Showing posts with label Author. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Author. Show all posts

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Tristram Smith

Autism Light #468 is Tristram Smith.



Tristram H. Smith, Ph.D., BCBA, was a leader in the field of evidence-based research as a treatment for autism. He had been serving at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) since 2000 and at the time of his passing was the URMC's Haggerty-Friedman Professor in Developmental/Behavioral Pediatric Research. He was born on April 9, 1961, and passed away on August 8, 2018, at the age of 57, from a heart attack. He is survived by his wife Jennifer Katz and two children, Jonah Smith and Madeleine Katz. His funeral service was held on August 10, 2018, at the Anthony Funeral Chapel in Brighton, New York (Read more at Anthony Funeral Chapel Obituary for Tristram Smith). Tristram Smith will be placed on the Autism Light Memorial Roll today.


Alison Singer, president of the Autism Science Foundation, said of Tristram Smith, "For autism families, he was a hero. His research was groundbreaking, of course, but he also pushed for increased access to autism services and lobbied for legislative changes. It's unusual to see scientists also act as advocates, but Tris went far beyond what most clinician-researchers do (As quoted by University of Rochester Medical Center News, August 8, 2018).

Other Tributes: The Association for Science in Autism Treatment published several noteworthy tributes to Tristram Smith after his untimely death. You can read them in the article Tributes to Dr. Tristram Smith.

In April 2018, the Autism Partnership Foundation gave Tristram Smith the Lifetime Achievement Award. Here is the video of the presentation of the award.




Author: Tristram Smith published the book Making Inclusion Work for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Evidence-Based Guide in 2011. It is available on Amazon.com.

Tristram Smith passed away just days after giving this presentation at the UC Davis Mind Institute on August 3, 2018.



We remember Tristram Smith for his efforts to advance the field of evidence-based research for autism treatment. It is our hope that his life and research will be a foundation to inspire others to enter the field of autism research to continue the advancements for future generations. Our thoughts are with the family he leaves behind.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.
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Saturday, March 10, 2018

Jason Hague

Autism Light #458 is Jason Hague.



Jason Hague is an autism father, husband, Christian pastor, storyteller, and writer. Jason and his wife Sara have five children, including a 12 year old son Jackson who has autism. Jason is an Associate Pastor at Christ's Church, an independent, non-denominational Christian church in Junction City, Oregon. Jason Hague is an Autism Light for raising autism awareness through his personal sharing of his life online from the honest heart of an autism father.

The following is a poem Jason wrote for his son Jackson which he recites in this video on his YouTube Channel. The version of this video on Facebook went viral and has received 3 million views and counting.


Blogger: One of the best ways to get to know Jason Hague and his life as an autism father in an up close way is to read through his blog posts located at www.jasonhague.com. He wrote a special post on February 6, 2018, called "A Letter to My Autistic Son on His 12th Birthday".  The blog also has letters Jason wrote to Jackson at his various birthdays over the years when he was a growing child.

Jason Hague's blog reveals his emotions as a father that captures the feelings that many autism fathers experience like in this paragraph:
"I often feel the old tug of despair on my sleeve, and the temptation to let it wash over me like it use to: Jack's anguish; his future; our lack of connection. It still gets the best of me from time to time. But on this occasion, the sadness didn't win. It couldn't win. Not after what happened the day before." [Jason Hague, "Let this Carry You", April 26, 2017]
Author: Jason Hague has written a book that will be available in October 2018, about his journey as an autism father for the last five years. It is called Aching Joy: Following God Through the Land of Unanswered Prayer. The subtitle underscores how important faith is in Jason's life, especially in coping with autism.

Social Media: For more information on Jason Hague, follow him at these social media channels.

Special thanks to Jason Hague for being an Autism Light. His storytelling and sharing about autism from the perspective of a father and Christian is a valuable contribution to the autism community. It takes these diverse stories in society to provide living resources to help our world understand more about autism and learn to accept the individuals living with it. We wish Jason Hague all the best in his journey as an autism father and look forward to reading about his blessed family in his blog and writings in the months and years to come.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.
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Friday, January 6, 2017

William Christopher

Autism Light #454 is William Christopher.


William Christopher was an actor who had a variety of roles in his career, but none as endearing as the role of "Father Mulcahy" in the hit 1970's era television show MASH. William Christopher was born on October 20, 1932, and died on December 31, 2016, from cancer. He is survived by his wife Barbara and two sons, Ned and John. His son Ned Christopher has autism. William Christopher is an Autism Light because of how his devotion to his son and his journey as an autism father has increased autism awareness. William Christopher will be placed on the Autism Light Memorial Roll today.

Education: William Christopher earned a Bachelor's degree in drama at Wesleyan University in Connecticut.

Actor: William Christopher starred as "Father Mulcahy" in the popular sitcom MASH and the spin off After MASH, from 1972-1983.  He also had recurring roles in television shows, "Gomer Pyle", "That Girl", and "Hogan's Heroes". You can read more about William Christopher's career at William Christopher's IMDb Page or the Wikipedia Page of William Christopher.

Here is a public service announcement that William Christopher appeared in for the Health Care Chaplaincy Network.



