The purpose of this manuscript is to identify social narrative strategies that can be used to enhance the social skills of young children identified with autism spectrum disorder. We provide a description as well as scenarios describing how educators might consider using social narrative strategies. We conclude with resources to attain additional…

When we consider disability and the curriculum, we usually mean preparing professionals to work with people with disabilities or including students with disabilities. Here, I provide a personal description of these ideas colliding. It's Fall 2017, and I'm taking a course on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). That means it's about…

Black families and White families are affected by autism in different ways. Little scholarship acknowledges these differences, especially those communicated by Black fathers of students with autism. In this article, I share an evocative autoethnography which highlights how my cultural, familial, and occupational identities intersect and confound…

The statistical data reports that current unemployment rates for young adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the United States is bleak. In 2004, Hurlbutt and Chalmers noted that difficulties obtaining and keeping employment are many times connected to issues involving social interactions and communication skills rather than performing…

The new definition of twice exceptionality by the National Twice-Exceptional Community of Practice (2e CoP) is a tool that will facilitate communication and collaboration for practitioners in the regular classroom, gifted education specialists, administrators, and professors. In this article, the author shares his experiences in several of these…

An administrator of an elementary school shares her experience with students exhibiting signs of twice-exceptionality.

Richard Simpson is professor of special education at the University of Kansas (KU). Dr. Simpson's duties at KU have included roles of staff psychologist, teaching associate, assistant professor, project director, associate professor, professor, and chairperson for the Department of Special Education. He has directed numerous University of Kansas…

Intellectual disability services recognise people with intellectual disability as a family member and aim to provide effective support that facilitates family cohesion. However, the needs of families and individuals within the family should be addressed in a holistic manner to ensure a seamless service. This article outlines a mother's reflections…

Like many people, the author has spent the better part of his life fashioning a list of places he wanted to go and things he wanted to do. Because he is a typical American male, his "Bucket List" is mostly populated by sporting venues he wants to visit and sporting events he wants to witness. Sharing his "Bucket List" with his son would be a gift…

Established a half-century ago, Riverbrook Residence, home to 23 women with developmental disabilities, is the oldest facility of its kind in New England, and perhaps in the country. Indeed, Riverbrook's executive director Joan Burkhard's vision, together with the care and dedication of the staff and the women's families, have created a rare and…

Sometimes one of the most difficult parts of handling a life-altering event is not even knowing what needs to be accomplished, never mind what issues should be tackled first. There is no single set plan for any family, no "one size fits all" list of tasks to accomplish first. In this article the author, a mother of two children on the autism…

The First Congregational Church has a heart of mission. Yet, when the mission hits a situation that's personal and makes one squirm a bit, it becomes more of a challenge. Seven teams have been sent from the church to help the rebuilding in New Orleans. The first teams did the mucking, getting all of the belongings out of the house and putting them…

I began this project on my 17th birthday as an article dedicated to helping kids with autism, and in a more specific category, Asperger's Syndrome. These are my thoughts and insights on how I perceive the world around me. I hope sharing my experiences and perceptions may help teachers and other specialists in their work with children with…

This viewpoint discusses the history of Jessica Park, a professional artist who is an adult with autism. The narrative was constructed from historical descriptive research conducted by the author using published accounts and interviews with the artist, her mother, and two childhood companions. Examples of artwork produced in elementary through…

The number of people diagnosed with autism has risen exponentially in recent years. Are the diagnostic labels currently in use adequate to describe such a vast range of symptoms? Should we reconsider the appropriateness of the language we use to discuss autism? A mother of two autistic sons describes what the autism label has meant for her and her…