Cross Country Runners Don’t Let Autism Slow Them Down!
December 19, 2018
Both the boys and girls cross country teams at Wells High School were Western Maine conference champions for division two this year. Two runner who helped contribute to the boys win were Matt Chase and Noah McAvoy. Cross country isn’t just about running on level ground. If you’re going to...
How to Create a Welcoming Culture for Students with Autism
December 18, 2018
When I was diagnosed with autism, at 13, at first I didn’t think anything had changed. I was still the same as I’d always been, except now I had a name for what made me different. My passions were still the same — reading, writing, art, and video games. My...
Autism Advocate Thanks Stan Lee for Including Superheroes with Autism
December 17, 2018
Autism advocate Iman Wan thanks Stan Lee, who co-created Marvel Comics, for portraying characters with autism in its comic books. Wan listed five Marvel Comics characters with autism – Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic), David Haller (Legion), Dean Boswell (Dummy), Goblyn Dean (Goblyn) and Johnny Do – on his Instagram account...
Kids With Autism, Delays More Likely to Be Overweight by Age 5: Study
December 14, 2018
Children with autism or developmental delays may be at increased risk for obesity, a new study finds. The study included nearly 2,500 2- to 5-year-olds in the United States. Of those, 668 children had autism spectrum disorder (ASD); 914 had developmental delays; and a control group of 884 children had...
An Eighth Grader with Autism Shares Her Story
December 13, 2018
Jordan Black, an eighth grader at Friedell Middle School was diagnosed with high-functioning autism after her mother and teachers noticed she was having trouble adapting socially in school. “It was to the point where I would not ask my teachers questions, when I needed them,” Black said. “I wouldn’t email...
Technology is opening doors for children on the autism spectrum
December 12, 2018
Giving a voice to children who otherwise might not be heard, everyday technology is opening doors for children on the Autism spectrum. Nine-year-old Madalyn Simon loves helping her little brother Maysen explore his place in the world, through words. “He’s just a nice person and he likes us and he’s...
Invisible women, lost girls: To be female on the autism spectrum
December 11, 2018
Nichole Lowther has heard the word her whole life. Bright, even charming, she nonetheless never felt comfortable in groups or making small talk. A hard worker, she had a tough time finding or keeping a steady job. Could it have been her unvarying wardrobe, her lack of eye contact, her...
Should I Disclose My Autism to a Prospective Employer?
December 10, 2018
If you have autism spectrum disorder, should you disclose that fact when you’re interviewing for a job? If you’ve been hired without sharing your spectrum disorder with your boss, should you tell him or her about it? For people with ASD, whether to disclose their diagnosis is a complex and deeply personal...
TRICARE looking for the right mix of therapies for children with autism
December 08, 2018
Nearly 15,000 military children with autism receive Applied Behavorial Analysis (ABA) services but TRICARE Health Plan the healthcare plan that military personnel receive, does not offer ABA services as a part of the basic benefit plan. ...
Military Child of the Year: Marine honoree active in autism awareness, anti-bullying campaigns
December 07, 2018
Joshua Frawley, honoree of Operation Homefront’s 2018 Military Child of the Year is a strong self-advocate, educating others about autism and working to prevent bullying. Joshua was honored alongside five other military children for their outstanding scholarship, volunteerism, leadership, extracurricular involvement, and other criteria while facing the challenges of military family...
December 07, 2018
In partnership with Wells Fargo, Mercyhurst University is expanding opportunities for those with diverse abilities, businesses and corporations ‘Employing Autism’. Studies are finding that pieces of the autistic brain work more efficiently than other neuro-typical individuals. Mark Biletnikoff is grateful for a hardworking employee like Zach Aleksandrowicz. Zach, who has autism, was hired at...
How one cafe is helping people with autism break into the workforce
December 06, 2018
For many people, work is taken for granted — an assumed, if not all that exciting, part of daily life, something to grumble about on Monday mornings. But for others, it’s the dream. And for many adults with developmental disabilities, especially those who have aged out of the public education system,...
