One of my all-time favorite TED talks is Approaching Autism Theatrically in which the totally brilliant Stephen Volan discusses how his experiences in an improv theatre troop helped him to learn the social language of neurotypicals. While Volan discuss the productive uncertainty of improv, theater (as a more general framework) has all the necessary components to [...]
I have a lot of respect for parents and educators who do everything they can to set their child up for success at school. Many spend countless hours creating curricula and documentation that will structure your child’s learning. Let me be really clear that I am in no way underestimating the value and arduous nature [...]
In technical terms, RDI is Relationship Development Intervention, but I like to refer to it as the gift that gave me my nephew back. I was in a unique position in that I had been my nephew’s aide every day at home and at school for many years. We had done mostly ABA and other [...]
I have an eleven year-old nephew on the autism spectrum. I’ve been lucky enough to be his therapist at home and at school these past nine years. Watching him navigate his daily life has been the most impactful experience in my life to date. He is the strongest and most open-hearted person I know. One [...]
