Genetic influences on autism are estimated to be between 74% and 98% a medical research council study of 258 twins suggests. Read more.
Templeton Prize to Untiring Advocate
March 15, 2015 by
It started with an act of kindness.
In 1964, Jean Vanier invited two men with developmental disabilities to share a house with him in Trosly-Breuil, near Paris. It was a life-changing move for the Canadian philosopher that would, over time, radically improve the lives of many others. Read more:Jean Vanier Wins Templeton Prize
Boy with Down Syndrome to meet Maroon 5
March 9, 2015 by
The boy you are about to meet is evidence that dreams do come true. Christopher Warner is 10 years old and he has Down syndrome. In many ways, he is just like every other kid — right down to his taste in music.
Warner has some dance moves. From the time he and his brothers were little, they loved listening to mother’s music. “I have everything from oldies, Motown, newer music,” said Christopher’s mother. It is the band Maroon 5 that has truly captured Christopher’s heart. “He would sing it and sing it and sing it,” she said. Read more: Boy with Down Syndrome Meets Maroon 5
News Anchor Creates Life-Changing Clothes for Persons with Autism
March 9, 2015 by
A study found that mothers of kids with autism have stress levels comparable to those of combat soldiers.
The mental strain stems from both the constant feeling that “anything can happen” and the frustrations associated with the seemingly simple day-to-day activities that most of us take for granted. One such activity that the majority of people can’t even fathom to be so difficult is getting dressed. Read more:Life-Changing Clothes
SAPs Autism at Work a Model of Success
March 1, 2015 by
PALO ALTO — Pick a date, any date in history, and Joe Cintas can tell you, with only a moment’s pause, what day of the week it was.
Diagnosed with autism at age 3, Cintas wields astonishing brain power when it comes to numbers and finding patterns, but, like many with his disability, his talents often have been overlooked in the workplace. Despite having a college degree in environmental studies, he spent the past 14 years pushing carts as a grocery store clerk before finding his niche at SAP, where he makes good money testing medical software for bugs. Read more.
Through the Lens of Filmmaking
March 1, 2015 by
Seth Shulman is a staff editor and post-production supervisor at Futures Explored Practical Film & Media Workshop in Sacramento, California, one of four film production workshops where film director Joey Travolta serves as a consultant. Elliot works as an assistant editor and classroom aide with Futures Explored Livermore Film Workshop. Jordan, a regular camper at Travolta’s Short-Films Camp, is now a freshman in college.
All three, diagnosed with developmental disabilities, were part of the special ed system. All three attribute much of their success to the arts, especially filmmaking. Read More.
Car Wash’s Secret? Hire Employees with Autism
February 22, 2015 by
The Rising Tide car wash in Parkland, Florida has hired 35 employees whose stellar quality is that they have autism.
“We view autism as one of our competitive advantages,” said the company’s COO Tom D’Eri. “They have a great eye for detail.”
“There are really important skills that people with autism have, that make them, in some cases, the best employees you could have.” To see Rising Tide on YouTube click here: Rising Tide Car Wash
