By Anita Lesko, BSN, RN, MS, CRNA, CAS, (and on the autism spectrum)

For some teenagers, getting a driver’s license might symbolize their freedom and new life as an adult. But not every teenager counts the days until they get their driver’s license. I learned to drive in high school along with the rest of my classmates.

At that time in my life, I didn’t know I’m autistic. What I did know, however, was that I felt scared and instinctively knew I wasn’t ready to drive.

Understanding the Difference Between Written Traffic Rules and Applying them for Someone with Autism

I did great on the written exam. Being behind the wheel out on the road with the instructor was a different story.

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By Elayne Pearson, C.A.S., Special-needs Preparedness Specialist, is an award-winning writer, poet, presenter, advocate, author, and actress.

Sometimes sensitivity to touching hair, touching the face, or putting inanimate objects that might put pressure on the hair or face can be a sign of late-onset autism. In our case, this was particularly confusing until we figured out what was going on.

It can also be quite stressful. Continue Reading →

Autism is on the rise in the Middle East and there is a massive shortage of trained professionals to work with these children.

True Prevalence Largely a Mystery; Awareness and Rates are Rising

There is a distinct lack of reliable numbers on diagnosis in the Middle East for autism and other related disorders, partially due to the lack of clinics and qualified medical personnel to work with them and diagnose them. Continue Reading →