Has autism spectrum disorder touched your life? Given the current statistics from the CDC, (1 in 59) it is quite possible your child, relative, neighbor, or you yourself have connections to this disorder. If autism is personal, action must follow. Changing the world, including its level of awareness, understanding, and inclusion, takes thoughtful and unified steps. And passion. Though I am far from a professional advocate, I have learned much from my year as an Autism Speaks Volunteer Advocacy Ambassador. Here are my tips for becoming an … [Read more...]
LEGOLAND Florida Kicks Off Autism Awareness Month
I made my first trip to LEGOLAND Florida Resort last March, and I can't tell you how impressed I was; this clean, colorful, kid-centric haven was so much more than I expected. From its very manageable size, to its adorably-themed Lands (DUPLO Valley for small fries and LEGO NINJAGO World for those ninjas-in-training, for example), to the onsite, "5-Gazillion Star" LEGOLAND Hotel, this resort truly feels like it was "built for kids." ALL kids. Every shape, size, age, and ability. If you have followed by blog, you might know I have a deep … [Read more...]
Meet One Person with Autism
** UPDATED April 6, 2018 As the saying appropriately goes, "if you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism." Meet my son Devin. If you read my blog you know him well. He is the reason this blog exists. Born in 1993, he is a child of the pre-Autism Speaks age. Before we were fluent in internet searches for resources, research and direction, families like mine were on our own. Pediatricians who discounted boys as "slow" and persnickety learners were aplenty. Early intervention programs were scarce and … [Read more...]
Why I Team Up! with Autism Speaks
** Updated February 25th, 2015 for the 10th anniversary of Autism Speaks Running with my boy in tow. It's personal. With the recent, (and to most of us not unexpected), announcement by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention that in 2008 one child in 88 received an autism spectrum diagnosis (in 2015, that number has increased to 1 in 66), it confirms that few Americans have been left untouched by this prevalent disorder. If you are among the now millions of parents in this country with a child on the spectrum, … [Read more...]