               |
|
December 30, 2009 Here is important information from Ari Ne'eman, president of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, regarding the "Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools" Act: IMPORTANT ACTION ALERT: Help protect students from abuse in schools! November 5, 2009 I've been contacted by a number of people interested in my reaction to the recent New York Times article about the proposed changes to the forthcoming 2012 edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual that suggests Asperger's Syndrome and PDD-NOS will be incoporated into the broad category of autism spectrum disorder. Personally, I'm not too worried about it. The DSM revision has been many years in the making and could still change prior to publication. There's still such a thing as Asperger's, even if it's not "officially" included in the DSM (and it isn't mandatory to use the DSM to make diagnoses; it's a clinical guide). Besides, it also takes years for many clinicians to catch on and start using the "newest" version of the DSM. I do think it is important to maintain a distinction. People with AS have no developmental or cognitive delays but do share the sensory sensitivities experienced by those with autism (which is currently not included in the autism diagnosis). We'll see how things shake out but, at present, I'm not sweating it. October 27, 2009 A few items of interest. First, an interview with me in the Orange County (CA) Register regarding my book, Empowered Autism Parenting: Click here: Author hopes to shatter myths about autism | autism, child, many, one, help - Life - OCRegister.com Next, Mark Stairwalt, over at SHIFT, puts my essay "Everyone has Autism" into its proper context in an essay of his own: Click here: Grandma, They’re Not Santa Claus! | Neurodiversity And, finally, one mom tells of her extremely empathic son, and of her growing transformation in appreciation of having been selected for autism parenting (you'll love this one): Click here: My Little Angel « This Southern Blog October 18, 2009 I'm just coming back from nearly a week's stay in gorgeous Jackson Hole, Wyoming working with my friends at the Teton School District, led by Dr. Michael Redzich. In addition to making my "Demystifying Autism" presentation I also spent a day collaborating with school teams on student-specific consultations. I was, however, dismayed to learn how prevalent depression (and Prozac) was among the young people for whom I consulted. I an optimistic that my "inside-out" perspective will continue to resonate for all. Though it does not publish until April 20, 2010, information about my forthcoming book, The Autism Prophecies, including its cover (which may be enlarged), has been posted to Amazon.com at the following link: Click here: Amazon.com: The Autism Prophecies: How an Evolution of Healers and Intuitives is Influencing Our Spiritual Future September 22, 2009 I was recently approached about placing several of my essays online with a new neurodiversity site called SHIFT. Check it out here:Click here: The World Needs Autism | Neurodiversity September 14, 2009 Buyer beware: As I've noted in my new book, Empowered Autism Parenting, it is wise to question what becomes of the monies raised for autism "charities" and non-profit organizations. Here is a news item to consider about Autism Speaks: Click here: Why autistic people don't like Autism Speaks Finally, a professional colleague, Tara Delaney, M.S., OTR, has published a terrific new book, 101 Games and Activities for Children with Autism, