On January 9, 2016 at Autistry Studios, we met Michael, a friendly young man, who was working on a project, building a Lego MindStorm R3ptor, with an Autistry mentor. Michael’s hands were shaky and he was easily frustrated when pieces did not immediately fit together. “I can’t do this. Help me…

This next art challenge needs no introduction – artist+ mentor Joel Anderson shows kids everything they need to know in his AWESOME stop animation video. Love his work and the way he communicates. If you haven’t yet signed your kids up for the Mentorship Project, not worry! You can still sign…

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…

Kids who would usually steer clear from large crowds and/or social interaction are being brought right in the middle of it in a fun and engaging way. By Kendall Rayburn Pokémon Go is a free location-based app developed by Niantic for both iOS and Android devices. It encourages users to explore their…

Body language signals can tell if your date is bored By Engelbert Lau Based on my personal experience, dating can be challenging for someone on the autistic spectrum.  I find it very difficult to read body language.  Body language is confusing, as two people can have very different reactions to the …

Update 8/8/2016 I’m collecting favorite quotes about autism from some of my favorite people. Please share your own in the comments and if I like it, I may add it to the list. 1. “If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism,” Dr. Stephen Shore…

New Jersey program serves autistic teens and adults by Colleen Hordichuk, Art Therapist Nine years ago, I joined the staff of my local high school as a paraprofessional in a brand new Autism program. I was chosen to be part of this new team because of my background in art therapy. It didn’t ta…

Update 8/4/2016 I’m collecting favorite quotes about autism from some of my favorite people. Please share your own in the comments and if I like it, I may add it to the list. 1. “If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism,” Dr. Stephen Shore…

During my years, I had been stuck in a cycle of isolation and of desire. I’d wanted things I couldn’t have. I was invariably failing to search for things I couldn’t attain. But now, I had a means to break free from this habit. The key to liberation was within me and the first step was to accept who …

A Call for Constructive Conversations with Each Other and with Ourselves By Keri Bowers and Debra Muzikar, Co-founders, The Art of Autism A tipping point: “The moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point.” Together, we have a combined 48 years’ experience in our roles as “a…

by Debra Muzikar Editor’s Note: Normal People Scare Me Too is available for purchase on the NormalFilms website. The next screening of Normal People Scare Me Too will be on August 13 in Los Angeles. View the Channel 17 news (NBC) in Bakersfield for the screening at Inclusion Films.   It’…

Change must come from individuals choosing to make a difference for others – and for themselves. By Jonathan Andrews I was recently thrilled to find out I’d been honoured with a Community Links Bromley award for a sustained commitment to volunteering in the local community. I have worked locally for…

Maybe Eleanor would have loved to join the book club? I think about the many, many times that Eleanor has had similar things happen to her. It must shut down her self-esteem and hope, and crash her dreams of what she might want to do later in life—crashing her hope of maybe succeeding to be a doctor…

By Henny Kupferstein, M.A. Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) for autistics is based on Pavlov’s operant conditioning for dogs. In this video, you can see the lone dog waiting for permission to have fun. Watching this clip, I can almost hear the ABA kid saying, “Miss Ashley–what am I working for? Aft…