Harold Doherty

Autism Light #427 is Harold L. Doherty.

Harold L. Doherty is an attorney and autism father from Fredericton, New Brunswick in Canada. He is an autism advocate who is also a blogger and prolific user of social media. His son Conor has autism. Harold Doherty is an Autism Light for the dedication he has an autism father and for using his expertise as a Canadian attorney to help fight for autism services in Canada, especially that medicare will cover ABA therapy to help those who are most severely impacted by autism.

Harold Doherty with his son Conor

Autism Father: Harold Doherty has two sons and his 19 year old son Conor is severely impacted by autism. Harold began his autism advocacy in 1999 when Conor was 3 years old. Harold Doherty says, "My interest in autism, and my engagement in autism advocacy, began with my son Conor's Autism Disorder diagnosis and the need to do something (Organized Wisdom-Autism Reality in NB)."

Harold Doherty wrote the following Autism Pledge to his son Conor. It reveals the scope of his dedication and is found on his blog.

Today I Pledge to continue; I Pledge to continue to fight for the availability of effective autism treatments; I Pledge to continue to fight for real education for autistic children; I Pledge to continue to fight for decent residential care for autistic adults; I Pledge to continue to fight for a cure for autism; I pledge to continue finding joy in my son but not in the autism disorder that restricts his life; Today, and everyday, I Pledge to continue to hope for a better life for Conor and others with autism through accommodation, care, respect, treatment, and some day a cure; Today, and everyday, I Pledge to continue to fight for the best possible life for Conor, my son with autistic disorder (Facing Autism in New Brunswick Blog).

Attorney: Harold Doherty's primary area of practice as a lawyer in Canada has been in the field of labour and employment law. He has also had extensive involvement working with some First Nation’s (Indian Bands) in the province of New Brunswick where he lives and practices.

Medicare for Autism Now!: Harold Doherty is a member of the Board of Directors of Medicare for Autism Now!. He advocates for ABA treatment for autism disorder coverage under medicare legislation in Canada. Harold is advocating for inclusion of evidence based autism treatment and ABA, under the Canada Health Act. He will be an advocate for autism coverage under medicare in the current federal election in Canada.

The following is a 2012 interview featuring Harold Doherty in a series called Medicare's Orphans.

Facing Autism in New Brunswick Blog: Harold Doherty started his blog Facing Autism in New Brunswick in 2006 to spread his autism advocacy. Since it's beginning his blog has had almost 1.3 million page views. His blog includes both news and opinions related to his autism advocacy in Canada as well as personal updates on Conor and his journey as an autism father. 

If you wish to read Harold Doherty's blog, the following are two selected posts on his blog that Harold Doherty recommends people read.

• Neurodiversity Cultists Take Note: My Son Is A Joy; His Autism Is A DISORDER (November 16, 2013)
• An Enhanced Group Home System and Center is Needed to Fill the Gaping Gap in New Brunswick’s Autism Service Model (November 30, 2010)

You may also find some of Harold Doherty's blog posts in syndication and tagged on the Autism Speaks Blog.

ABA Advocate: Harold believes in the proven effectiveness of ABA therapy to make a difference for autism. His efforts as an autism advocate have it's start when he "began to realize the seriousness of his [son Connor's] autism disorder, that ABA treatment could be helpful and that ABA based early intervention for autism disorder was not generally available where I live (Harold Doherty via an email to Autism Light, August 3, 2015)."

Care and Treatment for Adults with Autism: Harold Doherty has been an autism advocate as his son has grown from a toddler to an adult. His current priority is to advocate for better services for adults with autism. He writes the following about the urgency of this part of his efforts.

My most important effort right now is working on adult autism care and treatment and for that reason met with the provincial Minister of Social Development for the province of New Brunswick. Establishment of a decent, modern adult autism care and treatment is the biggest challenge I have faced and both me and my son are getting older. Time is growing short (Harold Doherty via an email to Autism Light, August 3, 2015).

Questioning Neurodiversity Message: Autism is a spectrum that represents people who have extraordinary abilities as well as exceptional disabilities. The great chasm of differences in the intellectual and developmental capacity of individuals with autism can lead to profound differences in autism messaging from their advocates. Harold Doherty has personal experiences with the serious difficulties facing individuals with low functioning autism both in his family and in his community work. He has raised an alarm about the unintended consequences of the neurodiversity message having the potential to demotivate government from providing critical autism treatment services. He writes the following about neurodiversity.

I believe that neurodiversity is a major obstacle to improving lives of those with autism disorders including my son. The mainstream media has a tendency to grab the feel good stories about those persons with high functioning autism or Aspergers who have very impressive accomplishments. The severe end of the spectrum tends to be ignored by the media and generally lost to public consciousness until a serious tragedy results as in the Avonte Oquendo case and other cases of wandering leading to death (Harold Doherty via an email to Autism Light, August 3, 2015).

