Sen. Robert Menendez

Autism Light #54 is Sen. Robert Menendez.The Honorable Robert "Bob" Menendez serves as a member of the United States Senate, representing the state of New Jersey. He has served in the Senate since 2006. Sen. Robert Menendez is an Autism Light because he has taken up the cause of autism on critical occasions in his relatively short career in the United States Senate.The 57 year old U.S. Senator was born in New York City to Cuban immigrants...

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Nathan Christensen

Autism Light #53 is Nathan Christensen.Nathan Christensen is a 17 year old from South Jordan, Utah.  Nathan Christensen has autism and didn't speak until age 7, but autism didn't stop him from rising to great heights in the Boy Scouts of America's scouting program. Nathan Christensen is an Autism Light for his outstanding achievements in the Boy Scouts of America scouting program.Nathan Christensen recently earned the Eagle Scout Award. According to the Boy Scouts of America Fact Sheet, only 5% of boy scouts earned the Eagle Scout Award...

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Dr. Stephen Edelson

Autism Light #52 is Dr. Stephen Edelson.Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D.Dr. Stephen M. Edelson lives in San Diego, California and serves as the Director of the Autism Research Institute.  Dr. Stephen Edelson is an Autism Light because he has dedicated over 30 years of his life to autism research, and has a trademark for connecting the dots so the latest and cutting edge research results make a true difference for the lives of people...

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Recovering Autistic Children (Give Away)

Update:  This give away is closed. Erin Mast is the winner of the book. Autism Light is giving away the book Recovering Autistic Children to one lucky person.Dr. Stephen M. Edelson has graciously offered to give away a copy of the book he and Dr. Bernard Rimlund edited, called Recovering Autistic Children, to one of our Autism Light Blog readers. The giveaway is running from September 28 through October 11, 2011, with winner to be...

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Curtis Maybin

Autism Light #51 is Curtis Maybin.  Curtis Maybin is a software developer and senior systems analyst for QLogic Corporation. He lives in Mission Viejo, California and is the father of two children who have autism. Curtis Maybin is an Autism Light because besides being an autism parent, he is responsible for Autism News Wire--one of the top autism news websites on the Internet.Curtis Maybin is the founder and editor of the Autism News Wire....

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Dr. Daniel Openden

Autism Light #50 is Dr. Daniel Openden.Dr. Daniel OpendenDr. Daniel Openden is Vice President and Clinical Services Director for the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) in Phoenix, Arizona.  Dr. Daniel Openden has received his Ph.D. in Special Education, Disability and Risk Studies from the University of California and was mentored by Drs. Robert and Lynn Koegel. Dr. Daniel Openden is an Autism Light because of his important...

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Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts

Autism Light #49 is the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts is an Autism Light because they have demonstrated a commitment and compassion for autism by creating a faith based program for people with autism called A Special Grace. This program is an excellent demonstration of inclusion for those people with autism in Massachusetts who want to participate in religion through the Episcopal Church.Services: A Special Grace is a religious program for people with autism and it is sponsored by the Episcopal...

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Frank Nappi

Autism Light #48 is Frank Nappi.Frank Nappi is a high school English teacher in Long Island, New York in the Oceanside School District. Frank Nappi is also an author who has written a unique fictional series where the main character is a baseball player who has Aspergers. Frank Nappi is an Autism Light because of the increased awareness of autism that will come from his fiction writing and a current movie based on the first book in the...

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Dr. Phillip Demio

Autism Light #47 is Dr. Phillip Demio.Dr. Phillip C. Demio is a biomedical doctor who practices in Ohio but his influence is also felt nationally through his leadership of the American Medical Autism Board.  Dr. Phillip Demio has a son named Daniel who has autism.Dr. Phillip Demio is an Autism Light because his biomedical treatments for autism are helping improve the quality of life for his patients and he is a leading physician treating patients with autism. A more detailed biography is available at his Website.American Medical Autism...

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Brian Herritt

Autism Light #46 is Brian Herritt.Brian Herritt and his son BrianBrian Herritt is a police officer with the Palomar College Police Department in San Diego County, California.  His son Brian has autism. Besides being a police officer, Brian works for Autism Risk and Safety Management and keeps a busy schedule as a consultant/presenter for autism conferences and local groups related to either law enforcement and the autism community....

