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November 17, 2008 A former Newsweek and New York Times contributor was in attendance at my "Demystifying Autism" presentation in the Poconos recently, and distilled the essence of my message finer than any previous reporter in his Pocono Record article, published today. Read Dan Berrett's excellent summary of our day at the link here: Click here: Demonstration lets you get 'inside' autism and see what it's like - poconorecord.com - The Pocono Record November 13, 2008 Perhaps one of my best and most delightful radio interviews is now posted online. Its topic is autism and the God connection, specifically my recent book, THE SOUL OF AUTISM. The show is "Explore Your Spirit with Kala," and the link follows here:Click here: Explore Your Spirit with Kala - Exploring the Body, Mind and Soul Connection#STILLMAN#STILLMAN November 8, 2008 I am pleased to announce that I have just signed a contract with Jossey-Bass, an imprint of publisher John Wiley & Sons, Inc., for a book about empowering parents to advocate for their children on the autism spectrum amidst a burgeoning "industry." My esteemed editor, Alan Rinzler, has over 40 years experience and has worked with clients such as Tom Robbins, Shirley MacLaine, Andy Warhol, and Bob Dylan. Alan is also grandparent to a young man on the autism spectrum, so I keenly anticipate collaborating to produce what will likely be my most compelling work to date. The book will publish in 2009.
Additionally, my book, THE SOUL OF AUTISM, was recently named an Award-Winning Finalist in the Spirituality category of the National Best Books 2008 Awards, sponsored by USA Book News. It continues to garner glowing reviews on Amazon.com, including an intriguing write-up by Cynthia Sue Larson of the Web site, realityshifters.com.
October 28, 2008 Many thanks to Kathleen Dunkleberger, mom and tireless advocate, for alerting me to a new and important Web site, Children Injured by Restraints and Aversives. I am increasingly learning of such appalling and inhumane affronts, and I would strongly advise all readers to learn about CIBRA at the following link: Click here: CIBRA Homepage Also, a new friend, Racheal, has given me permission to share a quote concerning her newfound ability to advocate for her young son as well as others. We met recently at a presentation held on campus at Arcadia College, and she and her partner, Phil, were the epitome of an up-and-coming breed of parents who refuse to take "no" for an answer. Here is her story: "I would like to thank you for everything; you truly are an inspiration to my family and especially to me. It’s really odd that after almost 3 years of using your methods I finally got the opportunity to meet you, and now that we have met it feels like I’ve known you forever. You will always be my friend.
After hearing you speak, I got home and called my aunt & uncle in
Barb then thanked me. She told me that she feels like it’s a sign from god. I called her with this valuable information at a time when she felt like giving up. I inspired her like you inspire me, and let me tell you it’s a great feeling. I thank you Bill. I thank you for giving me the knowledge that I needed to be a great mother. I plan on passing this gift on to others." September 17, 2008 A measure of my faith was restored this week on a flight from Philadelphia to Albany, New York. I had the good fortune to be seated next to Paul, from Florida, who was probably close to my age. I was pleasantly surprised as he opened up to me most honestly about his life: his marriage to his high school sweetheart and their bittersweet divorce, his engagement to a younger woman, and his reflections and regrets about both. But most significantly to me, he waxed estactically, appreciatively, about his two children, a girl, thirteen, and his sixteen-year-old son, who had just received his driver's license. Paul told how his foremost thoughts were always for how to adjust his schedule in order to spend time with his children. Both of them sounded like really lovely young people, and, in particular, Paul told of his close relationship with his son, who seemed compassionate and considerate and never got into any trouble--a rarity we both conceded. What struck me as most compelling, though, was that Paul unashamedly still hugged and kissed his son; and he thought himself the luckiest man alive. Coming from a family that was, and remains, largely emotionally detached, it was a refreshing revelation to me to know that there are fathers that kiss their sons, put their children first, and muse about their good fortune for being blessed with the children in their lives despite the directions those lives may take them. Paul, if you're reading, again, I wish you all the very best; and thank you for so graciously enhancing my perceptions of fatherhood.
September 10, 2008
"Autism Arts in Action" is an event sponsored by Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. designed to showcase artists with autism and their creativity. The event will be held Saturday, November 8, 2008 at Allegheny College, Meadville, PA. Exhibit applications for persons on the spectrum (only) who are interested in showing and/or selling their artwork may be obtained by contacting Ann Lyon at ALyon@yapinc.org.
