by Marguerite Elisofon The title of this article suggests I’m either crazy, dreaming or overly optimistic. What autism mom in her right mind would encourage her daughter on the spectrum to choose acting as a career? Yet here I am—knowing that it’s next to impossible for a neurotypical actress to succeed—becoming the momager of a young woman with serious social challenges. But the possibility has become more tantalizing and real since my daughter Samantha […]
By Mary Ellen Bogucki When I became a parent, I learned I had strength I never knew existed and I found a voice that I hadn’t really heard before. I think that is common for most parents. When you are responsible for a life, whether you brought this life into the world or you chose to adopt them into your family, you have a commitment and a duty to love, protect and care for […]
by Jessica Ebersole Back to school can be an exciting time for many students as they look forward to seeing their friends and learning many new things. For children with disabilities, back to school can be a stressful time. Some students with disabilities have an Individualized Education plan (IEP) which helps them get the accommodations that they need to succeed in school. I have been out of school for 2 years now but I wanted to […]
by Amy Silverman Sophie is trying out for freshman cheer. Sitting under the fluorescent lights of a big public high school gym for two hours yesterday afternoon, my thoughts veered wildly — from total disgust with our society for condoning (no, make that celebrating) the idea that it’s cool for girls to put on skimpy outfits and jump around with pom poms, encouraging boys to smash their heads into the ground and each other in order to […]
by Brandy Pavia My Bean is amazing! I know I’m probably a bit biased, but seriously, to say that she’s made great progress would be a gross understatement. Our measure of progress may differ from others, but progress is progress, no matter the speed, and we feel that it should always be acknowledged and celebrated. It might sound funny, but in her short 10 years on this planet, she has been one of our greatest […]
