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- Kit on Why Go to Howard U: A White Guy Explains
- Richard Bucher on Why Howard U: A White Guy Explains (Part Two of Two)
- Barbara B. Murray, EdD on Why Howard U: A White Guy Explains (Part Two of Two)
- Richard Bucher on Is Life Fair?
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Category Archives: Uncategorized
Celebrating Halloween at Asylums: What Messages Do We Send?
“Come to the Asylum Ball,” and join us for a “costume contest and party.” Pictured along with this ad are people in straitjackets, pictures of signs including Psych Ward, Morgue, Amputation, and Genetics, bottles of various medications, and a warning … Continue reading
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Tagged asylum, autism, Colgate University, devil, disability, diversity, diversity consciousness, education, genetics, geriatric, Halloween, haunted, idiot, imbecile, insane, mental illness, morgue, moron, New York State Lunatic Asylum, Pennhurst Asylum, perspective, possessed, psych ward, putting yourself in someone else's shoes, social interaction, Utica
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An Abundance of Talent Waiting to be Tapped
With the just announced ultra-low U.S. unemployment rate (3.5%), it’s easy to assume that everyone is benefitting. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Unemployment for those with disabilities, and particularly adults with autism, is astronomically high. Some estimates peg the rate … Continue reading
Inclusion is Harder, Not Easier
Recently, I was reading a new book by the mother of an adult son with autism. On the back cover, she describes how reading her book will change us. First, she says, it will “convince you inclusion is easier than … Continue reading
Disabled Students and the Suspension Gap
Last week, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights issued a report on school discipline, and the role of race and disability in student suspensions. The report found that students with disabilities are about twice as likely to be suspended when … Continue reading
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Tagged Commission on Civil Rights Report, disabled, discrimination, intellectual disabilities, parental involvement in schools, race, school misbehavior, school rules, schools, structural discrimination, student discipline, student suspensions, students with disabilitiies, teacher aides, teacher training, teachers, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
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Parenting, Autism, and The Difference Compassion Makes
“An Uncommon Compassion” is the title of a chapter in my most recent book, A Mommy, A Daddy, Two Sisters, and a Jimmy: Autism and the Difference It Makes. While discussing our family dynamics, I cite a quote from my … Continue reading
Autism: Isolation and Loneliness?
“Sometimes I’m grateful for his autism. That may sound like a terrible thing to say, but in some ways I think, I hope it shields him.” Mom continues, “He doesn’t seem to notice that he doesn’t get invited to birthday … Continue reading
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Tagged ASD, autism, autistic adults, autistic bubble, collective loneliness, diversity, emotional loneliness, extreme isolation, friendships, intellectual diversity, loneliness, nonverbal communication, Paul Shattuck, school, social interaction, social isolation, social loneliness, socialization, verbal communication
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Autism Awareness Month – Looking Forward
Since Autism Awareness Month got its start in 1970, we’ve come a long way. At the same time, we’ve got a long way to go. As a father of a middle-aged son with autism, I’m looking forward to the day … Continue reading
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Tagged Autism Awareness Month, autism spectrum, cure autism, diversity, family autism, media, neurodiverse, services cliff
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Stimming, Basketball, and Acceptance
This past week, I finished coaching my Upward Basketball team for the second year, with my 42 year-old son Jimmy as manager. Our church-affiliated team, the Blazers, was made up of seven first- and second-grade boys. While Jimmy cannot attend … Continue reading
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Tagged acceptance, ASD, autism, basketball, church, coaching, disability, hand flapping, staring, stimming, Upward basketball
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Autism and Gratitude
In recent years, more and more attention has been focused on gratitude. There’s even -something called the science of gratitude. A growing number of studies now examine the psychological, physical, and social consequences of feeling and showing appreciation. For instance, … Continue reading
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Tagged A Simple Act of Gratitude, ASD, attitude of gratitude, autism, autism spectrum, autism spectrum. social network, blessings, communication, diversity, empathy, gratitude, greeting cards, John Kralick, Oprah Winfrey, Robert Emmons, social network, thank you, thankfulness, Walmart
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Sibs, Autism, and Resilience
Life’s ups and downs have a way of transforming us. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s autobiography, My Beloved World, provides us with insight into the challenges of her childhood, which wasn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination. She writes, … Continue reading
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Tagged adversity, autism, autism and stress, autism spectrum, autistic brother, childhood, compassion, family, life lessons, poverty, resilience, siblings, Sotomayor
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