September 9, 2008
Theological author, Larry Shallenberger, recently hosted my presentation "Demystifying Autism" at Grace Church in McKean, PA, and was inspired to compose his reflections of that day, and our follow-up conversation, on an authors' blog via the link here:
My long-distance friend, and mom to son Jordan, Rhonda Brunett, recently interviewed me on her Autism One Radio program "Unlocking the Door to Autism." We discussed my book The Soul of Autism, and our time together was most enjoyable. Listen to our interview at the following link:
August 14, 2008
My friend and fellow author, Rachel Simon, has brought to my attention a disturbing and growing acceptance of the "r-word" by our media, popular entertainment, and culture at large. It is appallingly disrespectful and only serves to further distance us in our humanity of one another. Learn more at www.r-word.org.
I have posted three new editorials to Basil & Spice: "Autism and Learned Helplessness," "Ask Not What Causes Autism, But What Autism Causes," and "McCain, Obama, and the Politics of Homogenizing Autism," the latter of which has stirred some passionate reactions. Check it out at:
July 29, 2008
I am humbled to relay that I make a "cameo" appearance in author Rachel Simon's forthcoming memoir in which she muses about persons who have influenced her perceptions of her sister, Beth, as well as others in her life. Rachel's book is tentatively titled Building a Home with My Husband in which she describes "how the renovation of our house and the unexpected truths it unearthed in both of us deepened our understanding of love." While the book's title may change, what's certain is that it will be published by Dutton in May 2009.
If Rachel's name sounds familiar to you, it's because she is the best-selling author of Riding the Bus with My Sister, a soulful account of reconnecting with her estranged sister and learning about Beth's world through her eyes. It was made into a Hallmark Hall of Fame television special starring Rosie O'Donnell, Andie McDowell, and directed by Angelica Houston. For further information about Rachel and her body of work, please visit www.rachelsimon.com. Rachel has not only been my friend, she is a great friend and supporter of the autism self-advocacy community.
I have just posted to the authors' blog, Basil & Spice, another piece reflecting upon the autism industry and how it can dramatically alter parents' perceptions of their children. See what you think at the following link (and that rhymes!):
July 23, 2008
The recent Mike Savage radio controversy has incited nationwide backlash that is fast becoming as equally vitriolic as the emotion underscoring the originally expressed sentiments. This is not a helpful response. In contrast, I'd like to offer an alternate perspective via my article, "Autism: A New Cultural Competency." It is newly posted to the authors' blog, Basil & Spice, and may be accessed at the following link:
My document, "Presuming Intellect: Ten Ways to Enrich Our Relationships Through a Belief in Competence," will be included in a forthcoming School Community Tool Kit from Autism Speaks. Watch for its announcement at www.autismspeaks.org.
Finally, my book, The Autism Answer Book, is reviewed in the current issue of the Autism-Asperger's Digest with the following endorsement, "The Autism Answer Book is a gift from the brilliant voice of an exceptional author and speaker. Stillman's version of Autism 101 manages to face the challenges of autism head-on while imparting hope and encouragement." Further information about this book may be found at the "Bill's Books" section of my Web site. July 8, 2008
There are now five newly-composed articles posted to the "Bill's Archived Articles" portion of this site that may be of interest. They include "Special Schools for 'Special' Children," the rather provocative "Everyone has Autism," "The Real Autism Epidemic," which was recently picked up nationally by Reuters Health online, and "The World Needs Autism," which is a condensed excerpt from my new book, The Soul of Autism. As always, your constructive feedback is welcomed.
June 16, 2008
Click on the link below for a rather alarming essay by Professor Stanley Fish. What Professor Fish fails to realize is that, at the present rate of autism statistics, it is he who will soon be the minority if he's not first rendered "disabled" by virtue of genetics, health, lifestyle decisions and the aging process. He would surely wish for others to continue presuming his intellect regardless of the physical transformation his body will endure (which may cause him outwardly to present in an autistic-like manner!).
June 13, 2008
This week, two good friends Ari Ne' eman, self-advocate and CEO of ASAN, and Dr. Kristen Chew, mom to son Charlie, appeared in a Good Morning America segment on autism advocacy and acceptance of neurodiversity. I am so extremely pleased and proud of them both! They handled themselves with such grace and tact in response to sometimes tactless inquiries. Check out the piece online at the following link (you may also recognize a familiar face in the opening photo montage in addition to self-advocates Michael John Carley and Stephen Shore).
May 30, 2008
Two recent must-read autism articles. The first from New York Magazine interviews a number of self-advocates addressing the growing impetus for autism rights, and the second from a mom, Dee Blose, commenting on her vision for her son's life (posted to my dear friend Kathie Snow's online newsletter).
For those interested, I'll be interviewed on a number of forthcoming radio programs regarding my new book, The Soul of Autism. Here's a complete listing:
Thursday, June 5, 2008 at 8:08 am EST. Doug Kosarek, host "Wake-up Daytona." www.wakeupdaytona.com
Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 2:30 pm EST. Monica Adams, host "Health & Fitness with Monica Adams."
