Lin Wessels

Autism Light #278 is Lin Wessels.

On this Mother's Day we travel to the Heartland to meet an Autism Mother with both heart and passion for autism. Linda "Lin" Wessels is an autism mother from Rock Rapids, Iowa.  She is a public school teacher's aide and is a very busy advocate for autism. Lin Wessels is the mother of Sam Wessels, who was Autism Light #152. Lin Wessels is an Autism Light for her extraordinary advocacy for autism, her decade long work with public school students with autism, and her effective example of empowering her son Sam to become a self-advocate at a very young age.

Lin Wessels is a living example of the positive impact a mother can have on a son, especially one on the autism spectrum. Lin Wessels describes her self this way, "I guess you could say that not a single aspect of my life is untouched by autism. Autism is just kind of demanding that way, I suppose. I don't really see myself as doing anything anyone else can't do or doing any of it better than anyone else.  I firmly believe that if you can, you should. So, I do."

Teacher's Aide: Lin Wessels is a licensed paraprofessional and has worked with students in Central Lyons Community Schools in Rock Rapids, Iowa for the past 10 years. For the most part, her work as a teacher's aide involves working with and assisting students on the autism spectrum.  Lin Wessels said about her daytime job, "While not an easy job by any means, I do love what I do!  I adore my students!!  They touch my heart every single day, in ways I never even dreamed about."

Family: Lin Wessels has been married 13 years to Mark Wessels. They have one son named Sam (See Autism Light #152).

United States of Autism (Released in 2013):  When Lin Wessels son, Sam Wessels, was 8 years old, he and his family were one of 21 families featured in the documentary movie called the United States of Autism (Source). For more information on the United States of Autism project see the post when it's Director and Producer Richard Everts was named Autism Light #29. Here is a video of Lin Wessels' role in the film and it's public release in 2013. You can also read Beth Rickers article published in the Worthington Daily Globe for written information on Lin Wessels' family being featured in this documentary.



Political Activism: Sam and Lin Wessels have been involved in both the 2008 and 2012 Presidential campaigns and she has talked to both President Barack Obama and Senator John McCain about autism. Lin Wessels said to Autism Light the following regarding her political activism, "I can't say where our political activism will lead us or what may result from it, but I always tell myself that even if the lawmakers do nothing, everyone in that crowd had to hear what we had to say. We are always approached, complimented and commended by someone in the crowd after each event, without fail.  What we do, does matter."

Meeting with Sen. John McCain About Autism: On November 20, 2007, Lin Wessels was invited to Washington D.C. to personally meet with Sen. John McCain. Her advocacy led to Sen. John McCain writing a letter about the need for more autism research to the late Sen. Edward Kennedy who was chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions at the time.  At the start of the meeting that Lin Wessels attended in his DC office with autism advocates, Sen. John McCain made reference to Lin's persistence when he stated, "For those of you who are unaware as to how this meeting came to be scheduled, in lieu of having to pay someone to start my car and taste my coffee each morning, I decided it easiest just to hold this meeting."

Left to right, Lin Wessel's mother Char Baldridge, Lin Wessels, Lujene Clark, RN, Senator John McCain, Bobbie Manning, Julia Whiting, MD, Lin Wessels' father John S. Baldridge.

 

Iowa Autism Council:  In March of 2012, Lin Wessels was appointed by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad to serve a three year term as a Parent Advocate Member on the Iowa Autism Council (Source).

Age of Autism: Lin Wessels has had several writings published by the Age of Autism website. Here are links for two of her writings at Age of Autism.

• Remembering My Best Mother's Day Gift Ever
• Mrs. Wessels Talks Autism

Poetry: Lin Wessels wrote the following poem called This Most Beautiful Boy after her son Sam had been recently diagnosed with autism.

This Most Beautiful Boy

He's the most beautiful boy there ever could be!

I simply can't know; his mind, you see.

Is it frightening?  Is it bad?

Not knowing is what makes me sad.

I waited so long to have him here.

A gift from Above, I did cheer!

It's been a battle; he's had to fight.

And still to this day things aren't quite right. 

Will there ne'er be amend; must this always be his trend?

It is You, Lord, he needs most; his ever present Friend.

I will love him no less, perhaps even more.

For him it's too bad, life's to be such a chore. 

What purpose it all shall serve, I have yet to see...

This most beautiful boy, You've entrusted to me. 

Written by: Samuel's MOM

Social Media: Lin Wessels is active in social media. She said this to Autism Light about her social media efforts,

The vast majority of what I do is advocate and connect with others pertaining to most anything autism related. Whether it be parents or grandparents, educators, doctors, therapists, you name it, we connect and share and brainstorm and help one another. We hold each other up when need be; we rejoice in our loved ones accomplishments, we laugh and cry together.  We share and teach and learn together. Social networks done right can be magical places. 

You can follow Lin Wessels at the following social media areas.

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Google +
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest
• YouTube

Special thanks to Linda Wessels for shining her light for the autism community as she impacts one child at a time, starting with her son. Even as she empowers her son Sam to be a self-advocate, her own autism advocacy is reaching more and more people through her gracious and wise understanding of the world of autism and her dedicated work each day on behalf of the cause.  While autism continues to impact more and more families in the world each day, it is mother's like Lin Wessels who are on the front lines and making a tremendous difference in the battle for services and answers. Happy Mother's Day to all the autism mothers in the world!

Note: If you enjoyed this article you may wish to read the feature for last year's Mother's Day on Eustacia Cutler, the mother of Dr. Temple Grandin or you can search all the posts at the Autism Light blog on mothers.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

The photos in the post are used with permission of Lin Wessels.

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Adam Bluestone

Autism Light #263 is Adam Bluestone.

  

Today we honor a Special Education Teacher who was a gifted hero for his pupils with autism and their families. Adam Bluestone served as a Special Education Teacher in Bakersfield, California prior to his untimely death from a massive stroke in 2007. Adam Bluestone was born on February 18, 1964, near London, England and passed away on September 6, 2007, in Southern California. Adam was survived by his wife Angela and sons, Zachary and David. A memorial service for Adam was held on September 14, 2007. A fitting obituary for Adam continues to be on the Legacy.com website. Adam Bluestone will also be placed on the Autism Light Memorial Roll today.

Water Sports and Skydiving Instructor: Adam Bluestone had a brief career as a water sports and skydiving instructor prior to his educational and teaching endeavors. He made a tremendous impact on people who met him through his love of outdoor sports. 

Education: Adam Bluestone earned his Master of Art in Special Education from California State University, Bakersfield. 

Autism Teacher: Adam Bluestone's obituary says that at the time of his passing he, "worked for the Bakersfield City School District teaching children with severe disabilities and autism. Adam became recognized as a gifted teacher with notable expertise in autism (Source)."

Consultant: Adam Bluestone started his own business called Behavioral Innovations in 2003, and served as a consultant to school districts in the State of California.

Tributes for Adam Bluestone: Many autism families were touched by the efforts of Adam Bluestone as a Special Education teacher. Some of them made comments on Brandon Neal's memorial blog for Adam.  Here are two testimonies of Adam Bluestone's impact. 

John on behalf of The Cohrs Family said, 

I have never before been impacted so greatly by a person whom I barely knew. Adam helped my son, as he helped hundreds of others with autism. He came to my home to help my wife, Kelley, and I to communicate with our son. From the moment he walked in the door, I knew this was a special person. By the time he left, I wished I could emulate him. I remember his voice, his presence, his passion and his love (Source). 

Yvonne Brown Person said, 

My family and I had not known Adam for very long but Adam had a way of making you feel like you'd been friends forever. My 15 year old autistic nephew will continue to benefit from Adam's work and for this my family and many others will be forever grateful (Source).  

Memorial Funds: Two funds were established in memory of Adam Bluestone.

1. Donations may be made to a Trust Fund established for Zachary and David Bluestone. These donations should be deposited for Zachary and David Bluestone at Washington Mutual Bank. Acct: 4922431400, Routing #322271627.
2. Donations for Autism Awareness can be sent to: The Adam Bluestone Autism Education Fund, 29949 East Vale Court, Agoura Hills, CA 91301. Phone 818-889-8001. 

Adam Bluestone made a difference for autism as a dedicated special education teacher in California. He set an example for other special education teachers and his memory is an inspiration to all those who knew him. It is the hope of Autism Light that more devoted individuals will continue to make a career of teaching children with autism as the population with autism continues to grow.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

The photo of Adam Bluestone is used with permission of Brandon Neal (Email: BrandonNeal@Gmail.com).

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Dylan Hockley and Anne Marie Murphy

Autism Lights #247 are Dylan Hockley and Anne Marie Murphy. 

Autism Light is honoring Dylan Hockley and Anne Marie Murphy in the same post because of the special relationship they had in life and in death. Dylan Hockley has autism and he kept a picture on his refrigerator of Anne Marie Murphy who was his special education teacher's aide at Sandy Brook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Both died in the shooting that occurred at the school on December 14, 2012.  When they were found Anne Marie Murphy was cradling Dylan in her arms to protect him.

Dylan Hockley's family had moved to the United States from the United Kingdom two years ago. Here is a video statement that the family of Dylan Hockley released.



Dylan's mother asked him "at one time why he flapped his arms when he got excited. She hadn't expected an answer because Dylan has a form of autism that left him with undeveloped language skills. 'Because I am a beautiful butterfly,' he said (Source)."
A Memorial Service was held for Dylan Hockley, age 6, on December 21, 2012 at Walnut Hill Community Church.  Jennifer Swift of the New Haven Register wrote an article on the Celebration of Life for Dylan Hockley. Dylan Hockley is survived by his parents Ian and Nicole Hockley and his older brother Jake. 
Dylan Hockley Memorials: A social media Memorial Page has been set up to remember Dylan Hockley on Facebook.  
The family created the Dylan Hockley Memorial Fund to honor Dylan. Donations to the fund will be used to benefit children with autism and other special needs. Donations to the fund can be made by check to "Dylan Hockley Memorial Fund," and sent to 34 Charter Ridge Drive, Sandy Hook, CT 06482 (Source). You can also donate to the Dylan Hockley Memorial Fund online at this link. 

Here is a brief video about Anne Marie Murphy honoring her as a hero.

A Memorial Service for Anne Marie Murphy, age 52, was held on December 20, 2012 at St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church in Katonah, New York (Source). Cardinal Timothy Dolan said at her funeral: "Like Jesus, Annie laid down her life for her friends. Like Jesus, Annie's life and death brings light, truth, goodness and love to a world often shrouded in darkness, evil, selfishness and death (Source)." 

On her Autism Speaks Tribute page it says, "Anne Marie Murphy was a person who loved the arts and taking walks outdoors. She was the daughter of Hugh and Alice McGowan of Katonah, New York, one of seven children raised. Family was the most import part of Anne Marie’s life. Along with her parents, Anne Marie is survived by her four children, Kelly, Colleen, Paige and Thomas and her devoted husband, Michael (Source)."

Anne Marie Murphy Memorials: Anne Marie Murphy had worked with Autism Speaks and her family designated that in lieu of flowers donations in her memory be sent to Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks has set up a page on their website to honor Anne Marie Murphy and to receive donations. Autism Speaks wrote, "We are humbled to pay tribute to Anne Marie, and will dedicate the funds that are donated in her name to a special initiative which will be designated by her family. If you wish to leave a message of condolence, please email them to newtowntribute@autismspeaks.org or post in this thread, and Autism Speaks will pass it on to Anne Marie's family (Source)."
Dylan Hockley and Anne Marie Murphy will be added today to the Autism Light Memorial Roll and also Dylan will be linked on the page of those with autism.  As the autism community ponders the loss of this autistic child and special education teacher, may those of us left be inspired to be more dedicated, to be more faithful, and to be more diligent in being advocates and light for autism. Rest in peace Dylan and Anne Marie.

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Special Note: It is the policy of Autism Light not to include photos of individuals unless they are in the Public Domain or permission from the person or family can be obtained. At this time of tragic loss we have not sought out permission for a photo, so not to disturb the privacy of Dylan Hockley and Anne Marie Murphy's family. If in the future an authorized representative would like to give permission for a photo of Dylan or Anne Marie to appear with this respectful tribute, please email AutismLight@Gmail.com or leave information in the comments to this post.  Thank You.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

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Rachel D'Avino

Autism Light #245 is Rachel D'Avino.

Rachel D'Avino of Bethlehem, Connecticut was born on July 17,1983. She was a behavioral therapist who was taking advanced studies in autism and had just recently started working at Sandy Brook Elementary School. Rachel D'Avino was shot and killed along with 25 others at her school on December 14, 2012, while working as a teacher's aide for special needs students at Sandy Brook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Rachel D'Avino is an Autism Light for her dedication to teach children with autism and her inspiration to others who work tirelessly in the field of behavioral therapy for autism.