Mixed Blessings: William and Barbara Christopher published the book Mixed Blessings in 1989. The book tells their story of raising their son Ned, who has autism, and the hope and challenges they faced in making important decisions in his development.

National Autistic Society: William Christopher appeared in public service announcements for the National Autistic Society as a way of advocating for his son and others who have autism.

Obituary: You can read William Christopher's obituary at Legacy.com. CBS News also published a news article on William Christopher's passing.

Special thanks to William Christopher for being a light for autism. Although the general public will remember his well performed character acting roles, the autism community thanks him for fulfilling a role as a dedicated autism father, author, and an advocate. May his memory encourage others and remind us all of the way in which autism touches so many families, including those of famous celebrities.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

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Sunday, June 12, 2016

Darius Brown

Autism Light #450 is Darius Brown. 

Darius Brown is an 11 year old author who has autism. He is mainstreamed in the fifth grade at Skyline Elementary School in Suitland, Maryland, which is in the Washington DC Metropolitan area. Darius Brown is an Autism Light for the example he set for other children who have autism by writing a published book, when he was just 10 years old, called Darius Hates Vegetables.

School: Darius Brown has been mainstreamed in his public elementary school since kindergarten and he is now considered on the high functioning end of the autism spectrum. His mother Wendy Brown wrote the following summary about some of the services that have helped her son over the years with his autism.
Darius Brown
Throughout grade school Darius received a lot of speech therapy services due to his inability to speak. The services taught DJ sign language to sign the words he couldn't speak and other methods to communicate while in school and at home. He also received adaptive physical education services that helped with his motor skills. These services included swimming, roller skating and other activities to help develop his low muscle tone. Now he can participate in a lot of physical activities more aggressively because he can use his muscles and be big and strong. Even though loud noises and other sensory issues are still a challenge for Darius we deal with them a bit at a time and develop coping strategies for each issue (Wendy Brown, March 31, 2016, Email to Autism Light).

Darius Hates Vegetables: Darius Brown writes his books from true events he experiences as a boy growing up, and his first published book is about a boy who enjoys cookies more than vegetables.

An 8 year old named Ryan said this about Darius' book, "I enjoyed Darius Hates Vegetables! It was catchy and a good story. The artwork was beautiful. I don't like vegetables either, but I might try them now (I Am Darius Brown Testimonials)."


Darius' mother Wendy Brown wrote to Autism Light, "Darius uses writing as a way to cope with good and bad things that he's encountered while in school trying to make new friends or other challenges faced at home especially when it comes to sharing his trains with his little brother. Nonetheless, we feel other children/adults on the spectrum will enjoy his stories all the same and realize we are all the same."

Website: You can order the book Darius Hates Vegetables online through his website and also learn more about Darius from his website.

Media: To learn more about Darius Brown read the following media.


Special thanks to Darius Brown for being an Autism Light and being a published author at age 10. Darius Brown is one of the many examples of students with autism doing extraordinary achievements. Hopefully his example will be an encouragement to to other aspiring writers with autism. We wish Darius all the best and hope he will continue to learn and grow in his life.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

 Photos: The photos in this post were used with permission of Wendy Brown.
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Tuesday, March 29, 2016

David Kot

Autism Light #446 is David Kot.


David Kot is a comic book script writer who founded Face Value Comics, a non-profit which raises autism awareness and featured the world's first comic book hero with autism. David lives in York, Pennsylvania with his wife Angie and four children. In addition to his own clinical diagnosis as an adult with Asperger's, his young step-daughter also has autism. David Kot is an Autism Light for his influential efforts to raise autism awareness through his comic book enterprise and as a self-advocate.

The following is a video where David Kot explains how Face Value Comics is intentional about raising autism awareness.



Face Value Comics: David Kot and Angela Kot created Face Value Comics, which was legally incorporated as a non-profit organization in 2011 and is presently a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. According to their website, "Autism at Face Value practises 'comic awareness' and employs the use of comic books and educational toys to publicly demystify Autism Spectrum Disorders (Autism at Face Value - About Us)."

Some of the accomplishments of Face Value Comics include:
  • Introducing the character "Michael" who is the first comic book super hero with autism.
  • Having a third party medical journal review their work for their therapeutic value to children.
  • Advising the Dover Area School District on new special needs curriculum based on our use of facial feature recognition helps us maintain our non-profit status.
David Kot says,
"Comic book author and pop-icon Stan Lee wrote Spiderman when he was 40 years old. I debuted Face Value Comics #1 a year earlier than my role-model. Since this time, we have been on the nation’s largest news network, reviewed in a medical journal, and outsold some popular titles. Our comic has been nominated and won two international awards for Children’s Literature (Ireland, Canada) and enshrined in the National History of Disability History in New York. We have international print and distribution for our comics. Additionally, we hold the copyright on our work, and are proud to give kids heroes like themselves. In the future, we have many great plans."
His plans for Face Value Comics in the future include:
  • Developing public school special needs curriculum with the Dover Area School District for a net surplus, insulated against legislative budget cuts, and without levying a single dime to the typical taxpayer;
  • Sensory-friendly action figures of our heroes, with flexible pieces (i.e. silk cape or wool cape), designed to calm children who play while they play;
  • Printing comic books with 3D features, like raised facial expressions to literally feel emotions, which also opens comic books to the low/no-vision community;
  • Visiting the U.S. Congressional Autism Caucus by (Mike Doyle’s) invitation;
  • Continued issues of comics, including special guest artists and authors;
  • Advocating and teaching young people and adults about living with autism; and
  • Finishing my doctoral research as my health and time allows.
Copyright 2016 - Face Value Comics
Author: To date David Kot has published three comic books labeled Face Value Comics #1, #2, and #3. Face Value Comics #4 is in the production phase.

