Year: 2023

“Drinking diet soda during pregnancy linked to autism,” the New York Post and other media outlets similarly declared last month, after the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio put out a press release that touted new findings by some of its researchers. According to the study, boys whose mothers reported drinking diet…

I never wanted you, yet here you are. Over the years we’ve grown to have a love-hate-love relationship. You’re always at the forefront of our lives. You and all your comorbidity friends; ADHD, anxiety, ticks, eating struggles, language delays, epilepsy and intellectual disability. Just to name a few. So many days I just want to…

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that health care entities provide full and equal access for people with disabilities. Physicians must diagnose and treat such individuals, even though they receive little or no training in medical school. It’s tricky when the patient cannot convey where it hurts or describe their pain and may refuse…

LOS ANGELES — The orchestra tuned as the last musicians ambled into Schoenfeld Hall at the University of Southern California. On a muggy Sunday afternoon in September, they were rehearsing a new symphony, “Unforgettable Sunrise,” by an unknown local composer. Conductor Daniel Newman-Lessler snapped them all to attention: Today they’d run through the symphony’s second…

I have talked about autism classroom design a lot on this blog and this podcast. And that’s because I truly believe that getting the classroom setup well makes a world of difference throughout the year with student engagement and behavior. The troubleshooting part of autism classroom design is one of the most important, because, trust…

The orchestra tuned as the last musicians ambled into Schoenfeld Hall at USC. On a muggy Sunday afternoon in September, they were rehearsing a new symphony, “Unforgettable Sunrise,” by an unknown local composer. Conductor Daniel Newman-Lessler snapped them all to attention: Today they’d run through the symphony’s second movement, “Page Turner.” “This is more like…

In an increasingly digital world, e-safety has emerged as a paramount concern for parents. Ensuring the online security and well-being of our children has become an essential part of modern parenting. The internet offers a wealth of opportunities for learning, socialising, and entertainment, but it also presents potential risks and challenges. As parents, it is…

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with my 23-year-old autistic son, Gavin, for a deeply personal conversation. We delve into his aspirations, hopes, and vision for independence. Gavin’s insights not only shed light on his unique journey but also resonate universally, offering inspiration to all. Join us as we uncover the profound meaning of…

The four candidates running for two at-large seats on the Aspen School District Board of Education discussed how they would address affordable housing and school safety for district employees in a candidate forum on Tuesday night. Housing for district staff is a top priority for the candidates running for school board as available units are…

A missing nonverbal boy with autism was found dead just a day after he disappeared from his home. 3-year-old Jermaine Jones from Watertown Township, Michigan, went missing at around 2 pm on Monday after walking out of his home on S. Bauer Road while his babysitter was showering. After the unfortunate incident, a massive search…