Denied and Dehumanized: When the System Says My Son Isn’t Disabled Enough
My non-speaking autistic son Stone was denied disability benefits through SSI. Yes, you read that right. We filed the application in April 2023. In the months that followed, they requested evaluations – a psychological review, a medical evaluation. We complied with everything. We even visited the local SSI office in person, where we were told […]
What Autism Progress Really Looks Like: A Twelve-Year Journey from Bittersweet to Hope
Twelve years ago today, I wrote a blog post titled “Bittersweet and Autism”—a reflection on parenting twin boys, one neurotypical, one on the autism spectrum, and the small victories and silent aches that come with the territory. Today, I’m sharing that post again—and reflecting on how far we’ve come. Twelve Years After Bittersweet Twelve years ago, […]
Another Strong Example: Nonspeakers Can Communicate – We Just Have to Listen
Introduction In the realm of autism advocacy, stories of breakthrough communication from nonspeaking individuals are both inspiring and affirming. They challenge long-held assumptions and highlight the importance of presuming competence. A recent article in IEEE Spectrum titled “The Quest to Ensure Nonspeaking Autistic People Are Heard” brings this to the forefront through the story of […]
We Trust PROMPT. So Why Do We Question Spelling to Communicate?
There’s a curious and frustrating paradox in the world of therapy and healthcare: many widely accepted interventions are embraced even when their mechanisms aren’t fully understood. PROMPT therapy is a perfect example. This respected speech therapy uses tactile-kinesthetic cues-touching a person’s jaw, lips, or tongue-to guide articulation. Therapists swear by it. Families see real progress. […]