Ordering Information: You can order print copies of comics by Autism Face Value at their page on Indyplanet. Digital copies, including a pay-what-you-want price option on Issue #1, are available at Drive Thru Comics.

Education: David Kot has the following educational background.

David Kot
  • Since 2006 he has been studying at Capella University. He has earned a Master of Science in Human Services (Psychology) and did his graduate research in Self-funding community clinics to include self-injurious clients, in respect to billing, coding, and clinical interventions. 
  • David Kot is expected to earn his Doctor of Philosophy, Psychology in 2016 from Capella University. His PhD research focus has been Autism and multicultural, nonverbal communication strategies that promote compassion and empathy. 
Blogger: David Kot writes a blog as part of his advocacy on his website. The following two articles are representative of some of the content.
#WeAut2Vote Campaign: David Kot has been working hard to advocate for making voting accessible to people with autism in the Winter and Spring of 2016. He has solicited the support of ALL Pennsylvania senators and support is growing throughout the United States. His advocacy includes helping individuals with autism to:
  1. Register to Vote
  2. Identify their Local Polling Place
  3. Use Absentee Ballots When Their Disability Prevents Typical Voting Inclusion.
The York Dispatch wrote an article on David Kot's efforts to get out the autstic vote (Greg Gross, The York Dispatch, March 28, 2016).

Encouragement to those with Asperger's: David Kot offered these words of encouragement to others with Asperger's.
"In a world run by neurotypical people (i.e.: people without autism), some comforting words by George Bernard Shaw and the Kennedy family: 'You see things; and you say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were; and I say, ‘Why not?’' By this, I encourage people living with autism to remember how we brought you a comic book hero with autism, not industry giants like DC or Marvel (Disney) Comics. I am just a guy living in a small town with a dream, limited resources, but with great supports who love and value me as much as any work I have done or may yet do (David Kot)."
David Kot provided this summary of his autism advocacy and his appreciation for people who assist him in shining his light for autism.
"In summary, I hope any other person – with or without autism – may look to what I have done and replicate something similar, for their own advocacy on any number of deeply-concerning social topics that get bypassed by mass media monopolies, and for the benefit of younger readers in the future. One may say that writing a comic book has launched autism advocacy through national news coverage, educational reform based on science with economical responsibility, address of congressional representatives, and review in a legitimate medical journal. Yes- a comic book paved the way. I think about our success as one average guy’s science-fiction story (equally heavy in both parts ‘science’ and ‘fiction’) that makes people believe in fantastic opportunities – in equality - like those events described. I could not have done any of these things without so many long evenings with my wife, Angela, and our artist, Sky Owens. He patiently taught me how to write for comic books, and his thirty years’ experience in the comic book industry shows on the static page. Angela listened to my writings, and offered many great changes from her views as a mother and wife living with autism. She also has a very active imagination! Overall, I am just a man. However, I also have great supports and people who love me. I never thought our comic book would be published in a medical journal before my own doctoral defense. We must never stop believing we deserve good things for ourselves or our children, who need our collective best (David Kot)."

Social Media: You can follow Face Value Comics at the following social media areas.
Media: You can read more about David Kot's autism advocacy in the following media features. 
Special thanks to David Kot for being an Autism Light through his amazing talent in comic book script. Face Value Comics is an independent company that can offer hope and encouragement to the autism community as well as educate others about this growing group of people in our society. We wish David continued success in his endeavors as a self-advocate and his role as an autism father.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.



The photo of David Kot was used with permission of David Kot. Comic book images are copyright by Autism at Face Value (2016).
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Monday, January 18, 2016

Michael Hannon

Autism Light #444 is Dr. Michael Hannon.
Photo of Martin Luther King

 "Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the whole staircase." 





When autism parents commence on the journey of raising a child with an autism spectrum disorder, they are put in a position, like Dr. King says, of needing to work and love their child persistently without being able to see all the growth and success their child with autism will experience over time. I believe if Dr. King were living today he would have acknowledged the unique challenges autism families face, and would have been especially engaged with how autism impacts families in the African-American community. King would have been very supportive of research into finding out the influences of autism on diverse family systems and would have been publically grateful for the efforts of the following autism father and researcher who is being honored for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in 2016.

Dr. Michael Hannon is a professor and autism father from Westampton, New Jersey. He and his wife LaChan Hannon have a 13 year-old daughter Nile and an 11 year-old son Avery. Avery has a form of autism. Dr. Michael Hannon is an Autism Light for his research into the potential rewards of fathering a child with autism within diverse communities.

