My friend Melanie has written twice now about Taylor Swift, and how her lyrics connects to people who are autistic. Melanie believes that Taylor’s songwriting speak to the autistic experience. She’s not the only one by the way. There are Facebook groups related to Autistic Swifties, podcasts about it, Reddit threads and more. In her most recent post, Melanie shares that the latest album …
autism spectrum disorder
Traveling the Spectrum
Did you know that 87% of families with children on the Autism Spectrum do NOT take vacations? I am always hesitant to share links that require a paid subscription to access it but I can’t pass this one up. We are blessed to know the family of one of the creators of a new show that highlights three families who have a loved one with Autism and are taking a vacation. Peter’s (one of the …
Remembering To Say Thank You
I’m actually not a big fan of thank you posts like this. Inevitably, you forget someone. So if you’re that someone, please know that I didn’t forget you on purpose, your thanks may just come later. Why a thank you post you might ask? There are several reasons. The first being that I just don’t think you can say thank you enough. And the second being that when you’re truly grateful you want to …
Inclusivity Can Mean So Many Things
Recently, my oldest graduated from college. An exciting time for anyone, but for our family, it was a true milestone that many had told us 20 years ago might not happen. Why not, you ask? Well, we didn’t know then many of the things we know now. For example, the basis for the Orange Effect Foundation is to get early intervention for as many children as possible because we have learned that early …
Autism Awareness and Acceptance
Back In My Day…. According to my Gen Z son, ‘back in my day’ is an expression most proclaimed by the Boomer generation when they are sharing stories about walking back and forth to school, uphill both ways in the ice and snow. I use the expression a lot myself as I go about declaring Gen X the best. We had the good life before the internet and social media. Ha ha. But just today I …
Invaluable Insights for Families with Autistic Children
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 …
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 …
