Embarking on a move with a child on the autism spectrum? Architectural Digest has curated an indispensable resource covering every facet of the journey. From invaluable tips on "Preparing for the Move" to expert advice on "Organizing the Move" and insights on "Settling In Post-Move," this article provides a roadmap for families facing unique challenges. Discover also a comprehensive list of …
autism spectrum disorder
Tech Talk: Revolutionizing Speech Therapy
How technology is changing speech and language therapy Embarking on a journey through the changing world of speech and language therapy, this Orange Effect Foundation blog post shines a light on an important article, originally published on theguardian.com, by Lucy Ward, a well-respected writer and former Guardian social affairs correspondent. Her article, "How technology is changing speech and …
Orange Effect Foundation Awards Grants for Fourth Quarter 2023
The Orange Effect Foundation (OEF) recently awarded $24,289 to 11 children and young adults across the United States with speech disorders. This quarter’s grants were awarded after a thorough review process by dedicated members of the Orange Effect Board of Directors. “We’re delighted to announce the recent allocation of grant funds by the Orange Effect Foundation to support children and …
Navigating the Holidays with an Autistic Child: A Guide to Creating Joyful Moments
The holiday season is a time filled with joy, laughter, and cherished moments. For families with autistic children, it can also bring unique challenges. Understanding and addressing these challenges can make the holidays a more enjoyable and inclusive experience for everyone involved. In this blog post, we'll explore some tips and strategies for navigating the holidays with an autistic …
What’s in a Name?
“Being autistic” vs “having autism” and why it even matters to me In this week's blog, we share the insights of late-diagnosed autistic writer Melanie Deziel who says, "I found this thing, and I thought it was pretty interesting. Maybe you will too." Have you ever contemplated the intricacies of language and its profound connection with identity, all while sipping your morning coffee? If …
Artistic Expressions by Persons with Autism
As a university professor in the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders, I conduct various research studies. For several years, I included the study of people with autism who are visual artists in my research agenda. Cleveland State University funded my research with a Faculty Scholarship Initiative grant, and I was able to travel to interview working artists and see exhibitions of artwork, …
Have You Met Jessica Park?
Not quite 20 years ago, while visiting the Yale University Art Gallery, I happened upon a brightly colored, dazzlingly detailed painting of a house. Such a simple subject for a painting, but seen through the creative eyes of Jessica Park, whose fame as an artist with autism was growing internationally, the house almost pulsed with life. That is where I met Jessica Park. Jessica’s story is …
Why a Night at the Races?
We’ve written before about fundraising. It’s tough. Many organizations have a staff person dedicated to it, because fundraising needs time and attention to be successful. For the past couple of years here at The Orange Effect Foundation, we’ve done an event called Silence for Speech. We asked people to go a day without talking to learn what it's like to be a person with a communication …
Eyes?
My oldest (who is autistic) just returned from a weeklong trip going to theme parks on the East Coast with the goal to ride as many roller coasters as possible! Not my idea of a great time but something they’ve been looking forward to for a long time. The trip made me a little sentimental. First off, my baby was covering over 1000 miles of driving on their own and second managing all the things …
Resources for Improving the Lives of Autistic Children and Their Families
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 1 in 36 U.S. children has some form of autism. Services and support for children and their families can have a profoundly positive impact on both. Here are some resources that may be helpful: www.allconnect.com/autism-online-safety -An informative guide that includes helpful information on the risks associated with internet use and ASD, including a …
Board Member Spotlight: Joe Pulizzi
One of my passions is golf. Ever since I got to the age where I couldn’t hit a fastball, golf became my sport of choice. Golf was the game where I spent two hours with my dad on a Saturday morning or four hours on a Sunday with my friends. Or a random nine holes somewhere on a discounted Wednesday afternoon. For the past 20 years I’ve been in a golf league (St. Bridget’s) where I had the …
When Someone Else Can Put It Into Words
Being the parent of a child with Autism is no easy task. To those of you doing it every day this is not new news. I’ve read so many books by the experts about everything from causes to best practices, but never have I been so struck by a book as I was when I read The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer. Let me backtrack just a little. I am in a book club that I love. After so many years of …