“We are truly blessed to be James’ parents as we learn more about Autism and focus on his needs every day,” Senator Michael Webber By Ron Sandison Michigan State Senator Michael Webber and I went to high school together at Rochester Adams. We both are advocates for the autism community. While runnin…

“I have what’s kind of a stereotypical autistic memory for details and facts, which has been helpful in different ways as a priest.” Matthew Schneider By Ron Sandison Father Matthew P. Schneider has over 65,000 followers between Twitter and Instagram and is completing a doctorate in moral theo…

By Ron Sandison Father’s Day is especially meaningful to me as a dad with autism, I try not to take the responsibility for granted with my hectic schedule of writing and speaking. When I was diagnosed with autism at age seven the experts informed my parents I would probably never get married and ha…

Tal Anderson plays the character Sid on the Netflix original series Atypical. By Ron Sandison My favorite Netflix original series is Atypical. I love watching Keir Gilchrist portray Sam Gardner, a young adult with Asperger’s. I was excited to interview Tal Anderson, a young adult actress with autism…

El Dolor del Ruido By Alan Robinson Duele cualquier palabra, prefiero el silencio duele el pasado, necesito el silencio duele el futuro, deseo el silencio duele toda conversación… soy el silencio.   Aturden, los oídos zumban, nubes en mi mirada celeste vientos en mis oídos subterráneos   …

“I’m often the first to hear alarms. I can differentiate sounds quickly and more easily. My sensitivity to touch helps with palpation during a nurse exam. I can feel if something is different or off.” An interview with Ron Sandison Like many women, Nurse Jackie Anne Blair was diagnosed w…

“No diagnostic manual can truly explain the multi-faceted experience of autism,” Elisabeth Wiklander By Ron Sandison Elisabeth Wiklander was raised in a musically talented family. Her dad is a pianist, organist, and composer and mom a conductor, singer, and clarinetist. When Elisabeth w…

By Dana Trick Sinking like a stone— You’re human, Not a rock, And you have the limbs to Swim towards the surface. Curiosity killed the cat— There are trillions of things that could have Killed the cat as well as you. Why do you promote foolish ignorance When knowledge is essential? Blind as a bat—…

As art and music is being excluded form more and more schools it pains me to know that others might not get the opportunity to express themselves through their artistic and musical abilities. By Nick Gustafson As long as I could remember words were always trapped inside my head. I was always the qu…

Brittany is currently ranked #1 for Special Olympic female tennis players in the world and is a professional tennis player. By Ron Sandison Twenty-eight year old Brittany Tagliareni (5′2″ & 103 pounds) is a little powerhouse on the tennis court. She has won over 100 medals and beat many of the t…

“I want to see a world where people with disabilities achieving things is a norm rather than an exception. It isn’t a surprise when you see a person with autism practicing law or doing something amazing in the world.” By Ron Sandison This last June I met Haley Moss at the Milestone Autism Conferenc…

Practice makes perfect. This adage applies to artist Joel Anderson.A highlight of the Mozart & The Mind Symposium June 1 in San Diego was seeing Temple Grandin emerge on canvas before our eyes. It looks effortless but Joel Anderson has been honing his Temple Grandin portrait skills for months …

“The repetitiveness of baseball and the repetitiveness of autism go hand in hand.” Reggie Sanders, Kansas City Royals By Ron Sandison Nadia Khalil who was the parent of a two-year-old daughter, Sarene, knew her younger child Tarik’s milestones were delayed. Tarik unlike his sister…

“When I step on the ice, I feel clarity and my worries disappear,” Walker Aurand By Ron Sandison Walker Aurand, a natural on ice, began skating at the age of two. When his dad took him to the rink for open skate, he was astonished to see his two year old son skating without any training…