With schools starting earlier and earlier, summers are getting shorter and shorter. And this one was certainly fast and furious. But we managed many new projects, exciting excursions, and the launch of two new programs. The Autistry Comprehensive Adult Program (ACAP) began this summer. ACAP is comp…

By Mari-Anne Kehler What do you get when you fall in love? As Dionne Warwick sang: “You only get lies and pain and sorrow. So far at least, until tomorrow, I’ll never fall in love again.”* Another school year ends, and I’m reminded of the endless cycle of heartbreak. “Why is mom wiping her eyes?! Wh…

“The best way to have a career you love is if YOU are dedicated to the hard work it will take,” Angela Felice Mahoney, designer of I Can Work curriculum By Ron Sandison As a young adult with autism my greatest struggle was gainful employment. After I graduated with my Master of Divinity,…

“Empowering your young person is the key to giving them the skills they need to live an independent life. If you do things for them that they could learn or even do for themselves by themselves, then you are DISEMPOWERING your young person,” Tom Iland By Debra Muzikar What is your first…

“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 …

“Synchronicity is evident when a Life is ABLAZE with ReFIREment,”  Laurence A. Becker By Ron Sandison On March 22, I was delighted as I opened a letter from Dr. Laurence A. Becker founder of Creative Learning Environments and the producer of With Eyes Wide Open, a documentary film of the life …

By Ron Sandison Last week at the Milestones 15th Annual Autism Conference in Cleveland, Ohio, my wife Kristen and I were on a panel with three other couples, discussing, “Love and Marriage on the Spectrum.” During this event, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Fred Volkmar, Professor of Child Psychi…

Today I watched the video below of a Dad from Malaysia and his son Luqman. The video is their story and brought tears to my eyes (or as my son Kevin would say – “your eyes are getting juicy mom“). The Art of Autism wishes a Happy Father’s Day to all the great dad’s out…

Autistic Pride Day is June 18, 2017 Autistic Pride Day, an Aspies for Freedom initiative, is a celebration of the neurodiversity of people on the autism spectrum on June 18 each year.  Autistic pride recognizes the innate potential in all people, including those on the autism spectrum.&nbs…

“Often a person with a disability is not even seen as a person except as a recipient, a beneficiary, a consumer, a client, a caseload number, or someone who simply and constantly needs help … not a person who needs and wants a life like anyone else – love, happiness, and joy…” Marty Omoto By D…

“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…

Update 05/17/2017 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…

During their eight road trips Tyler discovered his father’s unconditional love. Ron learned that Tyler was wired neurologically different—he would have to rewire himself to fit Tyler’s unique mind and interests. By Ron Sandison Ron and his wife Lori noticed during elementary school their son Tyler’s…

May is Mental Health Month. The Art of Autism throughout May would like to focus on stories about those with dual diagnoses. By Jeanette Purkis I have a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Condition and atypical schizophrenia. In my 42 years I have accessed a large number of publicly and privately funde…