Monday, December 31, 2012

Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk 01/03 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio


Happy New Year Everyone!  Tune into the next broadcast of Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk.   PLEASE NOTE THE NEW SHOW TIME.  This broadcast will air Thursday, January 3rd, 2013 at 6 pm United States Eastern Standard Time, 3 pm United States Pacific Standard Time, and 11 pm UK time.
During this broadcast, I will reflect on 2012, a year of autism awareness, college graduation, and many new opportunities.  Tune into what will surely be another great show!


Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk 01/03 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Ten Signs of Autism

The source link listed at the bottom of this blog post lists ten signs of autism.  There are as follows:


  1. Struggles
  2. Hypersensitivity
  3. Hyposensitivity
  4. Repetition
  5. Object Attachment
  6. Communication
  7. Interaction
  8. Fascinations
  9. Perseveration
  10. Developmental Delays
Now I am going to take a moment to give examples I have experienced in each of these areas.  Due to the complexity of autism spectrum disorders, I have cannot relate to every one of the listed areas.

  1. Struggles: When I was between the ages of 9 and 12, I experienced many struggles.  I did not understand sarcasm or irony, something my peers were quick to notice.  While I do not learn at the same pace my peers do, I have consistently been noticed for being the "most improved" at tasks I previously experienced difficulties with.
  2. Hypersensitivity: I have noticed that I cannot wear fleece.  I also have difficulty eating potatoes and mushrooms.
  3. Hyposensitivity: I have not really experienced any difficulties in this area.
  4. Repetition: Even after everything I have overcome, I still prefer to watch movies I have already seen as opposed to brand new movies unless they belong to a series I follow or I have some other interest in the new material.  I don't watch new movies "just for the heck of it."
  5. Object Attachment: I slept with a stuffed animal until I was a teenager.  It was very difficult for me to throw out broken toys when I was younger.
  6. Communication: I have always been referred to as "quiet" or "shy."
  7. Interaction: Until a year ago, I had difficulty keeping close friends.  I now have two or three friends who I hang out with on a regular basis.  We have both remarked that without certain circumstances, we would never have started talking.
  8. Fascinations: When I was younger, I always had these diabolical Star Wars space battles on paper fueled by a pencil, eraser, and my imagination.  It was difficult as a teenager to realize that without talking about Star Wars or my cats, I really didn't have a lot to talk about.
  9. Peseveration: Sometimes when studying for school, I would get stuck on a single concept and not be able to get around it.  I remember having difficulty understanding how letters could be used in math when I was first starting to learn Algebra.
  10. Developmental Delays: At age two, I lost what language skills I had developed up to that point and was nonverbal until age three when I started to talk again.
To read more about these ten signs of autism, click on the following link:


http://ktar.com/22/1597655/10-signs-of-autism

Not Emotionless

I have heard people say before that those on the autism spectrum cannot understand the feelings of others.  Six years ago, when trying to explain autism to a friend, I mistakenly said that people on the spectrum do not have emotions.  That cannot be further from the truth!

I'm not going to name any names, but a few weeks ago, I had a guest on one of my online radio programs read a poem he wrote about the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School.  He was so overwhelmed with remorse for the victims that he was clearly in tears by the time he reached the end of his poem.  I could not help but be touched by his pained emotion that he exhibited.  Even as an individual on the spectrum, I am still very different than others who are also on the spectrum.  Even as a writer, I could not have come up with what he had written.  

A Note to my Readers

It has been nearly a year and a half since I first started writing The Voice from the Spectrum in May 2011.  The response by members of the autism community to my blog has exceeded anything that I could have expected.  Truthfully, I was not aware of the extent of the autism community that is spread throughout the world.  Some of my readers will have noticed that my blog content has evolved throughout the process, which reflects how this experience has evolved me as a person.