Photographer: Harold Doherty's principle hobby is outdoor photography that he combines with his love of walking. He writes, "I am fortunate to live in a city called the green city with a very natural environment and wildlife in the middle of, and throughout, the city. I have always loved being outdoors and in nature and I combine the two for exercise and relaxation (Harold Doherty via an email to Autism Light, August 3, 2015)." The following is a photo he took on his walk that he posted on Twitter.

Conor on bench waitinf for slowpoke Dad to catch up.during a trail walk this week. pic.twitter.com/knRpjgTekt

— Harold L Doherty (@AutismRealityNB) July 31, 2015

Social Media: You can follow Harold Doherty on the following social media areas.

• Facebook Page for Harold Doherty
• Google + Page for Harold Doherty
• Twitter @AutismRealityNB

Special thanks to Harold Doherty for being an Autism Light. His dedication and tenacity as an autism advocate is a strength of source for those severely impacted by autism who may not necessarily be able to speak for themselves. We wish Harold Doherty all the best in his role as an autism father and community advocate in New Brunswick, Canada.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Photos: The photos in the post were used with permission of Harold L. Doherty and are in the "Buddies Forever" section of his blog's main page.

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.

• The Everyday Advocate: Standing Up For Your Child With Autism or other Special Needs was published in April, 2010 in an effort to give parents and caregivers the skills to defend the rights of those with autism. 
• Journey to the Top is a book for female professionals with lessons from Areva Martin's successful career as a female African American attorney.

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:

• Areva Martin did a social media session on autism with Autism Speaks (See Q & A with Areva Martin Recap - Autism Speaks).
• FoxNewsLA interviewed Areva Martin July 4, 2014, regarding a case of the abuse of a child with autism. 
• Areva Martin did an interview on the Dr. Rob Show about autism. 

Social Media: You can follow Areva Martin on the following social media areas. She is especially active on Twitter.

• Facebook Page of Areva Martin
• LinkedIn Page for Areva Martin
• Twitter for Areva Martin @ArevaMartin
• YouTube Channel for Areva Martin

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.

Lorri Shealy Unumb

Autism Light #295 is Lorri Shealy Unumb. 

Lorri Shealy Unumb is an attorney from Lexington, South Carolina. She is also a mother of a son with autism named Ryan. She has been called "inspirational" and "passionate" by David Newton (Humanitarian Award Winner Inspiring, ESPN.Com). Lorri Shealy Unumb is an Autism Light for the multitude of ways she helps the cause of autism through her advocacy and forward vision. Besides being a mother, her autism legacy includes three major areas. She is the author of Ryan's Law, a South Carolina Autism Insurance Law; the co-founder, along with her husband Dan, of the Autism Academy of South Carolina; and the Vice-President for State Government Affairs for Autism Speaks.

Ryan's Law: Lorri Shealy Unumb authored an autism insurance bill that was called Ryan's Law in honor of her son. Her passion was to help South Carolina Autism families who didn't have the means to give their children autism treatment. The South Carolina House and Senate passed Ryan's Law on June 7, 2007, by overriding then Governor Mark Sanford's veto (South Carolina Autism Insurance Bill Passed, Autism Speaks News). Ryan's Law made South Carolina one of the first states in the United States to mandate health insurance cover autism treatment.

The following is a news feature on Lorri Shealy Unumb's efforts to pass Ryan's Law by WBTV3 Charlotte.


Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award: Here is a video where Lorri Shealy Unumb was a finalist in 2012 for the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award, which is given to a NASCAR fan who gives back to the community. She won the 2nd Annual Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award in 2012 and designated the $100,000 award to go to the Autism Academy of South Carolina, the autism organization she founded in honor of her son Ryan (2013 Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award, NASCAR News).


Autism Academy of South Carolina: Lorri Shealy Unumb and her husband Dan founded the Autism Academy of South Carolina in 2010 and it is based in Columbia, South Carolina. Their website states their vision as follows: 

The Autism Academy of South Carolina (AASC) was born out of a vision to enhance the educational options that exist for children impacted by Autism in South Carolina. After searching the country in 2009 for "best practice" educational models, the founders, Lorri and Dan Unumb, decided to make it their mission to create an alternative education option that utilized the principles of Behavior Analysis to not only provide exceptional services for learners, but to also serve as a community resource for those impacted by autism (Autism Academy of South Carolina, About Us).

The AASC has an enrollment of approximately 18 children (Humanitarian Award Winner Inspiring, ESPN.Com). A promotional video from the Autism Academy of South Carolina on YouTube explains their work (Watch Video). 
Autism Speaks: Lorri Shealy Unumb serves as the Vice President for State Government Affairs with Autism Speaks. In her role she travels extensively and aims to replicate South Carolina's autism insurance mandate in other states.  In the five years since Ryan's Law passed, over 30 states have passed similar laws. You can watch a YouTube video of Lorri Shealy Unumb speaking in Missouri in support of autism insurance legislation. 
Advice to Parents: Lorri Shealy Unumb gave this advice for autism parents in a message to Autism Light on July 28, 2013. 