Dr. Michael Hannon serves as the Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at Montclair State University, where his primary responsibility is teaching in the graduate level counseling program. He also serves as a mentor to doctoral students in their counseling doctorate program. Dr. Michael Hannon conducts research related to mental health and counseling and his research specialty is the influence of autism on broader family systems and fathers, with a particular emphasis on fathers and families of color. His website shows a summary of his previous work experience.

Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK): Dr. Michael Hannon told Autism Light that MLK influenced his work in this way.
Dr. Martin Luther King devoted his life, and particularly the latter part of his life, to an unapologetic fight for social justice. He was courageous to speak out and fight against racial discrimination, socioeconomic disparities, and war in revolutionary ways. His legacy influences my work in being able to share stories and experiences of an understudied and often misunderstood community: Black fathers of individuals with autism. There is important research about how autism affects family systems that includes highlighting disparities in diagnosis timing and access to care between racial/ethnic groups in the United States. While raising children with autism and other developmental differences can be challenging at times, the challenges might be exacerbated when we study the experiences of diverse parents. These exacerbated challenges may be based, in part, by negative interactions with service providers (e.g., teachers, therapists, etc.) that undermine trust between parents and service providers (Michael Hannon, January 13, 2016).

Education: Dr. Michael Hannon has completed the following educational degree programs.
Author: Dr. Michael Hannon has been the author or co-author of over 25 presentations, book chapters, and/or articles on the area of his expertise in counseling, mental health, and autism families.
Highlights of Research Findings: Some recurring messages that Dr. Michael Hannon has heard from fathers in his research include:
  • The most rewarding aspect of fathering individuals with autism is seeing their children successful.  
  • There is an orientation and adjustment process that fathers experience as they learn about their children’s autism diagnosis and possibly have to adjust their relationship expectations with their children with autism.  
  • Fathers seem to appreciate connecting with resembling fathers and families as they navigate fathering an individual with autism. 
  • Fathers are paying close attention to their different forms of capital (Dr. Michael Hannon, January 13, 2016)
Certifications: Dr. Michael Hannon is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) in New Jersey.

Awards: Dr. Michael Hannon received the Presidential Award by the Willingboro, New Jersey and Vicinity Branch of the NAACP in November 2015.
  
Conference Speaker: Dr. Michael Hannon provided the keynote at the 3rd Annual Conference for New Jersey Fathers of Children with Special Needs in October of 2015. Below is a brief excerpt of his presentation. More information on past conferences he presented at are listed on his blog.



Great Expectations Teaching & Advocacy Center for Childhood Disabilities, Inc. (GETAC): Michael and LaChan Hannnon founded GETAC on April 19, 2007 to offer advocacy, educational, and consultative services for parents raising children with developmental disabilities. Michael's wife, LaChan Hannon, serves as the Executive Director and the work of this non-profit is dear and near to them.

The following is a video of Google Hangout where Dr. Michael Hannon was on an online panel called Autism Brainstorm: Guy Talk that Dr. Robert Naseef did in March 2015 as part of a feature on an African-American perspective on raising children with autism. A second part of this series was taped in April 2015.


Advice to Autism Fathers: Dr. Michael Hannon shared this advice to autism fathers with Autism Light. 

 "Fathers are important members of the family. When families have experiences that require something new or unexpected from them, it can be a source of both stress and enrichment. As they navigate this experience, I encourage fathers of children with autism to:
  • Learn (more) about themselves so they can engage with their families in healthy and honest ways. Discover (or rediscover) interests, hobbies, stress relief activities, and ways to support personal growth and development.
  • Learn about their children (with or without autism) so they can find connection points. Fathers may find they share interests, attitudes, dispositions with their children, which is awesome. They also may discover something their children enjoy that eventually becomes a mutual interest or something in which they entirely support their children.
  • Learn about autism by talking to trustworthy people who help build a sense of community. These can be other dads, romantic/marital partners, specialists and therapists, school personnel, and/or a faith community (if applicable). (Michael Hannon, January 13, 2016)."
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'".

 Others Supporting Autism Families: Dr. Michael Hannon provided this insight to Autism Light on supporting fathers in diverse communities.
I appreciate the ongoing advocacy for individuals with autism by individuals with autism, their families, and concerned community members and groups. One way we can all continue to help families affected by autism is being courageous in helping eliminate the disparities in diagnosis, diagnosis timing, and access to care for families of different racial/ethnic groups. 
Another way to help is to continue balancing the autism narrative. All families experience stress, and raising an individual with autism can be stressful at times, and in different ways than raising an individual who does not have autism. However, the stress/coping narrative is not the only autism story. It’s great to be able to read, hear, and talk to those living with and/or affected by autism when they share their success and reward stories (Dr. Michael Hannon, January 13, 2016).
People-First Language: Dr. Hannon has a specific way in which he speaks about people with autism that affirms their dignity and that they are more than their autism diagnosis. He said this to Autism Light:
One last suggestion for all of us is to affirm the humanity of individuals with autism, by using people-first language. Unless I’m corrected, I try to address people with autism with that moniker: people WITH autism. I get concerned when we label a community by just one identifier, especially when that identifier has been constructed as something negative (e.g., autistic, diabetic, schizophrenic, etc.). Those identifiers can be sources of pride for the individuals living with such conditions and contribute to our diverse communities; however, I err on the side of caution and try to use people-first language in my interactions and recommend others do the same unless told otherwise (Dr. Michael Hannon, January 13, 2016).
Follow Michael Hannon on Social Media: 
Special thanks to Dr. Michael Hannon for being an Autism Light and fighting the good fight as an autism father, researcher, and counselor. His work is a benefit to the autism community and he is an appropriate representative of someone who has a passion to shape the world for the better like the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 This post is our 5th annual feature to honor someone who is an Autism Light in the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. Past honorees of Autism Light on Martin Luther King, Jr. day include:

