A Regular Guy: Growing Up With Autism

“I hear autistic people are brilliant”. “Is your son like Rain Man?” These are comments I hear when people learn that my eldest son is autistic. A Regular Guy: Growing Up With Autism is a memoir about life with an autistic son, Matthew, written from a mother’s perspective. It answers the many questions that people have about autism through the story of Matthew’s life, from the tender years of diagnosis to young adulthood. A Regular Guy illustrates the many ways in which family, friends and strangers are touched by Matthew’s profound desire to be a regular guy, and how his brutal honesty and social awkwardness bring out the best and worst in people in touching and humorous ways. In turn, A Regular Guy leads readers to love and accept Matthew, quirks and all, and inspires them to understand and tolerate the differences in others.



About Laura

Laura Shumaker is the author of A Regular Guy: Growing Up With Autism and is a City Bright for the San Francisco Chronicle. She has contributed to several anthologies, including Voices of Autism, A Cup of Comfort for Parents of Children with Special Needs, Writin’ on Empty, and the forthcoming Gravity Pulls You In. She is a regular contributor to NPR Perspectives and a columnist for 5 Minutes for Special Needs. Laura’s essays have appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, the Contra Costa Times, Literary Mama, the East Bay Monthly, The Autism Advocate and on CNN.COM.

Laura speaks regularly to schools, book and disability groups.

She lives in Lafayette, California with her husband Peter and her three sons.

Source of this article

Laura Shumaker describes the book:

"A Regular Guy: Growing Up With Autism is a memoir about life with my autistic son, Matthew. It answers the many questions that people have about autism through the story of Matthew’s life-and our family’s life- spanning from babyhood to young adulthood. The story tells the many ways in which family, friends and strangers are touched by Matthew’s desperate desire to be a regular guy, and how his brutal honesty and social awkwardness bring out the best and worst in people in touching and humorous ways. Those who’ve read the book have told me that the book inspired them to understand and tolerate the differences in others."

Autistic Basketball Phenom Inspires Cornell Team

Our last blog post was about teaching you Autistic child basketball. Soon after we saw a very inspiring story of Jason “J-Mac” McElwain. Below is an article from The Autism News.

‘J-Mac’ Secret Weapon of Cornell Basketball Team During NCAA Tournament

By David Muir and Christine Brozyna

If Cornell is this year’s Cinderella story at the NCAA tournament, than Jason “J-Mac” McElwain certainly would be its prince.

J-Mac, who has autism, first captured the heart of the nation four years ago when, in the last game of his high school basketball team’s season, he was given his first chance to play. In just four minutes, he scored six three-point shots and finished with 20 points. He even tied the school record.

One of J-Mac’s admirers is Cornell basketball coach Steve Donahue, whose own son, Matt, has autism. Donahue reached out to J-Mac after that electrifying high school basketball game and the two have stayed in touch ever since.

“It was one of the greatest inspirational stories I had ever heard,” Donahue said. “Jason was having so much fun and enjoying the experience. It made me really happy that one day my son could have kind of experience as well in his high school.”

This year, J-Mac, now 21-years-old, joined Donahue at the NCAA tournament selection. In addition, he’s been calling and texting Donahue with advice for the team — including how to beat top NCAA teams Temple University and University of Wisconsin.

“Jason’s advice is unbelievable. The kid is on the money,” Donahue said. “What better way to motivate our guys then to have Jason come in and talk to them. He’s got a lot of great ideas and always ends them with an inspirational thought. I love hearing from him.”

Still, J-Mac, who is not a student at Cornell, is humble about his involvement with the team.

“I’m not taking anything away from the team,” J-Mac told ABC News.

But it was J-Mac’s text in the final minutes of the Wisconsin game that has had the most impact. It read, “If you don’t dream to become a champion, you won’t become a champion.”

Moments later, Cornell won again.

As J-Mac’s story continues to unfold, a new chapter is developing for the inspiring young man. He’s decided to turn his attention to the sidelines, and in addition to giving advice to the Cornell basketball team, he volunteers as a junior varsity assistant coach for his alma mater — Greece Athena High School in New York state. Next year, he’ll help with the varsity team.

He also works a job in the Greece, N.Y., area.

In the meantime, J-Mac continues to dole out advice to the Cornell team.

“I’ve been a part of many comebacks,” he said. “I’ve been a part of teams that have come back against us. I told them you have to finish the game.”