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Brian Rubin

Autism Light #45 is Brian Rubin.Brian RubinBrian Rubin is an estate planning attorney who lives and practices law in Illinois. He is also a father of a child with autism. Brian Rubin is an Autism Light because of his passionate advocacy for autism, and his concentrated dedication as an attorney to help educate and represent families of special needs children with estate planning.Parent: Brian Rubin is a parent of a 30 year old son named Mitchell...

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Goldie Lauffenburger

Autism Light #44 is Goldie Lauffenburger.GoldieGoldie is a Bansenjs mixed rescue dog who resides in Oklahoma. She is also companion to Joy Lauffenburger a high school senior with autism. The two have been together since Joy was 9. Goldie is an Autism Light because her companionship has aided Joy in being successful in life by improving her communication and engagement with others. This is the first time that Autism Light has designated an animal...

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Gianna Hitsos

Autism Light #43 is Gianna Hitsos.Gianna HitsosGianna Hitsos is a 16 year old from Massachusetts who has autism.  She is also has a gift for singing and acting. On her Facebook page she indicates she sings for Autism Speaks-Boston and her aspiration is to be the first autistic actress on Broadway.Speaker:  Gianna speaks for autism awareness.  A video of her giving a speech at an Autism Speaks meeting in the Boston area is on Facebook...

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B.J. McKelvie

Autism Light #42 is B.J. McKelvie.B.J. McKelvie is from New Brunswick, Canada.  He is a musician and a trailblazer in the Christian faith in Canada to people with autism.  B.J. McKelvie is a clergy, a worship leader, a song writer, and a parent of a child with autism. His son Riley has autism. B.J. McKelvie is an Autism Light for helping write a song labeled as the "Anthem of Autism" and for starting Canada's first church for people with special needs like autism.B.J. McKelvie has had a difficult past. When he was 20 years old he tried...

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Lisa Carling

Autism Light #41 is Lisa Carling.Lisa Carling is the Director of Accessibility Programs for the Theatre Development Fund in New York City. She has been instrumental in creating the Autism Theatre Initiative. Lisa Carling is an Autism Light because of the groundbreaking value that this accessibility to theatre will have for individuals with autism. This opportunity may unleash new heights in someone with autism who might otherwise not attend...

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Laura Shumaker

Autism Light #40 is Laura Shumaker.Laura Shumaker is a writer, speaker and a autism advocate. She lives in Lafayette, California. She is a mother of three children and her oldest son Matthew has autism. Laura Shumaker is an Autism Light because her writings and advocacy for autism are an inspiration to many. Author: In 2008, Laura Shumaker published her book, A Regular Guy: Growing Up with Autism. The book chronicles her families journey of...

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Roy McDonald

Autism Light #39 is Roy McDonald.The Honorable Roy McDonald represents the 43rd District in the New York State Senate, which encompasses all of Rensselaer County and part of Saratoga County in New York.  He was elected to the New York State Assembly in 2002 and has served in the State Senate since 2008. His two grandsons, Jacob and David, have autism. Roy McDonald is an Autism Light because of his efforts in New York State Government to be a champion for autism awareness. Here is a YouTube video where Sen. McDonald gives a speech at the...

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Dr. Temple Grandin

Autism Light #38 is Dr. Temple Grandin.Dr. Temple Grandin is probably the most famous person in the world who has autism. Dr. Temple Grandin is an Autism Light because she is an autism advocate through her speaking and writing, and the development of a movie that was created on her life with autism. She is also renowned in the field of Animal Science and sets an example for what can be accomplished by people with autism.Awards:In 2010 Time Magazine ranked her in the Top 100 People in the heroes category.  There is a Temple Grandin School in...

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Autism Light Poem

Autism LightThey are everywhere I look.On YouTube and Twitter,Google+ and Facebook,Email and Blogger. They are everywhere I am.Worrying at a clinic,Struggling with a program,Hearing beautiful music.They are everywhere I can't be.In a research lab or a classroom,In a distant culture and country,On stage or in a board-room.These are the ones who fightFor what should and can be.They are an Autism Light.So gifted, wise and timely.On days when I feel down and sad.I read about these diverse heroes.And find courage to be a special dad.Joy and hope takes...

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