Click here: KMOX - KMOX Health & Fitness Show Thursday, June 19th, 2008 at 1:00 pm EST. "InnerViews with Kimmie & Steve" on the CBS Psychic Radio Network. The CBS Psychic Radio Network can be heard worldwide on www.psychiconair.com Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 10:00 am EST. Dr. Charles Campbell, host of "The Charles Campbell Show."
Monday, June 23, 2008 at 12:00 pm EST. Dr. Majid Ali, host "Science, Health and Healing." Click here: WBAI, New York - 99.5 FM Pacifica Radio - Science, Health and Healing
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 3:00 pm EST. "Beyond the Ordinary" with Nancy and Elena. www.beyondtheordinary.net May 20, 2008
I wish to share a newly-composed article titled "The Real Autism Epidemic." It may be found at the following link on the authors' blog site Basil & Spice. As always, your feedback and response is appreciated.
April 20, 2008
Several personal and professional updates to share:
April 19, 2008
April has been declared National Autism Awareness Month, but is April also the cruelest month for the very same reason? Please read this powerful statement composed by a self-advocate with autism that may just cause you to rethink autism puzzle ribbons and car magnets.
http://www.amnews.
Wednesday April 9, 2008 Guest Column: Autistic need support, not pity By LIZZY MILLER lizzy.miller@ T.S. Eliot was right: April is the cruelest month. So maybe the lilacs haven't bloomed yet, and maybe any dead land in the area has turned into mud by now, but the principle is the same: April is one of the most unintentionally cruel months of the 12. It's Autism Awareness Month. I, for one, am acutely aware of autism, and I don't need a special month to think about it, because I am autistic. I am one of the autistic adults that the president of Autism Speaks - an "organization" that despite its name doesn't employ autistic people or allow their input - swears up and down don't exist. I am one of the autistic adults who spent much of her youth being bullied for her differences. I am fortunate that the only abuse I suffered was at the hands of my peers. Many autistic people today are still hospitalized against their will simply for being autistic. They often are forcibly restrained and suffer electric shocks in hopes of being "cured." I am one of the autistic adults who is fortunate enough to have been born into a loving, supportive family that did everything in their power to teach me the coping skills I needed to function in a neurotypical world. Many parents of autistic children teach them that what they are is inherently bad early on. Some of them end up killing their own children and get applauded for their "acts of mercy." These parents tend to face drastically lighter prison sentences than parents who harm their neurotypical children, if they're convicted at all. I am one of the autistic adults who is proud to be fighting for the autism acceptance movement. "Autism awareness" is not a laudable goal. Awareness is cheap. Anybody can put a puzzle piece magnet on his car and call himself "aware." Being aware and accepting of autistic people as people instead of puzzles takes more effort. Many 'flavors' of autism It's impossible for me to speak for all autistic people on most issues. Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning there are as many flavors of autism as there are autistic people. There are, however, a few things that I feel safe to say on behalf of the one in 166 people who have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Do not pity us; it accomplishes nothing but harm. Help us by listening to us. Even those of us who don't or can't speak have plenty to say; we simply need to be given the opportunity. Don't pretend to know what's going on in our heads if you've never even bothered to ask. We are not puzzles; we are people. We are not broken; don't fix us. There aren't neurotypical people trapped inside us, waiting to be unlocked. We're just like you already, except we experience the world differently. Oh, and watching "The Rain Man" doesn't count as research. That said, I fully support therapies that genuinely help autistic people function in our neurotypical society. It's just that attempts to "cure" us by making us just like everybody else are misguided at best. The only thing autism "cures" accomplish is teaching autistic people to act neurotypical while believing that they are broken. As Eugene Marcus, an autistic writer, says, "the person who believes 'I will be real when I am normal' will always be almost a person, but will never make it all the way." I am real, and I am normal. I'm just not neurotypical. Now can we please move on to fighting real epidemics? Lizzy Miller is a spring semester intern at The Advocate. Copyright:The Advocate-Messenger 2008 April 6, 2008
Friends,
A second trailer for the forthcoming documentary based on Autism and the God Connection and The Soul of Autism has posted to YouTube and may be viewed at the following link. You will, in particular, be moved by the beautiful and ethereal wisdom of my friend, Wally, and the compassionate insights of his parents Gay and Wallace. Financial endowment is required to complete the film, and interested parties may follow up with the filmmaker, Teo Zagar, via the contact information at Youtube.