The Chicago Tribune said, "D'Avino specialized in special education and formerly worked as a therapist for autistic children (Source)." A message on a Facebook memorial page posted in the early morning of December 18, 2012, said of Rachel that, "She loved karate, cooking, animals, baking and photography but her foremost passion was her work in behavioral therapy with children with autism (Source)."

John Molteni, the director of the Institute for Autism and Behavioral Studies at the University of St. Joseph shared on Facebook that Rachel D'Avino had recently finished the requirements for taking her certification exam. John Molteni said of Rachel D'Avino that when she was shot, "She was a paraprofessional working with a student with special needs, something she had dedicated her life to doing (Source)."

Lovetere Stone was a mother whose autistic son had been helped tremendously by his therapy with Rachel D'Avino and the extra effort she took to help him in life. "I think she taught me more about how to be a good mother to a special needs child than anyone else ever had," said Lovetere Stone (Source).

Rachel D'Avino's life was full of hope and promise.  Rachel was unaware of something exciting that was about to happen in her life. Two days before the shooting her boyfriend Anthony Cerritelli had asked her parents permission to marry her and he planned to ask her on Christmas Eve (Source).

The following is the coaches and artists of The Voice singing Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah in memory of Rachel D'Avino and all the victims of the Sandy Hook shooting.

Social Media Tributes:  

The Rest In Peace Rachel D'Avino Fund page has been set up on Facebook.

Here are a few Twitter tweets in memory of her.

Rachel Davino, 29, Dawn Hochsprung, 47, Anne Marie Murphy, 52.Lauren Russeau, 30,Mary Sherlach, 56, Victoria Soto, 27. RIP
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 15, 2012

Rachel Davino, 29. Taken too soon. Rest in Peace.
— Replay 1D. (@REPLAYLOUDER) December 15, 2012

Here is a YouTube video in honor of Rachel D'Avino.



Words can not express the loss that the autism community feels in losing this promising young educator who was specializing in autism. May Rachel D'Avino's story inspire other young people to dedicate their life to making the world brighter for people with autism by becoming autism behavioral therapists.

An obituary on Rachel D'Avino with more information on her life was published by the Associated Press for Legacy.com. Rachel D'Avino will be added today to the Autism Light Memorial Roll and her post here will be updated as more information to remember her by becomes available.

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Special Note: It is the policy of Autism Light not to include photos of individuals unless they are in the Public Domain or permission from the person or family can be obtained. At this time of tragic loss we have not sought out permission for a photo, so not to disturb the privacy of Rachel D'Avino's family. If in the future an authorized representative would like to give permission for a photo of Rachel to appear with this respectful tribute, please email AutismLight@Gmail.com or leave information in the comments to this post.  Thank You.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

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Scott Parks

Autism Light #194 is Scott Parks. 

Scott Parks is a special education teacher at Spanish Fort High School in the state of Alabama. In his daily work with students with autism he plays a critical role in two innovative programs for the students known as Project Reach and Project Outreach. Scott Parks is an Autism Light for his work as a special education teacher and his passion to help students with autism as well as their neuro-typical peers.

Project Reach: Eight students with severe autism in the Spanish Fort school system in Baldwin County, Alabama are presently in Project Reach. The program is led by special education teachers Scott Parks and Kristen Box along with the sufficient support of para-professionals.  Cutting edge technology like iPads are used to help students learn. According to Rener Havner-Phillips of the Press-Register in the program, "The autistic teens are learning job skills, including how to wash clothes, sort silverware, organize books and stock grocery shelves. They go on field trips to deliver mail at the school system's central office, to fold pizza boxes at Mellow Mushroom or to dust and vacuum at the Holiday Inn Express (Source)."

Project Outreach: Project Outreach, is an extra-curricular club led by Scott Parks, where neuro-typical students and students with autism spend time participating in various activities together. Project Outreach is an official club at Spanish Fort High School and has it's own page on the high school website. There are 112 members of Project Outreach this school year and it is the largest extra-curricular club at Spanish Fort High School (Source). The program helps impact the lives of the students with autism, but Project Outreach has also been especially meaningful to the neuro-typical students who are gaining a life-changing autism awareness through having a relationship with someone with autism.

The following is the news video of Scott Parks and another special education teacher named Kristen Box explaining how Project Outreach works at their high school.