Now, looking ahead to 2013.  As many of you already know, I recently graduated from college.  My plan is to continue to write The Voice from the Spectrum, and to also keep participating in Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk and The Poet's Interest with Marilyn and Ryan.  As I continue to share my experiences as an individual on the autism spectrum I invite my readers to do the same.  Do you know anyone who has an autistic child or someone you feel may benefit from my writing in The Voice from the Spectrum, share this blog with them.  Spread the word so that together, we can fight ignorance of what it means to live on the autism spectrum and to give a voice to others on the spectrum who might be nonverbal.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Remembering Josephine Gay

I want to take a moment to remember and acknowledge a seven year old girl, who was on the autism spectrum.   Josephine Gay should have lived a many more years, but her life was cut short eight days ago at the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.  Words cannot describe the devastation of this loss, so I will only say this: my heart goes out to the family of Josephine Gay, the lives lost, the heroes fallen, as well as anyone who has been affected by that terrible tragedy.

To read more about Josephine Gay, click on the following link:

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Family-of--184273621.html

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  2013 will mark a new beginning in my life.  I have now earned my college degree, spending six years studying, working, and writing.  2013 is the year of beginnings.  2012 exceeded all expectations I had for this year!  I never thought that I would begin hosting my own Blog Talk Radio show.  2012 was also the year I began to really make progress with my fantasy series as well as bond with close new best friends.  Here is to a joyous Christmas season for you and your family!

Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk

There will be no broadcast of Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.  When the show resumes in the new year, it will have a new weekly day and time: the new show time for 2013 will be Thursdays at 6 pm EST, 3 pm PST, and 11 pm UK time.  Mark your calenders with the new show time and don't miss the next show, which will air on January 3rd 2013!

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk 12/17 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio

Tune into the next broadcast of Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk.  During this broadcast, I will interview Brian Light.  Brian is a professional bowler and also teaches a bowling class through OUCARES (Oakland University Center for Autism Research Education and Support) for children and teens on the autism spectrum.  Should be a very interesting discussion.

The show will air at 1 pm United States Eastern Standard Time, 10 am Pacific Standard Time, and 6 pm UK time.  Click on the following link to tune into what will surely be another great broadcast:


Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk 12/17 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Those with Autism are not Killers

I want to open this blog post by expressing my condolences to the families, the students at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown Connecticut, and those who lost their lives at the hands a 20 year old shooter.  The wake of the attacks left millions of people in a sort of panicked frenzy, not least of which, media outlets throughout the United States.  A story reported by Fox News compared possible medical conditions that might make an individual a "child killer."  Mentioned among various medical conditions was autism spectrum disorder.

Let me make on thing clear.  Things are bad enough without reporters grasping at possible threads to try to get a big story out there and gain a competitive advantage among competitor media outlets.  I've worked for a newspaper company before so I know how competitive media outlets can be among one another. Especially with the decline of the journalism industry in light of the development of the Internet.  Regardless of this, the fact that Fox News associated autism spectrum disorders with child killers is completely unacceptable.

The reason it is unacceptable is because people are panicked and there are readers who have been lead to believe that people on the spectrum are killers.  This is a step back in the path of autism awareness.  Many people are hard pressed to prevent such a tragedy from occurring in the future.  Associating this tragedy with autism will lead to further misunderstanding and unnecessary fear.  That could not be any farther from the truth.  I have met many people on the spectrum.  I am on the spectrum.  I know that sensory and cognitive difficulties lead to meltdowns and other behavioral problems due to difficulty in processing sensory input.  People on the spectrum may act out compulsively, but people on the spectrum are not killers.

If I could have anyone read these words in the wake of this heinous tragedy, it would be those who read the following story and think that autism had something to do with what happened yesterday:

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/12/14/who-would-kill-children/

Graduation Day!

Well, today was the big day.  This morning, I walked across the stage to celebrate my college graduation.  For anyone who doubt that people on the autism spectrum could become successful, I am living proof that any challenges associated with autism spectrum disorder can be overcome:





Saturday, December 8, 2012

Looking Back/Leaping Forward

When I was eleven years old, I wasn't thinking about college or writing.  Instead, I was thinking about how I was different and how that was a bad thing.  I was wrong.  It is okay to be different.  Those on the autism spectrum have the right to be accepted just for who we are.  The best way to do this is to raise as much awareness as possible

Many people on the street have never heard of autism, let alone how it might impact their day to day lives.  It is believed that Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein were on the spectrum.  The narrow focus associated with high functioning autism allowed both of them to reshape humanity.

