Autism Speaks, Community, In Their Own Words

How She Became My Teacher
A mother shares the moment when her daughter who has autism became her teacher ? and showed her that her dreams didn't die, they simply changed.
By Melissa Novak

The Disconnector
The teenage sister of a boy who has autism recounts an instance when she realized that he isn't "disconnected," but possibly more connected than the rest of us.
By Claire Savage

A Good Time to Have Autism
The mother of a young man who has Asperger's Syndrome explains how in thirty years, society has grown to appreciate the contributions of people who have autism.
By S.K. Whang

What to do After the Blackout
A mother tells how after her son was diagnosed with autism at the age of three, caring for him and adjusting to his needs became the most noble profession she could have undertaken.
By Monica Holloway

Embracing the Best Parts of Being an Aspie
An adult who has Asperger's Syndrome shares how having autism, although it has challenged him throughout his life, has greatly honed his musical, scientific, computer and mathematical skills. .
By Kenneth Whyman

Autism in Ghana – I Want My Child to be Happy
Imagine the challenges you would encounter as a parent of a child, newly diagnosed with autism, while living in Africa. A mother in Ghana shares the struggles she faced following her daughter's diagnosis and what her hopes are for the future.
By Martha Afriyie

The Silver Lining
On a 90 degree day with "1000% humidity," what would inspire someone to scrape paint off of his garage door? The father of a boy who has autism shares one of the many ways we try to re-order the world to suit our kids.
By Russ Levine

A Grandparents Day Tribute
In honor of Grandparents Day, members of our community who have a loved one with autism submitted tributes about their child's grandparent or personal experience as a grandparent of a child on the spectrum.

Walgreens – This Place Really DOES Change Everyone
An Autism Speaks volunteer shares how a visit to the Walgreens Distribution Center gave her hope that her son with autism would one day be not only gainfully employed, but accepted by his co-workers.
By Diana Yeisley

My Summer as an Autism Speaks Intern
An Autism Speaks summer intern shares her experience working on the Global Autism Public Health (GAPH) Initiative within the science department. While collecting data, she discovered the struggles that families who have a child with autism in underdeveloped regions face, further inspiring her work and passion for the cause.
By Alice Simcoe-Matthews

"Adam", a Parent's Perspective
The father of a teenager with Asperger's Syndrome shares his reaction to the film Adam, a love story about a young man who has autism. He explains how viewing the film caused him to reflect on his concerns regarding his own son's future.
By Phillip Hain

Living With Asperger's
A teenager who was recently diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome shares how although it has challenged her life, it has also positively impacted her musical talents.
By Breanna Brown

Kathryn the Great
A mother discusses the changes brought about by her teenage son's first romance. She relates that when he fell in love, her son with autism became more selfless and considerate. His relationship improved his social skills and has further motivated him to succeed in school.
By Shelley Hendrix

The Autism Scholarship
A teenager who has a cousin with autism explains how the creation of an autism scholarship program would benefit students with autism and allow their families to achieve a better quality of life.
By Stuart Marsh

Turning Tragedy into Hope
A mother tells how having a son with autism positively affected her family's dynamic and brought out the best in his siblings. She explains how his untimely passing allowed them to help find a cure for autism, through the Autism Tissue Program, showing that hope can come from tragedy.
By Laura Walsh

When Angels Walk the Earth
A high school senior describes how having a younger sister with autism has shaped her life. The author is an active fundraiser for the Westchester/Fairfield Walk Now for Autism.
By Maggie Dunne

A Mother's Day Tribute
Members of our community who have a loved one with autism submitted tributes about their wife, mom or personal experience as a mother of a child on the spectrum, in honor of Mother's Day.

