Summer is here! Before I tell you about the great summer program at Autistry I want to celebrate and congratulate our students who have successfully found employment. This is a tough job market where even entry level positions often require college degrees. Though Autistry does not formally provide …

“Be thankful for autism. God shines brightest in weakness, and it comes with strengths that enable us to fill certain job roles better than others would (a talent, if you will).” Peter Lantz By Ron Sandison Recently I had the opportunity to interview Peter Lantz about his career creating…

Why I paint and share rocks and shells I have hand-painted By Denise Angele Some people think rock painting is silly; some have criticized it as graffiti; some just collect some of the wonderful art of others; some play the game and rehide, some are given as gifts. Rocks are not really damaged, even…

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The Art of Autism is focusing on blogs of those who have a dual-diagnosis. By Jacqueline Lee At the beginning of January, I started two government internships concurrently. The first internship was a paid one which essentially laid me off once they were done – w…

“Rather than healing our child of his developmental disability, God healed me of my spiritual disability,” Diane Dokko, author of Unbroken Faith: Spiritual Recovery for the Special Needs Parents By Ron Sandison Diane Dokko Kim felt devastated when her son Jeremy at 18 months was diagnos…

**NATIONAL CASTING SEARCH** TV SHOW PILOT Searching for an actress who is 18+ and on the autism spectrum for a leading role in a new Freeform television pilot. If you or someone you know fits the following description and is interested in submitting a self-taped audition, follow the instructions be…

By Austin John Jones Last time I talked about an “Over-Fascination with Certain Subjects That Everyone Else Thinks Are Dumb Or Pointless.” Another thing like that is when you do things over and over again. A lot. Getting up in the morning, taking your medication, listening to the same song over and…

A story of accompanying my younger brother to his Senior Prom. By Elizabeth Osborn He wags his tail when he’s happy … my 17-year old brother that is. He has Asperger Syndrome. He’s a Senior in High School and I know he’s happy when he wags his tail like our puppy dog. His smile is so big that …

By Ryan Smoluk I have always been fascinated by the National Geographic magazine. The photographs are amazing. It helped to connect me to the world around me. That was back in the days before the internet. Looking back now I understand that the magazine helped develop my artistic ability and encoura…

Update 4/24/2018 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 Shor…

Ian’s Reading Circle April is Autism Acceptance Month. I’m not sure what that means as I can’t imagine not accepting autism as a way of being, a way of experiencing the world. But I also know that many individuals need help along the way. Please take some time this month (and every…

By Austin John Jones Austin: “Alright everybody, time to feel excited! And I mean, REALLY EXCITED!” Audience: “About what Austin?!” Austin: “About WHAAAALES!!! WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAALES!!!!!” Audience: “Uh…what?” Have you ever been in this situation? Have you ever felt like you were talking an alien lang…

The Art of Autism has curated an exhibit at Sophie’s Kensington gallery. Sophie’s Gallery is a division of St. Madeline’s in El Cajon. Yesterday Allie Wagner of KUSI interviewed Art of Autism President and co-founder Keri Bowers and others who were part of the exhibit including art…

By Stephie King I was going stir crazy as usual. I needed an outlet. My modus operandi was to be emotional while having no outlet and to seek emotionlessness in thought. I stifled myself until I couldn’t handle stress. Usually I would cry. I used to cry all day. This went on for years. Over se…