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How a Sibling Connection Inspired Advocacy and a Career
When I was nine years old, I became an advocate. We were out in public and a woman chastised my mom for being unable to control my younger brother, Joey. My blood started to boil and I was outraged by this woman’s lack of empathy. However, my mom handled the situation with poise and grace,...
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Mentors Over White Knights – How to Support Autistic Women for Success
Like many neurotypical girls, I spent a lot of time growing up either reading or watching fairy tales in books or television. What’s peculiar about women on the Autism Spectrum is that our advocates sometimes mimic those white knights in shining armor; Meaning that someone on our care team will...
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The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation for Adult Autism Shares Its Pioneering Mission On the Global Stage in Beijing, China
On August 22-23, 2019, The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation attended the International Symposium on Rehabilitation and Advocacy for Autism sponsored by the Ai You Foundation at the Crowne Plaza in Beijing, China as an invited Keynote addressee. Over the course of two days, this international...
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With Greta Thunberg in Time’s Spotlight, Those on the Spectrum Seeing “a Profound Moment”
In just several months, Greta Thunberg, 16, has flayed international leaders, electrified climate advocates and served notice that her generation will bring new urgency to saving the planet. Her voice is forceful, her intensity unapologetic and her expressions candid. She’s also on the autism...
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Stuck Between Two Worlds: Having a Brain that is Half Autistic and Half Neurotypical
We often talk of Neurodiversity in terms of a binary between Autistic and Neurotypical when in reality it is much more complicated. We all know Autism exists on a spectrum but commonly assume if someone is on the spectrum, they are one side of a binary line, regardless of where they fall on the...
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Neurodiversity – The New Normal
Over the years, many terms have been used to describe the various neurological conditions that result in developmental, cognitive and behavioral disorders. In the early days of diagnosis and treatment, diagnosis’ ranged from relatively neutral terms like Hyperkinetic Impulse Disorder, (Kimberly...
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First Responders Promote Awareness and Training Through the Autism Patch Challenge
A simple idea to bring autism awareness to the New Rochelle Police Department and the City of New Rochelle, NY, has since spread to over 350 first responder agencies around the United States, and continues to grow with each passing month. On February 7, 2017, I made an appointment to meet with...
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If My Son Could Speak
My son, Tariq, is turning 40 this November. He is autistic, as well as nonspeaking, and he has a severe intellectual disability. Like many other parents of nonspeaking autistic children, I have had imaginary conversations with him many times over the years, and I wonder what he would tell me if he...
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The First Step in Bullying Prevention Is Normalizing Our Differences
“When I was young, getting through each day wasn’t just hard, it was painful to my soul. In school I was cast aside, manipulated and laughed at. Friendships were made solely based on the bond my classmates would form over their common interest in teasing me. My teachers didn’t understand me,...
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NYU College of Dentistry Honors Marco Damiani, CEO of AHRC NYC, with Kriser Medal
New York University’s (NYU) College of Dentistry honored Marco Damiani, CEO of AHRC New York City, with its David B. Kriser Medal, the college’s highest form of recognition at the school’s 2019 graduation ceremony. Damiani was awarded the medal for “his extraordinary wisdom, counsel, and...