I Beat Autism
A teenager shares his memories of growing up with autism. He details how rigid therapy helped him recover from autism, to the point that he is now a "typical" high school senior – one involved in sports and activities.
By Jason Ross

My Life as a Young Adult with Autism
A young woman with autism who will soon move into an apartment for adults with disabilities shares her story. In her essay, she details her best qualities, personal interests and challenges that she has overcome.
By Corinne Tribou

My Little Monster
A college student shares an assignment she wrote about living with Asperger's Syndrome, explaining how it is both her worst enemy and her best friend.
By Margaret Dixon

Heroes and Daddy
A father tells how a classroom assignment completed by his eight-year-old son with autism reminded him what really defines a "hero."
By Mark McGrath

The Little Professors
A high school student shares an essay she wrote in the eighth grade to explain to her teachers some of the challenges associated with living with autism. She wanted to prepare them for what was to come when her identical twin brothers (living with ASD) became their students.
By Danielle Comeau

Jake's Song
A mother tells how her formerly non-verbal son showed great progress by singing a song about the presidents that she had taught him.
By Faith Simmons

Las Vegas, Kansas. Hmmmm ...
A father tells how his son, who was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at the age of 20, became the flagman for one of the largest kart races in the world and penned a book about his experiences.
By James Likens

Christmas Miracles
A mother tells how her son with autism's reaction to a Christmas song shows how far he has come over the past eight holiday seasons.
By Christine Bakter

My Twin Sons
The mother of college-aged twin sons with autism celebrates their successes and emphasizes the value of early treatment for children.
By Denise Dear

David's Club
A mother tells how her son with autism spread a message of autism awareness and acceptance by starting an Autism Speaks Student Club at his middle school.
By Kathy McKibbin

Lessons from Imagiville
A young man tells how growing up with autism inspired him to create art that would promote autism awareness and acceptance of people who are different.
By D.J. Svoboda

Ben Meets his “Guitar Hero”
The mother of a young man on the spectrum recounts about how her son learned to play guitar by listening the music of Willie Nelson, who he later had the pleasure of meeting backstage.
By Cindy Ninesling

Life with Adam
A high school senior tells how his younger brother who has autism inspired him to become more involved in promoting autism awareness.
By Eric Goldstein

I'm in Here
A writer shares her poem, "I'm in Here," about people with autism.
By Linda Yoccodine Gustoso

Justin's Touchdown
The father of a boy with autism tells about his son's successful second season of football, during which he scored a touchdown.
By Robert Civitano

Autism and Religion
A rabbi shares his insights on integrating children with autism into communities of faith.
By Rabbi Heiligman

Emmy for Autism -- Miracle-Minded Media
Miracle Project founder Elaine Hall tells how her inspirational theatre program for children with autism led to the creation of the documentary Autism:The Musical, which recently won two Emmy awards.
By Elaine Hall

A Teenage Sister's Struggle
A mother of two teenagers (one typical, one with autism) explains how her 14-year-old daughter struggles to accept her "different" brother in a society that encourages fitting in.
By Caryn Sullivan

A Grandparents Day Tribute
In honor of Grandparents Day, staff and volunteers who have a loved one with autism submitted tributes about their child's grandparent or personal experience as a grandparent of a child on the spectrum.

Can You Hear Me Now?
The older brother of a child with autism writes about his experience growing up with a sibling who needed a great deal of attention, and how his experiences led him to form a sibling support group.
By Patrick Fasano

The Crucial String
A mother recounts her 15-year-old son with autism's upbringing, comparing it to beautifully playing an instrument that is missing a crucial string.
By Liane Kupferberg Carter

Can You Hear Me Now?
The older brother of a child with autism writes about his experience growing up with a sibling who needed a great deal of attention, and how his experiences led him to form a sibling support group.
By Patrick Fasano

A Father's Day Tribute
Staff and volunteers who have a loved one with autism submitted tributes about their husband, dad or personal experience as a father of a child on the spectrum, in honor of Father's Day.

