When I was in high school, it was always marked by the same ritual: Students would buy red, pink, and/or white carnations at lunchtime all through the previous week, and the flowers were presented to their starry-eyed recipients in homeroom on Valentine’s Day morning. Year after year, I watched other girls receive two, three, or…
Difficulty with social skills and trouble developing and maintaining meaningful relationships are known to be a central issue for those on the autism spectrum. Romantic relationships in particular may be challenging, with the majority of adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) living without a romantic partner. Despite the myth that people with ASD are less…
Aaron Greene is a senior at Beachwood High School in Beachwood, Ohio. He is active in the marching band and enjoys playing music in his free time. Aaron participates in many community activities and enjoys spending time in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, where he hopes to live as an adult. He aspires to work in the…
Eric Chessen, M.S., is the founder of Autism Fitness. nexercise physiologist with an extensive background in applied behavior analysis, Chessen has been developing and implementing successful fitness programs for people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) for more than a decade. He provides seminars and staff development across the United States and consults with parents and…
This month’s Perspective columnist is Dr. Temple Grandin. Dr. Grandin is a designer of livestock handling facilities and an Associate Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. Facilities she has designed are located in the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries. In North America, almost half of the cattle…
Transitions can be challenging for everyone because they represent a change from one activity, event, phase, or even different stages of the lifespan cycle. Most people have the benefit of being able to prepare for most changes by thinking them through or having access to resources enabling them to make these transitions. However, sensory distortions…
