Luke greets me in the hallway, thrusting a book in my direction, then snatches it back and darts into his room. It’s been two weeks since I’ve seen him, and what I desperately want to do is grab him up and hug him till he howls. But because it’s been two weeks – and because he is autistic – I must begin again, from the start line, with my son. Read more.

POMONA >> Pomona Unified School District fails to “provide a safe learning environment for its most vulnerable students: those with developmental disabilities such as autism and intellectual disabilities,” according to a lawsuit filed Monday.

The suit was first filed in October, but attorneys for the Disability Rights Legal Center are hoping to broaden the suit into a class action lawsuit, and filed a motion Monday to certify the suit as a class action in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Read more.

With 18 original designs, advocates with the group Scope are looking to encourage more emojis illustrating the experiences of people with disabilities. (Scope)

There are countless emojis available, but only one depicting disability. Now, a group of advocates is looking to change that. The London-based disability advocacy group Scope has created a series of 18 new emojis portraying people with a range of abilities. Read more.

Being a parent to a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presents a unique — and often stressful — set of challenges. But researchers have discovered that having a four-legged family member may help offset some of this anxiety and stress. The results of a long-term study by the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative (HABRI) showed that pet dogs can be invaluable sources of stress reduction in homes with children on the Autism spectrum. Read more.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KCRA) —A Sacramento woman that touched lives across the world as an advocate for people with disabilities drowned Monday night in the Sacramento River.

Laurie Hoirup was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy. But, the progressive degenerative disorder didn’t limit the 60-year-old. Hoirup was a disability awareness advocate, author, as well as an appointee by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Read more and see the book she published, I Can Dance: My Life with a Disability here.

At first glance, a POLST is just a bright pink form — but it is soon discovered to be a lifeline for patients and their families.

A physician orders for life sustaining treatment — or POLST — form specifies the types of medical treatment that a patient wishes to receive toward the end of their life. It is the only physician order that is signed by both doctor and patient, intended to prevent unwanted or medically ineffective treatment, reduce patient and family suffering, and help ensure that patients’ wishes are honored. Read more.

Even when mosquitoes are not carrying viruses or other diseases, they appear to be on a mission to ruin summer fun.

No one wants to pay for cookouts and pool parties with itchy bites. Here are five ways to keep the pesky insects away, according to the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District’s public information officer, Levy Sun: Read more.