

Kids who would usually steer clear from large crowds and/or social interaction are being brought right in the middle of it in a fun and engaging way. By Kendall Rayburn Pokémon Go is a free location-based app developed by Niantic for both iOS and Android devices. It encourages users to explore their…

Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t seen the movie you may not want to read this review. By Tom Iland If you have not yet seen the Ben Affleck movie, The Accountant, I suggest you see it or research it in order to better understand the context and the lessons being conveyed in this blog. As a certif…

There’s nothing better than a good book. And when a children’s book is smart, clever, and can captivate my adult heart, I’m excited to share it with my network. The Girl Who Thought in Pictures is all that and more. Written by Julia Finley Mosca and published by the boutique publis…

Here’s how Conelea and Jacob describe what they will talk about in this webinar: “Many people with autism have obsessive-compulsive behaviors, which may take the form of the classic repetitive behaviors closely associated with autism. These behaviors may overlap with features of obsessive-compulsive…

Sundays are special at Autistry. The workshop combines older teenagers, generally juniors or seniors in high school, with some of our college age students (Friday guys). When not studying for their college classes, the older students help the others with their projects and often join in LARP (Live…

By Morgan Giosa What do I think of when I think of the phrase “outside the box”? I think of a desire – be it intentionally or not – to go against the grain in a creative process which might deviate from conventionally acceptable norms. I think of the painting technique my art…

A new advocacy group for people with severe autism is spotlighting the deep divide in the community over who should speak for those on the spectrum. The National Council on Severe Autism (NCSA), which launched in January, aims to address the needs of autistic people who require the most support. “Th…