Animation Opportunity

I wanted to inform my readers that I recently received an outstanding opportunity.  My friend, Dani Bowman, a seventeen year old autistic girl who owns an animation company asked me on Tuesday if I was interested in writing a script for a cartoon that she is working on.  I accepted, and that work in currently in progress.  

Some background information: Dani Bowman is the CCO of Powerlight Studios, a small animation company she began when she was eleven.  A few days ago, Dani was asked to submit a cartoon to introduce four guest speakers at the World Science Festival.  This is a great opportunity for both Dani and I, as individuals on the autism spectrum, to combine our creative talents to produce a creative work of art.  In the future, I hope we receive further opportunities to work together.  

My Take on Teacher Outrage

This video recently came to light on the news.  You might have already heard of the story of a father who discovered that his ten year old autistic son was bullied by his teachers.  This kind of behavior by the people who are paid to help individuals on the spectrum to better understand the world around them is despicable and completely unacceptable.  In my own personal experience, I have never been bullied by an instructor, although I have had teachers in the past who have failed to understand me.  One instructor failed to inform my parents that my grades were slipping, assuming that my parents did not care.  My dad still talks about the things he would have liked to say to that teacher.

To read the story in further detail, click here.

Junior Positively Autistic Ryans Spectrum Talk 04/30 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio

Tune into the next broadcast of Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk next Monday, April 30th.  The show will air at 1 pm EST, 10 am PST, and 6 pm UK time.  During this broadcast, I will discuss the important topic of autism and driving.  For teenagers, receiving a driver's license signifies their independence.  No longer will they have to rely on other's for rides.  For teenagers with autism, it's a lot more complicated.  I will share my own experience as a driver who has autism and I invite you to do so as well.  You can call into the show by dialing (619) 393-2848 or you can call in through Skype.

Junior Positively Autistic Ryans Spectrum Talk 04/30 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio

Junior Positively Autistic Ryans Spectrum Talk 04/23 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio

Tune into my next broadcast of Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk.  During this show, I will speak more about my experiences as a successful individual living on the spectrum.  I will also share some more of my writing over the air.  Above all, I will continue to raise positive autism awareness to inspire others to see hope in autism.

You can too by calling into the show to share your own experiences with the spectrum.  Call in by dialing (619) 393-2848 or you call in through Skype.

The show will air Monday, April 16th at 1 pm EST, 10 am PST, and 6 pm UK time.  Tune into what will surely be another great broadcast!

Junior Positively Autistic Ryans Spectrum Talk 04/23 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio

Another Useful Blog

In this blog post, I wanted to share a link for another useful blog that I discovered while scrolling through Facebook earlier today.  There is also a useful chat incorporated with this blog.  Although it is primarily centered around Aspergers Syndrome, it has very useful tips.  In particular, I liked the post about autism and anxiety, which is something that I have struggled with for a long time.

To read this blog, click on the following link:

http://www.babble.com/baby/baby-development/top-autism-blog-nominate/index.aspx

Vote for The Voice from the Spectrum!!

If you feel that my experience and insights shared on The Voice from the Spectrum have helped you to better understand the the autism spectrum, vote for my blog in this Top 30 Autism Spectrum Blog contest! Click on the following link to place your vote for The Voice from the Spectrum!

http://www.babble.com/baby/baby-development/top-autism-blog-nominate/index.aspx

Junior Positively Autistic Ryans Spectrum Talk 04/16 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio

Tune into my next broadcast of Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk.  During this show, I will speak more about my experiences as a successful individual living on the spectrum.  I will also share some more of my writing over the air.  Above all, I will continue to raise positive autism awareness to inspire others to see hope in autism.

You can too by calling into the show to share your own experiences with the spectrum.  Call in by dialing (619) 393-2848 or you call in through Skype.

The show will air Monday, April 16th at 1 pm EST, 10 am PST, and 6 pm UK time.  Tune into what will surely be another great broadcast!

Junior Positively Autistic Ryans Spectrum Talk 04/16 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio

Some People Think...

Some people think that I'm just shy.  They don't really see the whole picture.  They have no way of seeing the who picture so they shouldn't be expected to see more than is on the surface.  What people perceive as "shy" characteristics of my personality are actually the current end result of my autistic journey.  What was previously autistic characteristics mixed within the mind of a troubled boy are now a young many, almost 24, who is striving for greatness.  I want to help others to better understand autism and I also want to become a famous fantasy writer, recognized for more than my autism.  That is who I have become.  My autistic journey continues.

Hopefully my autistic journey will conclude in a different world.  A wiser and more accepting world.  A world where everyone understands autism and no one has to go through the pain that is associated with living on the spectrum today.  That is the world I hope for by the time my life is all said and done.  I'm going to be 24 in a few weeks.  I've probably got at least 50 years more to look forward to.  A lot can happen in that time.