Follow Your Feelings
A mother tells how she found success in simply following her feelings when trends in treatment didn't seem appropriate for her daughter with autism.
By Kathryn Wylie

Trevor, Olie, Alex, and I: Sharing My Passion With My Son
A father tells how sharing his passion for hockey helped him to better connect with his son who has autism.
By Russell Levine

Brady's Perfect Day
A father tells the story of his son with autism's fifth birthday party, which he aptly describes as "Brady's perfect day."
By Derrick Long

Understanding Comes With Experience
A mother describes how raising her son with autism has taught her the valuable lessons of acceptance, tolerance, and openmindedness.
By Michelle D. Jones-Brown

"What's that like?"
A mother describes how her perception of living with autism has changed in the few years since her daughter's diagnosis.
By Christine Mayer

The Performance of a Lifetime
A grandmother recounts a memorable Christmas concert when her fifteen year old granddaughter with autism performed for the first time with her high school chorus.
By Maria Trillo

The $240 Balloon Animal
A mother recounts her daughter with autism's memorable fifth birthday party, which yielded a now infamous balloon "monkey."
By Jessica Wilson

The Language of Childhood
An aunt tells how her nephew with autism has given her son a broader understanding of the abilities, talents and challenges of others through their unique friendship, which rarely involves speaking.
By Marie Green

Anthony's Act of Courage
A father tells how his son with autism truly harnessed his courageous side, after gaining a role in a community theatre production.
By Anthony Pater

Finding Hope in "Sensory Overload Heaven"
A mother tells how a family trip to Disney World ("sensory overload heaven") showed her that that if you're open to it, you'll find hope for your child's future in the most unlikely of places.
By Lisa Vaillancourt

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things
A mother recalls the day when her five year old neurotypical daughter brought an Autism Speaks puzzle piece pin to school to teach her classmates what it means to have a sibling with autism.
By Darlene Rowley

A Hole in the Sky
A mother recounts the story of how her son with autism achieved every golfer's dream -- the coveted hole-in-one.
By Kathie Harrington

Celebrating Autism
A mother recounts the story of a very special election, in which her daughter with autism was chosen by her peers to be their homecoming queen.
By Michele Sweeney

The Power of Music – Jack's Journey Out of Silence
A mother writes that she never realized the power of music until she saw its power in helping her son with autism spectrum disorder connect to the world.
By Francine M. Andersen

The Day He Carried the Flag
A mother describes her feelings of patriotism and hope when her son with autism was invited by the school's principal to carry the school's “special flag” during its Veteran's Day Ceremony.
By Lauri Brett

Bringing Kendall Home
A mother tells how the simple, yet inspiring words spoken by her neurotypical daughter inspire her to fight to "bring home" her daughter with autism.
By Jessica Wilson

A Different House Tour
A mother describes her typical yet different home environment with two children with autism, where "the optimistically titled 'Auditory Processing Super Pack' resides next to Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders.”
By Julie Fay

Leftovers
An educator tells the story of a boy with autism who learns to connect with his classmates on the playground.
By Ann Densmore

Finding an Obsession We Both Like
A mother writes about the process of finding something her son can focus on that the entire family can enjoy together.
By Cathy Bowen

From Play-Doh Comes Hope
A mother shares how her son's interest in Play-Doh has helped him connect to the world around him.
By Francie Hogan

Coach of the Year
The father of a boy with Asperger's shares a letter that he wrote requesting that the Pop Warner football coach who patiently worked with his son be designated "Coach of the Year."
By Robert Civitano

There Ought to Be a Law
A ten-year-old shares his award-winning essay about why people with autism, including his younger brother, deserve a law guaranteeing them free medical and educational assistance.
By Austin Koring

Our "One of a Kind" Family
A mother talks about raising her "one of a kind" family of seven, which includes three sons with severe autism, and typical twin daughters.
By Lori Collins

Trophies
A father tells how his six year old son with autism won a trophy at his school's science fair. While this was a tangible recognition of his accomplishment, it also represented the strides and progress he has made.
By John Felker

