Month: August 2013

  • A School with Hope for Autistic Students

    Just a couple weeks ago I gave a commencement speech at a wonderful school, the Gateway Academy located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The school is designed to teach children with Asperger’s and high functioning autism.  The husband and wife team who own and run the school are fantastic people.  They really know what they are doing and love the children they work with, which that is apparent.  The staff is warm, inviting, and truly dedicated just like the owners and director.
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  • Success is Possible with Autism

    It was over two years ago…but yet it seems like it was just yesterday.  If you haven’t read my post from 4/13/11 entitled “Vacation and Autism..a Father’s Sadness” then I would encourage you to do so before you continue.
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  • I'm Quirky, But I'm Always ME.

    My name is Candi Brooks, and I have high-functioning autism. I'm currently a college student majoring in Physics and Astronomy.
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  • The Is-ness in Your Life


    Descending down the long-tall escalator at one of our local cinemas the other night, my friend and I glided by the guragantuan movie posters. We chuckled at the silly characters, such as the one-eyed, green monster wearing braces who was so ugly he was cute. Passing by each, I remarked, "I'll take Grace to see that this summer!" "Yeah, let's do!" my friend exclaimed, excitedly. Reaching the bottom floor, we walked down the corridor toward our theater and it hit me: I'd been dreading this summer.   Continue reading →

  • Aspergers & Addictions

    Little man didn’t go to school last week hardly at all! He has a toothache which is probably down to the fizzy drinks he drinks. The thing is Aspergers Syndrome and toothache doesn’t always result in a trip to the dentist. Yep, his refusing, despite the pain his in. His made it pretty clear he isn’t stepping foot in the dentist and I’m losing the will to live as a result!

    Firstly, it isn’t like I can just drag his backside there kicking and screaming! Why not? Because little mans kicking and screaming involves hitting, swearing and screaming so loud that in the past passers by have called the police thinking I’m some kind of child abductor. Believe me, this situation isn’t easy! Continue reading →

  • 1001 Great Ideas

    Respond to “I can’t” with “Yes, you can.
    I am here to help. I have lots of ideas.
    We will try until we find one that works.”

    Ellen Notbohm and Veronica Zysk are authors who know how to take their own advice. Winner of Learning Magazine’s Teachers’ Choice Award, the first edition of 1001 Great Ideas has been a treasured resource in the autism community since 2004. Now, in this expanded edition, Ellen Notbohm (best-selling author of the revolutionary book Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew) and Veronica Zysk (award-winning author and editor of Autism Asperger’s Digest magazine) present parents and educators with over 1800 ideas—try-it-now tips, eye-opening advice, and grassroots strategies. Continue reading →

  • Autism Light: Kyle Forbes

    Kyle Forbes is a student in Houston, Texas who has autism. Kyle Forbes is an Autism Light for saving his art teacher's life in 2009. At the time of this heroic act he was 10 years of age. Continue reading →

  • The Right to Define Oneself

    This is an earlier post from August 10, 2010 that I am reprinting because I have received several queries based upon a comment I placed in Wired magazine. This is how I feel. You do not have to agree with me. I had many comments before from those that did not.  Just be respectful if you want to comment or it won't be published.
    There is something that I am going to address that seems to be a problem within the autism community, no I am not talking about the vaccine issue. It is about the mindblindness of the high functioning autism community. I am not referring to the mindblindness in the traditional sense of the inability of an autistic person to read someone else’s persona, but the idea that so many in the hfa autistic community cannot see beyond what they perceive to be the way to approach and function in life. It is an interesting development that I have come across recently and it truly seems to be starting to be a problem. ..original link deleted because it is no longer available...but it was referencing a discussion between myself and members of the hfa community. Continue reading →

  • Dear Professional

    I write to you as a mother. As a mother of children with a disability, special needs, learning difficulties, physical and medical issues, brain injury, challenging behaviour, sensory processing disorder, epilepsy, downs syndrome, fragile X, cerebral palsy, autism. My child could be any of these but the simple fact is I write to you as a mother asking for help.

    It may have taken me a great deal of bravery to come to you. To let you into my life, my child's life, my family life. I may be scared you will pass judgement on me. Maybe you will lay the blame at my feet. But I've climbed mountains, fought personal demons to do what is right for my family and ask you to help me. Do not judge me..commend me. Do not scowl at me..smile at me. Make me feel like you will go the same distance for me as I have travelled to get here.

    My story did not begin when you entered my life, and it will not end there either. My story will continue long after you have walked away. But for that brief moment you are part of my story. Make it a positive experience. Write the chapter where you make change. Be that person we have been waiting for. You may be a supporting role or a starring part but they are equally as important to me. The story is unwritten so add your own elements and change the story for the better. Be the character I will remember long after you have left. Continue reading →

  • Freedom Isn't Free: Walter's Lesson.

    Poor Walter. I feel so bad for him. Summer is supposed to be a big thing when you are a kid. A celebration of freedom. Hanging with your friends, riding bikes, camping out in the back yard, running through the woods, splashing in creeks... The summers of your early teen years are even more so because this is probably the most freedom, innocent freedom, you will ever have in your life.

    Walter looked at that freedom, he stood there and admired it laying before him, this beautiful world of frolicking in the sunshine, and he wanted it. he salivated over it. He started walking toward it, ready to revel in it... until 4 words yanked him back into place, snapping the unbreakable chain of parental control around him.

    "Missing and Incomplete Work"  Continue reading →