Broadway is becoming autism friendly! The Theater Development Fund (TDF) has started a new program known as the Autism Theater Initiative to make theater more accessible to children and adults on the autism spectrum and their families. The Lion King has been chosen as the first ever Broadway autism-friendly play with a special performance… Read More »
Posts Categorized: Special Needs
Desperate Parents Try Desperate Measures
The Judge Rotenberg Center, a special needs school in Massachusetts that receives much of its funding from New York State, is back in the center of controversy again. The Center is the only school in the nation that uses aversive therapy such as skin shocks as behavioral modification on its students. Many of the… Read More »
The R Word: Tracy Morgan: Oops!…I Did it Again
In the latest incident of a celebrity using the “R” word, Tracy Morgan, fresh from his apologies over making anti-gay remarks, made “jokes” about “young retarded males” during a recent comedy appearance. It was reminiscent of Jenifer Aniston’s description of herself as “retarded” on the David Letterman show. The New York Times reported Morgan’s gaffe… Read More »
NY to Require Insurance Companies to Pay for Autism Treatments
Via a press release issued by Chairman of the Senate Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee Senator Roy McDonald: The New York State Senate today approved legislation to enable individuals with autism spectrum disorders to receive insurance coverage for screening, diagnosis and treatment. The bill (S.4005A), sponsored by Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R, Merrick),… Read More »
Understanding Autism: It's Not Monkey Business
Teco, a young bonobo chimpanzee, is exhibiting signs of autistic behavior, according to BoingBoing. His famous father, Kanzi, uses symbols to communicate with humans. Both chimps can be found at The Great Ape Trust, a nonprofit foundation whose tag line is “Insights through Collaborations with Apes.” Researchers immediately noticed that Teco was not acting like… Read More »
Play Ball! Special Needs Kids on Long Island
A brand new baseball little league has been form on Long Island, welcoming disabled children. The Little League of the Islips’ Challengers team is comprised of two teams, the Hurricanes and the Cyclones. As CBS News commented, “the Field of Dreams belongs to everyone.” The Challengers are the brainchild of Kelly Pipitone and Frank Fritz. … Read More »
Early Screening Tool Could Detect Autism by Age 1
A new approach to screening for some autism spectrum disorders may be able to detect autism by the age of 1, a great advance. Earlier detection and treatment can lead to better outcomes, as parents and teachers of children with autism know. The Journal of Pediatrics has prepared a checklist to be used at baby’s… Read More »
Charlie Will Never Return: MTA to No Longer Run Long Island Bus
According to Newsday, the MTA voted today to end its contract with Long Island bus, despite protests from bus riders and pleas from transit advocates. As of December 31st, a private company will take over the operations. What private company? It isn’t yet known. This does not bode well for a smooth transition. As I… Read More »
Light it Up Blue Kicks Off World Awareness Autism Day
I was in Home Depot this morning, shopping for light bulbs, when I noticed a rack of blue light bulbs with a prominent sign “Light it Up Blue—Autism Speaks.” In an effort to raise awareness of autism, Autism Speaks is seeking to “shine a light on autism by raising awareness of autism in communities… Read More »
Long Island Bus Cuts–Public Hearing March 23
Call to Action Everyone who has any family members or friends who are disabled or elderly must attend this public hearing at Hofstra University March 23, 2011 at 3PM to protest the plans to cut 25 of Long Island’s bus routes and 20% of Able-Ride’s service cuts. Cuts unfairly target Long Island’s Disabled Riders… Read More »