Teaching Your Autistic Child Basketball

Basketball is a great sport for kids to play. It is safer, requires less physical prowess and is less complex than many other sports. It is true that it requires some depth perception and height is a key benefit, but it is a great choice at early ages, and giving your child the experience of playing a sport will be a memory they keep forever.

It is very common for autistic children to have little interest in sports related activities, for example, basketball. When they are very young, they often start out with some interest, and will join a basketball team. After some time, the child may loose interest in venturing out on to the basketball court, or eventually may not want to attend practices or games at all.

This can be very frustrating to parents, especially fathers or grandfathers that have fond memories of playing basketball and the life-long friendships they made being part of a team.

It is still possible for many autistic children, especially aspergers type, to have an interest and play basketball. What is important is that you do not have expectations that your child is going to follow of the traditional rules and expectations that most children do when joining a basketball team and learning the game.

In fact, you may have to consider strictly recreational non-team style play. If your child is not able to follow and focus on the instructions, and is not responding well to the coach or other players, it may be time to consider going a different route. It is much more important that your child is happy and feels accepted, especially by the parents than you being happy that your child is part of a basketball team.

If you find that the team style basketball play is not working, consider having a regular play at home, or at a local park. Be sure to give your child some time away from the sport before doing this as it may not be received well.

When your child starts to show some interest, be sure to keep things free-form. Do not worry about all the rules, skills, techniques and such. It is important to simply have the child enjoy the time spent with you, which happens to also be time spent holding and hopefully throwing a basketball.

You might simply try passing the ball back and fourth. Possibly bouncing the ball off a wall. Make some fun games such as try to dribble the ball three times in a row - if you succeed, the parent has to jump around like a silly frog!

Later you can slowly add little modifications such as a tip on how to pass the ball, or where to aim when throwing the ball for a layup. Again, take it slowly, and always make it positive. If you add criticism, or lots of rules, it is very likely your autistic child will loose interest quickly, and in fact may resent the sport completely.

HERE is the source for this article

Understanding and Encouraging a Child With Autism

Social success, for your child with autism, is comprised of the following elements:

• Reacting to others

• Knowing and choosing when to apply specific social skills

• Choosing what words to say

All this social success depends on our own ability to "read a situation." Neurotypical persons naturally interpret what is going on in other's faces, gestures, and adjust their own behavior accordingly. It's like ants who communicate with each other by touching antennae. The challenging part for children on the autism spectrum is that it's as if they are missing their social antennae.

Social antennae are akin to the term "social inferencing," which is comprised of the following components:

1. The meaning of spoken words.

2. How a person's body language contributes to the overall meaning.

3. How a person's facial expression contributes to the overall meaning.

4. How a person's eye contact contributes to the overall meaning.

5. The person's overall intent or motive.

6. How the social context and social environment helps us better interpret all of the above.

Children, teens, and adults on the autism spectrum often have very strong academic smarts, but they need help in bridging the often confusing social divide. The following is an exercise taken from Michelle Garcia Winner's book, Thinking About You Thinking About Me:

This exercise can be used in a group, working with siblings, or working 1:1 with the child as a parent, teacher, or therapist.

Pretend that you are forming a detective agency. Teach the child (or children) about what detectives do: first they must find the clues, and then they must make a smart guess to try to solve the problem.

Here are some activities that can be part of forming the detective agency:

1) Pretend to be a detective. Dress in make-believe detective hats and parents' suit jackets.

2) Find different types of clues: concrete and absract

a) Concrete clues:

1. Make a series of written clues, each leading to the next clue, so that they can ultimately find a hidden object. This is essentially like a treasure hunt. For example, in a summer camp, the kids' snacks were hidden, and they were given clues to find their own snack. This lays the groundwork for small guesses, and for making inferences.

2. Children can make their own clues. This gives the child or children experiencing in being able to think about what information the other person who is searching will need in order to find the hidden 'treasure.' If a parent is present in the therapy session, the parent or therapist can work with the child to write the clue in a way that is not going to be too hard or too easy.

3. There are books in the library that you may be able to check out in order to help children research the more abstract clues in detective work. Spy's Guide Book, (Sims and King, 2002) and The Detective's Handbook (Civardi, Hindley, and Wilkes, 1979) can be utilized to help kids understand how to be detectives, and how to look for more subtle clues. Topics such as wearing disguises, changing your walk, and hidden messages, all of which provide chances to teach children about body language, facial expression, toney of voice, and paying attention to what is going on around you.