A Mass to Remember
A mother tells how her fourteen year old son with autism was confirmed in the church, thanks to the help of his family and some special people within the church.
By Kim Fiore, "Johnny's Angels" team captain, Pittsburgh Walk Now for Autism

No Ribbon for Alexa
A mother realizes that in a home with autism, all the children have qualities that make them unique and all deserve recognition.
By Paula Scheider

Supreme Court Gives Schools Too Much Credit
Gary Mayerson, director of the Autism Speaks Federal Legal Appeals Project and Alison Singer, Executive Vice President of Autism Speaks reflect upon the aforementioned Supreme Court hearing and what it might mean for parents of children with disabilities.
By Gary Mayerson and Alison Singer

Finding Balance
Barry M. Prizant, Ph.D., shares his insight in a keynote speech presented at the Southern New England Walk Now for Autism Kick-off, emphasizing the importance of finding balance.
By Barry M. Prizant

The Most Important Choice
A mother of a toddler with autism tells how one important decision made the biggest difference in her family's life.
By Paula Scheider

A Day of Baseball in the Park
A mother tells how an invitation to play baseball in the park reminded her that having autism shouldn't limit the activities her son can enjoy.
By Elli Memoli

A Portrait of Autism
A father submits a photo of his four year old son at the Lincoln Memorial, showing that a picture often illustrates more than words can explain.
By Paul Mark

My Journey with Autism
A new Walk Now Chair tells how an episode of "The View" inspired her to start a walk in her community.
By Crystal Frost, Chair, Oklahoma Walk Now for Autism

Raising Awareness in My Neighborhood
A Walk Now Co-chair explains how raising awareness in her town helped her see the true kindness of her neighbors.
By Ellen Cicconi, Co-chair, Wheeling Walk Now for Autism

My Special Brothers
A thirteen year old girl tells what makes her two brothers with autism special
By Kathleen Buick

My Brother Vinnie
A sister describes how her brother with autism brings people together.
By Lucy Ireland

Gigi's House
The mother of a three-year-old boy with autism describes how her friend's new house, architecturally different from its more traditional neighbors, but magnificent in its own right, helped her see her son as exceptional.
By Joan Drummond Olson

Blazing the Trails for Kids with Autism
A parent tells how her twin sons discovered competitive running.
By Robyn Schneider

Ben's Graduation
A father of a high school graduate with autism leaves a lasting mark on students.
By Steve LeClaire

Living with Asperger's Syndrome - Part 2
A teenager recounts her memories of growing up with Asperger's
By Hannah Fjeldsted

Autism Speaks 400 has Special Meaning for One Family
A parent tells how NASCAR inspires her child with autism.
By Mimi Harris

Living with Asperger's Syndrome
A teenager recounts her memories of growing up with Asperger's
By Hannah Fjeldsted

Silent Language of Love
A mom tells how sometimes less is more.
By Cammie McGovern

Peeking Under the Garage Door of Autism
A Missouri parent tells her story of hope.
By Shawnna Robinson

An Asperger's Perception of Friendship
A teen with Asperger's writes about living on the spectrum.
By Scott Goldfarb

For My Brother Joey
A brother creates a button to raise awareness and funds.
By Nicholas Lombardi

Finding the Beautiful in Autism
A father writes of his daughter's successes.
By Roy Richard Grinker

Mom Asks for Understanding
A mother explains how strangers often misjudge her child with autism.
By Mary Tepas

Perspective
A poem for Jaren
By Barbara Spires

A Journey of Inches
A father tells about his teenage son with high-functioning autism, and his many accomplishments.
By Alex Cullison

Facing the Moment of Truth
A mother finds a painful answer to the question: ‘Is It Autism?'
By Tamar Bihari

Jesse's Story
The first essay in this series, written by a mother of a boy on the high-functioning end of the autistic spectrum whose success in overcoming his fear on the slopes opened up a whole new world for himself and his family.