In one of my previous posts, I wrote about a twelve year old autistic prodigy with an IQ of 170.  I'm not saying everyone can become like that, I just want people to see what is possible and to not lose hope in an individual who is on the autism spectrum.

I strongly believe that under the right conditions, someone on the autism spectrum could literally change the world.  The only way to create those conditions is to raise awareness.  That's the cause I have dedicated my life to.  At age eleven my parents had not started saving for college because it didn't seem like I would make it that far.  I graduate from college in one week.  Never say that it can't be done.

A Whole New Level

As some of my readers might be aware, I have been working on a three part fantasy series for the past seven years.  Progress has not always been consistent, but this past April, I started writing at least one page every day.  One thing that every writer/artist knows is that creativity cannot be rushed.

However, I recently made a breakthrough in my story that I think takes the story to a whole new level.  I'm going to make two of the main characters autistic.  One character has high functioning autism, another character has lower functioning autism (which I am going to portray to the best of my ability).

By adding autism, something that I can relate to on a very personal level and know quite a bit about, keeps that story from becoming another fantasy series containing basically the same elements.  It makes the book series truly my own.  I'm not going to give too much away for obvious reasons but the main point in the story is not using magic to cure autism in some way; instead, one of my main points will be how to learn how to live with the differences.  This will help children and parents affected by the spectrum more than a portrayed magical cure.

My goal is to raise autism awareness while providing a great story.  I hope that future readers might gain more awareness through my fantasy series (once it is finally completed).  I believe that in today's media age, the best way to educate people about autism is through entertainment.

Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk 12/10 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio


Tune into the next broadcast of Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk.  During this broadcast, I will discuss my upcoming graduation from college.  I will receive my bachelor degree on December 15th.
This show will air on Monday, December 10th at 1 pm EST, 10 am PST, and 6 pm UK time.  The change in show time is due to my final college exam that will take place Monday at 3:30.
You can join the discussion too!  Participate in the chat room by creating an account on Blog Talk Radio and visiting the show page.  You can participate in the show by calling (619) 393-2848 or by calling in through Skype.  Just click on the Skype icon after the show begins.
Tune into what will surely be another great show!


Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk 12/10 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk 12/03 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio


Tune into the next broadcast of Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk.  During this broadcast, I will interview Frank Allen, who is an artist on the autism spectrum.  Frank will give an update of what he has been doing these past few months with his artwork.  Frank and I will also discuss how Frank's ASD (autism spectrum disorder) might affect his artwork.
Tune into this can't-miss show at 3 pm EST, 12 pm PST, and 8 pm UK time.  Please note that the show will air one hour earlier than the usual scheduled time.
If you have any questions for Frank or I, please call into the show by dialing (619) 393-2848 or you can also call in through Skype.
Tune into what will surely be another great interview!


Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk 12/03 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio

Entire Family Diagnosed with ASD

The Cook O'Tooles family faces some unique challenges as well as a chance to experience something both wonderful and mysterious.  Every member of this family of five has been diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome, including parents John and Jennifer.  Each of their children has in depth knowledge of their interest of choice, ranging from ancient history to animals to "Spiderman."  John and Jennifer were diagnosed as adults, after their children.  They are using the diagnosis as a key for many things, such as improving their marriage.  Whatever the reason, they are determined to see any difficulties through as a family.

To read more about the Cook O'Tooles family, click on the following link:

http://m.guardiannews.com/lifeandstyle/2012/nov/03/aspergers-syndrome-family-social-rules?cat=lifeandstyle&type=article

Autistic Prodigy Rivals Albert Einstein

Jake Barnett is a twelve year old boy with Aspergers Syndrome who has an IQ of 170.  This means that he is smarter than Albert Einstein.  In fact, Jake is developing his own theory of relativity and mingling with some of the hardest math problems.  Success in his endeavors would give Jake a shot at the noble prize.  He is so good at what he does that he has helped college students with their math problems.  The narrow focus that is associated with high functioning autism and Aspergers Syndrome has surely helped Jake to reach a point in his life that he might not have otherwise reached.

To read more about Jake, click on the following link:

http://wecareautism.wordpress.com/2012/11/26/autistic-boy12-with-higher-iq-than-einstein-develops-his-own-theory-of-relativity/

Correction: changed "i" to "in."
12/4/12
3:27 pm EST