Singer with Autism holds Fundraiser

Colin Brennan is a 10 year old singer from Canada who happens to be on the autism spectrum.  Right now, Colin is striving to raise $2,300 in order to accept an invitation to travel to England and sing in the 2nd annual "Autism's Got Talent."  This is a truly extraordinary opportunity for a boy who did not start talking until age seven.  I encourage my readers to help Colin if it is within your means.  So far, Colin has received 20 donations that amount to $645.  

It should also be noted that Colin was recently accepted to audition for a part the musical stage play, "Les Miserables."  The show will take place in Toronto, Ontario.  Colin will audition for the role of the child "Gavroche."  This is a boy with a bundle of talent and a bright future.

Colin and his father Gordon have their own Blog Talk Radio podcast and were kind enough to feature me as a guest on their show just after the new year.

Colin and his father Gordon do not often ask for help but they do need assistance in order to pay for the flights to and from England.  I have spoken with Colin personally on numerous occasions and he truly is a credit to the autism community.  If it is within your means, please help out Colin.

To donate and find out more, click on the following link:

http://www.gofundme.com/22brtc?pc=fb_cr

Autism Trek

Inspiration comes in all shapes and forms.  Last month on Positively Autistic: The Poet's Interest With Marilyn and Ryan, we had a guest who planned to walk from Wisconsin to Washington D.C. in order to gain some political attention for autism awareness.  Diane Burbacher is one determined Grandmother who hopes by walking 1500 miles she would be able to get legislators to pass motions that will help those on the autism spectrum receive necessary services.  Starting this June, Diane hopes to reach Washington DC in August with a 50 pound pack and some attention to a great cause.  She is certainly determined to provide help to her two grandchildren.  They are quite lucky to have her in their lives.

To read more about Diane's planned journey, click on the following link: http://voices.yahoo.com/wisconsin-woman-walking-washington-dc-increase-12008220.html

Autism TV Show Wins Emmy!

A TV program from the United Kingdom recently earned some recognition in the wake of a successful broadcast reception.  The show, "My Autism and Me" won an Emmy Kids Award.  This show, which raises autism awareness, won the award "Best Factual Programme."  The show features Rosie, an individual with autism, who tells her story of what it is like to live on the spectrum.  It is great to know that autism is receiving some positive recognition.

To read more, click on the following link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/21394074.

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

How Sensory Overload Feels to Me

My job at the grocery story was particularly challenging this past Sunday.  The workday started out alright enough; I was talkative and even joked around with friends and coworkers.  However, as the day went on, I began to have sensory issues, even though I did not recognize them for what they were at first.  Over my lifetime, I have tried to find reasons for the sensations that accompanied sensory overload.  I've tried to tell people that I was just tired, I had a headache, things like that.  My most recent reasoning for sensory overload was that I was empathetic and was reading the emotions of others.  Finally, I have not only identified when I am having a sensory overload, I can also describe how it feels.  It is sort of like a hard, pressing feeling in my head that came in waves and becomes increasingly painful.  This is what it feels like for me to have a sensory overload.

Disney World Wins Autism Awareness Award

One of the great things I remember growing up were vacations to Disney World in Orlando Florida.  I've been there three times total: twice with my family and a third time with my high school band program.  I'm from southeast Michigan, so a trip to Florida during the midwinter months was always a great relief from the stark realities of snow and cold weather.  

In a marketing management course I took in college earlier this year, I studied how Disney trains its employees to look at their jobs differently.  They are trained not to feel as though they are working in the theme park industry, but rather, they are trained to feel as though they are in the entertainment industry.  This way, Disney employees can grant visitors a rich, authentic experience they can get nowhere else.  So, needless to say, a job at Disney requires exceptional acting talent.

A fond memory I have from Disney took place when I was fourteen.  At this time, I played the clarinet in my high school marching band.  During a five day school trip that involved both the band and choir programs, my classmates and I marched down main street in the Magic Kingdom playing "Conga," by Gloria Estefan.  A Latin-Rock song suited for warm weather and palm trees.

Another great thing about Disney is that they pride themselves in having top industry support for individuals with disabilities, including autism.   They recently won the Gold Autism Award on behalf of the United Kingdom Autism Foundation.  In addition to acting training, Disney employees receive extensive training to accommodate those with autism, as well as other disabilities.  A Disney executive is quoted saying the following in my source: he said "part of Disney's heritage is to have no one feel excluded."

Click on the following link to read more and to view my source: 

http://thedisneyblog.com/2012/08/31/walt-disney-world-receives-award-for-autism-awareness/

Autistic Decals on Cars?

What do you think about this idea?  A man in Texas is pushing for decals to be manufactured and provided for drivers who are on the autism spectrum.  This, he says, will give police and emergency officials the information they need to make appropriate decisions based on the individual's specific needs.  For more information, click here.  I personally think that this is a good idea because, if a high functioning individual with autism is pulled over, for whatever reason, the pressure of the situation could trigger a meltdown.  This would give law enforcement officials the necessary information they need to know that their own safety is not compromised. There should also be training in place for law enforcement officials so that they know how to react to a situation such as that.  The same with fire fighters and emergency respond personnel.  These are my thoughts on this idea.  Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment box below.

Going for the Gold at the Rebecca Olympics

While the 2012 Summer Olympics draw to a close in the United Kingdom, a school in New York City is hosting some Olympic inspired events themselves.  The Rebecca School for developmentally disabled children in Manhattan held events of their own for the children with autism who attend in celebration of the Olympic events occurring "across the pond," as the English say.

Over the past week, the Rebecca School has transformed their gym into an Olympic Stadium.  Events ranging from shot put to sprinting where held.  While the children on the spectrum might not necessarily lack the physical strength needed to participate in shot put, due to the neurological nature of autism, information processing is often the key hindering issue in such events.  For more information about this event, click here.

Dennis Leary Autistic Statement Response

I have never been particularly fond of practical jokes.  I personally prefer slapstick comedy like "The Three Stooges," or "America's Funniest Home Videos," or even "World's Dumbest Drivers."  However, in my experience, practical jokes are normally someone laughing at my expense.  I just never know how to react.

Recently, actor Dennis Leary made comments in his book about autism that has greatly offended many parents of autistic children as a joke.  Now, Leary is a good actor.  I particularly like the character "Diego" from the "Ice Age" franchise.  It won't stop me from seeing the new "Ice Age" movie. However, I can honestly say that I was offended by his statements that blamed parents for the behavior of their autistic children and stating that autistic kids are just "lazy" or "stupid."

That really irks me to no end.  I may have had difficulties in my own past where even I considered myself stupid, but in five months I will graduate from college with a Bachelor of Science and a 3.3 GPA.  If that is considered "stupid" then we really need to rethink our priorities as a society.  Jokes are supposed to be funny. Comparing stupid or lazy people to those many people on the spectrum is a very poor excuse for a joke, in my opinion.

To read the article about Leary's comments made in his book, click here.