Susan's Blog: Embracing Autism

Thursday, March 06, 2008

Embracing Autism

My friend Robert Parish, autism dad and documentary filmmaker, just published his book, Embracing Autism, (Wiley/Jossey-Bass) which is a collection of essays written by parents, professionals, and other folk in-the-know (autistics themselves). The book is meant for educators, primarily; to give them a feeling for the range and flavors of ASD. I wrote the foreword. Stephen Shore, a writer and speaker (and very good guy) with autism did an essay, as well as Autism Vox's Kristina Chew, professor, autism thinker and Charlie's mom; my unique and irrepressible friend Kim Stagliano, writer and mother of three girls on the spectrum; autism parent, law enforcement expert and entertaining speaker Dennis Debbeaudt, and many others, each very readable and out-of-the-box. Rob did a very good job wrangling so many different personalities for his book, as well as writing some beautiful and very helpful stuff himself. Go out and get yourself and your kid's teacher a copy!
posted at 10:04 PM  # permalink

Hey, Susan! Here's how life works. Because I am in this book, I introduced myself to Dennis D. at the NAA conference last November. This past month a good friend's 14 year old son, who is in the process of getting an Asperger's diagnosis and is on an IEP, had a severe issue at school that involved the police. He was treated with callous disregard, and his educational status was NOT brought to the attention of the police! He is now in the court system. I was able to call Dennis and have a chat with him - and he was happy to connect with the Mom. Which I pray will mean some help for the youngster.

Now I'm off to look up irrepressible. I think it means easygoing and wishy washy, right?

(PS) Our family is on Good Morning America's third hour on ABC NEWS NOW (a cable only channel) on Thursday! Kids too! YIKES!!!!!
— added by Blogger Kim Stagliano at 7:24 PM, March 17, 2008  

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