They are prepared by Autism Hangout Staff Reporters as well as the newsmakers themselves (i.e. guest columnists, researchers, dignitaries/notables and interested Autism Hangout members).

All SPECIAL REPORTS have links to threads in the Discussion Forum (if you'd care to share your experience or insights with others).

"Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure."

Norman Vincent Peale

"With A Brush of Love" - Lauren S. Henry, President

In this Autism Hangout Special Report, Craig Evans interviews "With A Brush Of Love" president, Lauren S. Henry. Lauren has been featured on HGTV for her special work with kids with autism. As Lauren states in that program, "I use color and pattern to support emotional needs." Lauren is a motivated, multi-talented Syracuse graduate with gifts in music, theater, film and art. She also has a background in child psychology. Based on her understanding of the complexities and relationships between visual stimulation and personality, Lauren has created "With A Brush of Love;" a company designed to help neuro-typical and special needs kids find comfort and "fit" in their immediate living environments.

Lauren's pioneering work has proven beneficial to kids with autism and has been endorsed by the Autism Society of America.

Read more about the company at: http://www.brushoflove.com

Discuss this in the forums

Posted on 5/5/2009 7:29:15 AM by cevans

Partners in Excellence - An Autism Therapy Center.	"Developing College Skills in Students with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome"
"Life After High School: A Guide for Students with Disabilities and Their Families"	"Loving Lampposts" - A wide angle view of autism.
"Give voice to the unheard" - Meet Bick Pratt of MyTalkTools (dotcom)	Autism Websites: Resources and Information - Mark Wirbel for Autism Hangout (dotcom)
"Model Me Kids" Social Skills videos by Sue Klein	Coming soon! The Autism Hangout "Education Section" - A Call for Content!
Autism and grades: Measures of ability...or disability?	An "Attitude of Gratitude" - An Autism Hangout Special Report

More Special Reports

View All >

Training Students & Music Teachers in the Gifts of Autism - Meet Dr. Rhoda Bernard

Meet Dr. Rhoda Bernard, Director - Boston Conservatory Program for Students on the Autism Spectrum. Under her direction, the Boston Conservatory is boldly filling a great need: * It has created a place for those talented musicians on the spectrum to develop their gifts. * It has developed an exclusive curriculum for tomorrow's teachers, offering the "best of the best" an opportunity to learn "first-hand", how best to develop the skills of those with autism. It thrills me that competent, motivated, inspired people like Dr. Bernard can bring venerable institutions like the Boston Conservatory to assist our special kids in the development of their gifts.

Posted on 5/27/2010 2:44:59 PM

"Walking in the Dark: Finding the Light in Autism" - A film by Brian Dery

As a young man, about to embark on a career in filmmaking, Brian Dery contracted Guillain Barre syndrome and found himself paralyzed from the neck down. Although medical science gave up on him, he and his family persevered. Today he's a successful filmmaker, fully exploiting his skills although his legs still require braces. But his personal story of "not letting the human body beat the human spirit" became his calling. He started seeking out and documenting other stories of inspiration and motivation. His latest film - "Walking in the Dark: Finding the Light in Autism" - is one such film about successfully dealing with the challenges of autism.

Posted on 5/25/2010 6:37:57 AM

"Bye" - A Short Documentary About Autism - Meet Filmmaker Anthony Morrison

NYU Film school grad Anthony Morrison is following in the tradition of his alma mater's "great story-tellers." The story captured in his movie "Bye" has been on his heart since he was a young man, growing up with compassionate parents who tirelessly worked to make life easier for those touched by autism. "Filmmakers can create social change." Anthony's story is set to do just that. For more info on the film's release, go to: www.byemovie.com

Posted on 5/11/2010 3:25:50 PM

"Artists and Autism" - A Facebook Group. Meet founder Jeffery Kellen

Aspiring writer Jeffery Kellen went looking for a safe place for people on the autism spectrum to post and display their artwork. He found none. So he created one on Facebook. "Artists and Autism is solely dedicated to promoting autism awareness through the arts. Submissions may come from anyone on the spectrum or from their neurotypical family members and friends. The purpose of the site is also to uplift, encourage and inspire all of those around us by our God-given talents and to nurture those abilities to their fullest extent." The Artists and Autism Mission statement.

Posted on 5/5/2010 4:52:49 PM