As we close out 2011, it's important to circle back and recall the valuable lessons of the year so we take them with us into 2012 and apply them effectively. When I participate in conferences and other continuing education opportunities, I return with volumes of new material to consider. I have to revisit those folders […]

I had the kind of conversation last week with a mom that throws me into fits of hate and hope. She told me a sad but familiar story of a misunderstood boy who spends his recess pacing the playground perimeter because he and his peers just haven't figured out how to have successful social interactions. […]

While I am sure most people with neuro-typical development ("NTs", as they're sometimes referred to in autism circles) look forward to the holiday season, it is not always so readily welcomed by those experiencing the world with autism.  And if you're the host/-ess of this year's festivities and you have a family member with autism […]

Last week's blog posting was more timely than I even thought.  The next day, an article about the benefits of peer education regarding autism was published in Disability Scoop, an online news service.  The piece was written regarding a study as published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.  I remember reading about this […]

(adapted from our Feb. 2010 newsletter) As we talk with parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their teachers, we are often asked a form of the following question: “Is it a good idea to share the student’s disability with his/ her classmates?” Teachers cannot share that information by law, as it violates the student’s privacy. Parents are often concerned the […]

First, a warm welcome to our new friends we met at the OCALI Conference and Exposition in Columbus, Ohio, last week!  Whether you came by our booth, attended our breakout, and/or purchased one or both of our DVDs, we appreciate your interest in creating a culture of acceptance at your school. This is a great […]

We hope you'll drop in at Steinhafels (Waukesha, I-94 and Cty. Rd. F) on Sunday, Nov. 20th, from 2:30 - 5 p.m., for an afternoon of shopping and socializing -- all for a good cause!  Your favorite home-based vendors including Lia Sophia, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, PartyLite, Pepper it Up, Tastefully Simple, Tupperware, and Uppercase […]

Coconuts and pineapple are probably not as appealing right now as pumpkins and cranberries, but think February, when team registration will begin for our 4th annual Hoa Aloha Autism Awareness Bowling Event. I don't know about you, but I'll be ready for a taste of the tropics during that home stretch of winter. And Good […]

When Chelsea received the call in June that she and Denise had won the Autism Society Media Excellence in Video, Print or News Award for Choosing To Be a GFF, she ran around breathless.  Especially considering the other huge contributions to the field this past year, namely HBO's original movie Temple Grandin and Academy Award-winning […]