Monday, January 28, 2013
Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk 01/31 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio
Tune into the next broadcast of Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk. This show will air Thursday, January 31st at 6 pm EST, 3 pm PST, and 11 pm UK time.
If you are on the autism spectrum or have a child who is on the spectrum, you are probably familiar with predictability. Meaning, your child might have a meltdown if there is a small change in a predicted routine. Or as an individual on the spectrum, you find that you can't explain to others why such a small change bothers you so much; all you know is that a small change makes you feel panicked.
During this broadcast, I am going to explore the topic of predictability involving those on the autism spectrum and use some real life examples from my own experience.
Tune into what will sure be an insightful and inspirational broadcast!
Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk 01/31 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Groundhog Thoughts
A week from today is Ground Hog day. Perhaps you are familiar with the Bill Murray film "Groundhog Day" where Murray's character inexplicably relived the same day over and over again. Over the course of the movie, Murray's character was able to change and become a better person. In other words, through a force unknown, he was able to find the right conditions that enabled him to become a better person.
I have said a lot lately that under the right conditions, someone on the autism spectrum could literally change the world. but what exactly are those right conditions and where do they come from. Well, to put it simply, finding the right conditions is a game of chance where a particular activity or therapy or hobby causes your autistic child to open up in a way that he or she has never done before. It's all about recognizing opportunities. As a parent, who can really say that they know your child better than you do? When you see your child with autism respond to something, just go with it. You don't necessarily have to understand why.
Over time, repeating the same day over and over again, Bill Murray's character in "Groundhog Day" was able to use the opportunity to really make a difference. My brother once told me that Murray's character spent about ten years reliving the same day over again. In reality, we don't have the time to do what Murray's character did, but we can recognize opportunities when they present themselves. Jumping on this sort of opportunity can change the life of your autistic child for the better.
I have said a lot lately that under the right conditions, someone on the autism spectrum could literally change the world. but what exactly are those right conditions and where do they come from. Well, to put it simply, finding the right conditions is a game of chance where a particular activity or therapy or hobby causes your autistic child to open up in a way that he or she has never done before. It's all about recognizing opportunities. As a parent, who can really say that they know your child better than you do? When you see your child with autism respond to something, just go with it. You don't necessarily have to understand why.
Over time, repeating the same day over and over again, Bill Murray's character in "Groundhog Day" was able to use the opportunity to really make a difference. My brother once told me that Murray's character spent about ten years reliving the same day over again. In reality, we don't have the time to do what Murray's character did, but we can recognize opportunities when they present themselves. Jumping on this sort of opportunity can change the life of your autistic child for the better.
Rubik's Cube Wizard on the Spectrum
Max Parks is a ten year old boy who is on the autism spectrum who happens to possess an extraordinary gift. What previously started as a form of therapy has become a distinguishing talent. Max not only can quickly solve a Rubik's cube puzzle, but he prides himself on breaking his own records. People on the spectrum have a keen ability to recognize patterns. You can read more about this in my post Autism as an Advantage.
See for your self in this video, where Max solves a Rubik's cube puzzle in under 15 seconds. Recently, (name) competed in a competition against college students other long time Rubik's cube solvers, and distinguished himself by solving the a six by six Rubik's cube is less than four minutes, beating a number of older competitors. Max is a great example of how the introduction of the right conditions have allowed him to succeed in ways that never could have been anticipated.
See for your self in this video, where Max solves a Rubik's cube puzzle in under 15 seconds. Recently, (name) competed in a competition against college students other long time Rubik's cube solvers, and distinguished himself by solving the a six by six Rubik's cube is less than four minutes, beating a number of older competitors. Max is a great example of how the introduction of the right conditions have allowed him to succeed in ways that never could have been anticipated.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk 01/24 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio
Tune into the next broadcast of Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk. During this show, I will interview Sandra Lang, fellow member of Positively Autistic, as she discusses her experiences since Superstorm Sandy. Sandra lives in Long Island New York and her neighborhood was devastated by the storm. Sandra's son Michael is on the autism spectrum. This show will air Thursday, January 24th at 6 pm EST, 3 pm PST, and 11 pm UK time. Tune into what will surely be another great show!
Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk 01/24 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio
Saturday, January 19, 2013
In Recognition of MLK Day
When Martin Luther King announced those decades ago that he had a dream, I don't think that his words can be used to only proclaim equality between races. In his words, he had a dream that his four children would grow up in a world where people were not judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I believe those words can be extended to to include those with disabilities and those with autism. So let us continue to work to accomplish his dream and add what knowledge we have since obtained, about autism and about other disabilities so that we all will be defined not by how we appear visually but the content of our character. Our ability to love and build upon what humanity has accomplished in the past. Let this dream become reality.
Recover from Autism?
When I entered college six years ago, I started to become more open to others about my autism spectrum disorder. Prior to that time, I carefully observed other people before I revealed to them that I was on the spectrum. This was because I did not really know what their reactions might be and I also did not really understand the extent of my own autism spectrum disorder.
After first starting at Oakland University after attending community college classes for two years, I met with a counselor in the disability services office to discuss what accomadations I could receive for writing difficulties I was experiencing at that time. I remember when they were looking at my files, they exclaimed that they never would have guessed that I was on the autism spectrum just by looking at me.
There were other times too, before I started to write The Voice from the Spectrum, where I revealed to others that I was on the spectrum and was met with surprise. By that time, many of my previous social difficulties had dwindled away. Many of the difficulties I once experienced in the past had been overcome, such as many some stimming motions, my verbal communication difficulties, my academic difficulties, and most recently, my social difficulties. In the latter case, I let go of the vision I carried of being popular and found a small group of friends who I spend time with frequently.
