Dr. Jessica Schwartzman’s research goes above and beyond when it comes to helping improve the quality of life of the neurodiverse community. She has researched critical real-world problems, such as COVID and suicide, as they have affected adolescents with autism and studied them to find solutions to such serious current issues. She is a professional …
Continue reading Depression & Suicide Risk – A Conversation with Dr. Jessica Schwartzman
Whenever I’ve interviewed a researcher specialized in studying autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders, most of them recommend that I continue my interview series with Dr. Grace Baranek, a globally renowned professional in sensory characteristics and occupational therapy in children with autism spectrum disorder. She has co-authored more than 100 peer-reviewed articles in several prestigious journals, …
Continue reading Sensory Processing in Infants: A Conversation with Dr. Grace Baranek
Dr. Lisa Liberatore is not only a supportive Mom and talented doctor. She is one of the strongest advocates for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and has really taken the necessary steps to improve the quality of life for her son on the autism spectrum, Michael. With the help of her husband, Dr. Dimitri Kessaris, Dr. …
Continue reading All for LUV – A Conversation with Dr. Lisa Liberatore
Walking out of the elevator, I was greeted with bursts of color along the hallways of the Toby and Leon Cooperman Therapy and Family Resource Center. Feeling like a child once again, I followed the pathways along the tiles across the floor, putting me at ease. A tactile wall with different materials lines the hallway, …
I'm walking to raise funds for the mission of Autism Speaks - to fuel innovative research and make connections to critical lifelong supports and services for the autism community. Please support me by donating and help me meet my fundraising goal: My Personal Autism Speaks Walk Page - and you, too, can join the team …
About 1.8% of United States children are diagnosed with autism, a rate that has increased significantly over the past two decades. This growth could be accredited to broader diagnostic criteria and an increase in general recognition of the disorder, however it nonetheless means that it is essential to gain a greater sense of understanding of …
This past week I was really happy because my brother came home to visit for a week and a half. The Saturday before he left, my Dad decided that he wanted all of us to go to the beach to see the sunrise. Let’s go back to 6:20 a.m. Saturday morning; everyone is ready to …
I always hear my parents talking to doctors who constantly say, “He’ll grow out of it.” My parents say that my brother will eventually mature and therefore he will better utilize the skills to improve his quality of life. Some studies have found that children who were diagnosed with autism as a toddler may not …
I do not have Autism, but looking at my brother I feel that we sometimes have similar characteristics. I am sensitive to overstimulation. I get frustrated easily when too many things are going on. I become irritable and tend to feel restless in these situations. I often have difficulty identifying my feelings. Hence, I …
Continue reading Why Does My Brother Have an Autism Diagnosis and I Don’t?
When I began high school, I developed a passion for science and research, which led me to learn more about ASD and the science behind it. Growing up with a younger brother with autism, there would always be screaming and arguments. My parents and my brother would scream back and forth like a tennis match. …
The Real Spectrum 