By Walter Suskind Parts of the story of my life with Owen will ring familiar to many people reading this. For the now almost 1 in 50 people diagnosed as Autistic in this country, there is often a brother or a sister who has been by their side since the beginning—and will be there for as long as they…

In ‘The View from Here’ we will be zooming in on four autistic individuals and where they are on their life journeys. Our Editor-at-Large, Conner Cummings, came up with the idea (brilliant!) and the name was voted on by a group of our autistic peers. First up, Jacob Fuentes. Let’s follow him on his …

By Maura Campbell My son is the most adorable child on the planet. This irrefutable, undeniable fact has been independently verified – by both his grandmas.  I am immensely proud to be his mother. Don’t just take my word for it: he’s bewitched pretty much anyone who’s had any kind of role in his lif…

By Becca Lory, CAS, BCCS Family, talk about a loaded word. It certainly means different things to different people. For me, it’s not a particularly good word. Family has never been associated with the kinds of experiences I am looking to have nor the memories I am looking to make. I realize that may…

By Megan Amodeo Megan Amodeo reflects on autism and marriage. She found love and a lasting marriage even though she didn’t understand the first thing about dating and relationships. We are not all the same. We are like fingerprints, unique and different. I believe that those of us on the autism spe…

By Conner Cummings I am excited to be back and in a more pivotal role with Zoom Magazine, Zoom is expanding to allow even more autistic individuals the opportunity to contribute using your own creative expression. I have many ideas. I look forward to working with our new team to bring it into focus.…

Robert Watkins (center) By Scott Kramer Robert Watkins passed away on Saturday, March 31 from health complications. This arrived as a great shock to family, friends and the larger Atlanta, Georgia community (and beyond) who came to know Robert as a compassionate, friendly and charming self-advocate …

“Out of the struggle, you find that unique gift that comes from your disability.” That’s what Patrick Dempsey, the actor best known and adored for his role as Dr. Derek Shepherd on Grey’s Anatomy, led with when he spoke at Gatepath’s annual “Power of Possibilities” event. He spoke candidly about gr…

From the very beginning, it was the founders’ mission to make Zoom a magazine for the autism community BY the autism community. It was important that the majority of our writers and contributors be autistic themselves. Our advisory board is made up of valued community leaders who have provided their…

By Maverick L. Crawford III Maverick talks candidly about being diagnosed with an intellectual disability and autism. His is an inspirational story of rising above his abuse and homelessness to find his personal strength and triumph. I remembered how awkward I appeared to be compared to my other si…

By Morgan Salisbury Two days ago, I received my official autism diagnosis at the age of 38. I am mum to a 7 year- old with autism and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). I am trying to spread awareness of meltdowns and make it okay to talk about them. From the information that is currently out there,…

Robert Watkins is feeling emotionally spent. He reaches out to his fellow autistics for their advice on managing anxiety.  By Robert Watkins For the first time in ages I felt tired. Not exhausted-tired (mostly emotional exhaustion) which is what I’d been feeling for far too long, but the tired…

The lack of adult autism supports didn’t stop Becca Lory from creating what she needs. Here is the beginning of her journey with an Emotional Support Animal. By Becca Lory, CAS, BCCS As a woman diagnosed on the spectrum in adulthood, I struggle to find autism supports, period. But I am not alo…

Tom D’Eri is the COO/Co-Founder of Rising Tide Car Wash, a social enterprise that employs individuals with autism for 80% of their staff in a premium car wash business. Tom and his team have developed one of the first operationally proven and financially viable businesses dedicated to employing peop…