IDEA at 50: The Promise, the Progress, and the Alarming Slide Backward
Fifty years ago, the United States did something rare: it made a moral commitment to children that actually meant something. When Congress passed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act on November 29, 1975 — the law that later became IDEA — it drew a line in the sand: Before IDEA, conditions weren’t just inadequate […]
Airbags, Vaccines, and the Revolving Door: What We Owe Each Other
I read a Facebook post recently that made me really pause and think – not because I totally agreed with it, but because I understand where it’s coming from. The author shared a list of children whose lives were lost or forever changed following vaccination. She shared their names and the grief of their parents. […]
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 […]
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 […]