Is it possible for everyone to recover from autistic difficulties? I don't know. I can only share my story and hope to inspire others with what I have done. To read more about this topic, click on the following link:
http://commonhealth.wbur.org/2013/01/can-you-really-recover-from-autism
After first starting at Oakland University after attending community college classes for two years, I met with a counselor in the disability services office to discuss what accomadations I could receive for writing difficulties I was experiencing at that time. I remember when they were looking at my files, they exclaimed that they never would have guessed that I was on the autism spectrum just by looking at me.
There were other times too, before I started to write The Voice from the Spectrum, where I revealed to others that I was on the spectrum and was met with surprise. By that time, many of my previous social difficulties had dwindled away. Many of the difficulties I once experienced in the past had been overcome, such as many some stimming motions, my verbal communication difficulties, my academic difficulties, and most recently, my social difficulties. In the latter case, I let go of the vision I carried of being popular and found a small group of friends who I spend time with frequently.
Is it possible for everyone to recover from autistic difficulties? I don't know. I can only share my story and hope to inspire others with what I have done. To read more about this topic, click on the following link:
http://commonhealth.wbur.org/2013/01/can-you-really-recover-from-autism
Monday, January 14, 2013
Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk 01/17 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 Christinna Guzman and her son Nick Guzman about Nick's accomplishments as a musician and the challenges he has overcome as an individual on the autism spectrum.
This show will air Thursday, January 17th at 6 pm EST, 3 pm PST, and 11 pm UK time.
Tune into what will surely be another great show!
Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk 01/17 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Take A Look at My New Website
Friday, January 11, 2013
Beauty Queen on the Spectrum
Those on the spectrum continue to defy the odds that once restricted us. In this post, I'm going to share one more glamorous example of what is possible for someone on the autism spectrum. Alexis Wineman is representing the state of Montana in the Miss America pageant. Alexis is one girl who has defied the odds that once restricted her. The basis of her success story is similar the stories of many other individuals on the autism spectrum. Alexis never imagined ever entering a beauty pageant, just as I never thought I would be a writer or podcast host, and just as many others on the spectrum are successful in ways they never believed possible. While this doesn't reduce the difficulties associated with autism, the story told by Alexis reflects my own story in many ways. Our story reflects the stories of so many other self advocates, the ones who received a chance at a crucial moment in our past, and are now living lives we never believed possible. There is definitely a trend between all the stories told by self advocates. As Alexis says, people on the spectrum should be viewed as a different type of person who has different needs but is fully capable of succeeding.
To read more about Alexis's story, click on the following link:
http://thelook.today.com/_news/2013/01/10/16447581-miss-montana-is-first-autistic-contestant-for-miss-america?lite
To read more about Alexis's story, click on the following link:
http://thelook.today.com/_news/2013/01/10/16447581-miss-montana-is-first-autistic-contestant-for-miss-america?lite
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk 01/10 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio
Tune into the next broadcast of Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk. During this show, I will interview Anthony Ianni, who is on the autism spectrum, and a former basketball player at Michigan State .University. Anthony also advocate autism by working with the Autism Alliance of Michigan.
The show will air Thursday, January 10th at 6 pm EST, 3 pm PST, and 11 pm UK time.
If you have any questions for Anthony or I during the show, you can call in by dialing (619) 393-2848 or call in through Skype. Just create a free account on Blog Talk Radio and click on the Skype icon after the start of the show.
Tune into what will surely be an excellent and inspirational broadcast!
The show will air Thursday, January 10th at 6 pm EST, 3 pm PST, and 11 pm UK time.
If you have any questions for Anthony or I during the show, you can call in by dialing (619) 393-2848 or call in through Skype. Just create a free account on Blog Talk Radio and click on the Skype icon after the start of the show.
Tune into what will surely be an excellent and inspirational broadcast!
Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk 01/10 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio
Saturday, January 5, 2013
German Company only Hires Autistic Employees
A German company is providing many job opportunities for those on the autism spectrum. Auticon will only hire those with Aspergers Syndrome as software designers. This opportunity is huge for many on the high functioning end of the spectrum, due to difficulties obtaining employment. Those on the spectrum working for Auticon use the gifts associated with Aspergers Syndrome to bring value to the company. A unique skill displayed by these employees is the ability to perceive pattern in complex lines of computer code. We can only hope that more companies in the IT industry will recognize the benefits of hiring those on the autism spectrum.
To find out more, click on the following link:
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Parents File Lawsuit for Therapy Coverage
A couple is battling for their their son a lawsuit against the state Ohio. Robert and Holly Young, parents of a two year old autistic boy, are fighting to have their son receive applied behavioral analysis. Their son has been diagnosed with moderate to severe autism. State attorneys have argued that the law does not specifically state that Robert and Holly Young's son receive coverage for applied behavioral analysis. The lawsuit was filed days before the governor of Ohio, John Kasich, expressed his interest and support for a program that would require health insurance companies to cover therapy and treatment for those on the autism spectrum. This plan is slated to go into effect in 2014.
I hope that the Young family prove successful and are able to give their son the best life possible. Click on the following link to read more about this story:
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/01/03/judge-rules-for-family-in-autism-suit.html
I hope that the Young family prove successful and are able to give their son the best life possible. Click on the following link to read more about this story:
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/01/03/judge-rules-for-family-in-autism-suit.html