3) Use DVD's. You can use DVD's, commercials, and TV shows to make 'smart guesses' about what will happen next. The child you are working with can use environmental or non-verbal cues to make guesses about what will happen based on the information already provided. Discuss how the information helped them make a guess.

4) Write clues and messages in different ways; use secret codes to reframe information. This will help the child develop the cognitive flexibility to see that all information is not presented exactly as it is to be understood. There is a book, Secret Codes (O'Brien and Riddell, 1997), that can be helpful in helping you come up with these codes.

The idea of the detective games is that it helps develop a vocabulary and environment that makes inferencing and smart guessing fun activities. Imagine, taking something that a child is not naturally good at, and making it fun to learn. Thank you, Ms. Michelle Garcia Winner, for these wonderful ideas!

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Understanding-and-Encouraging-a-Child-With-Autism&id=4147019

The Story Behind "Danny's Wish"

Ever wonder what the story was behind "Danny's Wish"? If so, then read below and your question will be answered :)

Danny is a fun loving energetic 12-year-old boy, who likes to play basketball, enjoys watching hockey games, loves the movie Shrek, and will eat ketchup with just about anything! This little Boyscout also enjoys swimming, painting, going to concerts and will never pass up an opportunity to play catch with you.

Danny is also Autistic.

Like many other children, Danny struggles with Autism, a developmental disability that too often results in a lifetime of impaired thinking, feeling and social functioning. It typically affects a person's ability to communicate, form relationships with others and respond appropriately to the external world. People with the condition often exhibit repetitive behavior or narrow, obsessive interests. Other characteristics of Autism include problems with verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction. It is considered a “spectrum disorder” because the characteristics and symptoms of the disorder are so very unique to each case.

Danny has a very unique characteristic all his own, and that is his ability to light up a room with his amazing smile. Despite his disability, he is eager and excited to experience the world in its entirety.

If Danny could have one wish, his wish would be for other children and people affected by Autism to experience, enjoy and love life just as much as he does. That is why we’ve created Danny’s Wish, to help provide life enhancing resources and experiences for kids and families that deal with Autism and Autism related spectrum disorders.

Though dealing with Autism is a daily struggle that imposes many obstacles, it has never restricted Danny from trying to live life to his fullest. Danny shows us that we can look past the disability, and on to a bright future full of great opportunities and possibilities.

Help us make Danny’s Wish come true!

It’s all about giving.

And now a message from the president of "Danny's Wish", Danny's Father, Dino Sgueulia:

"Today, 1 in 150 children are diagnosed with Autism, making it more common than Pediatric Cancer, Juvenile Diabetes, Leukemia, Muscular Dystrophy and Pediatric AIDS combined. It occurs across all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. Scientists aren’t certain what causes Autism, but it’s likely that both genetics and environment play a role.

Danny’s Wish was created in honor of my son Danny, a fun loving boy with Autism. He struggles every day to lead a normal life and even communicate. As a parent, I face the daily frustration and pain which comes from coping with a child with this affliction. There is never a day that I don’t pray for a cure for Autism and the related spectrum disorders. My biggest wish is to hear my son tell me that he loves me – that will be worth more than anything in the world to me.

Autism has become the most serious and fastest growing developmental disability in the United States, but receives less than 5% of the total research funding of less prevalent childhood diseases. The rate of diagnosis is growing everyday – funding and research need to catch up.

Let’s spread the word about Autism."

If you want to learn more about "Danny's Wish" please check out our website http://www.dannyswish.org

Famous/Successful People Who Have Autism

As we are getting to the end of "Autism Awareness Month" we thought it may be fun to visit a few some famous and successful people who have been diagnosed on the Austism Spectrum.

Daryl Hannah

American actress best known for her roles in Splash, Blade Runner and Kill Bill was diagnosed as a child as being 'borderline autistic', later to be diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome."

