By Debra Muzikar We were honored that people came from miles away for yesterday’s screening of the new film Normal People Scare Me Too a film about autism at Plaza Cinema 14 in Oxnard, California. As people came into the theater, Susan Sheller captured the mood with a Bob Dylan song. She spot…

By Ron Sandison Last week at the Milestones 15th Annual Autism Conference in Cleveland, Ohio, my wife Kristen and I were on a panel with three other couples, discussing, “Love and Marriage on the Spectrum.” During this event, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Fred Volkmar, Professor of Child Psychi…

“At the end of the day this film is not about autism; it’s about love. Being more caring to the person next to you; being compassionate. This is a movie about love through a different lens; through the eyes of autism.” Carolina Groppa By Debra Muzikar (This is an excerpt from an i…

In his December 13, 2016 Forbes blog post Michael Bernick, former California labor department director gives a good overview of the employment situation for those on the autism spectrum. At Autistry we have been working on employment for our students for many years and know how difficult it is to fi…

Transportation is one of the main obstacles that those with disabilities face. Though public transport tries to be accommodating, there are still several obstacles that the disabled have to navigate in order to get to a specific location -- walking from train or bus stops, shelling out money for cab…

As a journalist and author, I’ve spent most of my life writing stories. But now, as an entrepreneur, I find myself in an office building in Harvard Square where my team is writing code. Along with 100 or so pilot users, we are testing a new device to help reach and communicate with children who have…

The announcement this week that the U.S. federal government is changing its policy on the use of human fetal tissue in medical research is designed to please anti-abortion groups that have strongly supported President Donald Trump. But it could jeopardize promising medical research and set back atte…

Business: Yes She Can Inc. Mission: Women with Autism. We work. With you. Yes She Can Inc. helps young women with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) develop transferable job skills and gain greater independence through our intensive coaching program at Girl AGain boutique. What is Yes She Can Inc.? We…

A new strain of mice carries large mutations that more closely mimic the genetic variations seen in some people with autism than do two previously created strains. Together, the mouse models may help researchers understand autism and test new treatments for the condition. The mice either lack a copy…

Hello, and welcome to the Community Newsletter! I’m your host, Chelsey B. Coombs, Spectrum’s engagement editor. What do psychotherapists who treat adults know about autism? A thread about a study in Autism offered some insight this week. A blind spot in mental healthcare? A study by a participatory…

Brian Be, movement addict / dancer Spoke N Motion Dance.org features him in his solo during their spring show at the Colorado Ballet. Watch “Loss & Joy … a father’s story.” *** FB: BrianBeArts Twitter: BeArtsWellness Email: BeArtsWellness@gmail.com SpecialAcademy.org/…

In this strange lull between the Xmas holiday and New Year’s Day, we usually drift in nostalgia and reminisce about the past year’s activities and achievements. And though there have been many wonderful accomplishments this year, we find ourselves looking forward to 2017. We are ready to…

Earlier posts: Ian goes to college – The plan for his education (November 17, 2014) Ian goes to college part 2 – His first day (August 26, 2014) Ian goes to college part 3 – Drama Class Results (February 6, 2015) We went in to this whole “Ian will take classes at the local junior college” with no id…

In the last few years, we have read quite a bit about how technology has allowed our brain to control devices or objects around us without the use of limbs. (If you haven’t, you can read about some examples here, here, and here). Futurism.com, a great website that posts about how human potenti…