2015

2014

2013

2012

 Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

The photo of Martin Luther King, Jr. in this post is in the Creative Commons of 
Wikipedia and is from the National Archives and Records Administration. The photo of Michael Hannon is used with permission of Michael Hannon.
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Thursday, July 16, 2015

Kevin Healey

Autism Light #421 is Kevin Healey.




Kevin Healey is an Autism Campaigner from Stoke on trent in the United Kingdom. Kevin is 41 and was born on May 27, 1974. Kevin was diagnosed with autism in 2001. His twin brother Shaun also has autism but a more severe form. Kevin's personal experiences of having autism and being bullied have driven him to campaign against bullying. Kevin Healey is an Autism Light for the difference he is making in the lives of people with autism and how he is continually raising autism awareness through his writing, speaking, social media, leadership, and campaigning against bullying.

Anti-Bullying Campaigner: Kevin Healey raises awareness for cyberbullying and online harassment of people with autism. He is also trying to change hate crime laws in the United Kingdom and around the world in order to make it more difficult for anyone to get away with bullying people with autism. You can find out more about his Global Anti-Bullying campaign at the website www.autism-campaign.co.uk.

The following is a video where Kevin Healey talks about his anti-bullying campaign.


Author: Kevin Healey's autobiography is the 2008 book Twin Brothers World's Apart. He donates proceeds from the book to charity. Kevin's twin brother Shaun is more severely impacted by his autism than Kevin. You can order the book from Amazon/UK and the website for information on this book is at www.twinbrothersworldsapart.com.

Straffordshire Adults Autistic Society: Kevin Healey founded the Straffordshire Adults Autistic Society (SAAS) in 2007. They were the winner of the Queen's Award Charity in 2011. The SAAS is the largest adult autism charity in the United Kingdom. They say, "Our aim is to provide support to individuals on the autism spectrum, and to spread awareness and promote a better understanding of Autism and Asperger's (SAAS Blog)." Learn more about their work at the website www.saas.uk.com or their blog at www.autismblog.org.uk.

National Autistic Society: The National Autistic Society is the largest Autism Charity in the United Kingdom. Kevin Healey has been working the National Autistic Society for over 5 years as a regional Cllr/Trustee and Ambassador for the National Autistic Society.

Other Award: Kevin Healey was awarded by his community the Stoke on Trent Citizen of the Year in 2006.

The following is a video that Kevin Healey did for World Autism Awareness Week in 2015.



Wikipedia: You can read more about Kevin Healey on his Wikipedia Page.

 Social Media: Kevin Healey has been dedicated to getting his message out on social media for almost 15 years. You can follow Kevin and his autism campaigning on the following social media areas.
Special thanks to Kevin Healey for being an Autism Light and using his leadership skills to shine a practical light for autism in his homeland while maintaining a global mindset in his efforts. Kevin Healey's campaigning is an inspiration to the autism community around the world. It is hoped that Kevin Healey's example will inspire many others with high functioning autism to speak up for those who might not be able to speak.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

 Photos: The photos in this post were used with permission of Kevin Healey.
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Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Mira Rothenberg

Autism Light #417 is Mira Rothenberg.


Mira Rothenberg was a holocaust survivor and a pioneer child psychologist in the treatment of children with autism. Mira Rothenberg was born on January 15, 1922 in Vilnius, Lithuania and died on April 16, 2015. She spent much of her life working in New York and had been living with her son in Beverly Hills, California at the time of her passing. She is survived by her only son Akiva Goldsman, who is a Hollywood screenwriter who won an Academy Award for his movie A Beautiful Mind. Mira Rothenberg will be placed on the Autism Light Memorial Roll today.

When Mira Rothenberg arrived in New York in 1939 she began work with children who were holocaust orphans that arrived from European concentration camps. This work with children propelled her into a passion for children diagnosed with autism and she became a pioneer in specialized treatment for them. Her groundbreaking role in the history of autism treatment has been described in this way. "Mira Rothenberg has been instrumental in developing treatments and clinical distinctions for autistic and severely disturbed children that are separate from those who are mentally disabled (ReadHowYouWant.com, Mira Rothenberg)."

Education: Mira Rothenberg studied psychology and education at Brooklyn College and Columbia University. She received her Masters in Psychology from Yeshiva University (Remembering Mira Rothenberg, Tabletmag.com, May 12, 2015, Tal Trachtman Alroy). In 2011 she was awarded the Honorary Doctorate degree at the 80th Commencement at Yeshiva University.

