The Joy of Autism

Another Bloom’n Birthday

Adam and I have birthdays fairly close together. It’s my birthday today and Adam and I spent the entire weekend celebrating. Our first excursion was to Canada Blooms at Toronto’s Exhibition Place. We spent about an hour-and-a-half strolling...

Published Mon, Mar 22 2010 6:56 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Adam, Single Parenthood, To Get To The Other Side

Keeping Autistic Children Safe

This is the first article published by realtorsthatcare.ca that I wrote on making safe yet attractive living spaces for autistic children. Thank you, Zeshan, for both caring and for being interested in this topic. While safety may involve anything from...

Published Wed, Apr 21 2010 11:29 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Acceptance, Sensory Differences, Safety

Changing Terms

Here in Toronto, I sit on Inclusion Committees. My son has been included in a Montessori classroom but we are going to leave after June. The school gave Adam loads of acceptance and enabled him to bring his aide, his adapted programs, his computer laptop...

Published Fri, Apr 23 2010 8:51 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Autism and Learning, Critical Disability Studies, Inclusion, Acceptance

Has Our Autism Doomsday Arrived?

We knew there were genetic studies on autism. We knew this was coming. Today Carolyn Abraham resports on the front page of The Globe and Mail the recent publicity surrounding the findings of an international group of scientists trying to uncover the genes...

Published Thu, Jun 10 2010 6:43 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Activism, Ethics, Discrimination, Research, autism, Advocacy

What Do Autism Mom’s Need On Mother’s Day?

I was doing a little mother’s day research this evening. When I saw Sophie, I was really happy. I was happy because I know Adam thanks me for all of these things that I do every day and I do not need him to say it just because it’s Mother’s...

Published Sat, May 08 2010 7:08 PM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Family, Acceptance

Autistic Cognitive Strengths and The New Economy

Is Having A Disorder The New Normal?

Using the title from Kat Kelland’s article in today’s Globe and Mail, she suggests that experts are worried that, with the extended array of defined disorders in the soon-to-be-released DSM V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual), no normal...

Published Wed, Jul 28 2010 8:05 PM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Activism, Critical Disability Studies, Inclusion, Acceptance, Autism Spectrum and Diagnosis, autism, Book Reviews, Advocacy

Ryan Barrett

This is Ryan Barrett. I do not know him. But he could be my son, Adam. He is beautiful. I’m sure he brought his family so much pride and joy. When I read the story that he was found dead I responded with unusual intensity. I feel as if I am looking...

Published Mon, Aug 17 2009 9:06 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Uncategorized

Interviews from educational leaders who share ideas on how to make inclusion work

We all know the many obstacles to a truly inclusive classroom. First, many educators don’t really understand how to make it all work. There is no understanding of “universal design.” (please cut and paste this link into your browser...

Published Mon, Oct 19 2009 6:03 PM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Inclusion

Travel and The Autistic Child

Curiousity is a wonderful human trait. Adam is autistic and while he needs some regularity and structure and familiar environments, he also needs to explore new ones. He is curious. He likes to explore — in his own time — new foods, new things...

Published Wed, Jan 06 2010 7:23 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Single Parenthood, To Get To The Other Side, Travel

Dis/Ability?

I don’t normally posit questions asking for comments on my blog posts. As I posted Uta Frith’s lecture yesterday, I am interested in the positioning of autism ability as the result of an impairment, or disability. It is not an absolute that...

Published Wed, Oct 06 2010 10:25 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Autism Theories

Protecting Little Joys

We have to protect our little joys. I was thinking of this as I was putting Adam down to sleep this evening. As usual, we read Dr. Seuss. He eventually yawned and put his head down on his pillow. It sounds “normal,” I know. Around here, hums...

Published Mon, Oct 04 2010 8:11 PM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Adam, Research, Acceptance, Joy, autism, Autism Theories

A Remarkable Night

Tonight has been a most remarkable night. Adam has probably talked the most he has in his lifetime. I have no answers why. We’ve supported him, taught him, spent six years fine-tuning, changing and adapting things. By “things” I mean...

Published Fri, Oct 15 2010 7:32 PM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Adam, Development, Joy, communication

At What Point?

At what point do we stop participating in research studies? I think about this as I receive another request to do so with Adam. We’ve received many of these notices and requests over the years to participate in one research study or another —...

Published Sun, Nov 14 2010 8:12 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Inclusion, Acceptance, Joy

Tune In Today: Autism Now

I’ll be participating in Autism Now’s webinar today at 2 p.m. EST and speaking about The Autism Acceptance Project and my life and journey with Adam. Anyone can register by clicking the link. Digg this post Recommend on Facebook share via...

Published Thu, Apr 21 2011 5:39 AM by Estée Klar