Resilience is a key strength for autistic people. By Catherine Londero I was once told by a preschool assistant that “your son needs to work on his resilience.” I couldn’t disagree more. It struck me that so often autistic people, particularly children, are judged by their behaviour. A meltdown is often mistaken for a tantrum.
By Dennis Procopio “Dennis, please just get in the f***ing car.” This was my mother, pleading with her 9-year-old son to sit in a friend’s car which had crushed velvet seats. I wouldn’t. I couldn’t. It felt…. unbearable. As she herself was diagnosed with a laundry list of clinical diagnoses including borderline personality disorder (BPD)
By Dr. Daniela Araujo Prince Charming is known in Spanish as Blue Prince, and so this story begins. It’s said that there was a Blue Prince. It’s said he was polite and had good manners. However, his days hadn’t been always simple. Since being a child he had to understand the gaudy colors in the
Jake By Sanchia Storey My life is uncomplicated, black, and white. I don’t speak in forked tongue, Hide meanings behind tones, I give the bare bones. Never hide behind lies and hidden truths just to be liked. I am really me, No ego to feed, All to see. Naked to the eye I say what
Michelle Goering “Let’s just drive over there, okay?” My nineteen-year-old had been trying to find a way to visit his high school. He’d last been there in March of 2020, a senior in his last semester. Looking back at my Google calendar for March 2020, I see nothing special noted on Friday the 13th. But
Areva Martin is an award-winning attorney, best-selling author, legal commentator, talk show host, and a critical voice for social justice. By Ron Sandison Areva Martin has a son Marty who has autism. I interviewed Areva Martin for Black History Month because her advocacy for Marty reminded me of my own mom. When I was diagnosed
By Danyale Sturdivant When my son Joshua was born, I cannot begin to tell you how happy I was! I had watched video’s and read books and was so “prepared”! I had everything down and was excited to take on this new venture. As life would have it, he was diagnosed with Autism at 2
By Ron Sandison Father’s Day is especially meaningful to me as a dad with autism, I try not to take the responsibility for granted with my hectic schedule of writing and speaking. When I was diagnosed with autism at age seven the experts informed my parents I would probably never get married and have a
“Ian” is a must-watch film for all students and parents. When Sheila Graschinsky saw how children treated her disabled son she became inspired to change perceptions about those with disabilities. Her son, Ian, can only talk with the help of a machine and was teased daily when he visited his rehabilitation center by children from
The greatest harm in this world is caused by lack of love, understanding and positive attention. By Kamran Amiri Our beloved 4.5-year-old son is autistic. And it has taken a huge toll on our family. Not because of how he has been affected by autism, but because of the way I was. I have been
