AoA Alive: Thursday, February 2, 2017 – 6:30-9:00PM PST(actual start time may vary slightly, we’ve never live streamed before). Watch AoA live on The Art of Autism’s Facebook page. In keeping with our mission to support the voices and values of autistic advocates to be at the forefront of conversat…

Buoyed by science behind neuroplasticity and how contemplative practice can alter the structure of one’s brain, I began to practice meditation religiously. By Tom Clements I was raised without religion. I don’t believe in a higher power. Throughout my life I have preferred to remain in doubt and to…

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…

“Uncertainty is one of the primary human fears,” Teal Swan By Keri Bowers Being constant as it is, the world around us is always in cyclical flux; transition; expansion; growth; change and sadly, demise and destruction all at once. We bear witness to a lot of stress and challenge, especi…

“Hiring autistic people solves many problems. It allows their skills to be utilized and takes a burden off the system,” Steve Andrews By Debra Muzikar Last month, I had the pleasure to interview Steve Andrews, founder of Platinum Bay Technologies. Over a cup of coffee he shared his story and laid ou…

The story of an Aspie who lives with his grandmother By Tom Clements Whenever I tell people I live with my grandmother, they most likely think I’m a little bit odd. And I admit, they’d be somewhat right in thinking that. At 28 years old, I most probably ought to have found a place of my own to live …

In this strange lull between the Xmas holiday and New Year’s Day, we usually drift in nostalgia and reminisce about the past year’s activities and achievements. And though there have been many wonderful accomplishments this year, we find ourselves looking forward to 2017. We are ready to…

An Irish girl on the autism spectrum has given the world a gift with her version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. Kayleigh Rodgers, a 10-year-old, who gave this knockout performance at Killard House School, a special needs school, in Donaghadee, Northern Ireland. Leonard Cohen died in November.…

Interviews with Michelle Garcia Winner and Pamela Crooke of Social Thinking® for the upcoming film, A Sound Paradigm By Keri Bowers “Based on how we process the world ~ is how we relate to the world,”  Michelle Garcia Winner Last May during our Art of Autism Hearts & Arts journey up the C…

How the Ask Amy doll changed Betty’s life By Helen Nichols For a parent, an autistic child can be its own universe with a set of laws and rules that we need to learn­­­. Nearly every action turns into a search for an alternative. Choosing a toy is no exception. Though it may seem all children …

In his December 13, 2016 Forbes blog post Michael Bernick, former California labor department director gives a good overview of the employment situation for those on the autism spectrum. At Autistry we have been working on employment for our students for many years and know how difficult it is to fi…

Update 12/12/2016 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 Sho…

“As he was telling me how cold and hungry he was, I watched as he was unable to control his hands. It was like he was playing an invisible piano…He kept staring off and would occasionally look in my direction but never at me…” My Broken Heart: The Story of The Bare-Handed Ma…

Update 12/10/2016 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 Sho…