Since autism has no physical manifestation it’s hard to know that this child in the middle of a meltdown is autistic. By Tulika Prasad A few days back while I was browsing the aisles of a store my nine-year-old son brushed against another customer. I was hoping it wouldn’t be a big deal but sh…

In 2017, the Social Stories Spectrum Project provided a structured opportunity for high-functioning verbal young adults (ages 18-25) with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to meet up with their peers and practice social skills, participate in organized trips to seven museums in Balboa Park, and work…

Wendy describes the challenges for someone on the autism spectrum for what many would call a simple outing. By Wendi E. Powers Going out in public is always an adventure for those of us on the autism spectrum.  While I can’t speak for the others, I can share a personal example.  Just…

Austin shares what it is like to have a panic attack and wants others to share their experiences. By Austin John Jones What I am about to talk about I think is a very personal experience for me. However, I want to tell you about it because I know I can’t be the only person on earth who has felt this…

How an accidental brush by an autistic savant with a silent movie classic has changed one of the world’s most recognizable films into Hollywood’s first 3D motion picture. By Carl Hernz For those not familiar with the ways of children with autism, a toy in our hands can all too often serve its …

Joshua Perry has been inspired by his brother Jahred who is on the autism spectrum. After six concussions Joshua Perry, the Seahawks linebacker, at age 24 has decided to leave football. On the Today show this morning he talked about his career in football and his brother with Aspergers. Jahred Perr…

Mozart and the Whale is a film adapted from Jerry Newport and Mary Newport’s autobiographical book Mozart and the Whale: An Asperger’s Love Tale. By Nils Skudra I first watched the 2005 film Mozart and the Whale several years ago and have since viewed it numerous times. I just saw it aga…

by Pam Urfer (commentary by Kimberly Gerry-Tucker after) Not much was known about Autism in 1942, the year I was born. Nor in 1952, when I was 10. Nor in 1962, when I was 20. I’m not sure what symptoms I displayed as a child, whether or not I spoke late, or potty trained late, or disliked being touc…

“…if you want to LIVE TO YOUR FULLEST POTENTIAL, and live a good life that you can die being happy with, you need to put yourself out there. You need to interact.” By Austin John Jones Socializing can be difficult for people on the spectrum. Ever had those moments where you want to…

why I’m no longer employed By an anonymous female on the autism spectrum Sorry, I had to title my first AOA blog with my favorite saying from the King’s Quest video game series. In game VII a very ugly (to some) troll asks the beautiful Princess Rosella for a kiss. Upon rejection his rep…

By Ryan Smoluk My art exhibit (Reflections at Great West Life) came to an end June 6th. It was well received and I met some nice people. Thank God for the 2 strong women in my life, my Mom and my sister Lisa. They helped dismantle all my art, pack it up and lug it over to my studio. I love them dea…

Update 6/27/2018 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…

Tom visits Autsit in Lake Tahoe Tom Iland It feels great to get back into blogging again! I recently had one of the most enlightening and empowering experiences of my life and I want to tell YOU all about it so you might be enlightened and empowered, too! For the past three years, I’ve been attendin…

How does it make you feel to know you are different from others? By Austin John Jones You ever feel like a black sheep in a flock of regular sheep? You ever feel like a zebra in a group of horses? You ever feel like you know you are the same as everyone else, but you just still feel different from e…