The Joy of Autism

That Loving, Fellowship Feeling

This is Adam’s best friend. Aside from going back to camp this summer, which he is able to do with an assistant, this is the friend who Adam spends time with. We recognized it was a real, unscripted friendship when the two of them preferred to play...

Published Mon, Aug 05 2013 6:56 PM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Adam, Inclusion, Family, Single Parenthood, Joy, school, Living, Friendship

iPads, notepads and a note about teaching methods

Adam’s iPad wasn’t working for a few hours over the weekend. It has been also phasing in and out — photos disappear then reappear. He uses his camera for his Pictello stories. Meet a non verbal person — autistic or otherwise, and...

Published Tue, Aug 07 2012 10:28 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Autism and Learning, communication, Computing/iPad

Two New Autistic (Self)-Advocacy Orgs Worth Watching

There are those that say we don’t exist. There are a few who says neurodiversity is simply an ideology and not about “real” people. Those in the videos, they claim, aren’t autistic at all. They are fakers. They don’t have...

Published Sun, Oct 28 2012 4:13 PM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Activism

Autistic Development and Those So-Called “Issues”

One of the most talked about issues in autism is the issue of verbal communication or “functional” speech. That is, speech that is reciprocal, social, conversational. For Adam, there have been major challenges in this area and he has had to...

Published Thu, Jul 01 2010 5:18 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Autism and Learning, Development, Autism and Intelligence, communication, Sensory Differences

Terminal Fates

“You can’t say your child is great,” I was told when looking into services for Adam. As part of our growing process, we have to know what is available to us. I was discussing how Adam has many challenges and is also: -affable -affectionate...

Published Mon, Nov 29 2010 3:23 PM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Activism, Discrimination, Advocacy, Politics

Mapping Things Out

I must admit time heals anxiety. After the darkness comes the light, or is it the other way around? Well, the globe rotates. As Adam seeks knowledge by going through doors, I have always needed to calm my own anxiety through books. As I think more again...

Published Wed, Jun 19 2013 2:09 PM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Adam, Anxiety, Acceptance, Contributions to Society, Obsessions, Sensory Differences, Transitions, Safety, Behaviours, Wandering, Movement Disturbance

Autistic Mother Pride

This might be worked on some more… I’m writing today and flipping through my binder of writing. I found this unedited poem as part of a poetic essay I was attempting last year. Please note I am not well-versed in the art of poetry, but enjoy...

Published Thu, Jan 22 2015 8:18 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Poetry

Weeds or Herbs?: Eugenics Rhetoric Reinvoked

I am end of term, writing papers on technology and autism using critical theory and my interest is how we invoke these to obtain work, to socialize, but also in how these shape our existence. While technology is said to open up avenues for communication...

Published Tue, Nov 26 2013 10:10 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Uncategorized

I Am In Here by Mark Utter

We met Mark this year; he was so sweet to Adam. Mark also wrote the script for this movie I Am In Here. Mark answered many questions after the filming of this, and Adam listened. Thank you everyone for your hard work. I believe we are getting to know...

Published Thu, Aug 08 2013 8:01 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Acceptance, communication, Computing/iPad, Community

The Hunt for Humanity? Some words for Ivan Semeniuk, Dr. Stephen Scherer and Dr. Mohammed Uddin

I came by your article in Canada’s The Globe and Mail, The Hunt for Humanity, printed on June 21st, 2014, a little late. To recap for readers, you suggest that your project, Brainspan Atlas research at Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital (Dr. Sherer...

Published Sun, Jun 29 2014 7:19 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Discrimination, Eugenics

Do You Think Your Thoughts Can Effect A Rat’s Behaviour?

Listen to this study on This American Life and consider the implication for how our thoughts and expectations can effect the lives of our children. Interesting implications and I expect many discussions among your friends about autism, expectations, education...

Published Fri, Jan 23 2015 10:40 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Behaviours, The Autism Genome Project

Blehhhhh!!

I’m just posting this photo because I love it. That’s it. Here’s Adam with his assistant and counsellor, obviously having some fun. Okay, I’ll get political too…what opportunities that some kids could have if human support...

Published Tue, Aug 06 2013 1:19 PM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Joy

It’s 3:00 a.m.

I am writing this at 3:00 a.m. I left Adam’s room at approximately ten o’clock hoping he would go go sleep. I know I did, but I suddenly woke up at two. I was hoping to fall back to sleep but decided to heed some sage advice and not fight...

Published Mon, Aug 16 2010 12:48 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: autism, Safety, Sleep

Founder of Judge Rotenburg Centre Charged: Why did it take so long?

Matthew Israel, Founder of the Judge Rotenburg Educational Centre where autistic students were taught to comply with electrical shock “treatment,” has finally been charged. Here from Boston.com: The founder of the controversial Judge Rotenberg...

Published Wed, May 25 2011 8:26 AM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Law, Behaviours, Institutions

Oh The Places You’ll Go…

I’ve been told that Adam adapts well — it’s not something we hear when it comes to autistic kids. It’s only been a couple of weeks now and he seems happier and settled in his school. As for myself as Adam’s mother, it settles...

Published Wed, Sep 22 2010 6:48 PM by Estée Klar

Filed under: Poetry, Inspiration

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