Blueberry Treatment Centers: Mira Rothenberg and her husband Tav Goldsman founded the Blueberry Treatment Centers in New York, which were the first internationally recognized agency to offer treatment for children who had autism and schizophrenia. Mira Rothenberg served as the clinical director of the Blueberry Treatment Centers from 1959-1985.  By 1990 the center "was providing services to more than 200 children and adolescents through its residential and day treatment programs, nursery and summer camp (New York Times, Sam Roberts, May 11, 2015)."

Author:  Mira Rothenberg is the author of the following books on autism treatment.
Mira Rothenberg wrote of her summer of work with autistic children at Raquette Lake, "It was the beginning of the recognition that these children exist and have a right to life....and a change in public perception of and attitude toward these kinds of children--autistic (or as they were often misdiagnosed, schizophrenic), and those suffering from childhood schizophrenia (The Children of Raquette Lake: One Summer That Helped Change the Course of Treatment for Autism, 2012)."

Mira Rothenberg had a heart for her work and she took it personally when she couldn't help every student. In 1978 when a student of hers had to be admitted to a state hospital she said, "I learned that it is especially difficult to forgive yourself. We all want to be gods. But we are mortals, and knowing that is sometimes very painful (As quoted by New York Times, Sam Roberts, May 11, 2015)."

We remember with thankfulness the accomplishments and contributions to autism that Mira Rothenberg made. Over the years she helped hundreds of children to find a better life through her pioneer treatments that were geared distinctively toward those impacted by autism. May the example of her work and her unique heritage as a holocaust survivor inspire others to make a difference for those with autism in the years to come. RIP Mira Rothenberg. All those that had the privilege to know you in your time and those that come after you and have studied your contributions can't help but shed a tear tonight that you are gone from our world.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.
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Saturday, July 4, 2015

Anna Kennedy

Autism Light #416 is Anna Kennedy.

Photo of Anna Kennedy
Anna Kennedy


Anna Kennedy is an autism advocate and autism mother from Middlesbrough in the United Kingdom. She was born on March 12, 1960. Anna Kennedy is an Autism Light for her creation of the very important Hillingdon Manor School for students with autism and for her ongoing advocacy as an autism ambassador in the United Kingdom, especially through the charity she founded called Anna Kennedy Online.

Family: Anna Kennedy is married to Sean Kennedy. Sean is a legal advocate at Anna Kennedy Online, who helps the charity provide free legal support to autism families. The couple have two sons, Patrick and Angelo, who have autism.

In the following interview Anna Kennedy talks about raising her two sons, Patrick and Angelo, who have autism.




Hillingdon Manor School: In September 1999, Anna Kennedy opened Hillingdon Manor School in London (BBC News, January 5, 1999). After trying 26 schools and still being unable to find a school to accept her boys with autism, Anna Kennedy mortgaged her home and turned in her life savings in order to purchase the building for this groundbreaking autism school. Today it is an independent specialist school that offers educational instruction to 179 children between ages 3-19 at three different sites. Find out more about the school Anna Kennedy started at www.hillingdonmanorschool.org.uk. 

Other Facilities: In 2011, Hillingdon Manor acquired Baston House School in order to expand their ability to serve children with autism.  Anna Kennedy also started a college and a respite home that are making a difference for individuals of all ages with autism in the United Kingdom.

OBE: Anna Kennedy was awarded the Order of the British Empire by her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 for being an inspirational mother in her autism advocacy and establishing Hillingdon Manor School.

Honorary Doctorate: Anna Kennedy received the Honorary Doctor of Professional Achievement from Teesdale University.

The following is a video in honor of Anna Kennedy when she won the Achieving Mum of the Year from Tesco Awards in 2013 for campaigning for autism.



Anna Kennedy Online:  Anna Kennedy Online reaches over 50,000 international followers of their website. The site shares autism information and is the official charity for Anna Kennedy's diverse autism advocacy (Tesco Living, 2013).  This is the mission of Anna Kennedy Online:
Anna Kennedy Online is dedicated to promoting the inclusion and equality of children and adults with an autism spectrum condition throughout society. The charity promotes its mission of disability and equality by developing and sponsoring training, by raising awareness of the challenges faced by people with disabilities and also by its advocacy efforts with and on behalf of people with an autism spectrum condition (Source: Anna Kennedy Online).
Autism's Got Talent: In 2012, Anna Kennedy founded the event Autism's Got Talent. 2016 will be the 5th year for this annual event. Anna Kennedy told Autism Light that this occasion is the highlight of her year. It is a night where talented individuals on the autism spectrum have the opportunity to showcase their talents to the public at one of the theaters in London.

(Image Source: Amazon)
Author: Anna Kennedy published the book Not Stupid in August, 2009. The book chronicles her inspirational journey from an autism mother who wouldn't give up into a leading autism advocate. You can purchase Not Stupid on Amazon.

Social Media: You can follow Anna Kennedy through the following social media sites.
Wikipedia: You can also learn about Anna Kennedy on the Anna Kennedy Wikipedia Page.

