By Nahoma Presberg, MS, BCBA, NYS-LBA One of the core characteristics of autism spectrum disorder is an abnormal approach to social skills. The DSM specifically uses the language “persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts.” While this may seem str…

By Martine Mussies 音の洪水 心は溺れる 静寂求む A flood of loud sounds My heart is drowning deeply I long for silence ** 一つの道 深く掘り進む 宝を得る On one path I dig Deeply to find my treasures Passion in my hands ** 人の海に 波の間に立ち 孤独感じ In a sea of crowds Standing strong between the waves Loneliness sets in Martine Mussies …

TV BRA is a groundbreaking Norwegian news station where all reporters are either autistic or have learning disabilities. The station produces a weekly one-hour magazine program that covers news, entertainment, and sports, streamed on major platforms like TV2 Play and accessible through TV BRA’s app …

by Sofia Ciniglio I am an individual who craves novelty. In fact, I desire it to the point of seeming unrealistic in my wishes— for example, it sometimes fleets through my mind that I would visit every single country in the world before I “expire”. I know that isn’t humanly possible, or at least th…

Oscar-winning actress Rachel Shenton has launched an innovative video podcast series called “Shaping Tomorrow,” designed to celebrate diversity and amplify deaf voices. The four-part series features fascinating conversations between deaf and hearing professionals, including a deaf archit…

by John Testore Getting ready is the definition of Preparedness. For some people, it is an exciting practice for the better. For neurodivergents, it is a source of confusion. Preparedness is a very individualist subject. We all get ready for an important event, usually pleasurable, like a travel. G…

By Ron Sandison I want to encourage people with disabilities that you can accomplish great things and just because you have autism doesn’t mean you can’t do something good to help others. Micah Newcome, Author of The Adventures of Cari and Joe Dori Harrell who edited my fourth book Adulting on the …

Dr. Jaimie Borisoff, a Paralympic gold medalist in wheelchair basketball and director of BCIT’s MAKE+ applied research group, is leading a team to compete in Cybathlon 2024 in Switzerland. This unique competition promotes the development of assistive technologies for people with disabilities. …

By Nils Skudra This week, I had the opportunity to watch After Thomas, a heartfelt 2006 film based on the true story of Kyle Graham (Andrew Byrne), a young British boy with severe autism whose close bond with his Golden Retriever enables him to develop emotional connections with his parents. The fi…

By Jeridith Lord, LCPC, BCBA What is consent? What is assent? Many of us have heard these terms used interchangeably, but they have some important differences! Generally, we can agree that both are important… but how do we assess consent and assent? Defining the Terms First things first:…

by Daniel Antonsson When people think about Autism, they might fall into the belief that Autism will stop a person from having a good life. From my own perspective being Autistic, this is far from the truth. Of course having Autism can come with special challenges and that can sometimes be tough, bu…

By Kadin McElwain Recently, SpongeBob SquarePants’ voice actor Tom Kenny revealed that SpongeBob is on the autism spectrum, calling it “his superpower”. This revelation will most likely help a lot of autistic individuals, both adults and kids, to embrace who they are by watching th…

By Martine Mussies It was a bright, sunny day, just after yet another lockdown had lifted during the COVID era. I was cycling along the bustling terraces that lined the canals of Utrecht, soaking in the lively atmosphere that had returned to the city. As I passed through the crowds, my eyes caught s…

By Ron Sandison “Eighty percent of people with autism experience depression and anxiety.” Dr. Tony Attwood After I interviewed a hundred young adults with autism while writing my fourth book Adulting on the Spectrum, I discovered one of the main hindrance to transition and independence is a hopeles…