Take it upon yourself to educate those around you about autism, and assume that people want to help. They just don't know what to do. I certainly wouldn't have known how to be helpful to an autism family before my son was diagnosed. Assuming people want to help has been my philosophy in approaching the legislators I've worked with, and I've considered it my job to inform them about autism and what they can do (Lorri Shealy Unumb-7/28/2013).

Social Media: You can follow Lorri Shealy Unumb on the following social media areas. 

• Lorri Shealy Unumb Facebook Page.
• Lorri Shealy Unumb Twitter @lunumb

Special thanks to Lorri Shealy Unumb for being an Autism Light. Her efforts for the cause of autism now go far beyond their beginnings to help her home of South Carolina. The victories that she has helped win in state legislators for autism will have far reaching consequences for autism families.   Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.
The photo in this post is used with permission of Lori Shealy Unumb. 

Luis Viera and Jorge Santeiro

Autism Lights #112 are Luis Viera and Jorge Santeiro.

Luis Viera and Jorge Santeiro are attorneys from the Tampa Bay, Florida area. Jorge’s son has autism. In an effort to help those with autism they created a foundation this year called the Lawyers Autism Awareness Foundation. Luis Viera and Jorge Santeiro are Autism Lights because of their labor of love to create this foundation and help bring light to the lives of children and families struggling with autism.

Luis Viera serves as an attorney at Ogden, Sullivan & O'Connor, PA. Jorge Santeiro serves as an attorney at Kubicki Drapper, PA. His biography at their firm is at this link. Luis Viera and Jorge Santeiro founded the Lawyers Autism Awareness Foundation in February, 2011.

One of the key events of the Lawyers Autism Awareness Foundation has been a Sensory Friendly Santa event that was held on December 17, 2011. Here is a news story done prior to the Sensory Friendly Santa event that the Lawyers Autism Awareness Foundation put together. Luis Viera and Jorge Santeiro are both interviewed for this news story.

For more information on the Lawyers Autism Awareness Foundation visit their website at www.thelaaf.org.

2nd Annual Sensory Santa Event: The 2nd Sensory Santa event willl be held on December 8, 2012 at the Chester H. Ferguson Law Center, 1610 North Tampa Street in Tampa Bay, Florida. For more information on the event please visit their website.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.


Photos: Photos in this post were used with the permission of the Lawyers Autism Awareness Foundation.

Brian Rubin

Autism Light #45 is Brian Rubin.

Brian Rubin

Brian Rubin is an estate planning attorney who lives and practices law in Illinois. He is also a father of a child with autism. Brian Rubin is an Autism Light because of his passionate advocacy for autism, and his concentrated dedication as an attorney to help educate and represent families of special needs children with estate planning.

Parent: Brian Rubin is a parent of a 30 year old son named Mitchell Rubin who has autism. After Mitchell was diagnosed with autism, Brian decided to use his profession to help secure a better future for those with autism. Brian states on his Website the following.

Since 1981, with Mitchell's birth, Brian's practice became dedicated to appropriate "Special Needs Future Planning" (SNFP) for his fellow Illinois parents and families of children and adults with special needs.

Law Practice: Brian Rubin began practicing law in 1976 and in 2001 he founded The Law Offices of Brian Rubin & Associates. The Law Offices of Brian Rubin & Associates limits its work to helping families with developmental disabilities (such as autism) complete estate planning.  Brian writes on his Website,

My law firm's practice is limited to serving my fellow families of children with special needs...not concentrated, but limited. That is all we do.

Presenter: Brian Rubin gives regular public presentations which he calls Heart to Heart Family Educational Group Presentations.  He also frequently speaks at state and national conferences on autism.

• He is President of The Arc of Illinois and gave a presentation at their 2011 ARC conference in September. 
• He also presented in July, 2011 at the The Autism Society of America's National Conference.

Board Membership: Brian Rubin's influence is felt publically through the numerous state and national boards he serves on related to human services and autism. His past and present work with dozens of diverse agencies are outlined in a section of his Website called "Who is Brian?". Brian Rubin has been appointed by several Governors of Illinois to serve on state boards related to human services and special needs and serves on on several boards of national organizations including the following:

• KESHET (Jewish Parents of Children with Special Needs)
• Special Needs Alliance (for Attorneys who specialize in Special Needs Planning)

Social Media: You can find Brian Rubin at the following social media.

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

Thanks to Brian Rubin for being an Autism Light in the often confusing world of special needs estate planning. 

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism. 

Photo: Photo in this post used with permission of Brian Rubin.

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