Motto: Anna Kennedy wrote in an email to Autism Light, "My motto in life has always been You can either Give In, Give Up, or Give it all you've got and then some. I am known for my drive, tenacity and enthusiasm in everything I do in raising autism awareness. I am always thinking out of the box for different ideas in ways to achieve my goals."

Special thanks to Anna Kennedy for shining a light for autism in the United Kingdom. From humble beginnings to her establishment as one of the top autism ambassadors in the United Kingdom, Anna Kennedy is representative of so many other autism mothers who propelled their relationship to autism into a force for good to effect change in their community, country, and our world.  We look forward to hearing new things in the future about Anna Kennedy's work for autism.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Photo: The photo in this post was used with permission of Anna Kennedy.


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Sunday, May 10, 2015

Kim Stagliano

Autism Light #396 is Kim Stagliano.
Happy Mother's Day!


Kim Stagliano is an Autism Mother from Fairfield City, Connecticut. Kim and her husband Mark have three daughters, Mia (age 20), Gianna (age 18), and Bella (age 14), who all have autism. Kim Stagliano is an Autism Light for her dedication as an autism mother, advocate, writer, and for being the managing editor of the popular Age of Autism Website.

Kim Stagliano with daughters Mia, Gianna, and Bella
Kim Stagliano graduated from Boston College in 1985, the same year that Autism Light #86  Doug Flutie graduated from Boston College. According to her Twitter Account @KimStagliano, Kim is a Howard Stern fan, muscle car lover, does Shito-Ryu Karate, and is a Matayoshi Weapons student.

The following is a video where Kim Stagliano talks about her three daughters.





Age of Autism: Kim Stagliano started her role as the Managing Editor of Age of Autism, which is the first Daily Web Newspaper of the Autism Epidemic, in 2007. As Managing Editor, Kim Stagliano is responsible for all daily content, technical work advertising, organization, layout and leads a team that helps with comment moderation.

The following is a video featuring Kim Stagliano that celebrates the 10th Anniversary of Generation Rescue and the work of its founder JB Handley.




Kim has extensive writing experience at online websites that include: Age of Autism , Huffington Post , Debutante Ball, Dallas Morning News Moms Blog , and The Autism File. Kim also speaks at national autism conferences and has appeared on Good Morning America (with the kids!), ABC News, Fox News, The Chicago Tribune, The National Catholic Register, and on blogs around the world (Bio on KimStagliano.com).

Several of her blog posts have gained national attention, including a recent one she did for the Washington Post called "My Three Daughters are Autistic. I Despise Autism Awareness Month". In this article, Kim says:
I dread April, which has been designated as Autism Awareness Month. As mom to three young women with autism – ages 20, 18 and 14 – I eat, sleep and live autism every day. My youngest daughter, Bella, can’t speak a word and was abused on a school bus, leading to a criminal case. My oldest, Mia, had hundreds of grand mal seizures a year from ages 6 to 10. My middle child is wracked with anxiety. For all three, I have to cut their food, tend to their monthly feminine needs, and bathe them. They will need that daily living assistance forever; when I die, a stranger will have to do those things for them. That is why I bristle at the festive tone of April, the suggestion that the circumstances of my daughters’ existences are to be celebrated. For me, this should be a month of solemn acknowledgement and education about a global crisis (Orange You Glad It's April).
Author: Kim Stagliano is the other of the following three books.

Faith:  A look at Kim Stagliano's past experience with special education catechism classes in the Catholic Church can be found in the article by Joseph Pronechen called Special Needs, Sanctifying Deeds - Catechizing the Developmentally Disabled that appeared in the National Catholic Register on October 16, 2009.

 Advice to Mothers: Kim Stagliano shared this word of encouragement with Autism Light for autism mothers on Mother's Day, "You are NOT alone - we are a close family even when we differ on cause. Autism Moms will always reach out to help one another because we understand the 'walk'."

Treatment Ideas: Autism Light asked Kim Stagliano what treatments for autism may have helped her family over the years and she said that the most important thing is diet. Kim has her daughters on a gluten free diet. Also, she suggests speech that has an OT and sensory component as having the potential to be helpful.

Passions: Kim Stagliano shared with Autism Light her three most important passions about autism advocacy. They are as follows:
  1. Safety for all - no matter how old.
  2. Prevention - we can't continue at this rate.
  3. Treatment to help with aggression, seizures and other aspects of autism that alienate and are life threatening. 
Social Media: You can follow Kim Stagliano and her work as an author and editor on the following pages.
Special thanks to Kim Stagliano for being an Autism Light. Kim is representative of the dedicated autism mothers who we salute on this Mother's Day 2015. She is also part of a smaller group of autism mothers who have multiple children on the autism spectrum. We wish Kim Stagliano all the best in her role as an autism mother, advocate, and writer. We expect to continue to hear good things in the future about the difference she is making and the light she shines for autism.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

 Photos: Photos in this post are used with permission of Kim Stagliano.
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Saturday, March 21, 2015

Stan Lee

In Memoriam
Updated on November 12, 2018

Stan Lee (Autism Light #379) passed away on November 12, 2018, at the age of 95.  The New York Times published Stan Lee's Obituary. Stan Lee's name will be placed on the Autism Light Memorial Roll today.




