By Renee Skudra At a farmer’s market, with nothing much more on my mind than finding some perfect blackberries and figs, an Australian man approached me and asked if I was interested in vintage cars. Pointing in the direction of the parking lot, he began talking about a bright red 1957 Chevr…

By Ron Sandison Many of my greatest memories are holiday related – the Christmas of 1982 when Santa placed under our tree a stuffed prairie dog — Prairie Pup. My new special interest quickly became prairie dogs for the next eight years. Prairie Pup and I were inseparable until I began middle s…

“Young adults with autism need to get their butts out of the house and get a job! Work experience can start small walking dogs in the neighborhood or mowing lawns,” Temple Grandin By Ron Sandison Temple Grandin was standing in the back corner next to the stage as I entered the ballroom of Detroit Ma…

By Ron Sandison As a young child autism made me feel different and like an endangered species. At age seven my speech was so delayed my brother Chuck would boast to his friends, “Meet my brother Ronnie. I think he’s from Norway since he speaks Norwegian.” Academically I was so delayed the scho…

By Andy Dreisewerd For all intents and purposes, or should I say “Purr-poses?” My name is Andy, I am 32 years of age, I have been doing artwork since I could pick up a pen or pencil. About 3 years ago, I had an experience that lead me to further polish my love for drawing what most consi…

Due to autism with its speech delays, sensory processing issues, and deficit in ability to decode social norms—life was not always easy—especially with regards to gainful employment. By Ron Sandison As I reflect upon this past year and all the blessings in my life; March 20, having my first child,…

By Debra Muzikar Tonight I was impressed that PBS News Hour is focusing on adults on the autism spectrum. John Donvan, co-author with Caren Zucker of In A Different Key: The Story of Autism, visits a program in Phoenix, First Place Transition Academy, that is creating independence, meaningful work a…