Her Awards Include:
* Best Short - The Berlin Film Festival "The Last Supper", 1994
* Best Fight - MTV Movie Awards Kill Bill Vol.2, 2005
* Best Supporting Actress - Saturn Award Kill Bill Vol. 2, 2004
* Best Actress - Saturn Award Splash, 1984
* Influencer Of The Year Award - National Biodiesel Board, 2004
* Ongoing Commitment Award - Environmental Media Award, 2004
* Environmental Activism - Water Quality Awards, 2006
* Environmental Preservation - Artivist Awards, 2006


Satoshi Tajiri

Japanese video game designer best known as the creator of Pokémon, and the founder of Game Freak
Tajiri has been named a video gaming innovator, and has made numerous lists of the top, best, or most influential video game developers. He has worked on numerous other games, including Pulseman. Tajiri has also been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome.


Jonathan Lerman

American autistic savant outsider artist. Jonathan Lerman began to lapse into long silences at the age of two, and the next year he was diagnosed with autism.

Lerman's artistic bent appeared at the age of 10 in the form of charcoal-drawn faces—both people he knows and those he imagines. In 1999 he had his own solo exhibition at the KS Art gallery in New York City.

Lerman has had personal exhibitions, and has also exhibited his work alongside others.

Lerman was also on the MTV television show True Life in the episode "True Life: I Have Autism"

Jonathan Lerman's remarkable artistic ability emerged quite unexpectedly at age 10. Already now, at age 14, Jonathan has had several art shows of his own, and a New York Times article on January 16, 2002 has given his work national visibility.

Just released is a very insightful book about Jonathan Lerman and his extraordinary art.


Heather Kuzmich

Indiana is an art student and American fashion model. She is best known for being a contestant of America's Next Top Model, Cycle 9, where she was the fourth runner-up of the show. During the show, it was revealed that Kuzmich has Asperger syndrome and ADHD.


Heather has signed to the women's division of Elite Model Management in Chicago. Heather also did a photoshoot for the July 2008 issue of Wedding Essentials which was featured on MTV's Made, where a young boy with Asperger followed her on set. Heather has modeled for the clothing company "Blue Eyed Girl". She has also appeared on the cover and inside of Spectrum Magazine, a magazine for families and individuals who have autism.


Kuzmich received great press attention due to her Asperger syndrome, including talk show appearances (such as being interviewed on Good Morning America and an article in The New York Times). She plans to continue modeling, while continuing her education at the Illinois Institute of Art located in Chicago. Kuzmich has appeared in People magazine twice, once in October 2007 and the second time in December 2007. She was recently one of the nine girls featured in America's Next Top Model: Exposed on the CW, during the filming of which she became close friend with Jael Strauss. She has also appeared twice on The Tyra Banks Show, once in a "Where are they now?" episode and for the Fiercee awards. She plans on moving to New York soon to pursue modeling.


Tim Page

A writer, editor, music critic, producer and professor. He was a Pulitzer Prize-winning music critic for the Washington Post and also played an essential role in the revival of American author Dawn Powell.

In August 2007 Page revealed in The New Yorker that he had been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. His book-length memoir of his experience with the condition, Parallel Play: Growing Up With Undiagnosed Asperger's, was published by Doubleday in September 2009.

10 Great Books On Autism For All Ages

We are about half way through "Autism Awareness Month" and we thought it would be a fun idea to list a few great books about autism for you to share with friends, family and educators.

Here are 10 books we picked out for you to browse. There are books below for all ages, have fun, get reading and become aware!

1001 Great Ideas for Teaching and Raising Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
For Adults
Check It Out Here
Read the Reviews Here






Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew
For Adults
Check It Out Here
Read the Reviews Here









The Autism Acceptance Book: Being a Friend to Someone With Autism
Ages 9-12
Check It Out Here
Read the Reviews Here






A Is for Autism F Is for Friend: A Kid's Book for Making Friends with a Child Who Has Autism
Ages 9-12
Check It Out Here
Read the Reviews Here







Everybody Is Different: A Book for Young People Who Have Brothers or Sisters With Autism
Ages 9-12
Check It Out Here
Read The Reviews Here









Different Like Me: My Book of Autism Heroes
Ages 9-12
Check It Out Here
Read The Reviews Here






Since We're Friends: An Autism Picture Book
Ages 4-8
Check It Out Here
Read the Reviews Here









All About My Brother
Ages 4-8
Check It Out Here
Read the Reviews Here









I Am Utterly Unique: Celebrating the Strengths of Children with Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism
Ages 4-8
Check It Out Here
Read The Reviews Here



My Friend with Autism: A Coloring Book for Peers and Siblings
Ages 4-8
Check It Out Here
Read The Reviews Here