Additional Information on Scott Parks and these autism programs at Spanish Fort High School are available at these online stories:

• Al.com
• Huffington Post

Special thanks to Scott Parks for being an Autism Light through his dedication as a special education teacher   that works with students with autism. Scott Parks is representative of the fine special education teachers in diverse areas of the world who have a passion to reach students with autism through whatever creativity and outreach is necessary. Scott Parks is also the first person from Alabama to be named an Autism Light.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

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Karen Tuohy

Autism Light #179 is Karen Tuohy.

Karen Tuohy lives in Wilmington, Delaware. Karen is a special education teacher and a single mother of two adult children with autism. She is also a volunteer with Autism Delaware. Karen Tuohy is an Autism Light for her diverse efforts day in and day out to make the world a better place for children with autism and those who love them. Karen Tuohy is the first Autism Light from the state of Delaware in our ongoing search across the world for bright lights for Autism.

Education: Karen Tuohy received her BA in Psychology and a Certification in Regular Education, K-6 and Special Education, K-12 in 1980 from the College of New Rochelle.

Karen Tuohy with her two adult children

Teaching: Karen Tuohy has served as a Special Education teacher at Heritage Elementary School in Wilmington, Delaware for 18 years. The school is a mainstream school and the special education program serves children of a variety of disabilities. In 2000 she was named Teacher of the Year at the school. One of her roles in the school environment is to facilitate an after school sibling group for students who have a family member with a disability. In the group siblings are able to talk about issues that are unique to their lives while participating in social activities such as a game or art project. Karen Tuohy gives this advice to parents of special needs children about working with their local school.

As a special education teacher, I advise parents to remember that they are the best resource any teacher has. You know your child's strengths, interests, triggers, and what incentives will work with your child better than anyone else. Please share that information. It will make your child's schooling as successful and comfortable as possible. If your child needs an accommodation to ease his access to the regular education curriculum, please make sure that the accommodation is written into his Individualized Education Plan. This will ensure that the accommodation will be implemented across the school day and into the next grade.  Talking with school personnel about your child does not need to be adversarial. We all want what's best for your child. Go to conferences and IEP meetings with an open mind, and a list of what you'd like to see changed or implemented. You are the most important member of your child's team.  

Autism Delaware: Karen Tuohy serves as a volunteer for Autism Delaware and received their Outstanding Autism Delaware Volunteer award on March 30, 2012. Karen says, "My involvement with Autism Delaware began slowly as I realized how much they've given me and my children and it has been very beneficial to me and my children who are now adults. It has given us a supportive community that accepts us - blemishes and all."  Some of the volunteer roles Karen has filled include:

• Working the Registration Table at Every Walk for Autism
• Annual Golf Outing
• Hosting the Weekly Bowling Event Throughout the Year
• Helping with Bowling and Swim Practices for the Autism Delaware Special Olympics Team. 

The mission of Autism Delaware is "to create better lives for people with autism and their families in Delaware."  For more information on Autism Delaware visit their website at www.delautism.org.

The following video shares more about what Autism Delaware is doing in the state.

Karen Tuohy summarizes her advice to parents of special needs children in this way:

Being a parent of two special needs children has made me a better teacher and, yes, a better person. I've learned not to sweat the small stuff- when I do, I miss out on so many precious moments in life. To other parents of special needs children, I would advise to get invovled in their local Autism organization. At Autism Delaware, I was able to access resources, recreational opportunities, and social interactions for my children. Since I've been a single working parent for almost 20 years, with no immediate family in the area, members of Autism Delaware have been my sounding boards, my brainstorming team, my lifeline, in effect, my sanity.

Special thanks to Karen Tuohy for being a teaching light for autism and a hard working volunteer at Autism Delaware. The world is a better place because a kind and competent mother of two children with autism is serving as a special education teacher at Heritage Elementary School in Wilmington, Delaware.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Photos: The photos in this post were used with permission of Karen Tuohy.

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Dr. Gil Tippy

Autism Light #124 is Dr. Gil Tippy.

Dr. Gil Tippy is from Long Island, New York. He is the founder and Clinical Director of the Rebecca School in New York. He also operates a private clincial practice in Oyster Bay, New York. Dr. Gil Tippy is an Autism Light because of his instrumental role in helping children with autism at the Rebecca School and for being an influential author and proponent of the DIR teaching method.

Education: Dr. Gil Tippy received his Doctoral Degree in Psychology (PsyD) from Long Island University. The late Dr. Stanley Greenspan mentored Dr. Gill Tippy. Dr. Tippy also has a teaching certificate in New York as a Secondary English Teacher. The following is a video of Dr. Gil Tippy sharing his professional experience.

