Mother sets out to buy iPads for other autistic children (Times Reporter)
Tara Oathout couldn’t believe it. Her son, Grady Oathout, who will turn 4 in August, was asking for fruit after just getting back to grandma’s house after lunch at a restaurant, where he had eaten more than anybody at the table. Read more.

For those with autism, documentary offers new hope (Montpelier, Vt.)
A new documentary about autism is making unlikely stars out of two Vermont men who don’t speak much but still have a lot to say. Read more.

McDonnell seeks to amend bill providing insurance for autistic children (The Washington Post)
Virginia Gov. Bob Mc­Don­nell will propose a series of amendments to a bill that would require businesses to provide insurance coverage for children with autism, according to several legislators with knowledge of the changes. Read more.

Quake looter says police beat him (New Zealand)
Police have been accused of assaulting an autistic man who looted an Addington home after the February 22 earthquake. Read more.

This guest post is by Autism Speaks staffer Kerry Magro. Kerry, an adult who has autism, is a rising senior at Seton Hall University, majoring in Sports Management. He started an Autism Speaks U Chapter: Student Disability Awareness on campus to help spread awareness and raise funds for those affected by autism. Autism Speaks U is a program designed for college students who host awareness, advocacy and fundraising events, while supporting their local autism communities.

One issue, in my opinion, that isn’t addressed enough on college campuses, is accommodations within the residence halls for those with disabilities. Yes, from time to time you will see a residence hall with an elevator, maybe bed shakers for those who are hearing impaired, but does that make a residence hall “disability friendly?” I don’t think so. A disability friendly residence hall should be accommodating to all disabilities, especially autism.

For people just starting college, living away in a dorm can be a difficult transition. For an individual with autism who is affected drastically by change it can make that transition almost impossible. The argument to this, is that those affected by autism who actually attend college are just a small enough quota where it doesn’t really matter. The thing is, most accommodations for those with autism in the dorms just rely on having a good and understanding friend. It’s easy in college to fall into a pattern of anti-social tendencies when work builds up on you.

I have seen this from every angle imaginable. My freshman year in the dorms, I was a resident. During my sophomore and half of my junior year, I was a Resident Assistant (RA) who helped residents while living in the dorms. Living in the residence halls wasn’t much of a difficulty for me, but that was because I had great friends early on who supported me in everything that I did. Being able to socially get my way through that first year, where I was seen as enough of a leader to be one of the only autistic RA’s not only in New Jersey, but in the country.

So what can autistic individuals living in the dorms do to make themselves ready for the transition? Firstly, strongly consider requesting a single room. Most colleges are very willing to give someone with a registered disability a single. I have lived alone and have loved the benefits. Mainly, the best benefit is that you have your own place to unwind. You don’t have to worry about whether you get along with other individuals. The pros outweigh the cons in most cases.

Secondly, make sure you get yourself out there. Most residence halls have programs within the first couple of weeks of school to get people meeting your fellow peers. Most residence halls will also have a peer support group for those with disabilities where you can interact with others who have similar difficulties within the dorms. We also live in a technology related world, so if you don’t feel comfortable with face to face conversations, virtual communication (Facebook, instant messaging, texting) is a great way to practice your social capabilities. Just make sure it doesn’t become a habit, if you are never leaving your room!

Take some time to meet with the director of your dorm. If you are open with them about having a disability, they can’t turn you away, and have to give you proper accommodations. You need to force yourself out of your comfort zone because that’s where the most progress can be made.

Now, this is a process. There is no game plan to every disability. You have to create your own plan of attack. Independence is not learned overnight either, so take the steps needed to make your own personal plan and then follow through.

(This is one of my Autism Speaks U related blog posts. If you would like to contact me directly about questions/comments related to this post I can be reached at[email protected]. Thanks everyone!)

On the evenings of April 1 and 2, 2011, prominent buildings across North America and the world — including the Empire State Building in New York City and the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada — will turn their lights blue to raise awareness for autism and to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day on Saturday, April 2.

We’re aiming to light the world blue all throughout April — city by city, town by town — by taking action to raise autism awareness in our communities.
What you can do to Light It Up Blue

• Wear blue clothing or your Autism Speaks puzzle piece, and encourage your coworkers to do the same. 
• Light your house up blue by putting blue light bulbs in any outdoor fixtures. 
• Raise awareness for Autism online or spread the word about Light It Up Blue.

World Autism Awareness Day: The fourth annual World Autism Awareness Day is on April 2. People, schools, organizations, and companies are hosting events around the world.

Autism talks raise awareness, hope (The Rocky Mountain Collegian)
Professor Temple Grandin said that autistic kids need to be pushed in order to succeed.“Now, you don’t push to panic –– no surprises,” the world-renowned expert on the subject explained to a small group of individuals speaking with her after she presented to around 100 university students and Fort Collins residents on the disability. Read more.

Dangerous Wandering a Lesser Known Side of Autism (HealthDay)

Many parents know that heart-stopping feeling of being at the park or the mall, and suddenly losing track of their child. For the parents of autistic children, those concerns can be even more intense. Read more.

Autism Awareness Day recognized April 2 (The Inquirer and Mirror)
April 2 marks the fourth annual World Autism Awareness Day, as designated by the United Nations, which speaks to the worldwide growing concern of the autism epidemic. There are only two other health-related United Nations World Day events: for diabetes and AIDS. April is also National Autism Awareness Month. Read more.

Families, staff vow to fight (JC Floridan)
A new weariness and worry has settled over the features of Elizabeth and John Greer, as they fight the possible privatization of Sunland. Their developmentally disabled son has lived, worked and learned there for the past 10 years. Read more.

Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet is shining a light on autism by publishing a book. Winslet’s book, titled “The Golden Hat,” will come out in November, Simon & Schuster announced Thursday. Read More