The first in a Continuing Series of Peaceful Art and Poems Compiled by Keri Bowers with contributions by Anthony Brown, Chimezie Ihekuna, Scott Lentine, Maranda Russell, Wells Denison, Eileen Ithra Sobora “Negative words carry negative vibration. Positive words carry positive vibration. What do you …

The Companion Guide for Smile & Succeed for Teens By Debra Muzikar I reviewed Smile & Succeed for Teens about 18 months ago. Last month I received another copy in the mail along with a new companion Parent’s Guide for the original book. I highly recommend these books for not only tee…

By Erica Francis Kids on the autism spectrum are kids first; they like to play like most kids do. The difference is in the way they sometimes play. Because the diagnosis of autism covers a full spectrum, no two kids will behave exactly the same but there are often some characteristics many of them h…

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…

“My drawing skill developed from a desire to reach a common ground of understanding with people. Watching people speak with the ease of just a few words combined with innuendo and body language has always been a mystery to me,” Steve Selpal (1950 – 2017) By Debra Muzikar and Keri B…

“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…

“Sibtain taught me to love my life. He has taught me to be thankful and to stop complaining because darkness leads to light… always!” By Bushra Junejo Sibtain is my little brother diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. That’s his basic description. The answer to the question ‘who is Sibta…

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,…

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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…

“We have spent so much time arguing about this and that that we can’t agree on anything. And agreement is the only way to make change.” By Carly Fulgham In February I wrote a blog about the words that matter. Frustrated at all the time I saw being spent around words that don’…

“…while it might seem that my son is in his own world, he is actually in two worlds, theirs and his, aware, conscious, and observant of both simultaneously.” by Erik Raschke and K. Kristiaan (instagram.com/K.Kristiaan) My ten year-old son cannot read, nor write, nor count higher th…

Inspired by an autistic sister Sasha Brathwaite has created a unique program using drumming and movement. By Ron Sandison Sasha Brathwaite, founder of Let’s Jam Percussive & Creative Movement Program has contributed to her community for years through her therapeutic, music-based program for ind…