In the past few years, I’ve had a few people tell me that they “can’t tell” that our oldest is autistic. I know they mean it as a compliment, and it definitely is, because our oldest has worked so hard. I find it hard to explain though, how much learning is involved for autistic kids because social norms do not come easily to them. Then, as it often happens, I run across a quote from Temple …
Why They Golf 100 Holes in One Day (year over year!)
I've heard a few people say that Michael Balzano and Joe Pulizzi do the 100 Holes of Golf in One Day challenge only to spend a day on the golf course. Maybe that's true, but it's an exhausting day. It takes around 10 hours of nonstop swinging (7 minutes per hole of golf) to complete the task. And they are doing it for the 6th year in a row! I am there most of the day, making sure everyone …
Orange Effect Foundation Awards Grants for First Quarter 2026
The Orange Effect Foundation recently awarded $29,828 to 13 children and young adults across the United States with speech disorders. Grants are awarded after a thorough review process by dedicated members of the Orange Effect Board of Directors. The grants awarded in this first quarter of 2026 support weekly speech therapy, speech camps, and speech device purchases. These grants are made …
AI and Speech?
AI is a consuming topic in my life and in my household. I’m using AI right now to talk to text some of this blog post. But more than that, family members are involved in the industry or use the tools to make their job faster or easier. But even for example, in the Super Bowl commercials that we saw, so many revolved around AI and technology. It’s just not something we can get away from. I’ve …
Why Knowing There are Four Types of Autism is Important
Several months ago, new research was released from Princeton University. I haven’t quite figured out why, but it didn’t really get the press or publicity that I thought it might. Sidenote, here I am almost 6 months later, finally writing about it. The research shows what many have known, that there are different types of autism. This research does two important things. It figures out that there …
Listening and Sharing in the New Year
I’ve written before about how much I love the new year and making new goals and resolutions. One of mine for this year is to try to talk less and listen more. Ever since my kids were little, one of my favorite expressions has been “there’s a reason you have two ears to listen and one mouth to speak”. Now that my child on the spectrum is a grown adult with an amazing full-time job and a nice …
New Year, New Event
2/17/26 Update: After careful consideration, we’ve made the difficult decision to cancel this event. We’re so grateful for your continued support and understanding. “I’d like to do an event here in Florida.“ When you pour your heart and soul into a nonprofit like my family has, words like those above definitely bring tears to your eyes. Truly wonderful when other people want to become so …
Looking Ahead to 2026 With One Simple Word: Balance
For many of us, 2025 has been a whirlwind of a year. As it comes to a close, my wish for all of you (and for my family and friends) is that we’re able to slow down a little and find time for the things we enjoy most. You may have read previously how much I love resolutions, and the new year brings the perfect opportunity for that. But recently, I was talking to a friend who told me about …
Giving Might Be More Important Than Ever
I didn’t do any official research, but I know just for myself, there are dozens of reasons why I might donate to something. Here are a few: While we of course appreciate donations to The Orange Effect Foundation we know there are so many organizations out there doing great things and in need of so much. Some who also make sure that kids have gifts at the …
Why I Was Sad About the Last Penny and Now I’m Not
200 years. That’s a long time to make something. In that 200 years, the penny has adapted. It has different “ingredients” now than before, and even a different design. A penny however, is still a penny. There are 300 billion pennies in circulation. Holey moley that seems like a lot. What else has changed though? Well, for one thing, the penny costs more to make than it is worth. …
I Am SO Thankful
I’ve written before about the importance of time. And how many people in my life are looking for time. Either time to get things done, or time with people they love, or time to travel. As we enter the season of being thankful, I thought I would focus on people who have shared their time with me. I am one lucky and thankful person. 1. Years ago, my friend Cathy sent me a note during the month …
How Do You Know?
I was having a conversation with a friend who saw what looked like a movie poster on Facebook for the movie Elf 2. Now this person was a huge fan of the first Elf movie, so of course, was excited that there may be a second. But then they awkwardly admitted that they have no idea if it’s true or not because it’s so easy to generate fake news and fake images these days. As they said that, they let …