Additionally, as part of promoting my new release, The Soul of Autism, here is another link to my recent interview, "Soul of Autism," on New York's CBS Sunday Morning News:
March 19, 2008
AUTISM SELF-ADVOCATE E-STORE LAUNCHED!
In its continuing endeavor to highlight the gifts and talents of self-advocates on the autism spectrum, Youth Advocate Programs Inc. is pleased to debut its online store. The store is a partnership with members of the self-advocacy community, and features exclusive products and original works created by individuals with autism. Items included are books and other publications, jewelry, photography, and artwork. All transactions may be completed online (including PayPal payments), and fulfillment of orders will also be handled by self-advocates. "Youth Advocate Programs' online store is yet another example of a collaborative effort that values what those with autism have to offer," says William Stillman, autism consultant to YAP. "Where other organizations have not considered the possibilities, Youth Advocate Programs holds as its vision opportunities to exceed the possibilities by ensuring such collaborations occur at every level." For information on contributing to the store (self-advocates only, please), contact William Stillman at Bill@williamstillman.com. Check out the e-store at this link: Click here: YAP Inc - eStore NEW ONLINE ARTICLES
I have added several new articles to the "Bill's Archived Articles" section of www.williamstillman.com, including a piece titled "Identifying Areas of Passion in Very Young Children and Those Without Speech." This article, in particular, may prove resourceful in recognizing and valuing the special interests of persons who appear to have none. As many of you are already aware, passions---not obsessions---are building blocks that can lead to enhanced or restored relationships, educational awareness, and potential vocational opportunities. Also added is "Presuming Intellect" en Espanol courtesy my friends at Fiesta Educativa in Los Angeles.
AUTISM AND THE GOD CONNECTION SEQUEL IN PRINT
The Soul of Autism, the follow-up book to Autism and the God Connection, is now in print from New Page Books and, as of today, is available on Amazon.com for $10.19 (discounted from its $14.99 retail price); it will arrive in bookstores by month's end at the latest. To learn more about it and to read the advance praise it's garnered, kindly visit the "Bill's Books" section of www.williamstillman.com.
May the forthcoming springtime be a time of renewal and optimism for all! February 23, 2008
The following message was received by me in response to a recent television slur against persons on the autism spectrum:
Please call Big Brother advertisers today and ask them to follow Lowe's example and withdraw ads from Big Brother. And please click on the link below and complete the email to send a message to the decisionmakers. http://capwiz. Good news: Lowe's Companies, the home improvement retailer, has voted with their dollars and will not advertise on Big Brother in response to the references to people with autism as "retards," and the refusal of CBS to apoplogize for the incident. As most of you know, last week people with autism were called "retards" on the Big Brother Program on CBS. CBS has refused to apologize for the incident and disavows any responsiblity for the content of their programming. CBS is really trying to treat people with autism as second-class citizens. They are ignoring precedents set by themselves as Big Brother in other situations where groups of people were demeaned: Last year CBS bleeped a reference to the term "retard" on the Great Race program, Contestants on Big Brother have been dropped for making racially-insulting comments. We have also learned that Julie Chen, the host of Big Brother, is married to CBS president Leslie Moonves. Please call the following advertisers and politely inform them how Big Brother treats people with autism, that CBS has refused to apologize, and that we would like them to advertise with programs that treat all people with respect just like Lowe's has. Please be very polite to whoever you speak to, for all we know they could have a loved one with autism too. These advertisers were selected because their products are frequently purchased by parents for children: CSC Brands LP (Campbell's Soup and Prego spaghetti sauce), Phone: 856-342-4800, Fax: 856-342-3878 McDonald's, Phone: 630-623-3000, Fax: 630-623-5211 Taco Bell, Yum Brands, Inc., Phone 502-874-8300, Fax: 502-454-2410 GEICO, Phone: 402-346-1400, Fax: 402-346-3375 Geico is owned by Bershire Hathaway, i.e. Warren Buffet Mars, Inc (M&M's), Phone: 908 850 7935 http://capwiz. February 15, 2008
Grateful appreciation to Debbie Macias, host of the online radio program "The Mommies Corner," and her co-host, Mary Collins, for welcoming me back for a second interview to discuss Autism and the God Connection and the forthcoming The Soul of Autism. Debbie is mom to a boy with Kleinfelter's syndrome and a gorgeous new baby girl with Down syndrome.
Those interested can listen in at the following link:
For those who are spiritually-minded, watch for the 2009 edition of Disciplines:A Book of Daily Devotionals, published by The Upper Room, later this year. It includes a week of my own daily meditations in the form of spiritual reflections and true stories of grace and reverence.
January 14, 2008
New Year Greetings! Here are some new updates to share. Thanks to all for the continued interest and support!
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