Nine-year-old Thomais wrote and illustrated her own book, “The Story Of Thomias” (www.autismhappykingdom.com), proving that a little girl on the autism spectrum can express deep emotions. Yadira, Thomais’ mom and Thomais want to show other children with autism that they are not alone and can e…

Disability Rights are Human Rights The United Nations has proclaimed December 3 as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Today there are over 7 billion people on the planet. 15 percent of those people have a disability which makes over 1 billion people with disabilities. According to t…

In the last five years, 8-year old Sofia has spent over 10,000 hours drawing. Sofia Drawing By Debra Muzikar A portrait submission was made to the Art of Autism this week which I found quite compelling. The portraits had animated expressions and jumped off the screen. Imagine my surprise when I disc…

Autism Sonata by Neena Wagh A world viewed with squinted eyes different sounds howling in the ears spinning and swirling like a derwish, laughing at me, laughing with me, a mystery waiting to be unfold, catch me..catch me if you can, breathless, I am caught unaware! making sense of things beyond me,…

Many people on the autism spectrum need a family member or a job coach to help facilitate successful employment. By Janice Killey Entering the workforce can be an exciting, yet challenging time for anyone who hasn’t done it before. However, when you’ve been diagnosed with autism it can be even more …

“When I feel movement, I feel peaceful. Numbers make me feel peaceful. The words I want to replace them with are better things. Please do not ask me any more questions because they are too ridiculous to ask. I like how the words sound,” Sammy Austin Peace House By Sammy Austin I gotta shake shake sh…

A disputed theory works for Zach, who has autism By Chris Martin, Unrestricted Interest I hear the familiar Skype jingle and accept the call. Zach’s pixilated face comes into focus and I see Larysa, his devoted and talented facilitator, next to him. His fingers are busy with colorful beads, like the…

“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…

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“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…

Many a passer-by has sneered, “Hey, buddy, that dog’s walking you! You’re the boss! Take control!” By Nils Skudra Years ago my beloved service animal, a bichon frise named Beauregard (after the same guy who ordered the firing of the first shots on Fort Sumter) succumbed to renal failure. When I grad…

The Art of Autism is saddened to hear of Jackson Wheeler’s passing. The Art of Autism honored Jackson Wheeler last year with a Hearts and Arts Award. Jackson Wheeler was a great friend of people with disabilities. He was a social worker for thirty years for Tri-Counties Regional Center and d…

I was not part of her inner circle but she was in my heart and I got to thank her a month ago and tell her I loved her. —she was genuine, a true teacher to so many. And giving. By Kimberly Gerry-Tucker The following is an excerpt from my book, with some changes. *** I was taming a steaming pot of w…

In October returning from a suspension from kicking a teacher, John Benjamin told his mom, “I don’t want to go back to school—I don’t like working with my paraprofessional. He pinches me hard, driving his nails into me and treats me like I am a little kid.” A few weeks ago a news story about a 10-y…