Category Archives: Opinion

Spotlight on Law Enforcement and Autism

By Nicole Simpson | Published: March 18, 2011

I’d like to believe that police officers have good intentions and are able to make morally sound decisions when dealing with the public. Police departments across the country are taking steps to both protect the community as well as the impaired individual. The International Association of Chiefs of Police made interactions with individuals with autism their main topic of discussion during their 2010 summit.

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Posted in Opinion | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Some Thoughts on Emotional Communication in Asperger’s Syndrome

By Amanda Deering | Published: March 7, 2011

People with AS also understand emotions differently. While a typical person can quickly perceive sadness, anger, and happiness, some with AS find these emotions more difficult to comprehend. The identification of emotions may take longer, making communication more difficult. But in no way does this difference exclude them from feeling emotion.

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Posted in Opinion | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments

Dr. Oz and the “Autism Show”

By Shannon Penrod | Published: February 22, 2011

However, the show did a fairly decent job of representing the problem. The vast majority of the scientists and pediatricians repeated the party line that “science has already proven that vaccinations do not cause autism” while a group of frustrated parents eloquently but emotionally expressed the fact that the studies have not been exhaustive and have not taken individual children into consideration.

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Also posted in Autism Events | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Pennsylvania Bus Driver Accused of Threatening a 9-Old Autistic Boy with a Crowbar

By Nicole Simpson | Published: February 18, 2011

In December 2010, a 46-year-old male bus driver in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania threatened a 9-year-old autistic child. The incident was recorded on surveillance video. He said to the child, “If you don’t shut your beehive mouth up, I’m going to kill you with this crowbar.” The West Mifflin school district superintendent, Dr. Sardon, called the situation “appalling.” Are you kidding me? How did this guy fool people into hiring him? I myself, find it “appalling” that children were exposed to this bus driver on a daily basis. Charges are pending against the driver, who no longer drives for the West Mifflin school district.

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Also posted in PR and News | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Bill Gates Calls the Autism-Vaccine Link “An Absolute Lie.”

By Nicole Simpson | Published: February 14, 2011

Bill Gates wants to make polio the first disease to be eliminated worldwide. This is quite admirable, and is not the first (or the last) time the Gates Foundation has committed to a worthy cause—especially since they allocate over $1.5 billion per year towards national and global causes aimed at helping the weak and disadvantaged.

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Perfect Movie Experience for Children with Autism

By Amanda Deering | Published: February 9, 2011

‘Star Wars’, ‘Back to the Future’, and ‘Wizard of Oz’ were a few of my favorite movies as a kid. There is no avoiding the fact that these movies are best watched at the theater. There is something about watching a movie on a big screen, with great sound effects and being able to share this experience with a crowd that make you feel you are part of the movie.

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What’s the Deal with Autistic Kids and Thomas the Tank Engine?

By Nicole Simpson | Published: February 1, 2011

So, it seems to me that children love Thomas the Tank because the characters remind them of themselves, which makes perfect sense to me. Any parents have any firsthand experience with this?

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Posted in Opinion | Tagged , , , | 20 Comments

The First Person Diagnosed with Autism

By Marlena Smith | Published: January 31, 2011

Little else was known about Donald Triplett, until Donvan and Zucker’s article. In the article, the authors reveal various details about Donald’s life. For instance, at age 18 Donald was offered a part in Hungarian hypnotist Franz Polgar’s act to showcase his ability to multiply large numbers in his head.

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Family Vacations and Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

By Marlena Smith | Published: January 19, 2011

Some of my greatest childhood memories are from family vacations. My mom and I have ridden on horseback down the Haleakala Crater in Maui, explored the Chichen Itza Mayan ruins in Mexico, and marveled at the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. However, along with all the excitement of traveling comes a great deal of stress. From checking bags and navigating through airport security to enduring flight delays and long layovers, traveling can be a real hassle. And while most people find traveling stressful, it can be especially difficult for families of children with autism.

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Defining Autism

By Suzanne Oshinsky | Published: December 30, 2010

Some common signs of autism are difficulty communicating, lack of social skills, and repetitive behavior. [1] Remove the word autism from that sentence and those descriptions define most artists. There is an iconic, preconceived notion associated with artists labeled as genius. As they are consumed by their practice and their unique vision of the world, [...]

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