Michael has profound autism, he is very “rain-man-ish.” In our family’s birth order, I am third and he is fourth of six. Michael and I have a very special relationship. When someone calls his group home asking for Michael, he knows it is usually our mother or me. He typically wants to talk for the…
Lately, I have been reading The Loving Push by Drs. Debra Moore and Temple Grandin. As the father of a young man (age 26) with Asperger’s Syndrome, I wish this book had existed when my son was much younger. As parents, my wife and I have worked hard to move our son forward throughout his…
When individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), their family members, and educational professionals think about the term “inclusion” and its meaning, different ideas, expectations, and concerns often result. For some, “inclusion” is synonymous with fully inclusive education alongside peers throughout the day; others may think of “inclusion” as participation with peers in some educational activities…
Deficits in speech, language, and communication are common in children with autism. The range of these challenges varies widely from failing to develop speech at all to having a large expressive vocabulary but not communicating effectively. While it is important to seek out the support of a speech-language pathologist, it is even more important to…
Deficits in speech, language, and communication are common in children with autism. The range of these challenges varies widely from failing to develop speech at all to having a large expressive vocabulary but not communicating effectively. While it is important to seek out the support of a speech-language pathologist, it is even more important to…
There are few virtues more important than independence. Universally, nations and their citizens strive for independence. Teenagers seek independence from their parents. Small children tell their parents, “I do it.” Research tells us that independence is fundamental for success, boosts confidence, reduces over-reliance on others, promotes happiness, increases a sense of accomplishment, and promotes better…
Safety is ever present in our minds in today’s world. Violence and disasters at times surround us and make us feel even more vulnerable than we already do as parents to our special children. It seems like wherever you turn, you read or hear something about chaos in the world. Like most parents, I send…
One of my all-time favorite military leaders is General Colin Powell whose lessons in leadership, selfless service, and diplomacy have helped me navigate our family journey and my own personal journey of work, advocacy, and leadership at our local, state, regional, and national level. Gen. Powell’s principles have resonated deeply with me as I work…
Autism employment initiatives are all around us. And though they are all putting forth tremendous efforts, my two favorites—New York Collaborates for Autism (NYC4A), and the new “Hire Autism” job portal from OAR—are pulling together large amounts of resources to resolve the 75 to 85 percent unemployment rate for adults on the spectrum. But when…
At age 24, our son, Matt, represents a generation of more than 500,000 U.S. children with autism entering adulthood this decade. In many ways, I’ve been planning for what happens when the school bus stops coming from the first day it arrived. Where will he live? How will he be safe? How can we be…