The Importance of Early Diagnosis
Two essays about the importance of early diagnosis of autism.

Why We Walk

Why We Walk: Ten Years of Marching for Matty
The father of a teenager with autism tells how he became involved with the Pittsburgh Walk Now for Autism as a team captain. He recounts the reasons that he, his family and friends have been "Marching for Matty" for ten years and encourages others to get involved in Autism Speaks Walk program.
By Mark Wallace, Pittsburgh Walk Now for Autism team captain

Why We Walk: Parker's Journey and the Amazing Race
On Sat. April 4, the spring season for Autism SpeaksU kicks off in State College, Penn. with the fourth annual “We Are … Curing Autism Now 5K Race/3K Walk” which raised over $160,000 in 2008. Read more about the Penn State event in our latest “Why We Walk” essay, written by the mother of a child with autism, who has been an active participant all four years.
By Robin Bierly

Why We Walk: Why We Run
Four members of "Team Autism Speaks," recount their experiences with the NYC Marathon and tell why they run to promote autism awareness and fundraising.

Why We Walk: Lindsay Haley
The 11-year-old sister of a teenager with autism shares the speech she presented at the Long Island Walk Now for Autism Kick-off. She recounts the reasons that her family has been fundraising for Autism Speaks' Walk program for nine years and encourages others to get involved.
By Lindsay Haley

Why We Walk: Hot Flying Crackers
The aunt of a four-year-old boy with autism tells how her family's strength and her nephew's sense of humor inspire her to Walk Now for Autism.
By Erin Beavers

Why We Walk: Jessica Wilson
A mother of two girls (one typical, one with high-functioning autism) shares the speech she presented at the Greater Boston Walk Now for Autism Kick-off. She not only shares anecdotes about life with her family, but also offers unique fundraising tips for walkers.
By Jessica Wilson

Why We Walk: Autism Speaks Banner Flies Atop Mt. Rainier
A father tells how raising a child with autism motivated him to challenge himself to inspire others, especially his children. He is serving as a co-chair of the British Columbia Walk Now for Autism and recently climbed Mt. Rainier to spread autism awareness.
By John Carinha

Why We Walk: Reflections
A devoted walker reflects upon his years of participation, detailing the reasons that he keeps coming back to "Walk Now for Autism".
By Cao Anh Quan

Why We Walk: "But Mom..."
A mother describes her seven year old daughter's transformation from a reluctant walker who would rather stay in bed to an enthusiastic supporter of her brother with autism.
By Judith Ursitti

Why We Walk: A Family Effort
A grandmother who has two grandsons with autism tells how her entire family makes autism awareness its mission.
By Pam Anderson

Why We Walk: A Lesson for a Teacher
A West Virginia walk volunteer explains what motivates her to participate.
By Leah Stout

Why We Walk: Something about his Eyes
A father writes about his son and how he began to understand him.
By Hassan Peterson

Why We Walk: What Does Not Destroy Me Makes Me Stronger
A high school junior writes about what she has learned from her brother with autism.
By Elizabeth Boyd

Why We Walk: Devman: Our Angel, Our Everything, Our Son
A mother tells how her son Devin inspired her to walk for autism.
By Brittany Wiggins

Why We Walk: Enthusiasm Became Contagious
A new walk team captain tells how to make your walk team successful.
By Amy Capobianco-Diaz

What Do You Think?

We regularly ask the Autism Speaks community to share its perspectives on important concerns. Read below to see what you've had to say on topics ranging from ABA therapy to dealing with strangers. And share your suggestions for future “What Do You Think?” features by emailing us here.

What Do You Think: Memories of an Autism Pioneer, Dr. Bernard Rimland

What Do You Think: How Others Respond to Autistic Behavior

What Do You Think: Has ABA Therapy Worked For You

What Do You Think: Is Autism an Epidemic?