Welcome New Board Members! I was startled when I realized that Orange Effect Foundation entered its 10th year of operations when the calendar turned to 2024. This realization followed our December board meeting where one of our founding members, Cathy McPhillips, shared that she would be resigning from the board. What would our next steps be, I wondered. Cathy, like all our board members, …
autism
Hard Work Can Pay Off
You’ve heard the expression, ‘if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again’. But you’ve probably also heard that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Put those two things together and you have quite a conundrum. For the past few years we ran a fundraising campaign asking people not to talk for 24 or 12 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
People with Autism Finding a Lifeline with ChatGPT
Have you heard all the rage? ChatGPT is making headlines across a huge array of topics. From kids using it to complete homework assignments to folks worried about losing their job because of it. ChatGPT is a force that is not likely to slow down anytime soon. I previously wrote about ChatGPT when sharing the struggles I often find when working to come up with content for this blog, or other …
A Speech Therapy Success Story
Adam* was six when he first walked into my speech therapy office. He had bright, curious eyes and the energy of eight children at their first sleepover. He wanted to touch every toy in the room — and he definitely wanted to talk! When he tried to speak, however, the words rumbled around his mouth like a toddler holding an open lemonade — his words were ice, unable to decide whether to stay …
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 …
Spring Showers Bring May Flowers and Summer Vacation! So soon?
Where I live in Ohio, many elementary and high schools finish their school year at the end of May. I know this is not the case for everyone, but no matter where you live, summer is coming up fast. I love summer. I enjoy the break from the rigors of the schedule that comes during the school year. Traffic patterns are different, more kids are out and about playing, and overall the mood …
6 Bedroom Design Considerations for Kids With Autism or Sensory Processing Issues
Lighting, colors, design, and furniture are all elements that help make your child’s bedroom safe and comfortable. For kids with special needs, bedroom design involves more than painting the walls their favorite color and buying sheets with a beloved cartoon character. You must also consider how lighting, colors, and furniture might affect your child’s comfort, safety, and …
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 …