Stephen Shore Shares His Life on the Autism Spectrum at Atheneum

For more information, contact:

Kim Horyn, Director
Nantucket Autism Speaks Resource Center
646-341-3043
khoryn@autismspeaks.org [1]

The Nantucket Autism Speaks Resource Center and Nantucket Atheneum have collaborated to bring internationall acclaimed author Stephen Shore, Ed.D, to the Great Hall of the Nantucket Atheneum, 7PM, Wednesday July 2nd. Dr. Shore, who has autism and Asperger's Syndrome, will present his autobiographical journey, Life On and Slightly to the Right of the Autism Spectrum: An Inside View Towards Success. Following his presentation, Dr. Shore will sign books.

Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships and is often accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges. Asperger's Syndrome, which is on the Autism Spectrum, is characterized by normal intelligence and language development with autistic-like behaviors and social and communication challenges. Individuals with AS may have difficulties with changes, have obsessive routines, and may be preoccupied with a particular subject of interest. They have difficulty reading body language, determining proper body space and are often overly sensitive to sounds, tastes, smells and sights. Due to their neurological differences, the individual with AS might be accused of being rude or demonstrating bad behavior, when in fact, he or she does not perceive these differences.

Dr. Shore relates his life to the many challenges facing people on the autism spectrum. Some of the areas he will discuss include classroom accommodation, teaching of musical instruments, as well as issues faced by adults such as relationships, self-advocacy, higher education and employment. The session ends with a short audience activity demonstrating what it feels like to have autism and to struggle through some of the challenges surrounding communication and socialization.

As a young child, Dr. Shore, who was nonverbal until four years of age and diagnosed with "atypical development with strong autistic tendencies" was viewed as "too sick" to be treated on an outpatient basis and recommended for institutionalization. Dr. Shore credits the support of family members, friends and teachers, for his success in completing his doctoral dissertation at Boston University. The dissertation topic focused on matching best practice to the needs of people on the autism spectrum.

In addition to working with children and talking about life on the autism spectrum, Dr. Shore presents and consults internationally on adult issues as discussed in his books Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Ask and Tell: Self-Advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum, and the critically acclaimed Understanding Autism for Dummies. President emeritus of the Asperger's Association of New England, Dr. Shore serves on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, for the Board of Directors for Autism Society of America, Unlocking Autism, MAAP, the College Internship Program and USAAA.

The mission of the Nantucket Autism Speaks Resource Center is to provide current information and comprehensive resources for families, professionals and the community for the purpose of educating and increasing awareness fo the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The Resource Center is dedicated to empowering families and individuals impacted by autism to make informed decisions by providing resource information that covers all aspects of autism and ASD, from birth through adult care.

For more information, please visit www.autismspeaks.org [2], or contact Kim Horyn, Nantucket Autism Speaks Resource Center Director, at khoryn@autismspeaks.org [3],
646-341-3043.