Answers for Autism
We asked you what you wanted to know about autism, and you responded with thought-provoking and important questions.
Learn MoreTopic: Advocacy and acceptance
Society’s views about autism have changed significantly over time. But there is still plenty of work to be done to achieve fair and equitable access to services, employment, education, and other resources. Progress must also be made to ensure full inclusion in the community. Read about the experiences of others and learn how to advocate for yourself and the autism community.
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Autism Heroes: Ann Palmer
Over the last 20 years, Ann Palmer has helped hundreds, if not thousands, of families get the autism services and support that they need. Palmer has an adult son with autism. She began working in the field when her son, now 33, was about 9 years old.
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Autism Heroes: Sarah Easterling
Sarah Easterling teaches English and science to fourth-graders at Palmer Elementary School in Missouri City, Texas. At Palmer, children with special needs, including autism and dyslexia, join mainstream classes.
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Autism Heroes: Dr. Patricia Manning
Patty Manning, a developmental pediatrician at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Ohio, sometimes sees patients in unusual places—in a car seat, walking around the hospital’s library, or simply in the clinic hallway. As a specialist treating children with autism spectrum disorders, she follows her patients’ needs and moods on that particular day.
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Autism Heroes: Ariana Viscione
Ariana Viscione, age 23, is an outspoken advocate for herself and others.
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Partnering for Autism
Our fifth webinar, moderated by Alison Singer, MBA, features Ann Palmer of the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Patricia Manning, M.D. of the Kelly O’Leary Center. In this webinar, our speakers discuss different approaches to partnering in the autism community. Each speaker brings a different perspective about how developing relationships from within the community enhance program outcomes. This webinar is 45 minutes long.
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Advocating For Your Loved One with Autism
The speaker for our third webinar is Gary Mayerson, JD, founder of Mayerson and Associates, the nation’s first civil rights law firm dedicated to representing individuals with autism. In this webinar, Mayerson discusses how families can have an effective IEP meeting and make the case for services and assessments. This webinar is 60 minutes long.
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Meet Amy Gravino
Amy Gravino was recently asked to take part in the SPARK online research partnership, and was both excited and apprehensive to hear about the study’s purpose and intended goals.
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Meet Sunghee Park
Sunghee Park and her family have a packed schedule. They participated in SPARK because online participation is perfect for her and her son.
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Meet Pam Kattouf
Pam Kattouf and her family want to accelerate research to discover better treatments for people with autism. They know that the more people that participate, the better research can be, and hope that many more will join SPARK.
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