Discussing Autism

When you take a drug to treat high blood pressure or diabetes, you have an objective test to measure blood pressure and the amount of sugar in the blood. It is straight-forward. With autism, you are looking for changes in behavior.
Temple Grandin

Many Special Education Students are in great need of a teacher’s assistant not only because of their specific needs but also because of the impact they have upon the everyday classroom. When we revised our son’s Individualized Education Plan for next year we tried to “fight” for a Teacher’s Assistant (TA) but they did not want to provide him with one because his IEP for next year is extensive and the classroom he will be in is much more conducive to his needs. (more…)

One of my favorite reads, Mommy Dearest, wrote Saturday about her Aha Moment, the moment you most remember after receiving your child’s diagnosis.

When did you finally accept the diagnosis or have you not accepted it yet? I remember sitting on the living room couch, talking to my husband about how our son would never be attending prom or playing in Little League Baseball with the other children in the neighborhood. He would never be watching a girl walk down the isle or give birth to a child and he would never experience life like we have…with the “traditional” rites of passage. (more…)

Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in our nation.
Mary Bono

April is Autism Awareness Month and by now EVERYONE knows that. It is only April 4th but it is ALL over the news, all over the blogs, all over the world. Autism is being celebrated. Children with autism are being thrown in front of cameras and microphones. Reporters are taking advantage of the autism news at their fingertips, autism bloggers not withstanding. Money is being raised in the name of autism. (more…)

Autism Speaks, in conjunction with the United Nations General Assembly, created the first annual World Autism Awareness Day. The day, April 2, is supposed to be utilized to educate, make people aware, and celebrate autism. (more…)

Autism the Musical is finally hitting the television screens! HBO premiered the riveting musical March 25th and the DVD is available now for pre-order.

But what is the big deal about this film? Well, it’s the first of it’s kind. It follows five Los Angeles children with autism over the course of six months and captures their struggles and triumphs. (more…)

Last year at this time I was just starting my blogging, just starting to find my way around the blogosphere, and just starting to navigate through the autism blogs. In the past year I have come to know some of you through your words and have felt your pain and joys. I have lived your lives with you as you journey through the same abyss that we do; special education and doctor’s offices.

Just like I did on A Child Chosen, I have created the Best of the Best; Autism Blogs because I think you all need recognition for what you do. You are the best writers, parents, and advocates that the autism community has.
(more…)