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Some Thoughts on Emotional Communication in Asperger’s Syndrome

There is a common misconception that individuals with Asperger’s syndrome (AS) are incapable of showing or feeling emotion. A.J. Mahari, an author and woman with AS, elaborates on this misconception by explaining that the problem is not feeling emotion, b... Read >

Anxiety in Autism: Exposing a New Treatment Method

Roughly three weeks ago, I received a lengthy message in my Inbox. I subscribe to a lot of autism groups on Facebook so every now and then I’ll receive an e-blast or newsletter from one of them. This one message in particular was a suitable candidate for ... Read >

Elaine Hall, The Miracle Project, and Crossing the Autism Barrier

Most of this blog’s readership is likely already familiar with the Miracle Project, a theater and film arts program for children with special needs and their typically developing siblings and peers. The program gained special attention from the autism com... Read >

Preference for Geometric Patterns Identified as a Possible Early Sign of Autism

In a recent study, Dr. Karen Pierce and colleagues identified preference for geometric patterns over social images as a possible early risk factor for the development of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The identification of early signs of ASD is crucial ... Read >

Disqualified From The Dating Game: Epilogue

The guidelines to love are thought to be too complex to be simplified in eight steps, especially if presented by someone once deficient in the social curriculum of behavioral development. Yet somehow, I’ve managed to pull off this incredible feat. As ment... Read >

Dr. Oz and the

Dr. Mehmet Oz recently recorded a full-hour show which featured the topic “What Causes Autism" in a town hall format. Among the people in the audience were parents of children with autism, parents of children under the age of two who are concerned about a... Read >

Effective Treatment for Autism

My son was diagnosed with autism on a cold and cloudy day in January 2006. The elderly developmental pediatrician glared at me over the top of her glasses and uttered the word I had hoped not to hear. “Autism," she said in clipped tone. It was clearly a w... Read >

Disqualified From The Dating Game: Part One

With Valentine’s Day approaching, a lot of guys my age are planning special occasions for their wives or girlfriends, and I sure hope for their sake that they put a little more effort into this special day by avoiding the usual flowers and chocolates. For... Read >

Is Autism Really An Epidemic?

"I'll call a kid a zebra if it will get him the educational services I think he needs." Judith Rapoport, National Institute of Mental Health Psychiatrist The incidence of autism today has, indisputably, reached epidemic proportions—but is it actually... Read >

The Autism Accessibility Program

As I surf the web for the latest news concerning autism, I try to keep an eye out for articles describing new programs developed to better accommodate children with autism and their families. To me, such programs signify an increase in autism awareness an... Read >

GROWING UP WITH ASPERGERS—A SIBLING SPECULATES

Ever since I started working for an autism clinic ten years ago, learning about autism spectrum disorders through virtual osmosis, I began to think back on growing up with my younger brother. He seemed to exhibit symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome. Asperger... Read >

What's The Deal With Autistic Kids And Thomas Tank Engine

I keep hearing about Thomas Tank Engine and its appeal for children with autism, and have noticed that there are a lot of different opinions on why autistic children love Thomas Tank Engine and his friends. Personally, I’m a little scared of Thomas Tan... Read >

2011 Changes in Insurance Coverage of ABA Therapy for Autism

This month marks an exciting change in insurance coverage for applied behavior analysis therapy in the treatment of autism for many states. Starting on the first of the year, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, Kentucky a... Read >

The First Person Diagnosed With Autism

This week a friend of mine gave me a back issue of The Atlantic, which he had swiped from the magazine rack in his dentist’s office. While flipping through the magazine, my friend came across an article he thought would interest me. The article appears in... Read >

Memories: The Ties That Bind

My dad will be visiting me for the weekend. I’ll meet him shortly after his plane lands at Bob Hope Airport. With a sharp smile and silver hair at 61, this year is destined to be a very happy and exciting period in his life. Just announcing his retirement... Read >