By Chris Richardson It’s been proven that working with autistic students’ creativity and stimulating their imagination enhances the learning process, and helps them absorb information faster. Teaching your students how to create poems is a great way for them to start accumulating new information, an…

Into Your (Joe’s) World by Michael C. Kregler As a composer, I’ve always tried to follow this self-imposed advice: in order to create authentic and convincing music, be sure to a) study great composers, and b) write within your own experience. The latter would become especially significant when, in …

By Ron Sandison On March 9, 2018, I met Malcolm Wang and his mom Karen at the Autism Alliance of Michigan’s 4th annual Navigating Autism conference. Malcolm is a sixteen year old junior at Northville High School who has autism and epilepsy. He is a photographer and self-advocate.    In six…

The doctors informed Holly and Rodney that R.J would never say, “I love you” or participate in sports. By Ron Sandison On March 2nd I met Holly Robinson Peete at the 78th Annual Michigan Council of Exceptional Children Conference (MCEC) in Grand Rapids. I presented a breakout secession on Practical …

The sibling relationship is often the most long lasting relationship a person has in their lifetimes. It is often life-changing for the sibling who is not disabled. Siblings tend to be more sensitive to others being bullied, more empathetic to people with differences, and often times go into careers…

November is National Entrepreneur Month. The Art of Autism is focused on autistic entrepreneurs and organizations that assist them. As part of this series of blogs I had a chance to talk with Jenny Anderson, Director of Celebrate Edu, a nonprofit which provides curricula and workshops that assist pe…

“I realized that parents are caring for their children 24 hours a day, but who is caring for them?” LisaMarie Bernardo, CLC Ron Sandison interviews Life Coach LisaMarie Bernardo who is the mom of a son on the autism spectrum. What has been your greatest challenge as a mom of a child…

“I wish people would understand that Asperger’s/Autism does not inhibit individuals from achieving their intellectual and professional potential. Autism presents significant social challenges but can also provide some key advantages such as the ability to process information more quickly, a greater …

Bryan Dunn interviews CEO and founder of uneepi, a dating service for autistics By Bryan Dunn with Keri Bowers I’m Bryan Dunn, a 38 year-old autistic with very little experience in the dating scene. In fact, I’ve had only one girlfriend. I would like to pursue a different kind of life w…

“When people read my book, will they become more understanding of those who are nonverbal? I hope so,” Kimberly Dixon, author of Under the Silence is Me, How it Feels to be Nonverbal By Ron Sandison On April 29, 1985, Jim and Marilyn Dixon were filled with joy as God blessed their family…

“We meet children where they are in order to get them where they need to be, ” Kristine Barnett By Ron Sandison On June 26, Kristen Barnett came to my parent’s house in Rochester Hills, Michigan, for the filming of  the new Laurence Becker documentary Fierce Love and Art. I was …

I am Syance and I would like to say that my experience at the California State Museum in Sacramento was a blessing and a miracle because I almost did not get to go.  When I received the email, which confirmed that the people in charge of the museum chose my artwork to be a part of this installa…

“You can conquer anything with Asperger’s and be your own boss to a healthy well balanced life,” Jeremy Samson, creator of Time to Train By Ron Sandison Research studies indicates that involvement in athletics and social activities can help children with behavioral issues decrease by 20-25% an…

“Food and art brings us together,” Covina Mayor Jorge Marquez By Debra Muzikar Covina Councilman John King and Mayor Marquez The Art of Autism is honored to be a participating group in an exhibit titled Essence: An Exhibit by Exceptional Artists held at the H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Cu…