Rebecca School: Dr. Gil Tippy is the Clinical Director of the Rebecca School. The Rebecca School is a 60,000 square foot state of the art school for children with autism located in New York City and operated by MetSchools, Inc. The Rebecca School currently enrolls over 100 students ages 4 to 21 years and it is the fulfillment of a life goal of Dr. Gil Tippy to operate a school for children with autism.

Respecting Autism:  Dr. Gil Tippy is the co-author of the book Respecting Autism. The late Dr. Stanley I. Greenspan also wrote the book. The feature of the book includes 16 case studies of students at the Rebecca School. In each case the Rebecca School's program and game plan is listed and then Dr. Greenspan makes recommendations to the Rebecca School for treatment of the specific child. The book was published in 2011 and was the first book printed by MetSchools Publishing. The website for the book is at www.respectingautism.com. In the introduction to the book, Dr. Gill Tippy writes about his methodology in this way:

I want to be on the side of this debate that respects children. That treats children in the way that loving parents have treated children since man first walked upright. I want to be on the side of this debate that believes that children have feelings and thoughts, and that those feelings and thoughts are at least as valid as the feelings and thoughts of any adult. I want to be on the side of the debate that asks children what they want, that asks permission before we wipe a child's nose, that does not rush. (Page 8).

Social Media: You can follow the work of Dr. Gil Tippy, Rebecca School, and the Respecting Autism book on the following social media areas.

Dr. Gil Tippy

• Facebook
• Twitter
• YouTube

Rebecca School

• Facebook
• Twitter
• YouTube

Respecting Autism

• Facebook
• Twitter
• YouTube

Special thanks to Dr. Gil Tippy for building the Rebecca School into a place where lives of children with autism can be changed. Dr. Gil Tippy is an Autism Light for the shining city known as New York.

Note: Dr. Gil Tippy and the Rebecca School utilize the DIR teaching method for children of autism, which was promoted by the late Dr. Stanley Greenspan. This is an alternative method to ABA, which has been shared previously on the Autism Light blog (See this link to Autism Light's Spotlight on ABA). Many people use ABA exclusively, some like Dr. Tippy use DIR exclusively, and others use a combination of both ABA and DIR treatments. Autism Lights come from both DIR and ABA orientations and it is hoped that readers will take from these stories what they feel is most helpful to their situation.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.


Photo: The photo in this post is used with the permission of Dr. Gil Tippy's representative. 

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Jane Hsu

Autism Light #107 is Jane Hsu.

Jane Hsu is a special education teacher in New York City. Jane Hsu is an Autism Light because she is the founder of a website tool to help children with autism find friends and improve social skills.

Jane Hsu has been working directly with special needs children for 14 years and has spent the last five years teaching in New York City. She was inspired to create a website tool to help link special needs children up with playdates, because of her personal dedication to go beyond the classroom to help her students with autism. Because of the Internet this website tool is now able to reach children beyond New York City and into far corners of the world.

The website that Jane Hsu founded is called Special Playdate and can be found at Specialplaydate.com. Special Playdate lists as their mission on their website: "Every child deserves to have a friend! Special Playdate connects parents with other parents seeking playdate opportunities for their children with or without special needs."

Jamie Pagliaro the Co-Creator of Rethink Autism said, "This is a brillantly executed website, addressing a fundamental need for children with special needs and their families. Parents will immediately get a good feeling when they visit the site and sign up to join (Source)."

Special Playdate has several features that parents of children with autism will like.

1. The price is right for the tight finances of autism parents as it is free to join. 
2. It is a secure system that safeguards personal information and allows private messaging.
3. It will be dynamic, as Jane Hsu has plans to expand the resources on the website.

For more information about Special Playdate and Jane Hsu read these inspiring articles written by the Autism Support Network.

• Playdates for Kids with Autism and Other Special Needs
• Special Education Teacher Develops Play Date Tool For Those with Autism

Social Media: You can follow the work of Special Play Date at the following social media areas. Jane Hsu provides suggestions for activities to do on a play date on her Facebook page.

• Facebook
• Twitter

Special thanks to Jane Hsu for being an Autism Light and taking the initiative to create such a useful tool. This website has the potential to be the difference between friendship or loneliness, joy or discouragement, and community or isolation for many children with autism.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.


Photo: The photo in this post was used with permission of Jane Hsu.