A Shared Mesage

In this blog post, I wanted to take a moment to share a message that has been circulating around Facebook. Many of my readers do not have Facebook so I wanted to share this for their benefit. This message really speaks a great deal about what it means to be autistic.  A note, I did not write this poem and strongly admire the person that did.  It is my hope that you find this as insightful as I do:

"I am the child that looks healthy and fine.
I was born with ten fingers and toes.
But something is different, somewhere in my mind,
And what it is, nobody knows.
I am the child that struggles in school,
Though they say that I'm perfectly smart.
They tell me I'm lazy - can learn if I try ...
But I don't seem to know where to start.
I am the child that won't wear the clothes
which hurt me or bother my feet.
I dread sudden noises, can't handle most smells, and tastes - there are few foods I'll eat.
I am the child that can't catch the ball
And runs with an awkward gait.
I am the one chosen last on the team
And I cringe as I stand there and wait.
I am the child with whom no one will play ..
The one that gets bullied and teased
I try to fit in and I want to be liked,
But nothing I do seems to please.
I am the child that tantrums and freaks
Over things that seem petty and trite.
You'll never know how I panic inside,
When I'm lost in my anger and fright.
I am the child that fidgets and squirms
Though I'm told to sit still and be good.
Do you think that I choose to be out of control?
Don't you know that I would if I could?
I am the child with the broken heart
Though I act like I don't really care.
Perhaps there's a reason I'm made this way --
Some message I'm sent to share.
For I am the child that needs to be loved
And accepted and valued too.
I am the child that is misunderstood.
I am different - but look just like you."

Junior Positively Autistic Ryans Spectrum Talk 04/09 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio

Check out the next broadcast of Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk.  Tune in tomorrow at 1 pm EST, 10 am PST, and 6 pm UK time.  During this show, I will read some examples of my fiction while encouraging parents and caregivers to make the most of their ASD child's creative abilities.  I strongly believe that under the right conditions, someone on the autism spectrum can literally change the world.  Remember that you can call into the show to give your thoughts and feedback over the air.  You can do so by dialing (619) 393-2848 or you can call in through Skype.  I'm looking forward to what will surely be another great show!

Junior Positively Autistic Ryans Spectrum Talk 04/09 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio

It's What is on the Inside that Counts

This past week, I started hosting a new blog radio program for the organization Positively Autistic.  The name of this new show is "The Poet's Interest: By Marilyn and Ryan."  While this show is, in part, about poetry, it also strongly pertains to the autism spectrum.  I work as the co-host, while poet Marilyn Ann Francis is the host of this program.  Marilyn has a child who shows autistic characteristics.  This program was the re-launch of a show previously aired by Positively Autistic called "Joe and Marilyn's Poetry Hour."

During this broadcast, we had a handful of people call into the show to give their input about the autism spectrum over the air.  They were mainly parents of autistic children.  One man called into the show and gave an account of some of his son's autistic characteristics.  While on the air, the man's son began to have a meltdown.  Over the air, we received a blow-by-blow look into some of the difficulties associated with the autism spectrum.  The many eventually had to get off the line to gain control over the situation.

I knew right away that I wanted to turn some of the worst aspects of autistic behavior into something positive.  Although I didn't know how I would pull that off, I knew that I was going to try.  I made a point of saying that, although many aspects of the spectrum are not pleasant to behold, appearances are not an accurate way to gauge who people on the spectrum are.  We are diamonds in the rough, coated initially with a layer of grit.  When the dirt which is unpleasant to behold is cleaned away, what could easily be dismissed as a dirty stone was really a diamond on the inside.  

This is how I think individuals on the autism spectrum should be viewed.  It is not on the outside, but on the inside that counts.  People on the spectrum are like diamonds under the right condition, but only if they are given the opportunity to shine.   Just for the record, I believe the father who called in is doing an excellent job for his son.

To listen to the radio show referenced in this blog post, click on the following link:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/positivelyautistic/2012/04/04/the-poets-interest-by-marilyn-and-ryan

A Useful I-Phone App

This was recently brought to my attention.  There is an I-phone application currently available that may be invaluable to parents and caregivers of autistic children.  Called "Autism Track," allows caregivers to record, track, and correlate autistic behavior through this app.  When used properly, a caregiver would be able to determine what causes meltdowns and how to prevent them.  Above all, this device would allow parents and caregivers to create the right conditions under which an individual on the autism spectrum can recognize the unique gifts associated with living with autism.

For more information, visit the following website:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/autismtrack/id391660393?mt=8