 Autism Light #379 is Stan Lee.


Photo of Stan Lee
Stan Lee


Stan Lee lives in Hollywood, California and is an American comic book writer, editor, publisher, actor, and former president of Marvel Comics. Stan Lee co-created many of the famous comic book characters such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Thor, and the X-Men. He was born on December 28, 1922. Stan Lee is an Autism Light because he drew Spider-Man for a birthday present for an 8 year old fan with autism named Jamel Hunter.

In November, 2014, a disabled mother named Phyllis Atwood put on a special birthday party for her 8 year old son Jamel Hunter in East Harlem, New York. Jamel loves Spider-Man so his mother gave him a Spider-Man themed party (New York Times, December 24, 2014).

Jazz musician Corky Hale, who is a neighbor of Stan Lee, heard about the love Jamel Hunter has for Spider-Man. She asked Lee to do a drawing of Spider-Man for Jamel.  Lee agreed and the sketch was signed and sent to New York Times writer Michael Wilson to personally deliver to Jamel Hunter. The account of that heartwarming gift being presented was featured in an article Michael Wilson wrote on February 20, 2015 in the New York Times.

Stan Lee told the New York Times that he wrote the Spider-Man comics, but did not draw the characters. "This was a unique experience. I'm not known as an artist, which is lucky for the world (CBS News, February 24, 2015)."

Here is a Wochit news video on Stan Lee drawing spider man for Jamel Hunter.



Wikipedia: The Wikipedia Page for Stan Lee has more information on his life.

Social Media: You can follow Stan Lee (AKA The Real Stan Lee) on the following social media areas.
Special thanks to Stan Lee for the personal attention he gave to make a special present for a boy with autism. This act of kindness is an example to others of how it is possible to make dreams come true for people with autism when one truly cares. 

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism. 

 Photo: The photo of Stan Lee is from the Wikipedia Commons and was taken by Edward Liu.
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Monday, January 19, 2015

Areva Martin

Autism Light #374 is Areva Martin.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.




This post is our 4th annual feature to honor someone who is an Autism Light in the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. Previous honorees on Martin Luther King, Jr. day include: Elijah Winfrey (Autism Uncle), Joshua Bennett (Autism Brother), and King Richard (Individual with Autism). If Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were still with us today, there is no doubt in my mind he would have been an autism advocate and that he would have been a close ally with the following dynamic and successful autism mother.

Areva Martin is an outstanding children's and family rights attorney, author, speaker and media personality and an autism mother from Los Angeles, California. Areva Martin's son Marty has autism. Areva Martin is an Autism Light because of the tremendous difference her advocacy is making to shine a light on autism, especially it's impact on minority communities.

Areva Martin said about autism, "It impacts more children than pediatric AIDS, diabetes, childhood cancer; it is the leading childhood disorder. So given the enormous number of children that are going to be impacted, it really requires all of us to become advocates (As Quoted in the St. Louis American, Sandra Jordan, April 23, 2010).

Areva Martin grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. The following biographical video on her amazing life was done by Living St. Louis.





Attorney: Areva D. Martin is a successful attorney in the Los Angeles area specializing in children's and family rights. The law firm she operates with her husband Ernest Martin, Jr., called Martin & Martin LLP, is one of the top law firms in the Los Angeles area.

Education: Areva Martin is a graduate with honors of the University of Chicago and Harvard Law School.

Special Needs Network, Inc.: Areva Martin is the President and co-founder of the Special Needs Network, Inc. She started this nonprofit organization after her son Marty was diagnosed with autism. The Special Needs Network has the following mission.
Our mission is to raise public awareness of developmental disabilities and to impact public policy while providing education and resources to families, children and adults. SNN serves as a link between under-served communities and mainstream developmental disability organizations and governmental institutions which often fail to address issues specific to these communities. SNN firmly believes that dignity, hope, and opportunity are the birthright of all children (Special Needs Network Website). 
Areva Martin's biography at IMDb says that the Special Needs Network "has raised millions of dollars and provided for over 15,000 families in low income communities across California (Areva Martin-Biography IMDb)."

The following is an interview with Areva Martin on her book The Everday Advocate.




Author: Areva Martin is the author of the following books.
Areva Martin also writes advocacy articles for media outlets including one she wrote in November, 10, 2014, for Huffington Post called Children of Color and Autism: Too Little too Late. 

Media Personality: Areva Martin is a frequent legal analyst on television programs such as Anderson Cooper 360, Dr. Phil, The Doctors, The CBS Early Show, and Fox News. There are clips of recent appearances she has made on television on the video section of the Areva Martin Website. Other autism features involving Areva Martin include:

Social Media: You can follow Areva Martin on the following social media areas. She is especially active on Twitter.
Special thanks to Areva Martin for her advocacy for autism as an autism mother, attorney, author, and media personality. The ripple effects of her passion and work on behalf of autism can be felt around the United States and beyond. Areva Martin's work is an inspiration to the autism community. May her example light the way for others to serve those with autism, especially to help with the needs related to autism in the African American community.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism. 

 The photo of Martin Luther King, Jr. in this post is in the Creative Commons of Wikipedia and is from the National Archives and Records Administration.
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