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Ann Eldridge

Autism Light #72 is Ann Eldridge.

Ann D. Eldridge lives in Sumter, South Carolina. She is President and Director of Clinical Services for the South Carolina Early Autism Project, Inc.  Ann Eldridge is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

South Carolina Early Autism Project, Inc.:  Ann Eldridge has served as the President of the South Carolina Early Autism Project since 2000.  The South Carolina Early Autism Project, Inc. is located in Sumter, South Carolina and was founded in 1998.  The mission of the South Carolina Early Autism Project, Inc. includes providing Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism and also to equip parents and schools to utilize ABA in educational moments with children with autism.  This is accomplished through working in collaboration with the various professionals and caretakers in a child's educational support network.

Teaching Career:  For 15 years Ann Eldridge served as a special education teacher in South Carolina.  In recognition of her outstanding work with children with autism, the South Carolina Autism Society gave her the teacher of the year award in 1996.

National Speaker:  Ann Eldridge was a speaker at the Autism Insurance Implementation Workshop that featured the collaboration of Autism Speaks government relations team and the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA).  The workshop was held at the first APBA national convention in April, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts.

ABA Mentor:  Ann Eldridge was mentored in ABA by the remarkable Dr. Vincent Carbone.  Dr. Vincent Carbone was designated an Autism Light on July 7, 2011.

For more information on Ann Eldridge, see her biography online at the South Carolina Early Autism Project website.  Special thanks to Ann Eldridge for leading the South Carolina Early Autism Project, Inc. and assuring that ABA treatment is available to many children in the Sumter, South Carolina area.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

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Brett Bigham

Autism Light #67 is Brett Bigham.  

Brett Bigham is from Portland, Oregon. He is a special education teacher in the school-to-work classroom of the Multnomah Education Service District. Brett Bigham is an Autism Light because of his dedication to effectively teach children with special needs, including autism.

Online Social Books: In order to help his students with autism, Brett Bigham created picture guide books called Explore Portland. Bridget A. Otto wrote an article on these online photo books for the Oregonian. Brett Bigham said the following about the photo books.

Autistic students often use something called social stories. They are little stories written for them to learn about a big transition coming up or deal with noisy hallways. They are just a guide to read or look at...They don't understand the communication about what is going on, so they need a picture or a combination of both (Source).

Awards:  Brett Bigham was one of the finalists for the OnPoint Excellence in Education Award in 2010.

Reviewer: Brett Bigham is very knowledgeable about the needs of students with autism to transition to adulthood. In recognition of that background he a reviewer of a chapter on Independent Living and Community Participation in the 2011 publication called  Preparing Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder for Adulthood.

Special thanks to Brett Bigham for being an Autism Light by dedicating your life to teaching young people with autism in Portland, Oregon.  You are representative of the hard work and dedication of teachers of special needs students all over the world.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

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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 series.

Author: Frank Nappi has written several fictional books. To order his books or find out more details on each book go to the book section of his website. His most recent writing is a unique sports fiction series where the main character is a fantastic pitcher who has Aspergers. The series includes The Legend of Mickey Tussler with the sequel Sophomore Campaign scheduled to be released in April, 2012. In addition, there is a third book in this series that Frank Nappi is in the process of writing.


Reviews: The following are some positive reviews that have been written about this series.

• Peter Schilling wrote a very positive review of The Legend of Mickey Tussler at The Autism Society of Ohio's Website.
• Darryl Strawberry who was designated an Autism Light in his own right on August 9, 2011, reviewed the second book in the series Sophomore Campaign and called it, "A curiously poignant baseball tale of adversity and intolerance, compassion and hope, that elevates autism fiction to fantastic heights."

Movie:  Here is the trailer for the movie, "A Mile in His Shoes", which is based on Frank Nappi's book The Legend of Mickey Tussler.  The movie will feature a main character with Aspergers. This movie premiered on GMC TV on Sunday, September 25, 2011 at 7pm and 9pm and is currently available for rental in video stores.

People who like sports fiction and also have an interest in characters with autism will fall in love with Frank Nappi's series.  The author's new offerings are anticipated with excitement by readers of the series.

Social Media:  You can follow Frank Nappi at the following social media or Websites.

• Frank Nappi's Official Website
• Facebook Page
• Twitter

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.


Photo: Photo in this post used with permission of Frank Nappi.


This post went into syndication on Autisable.

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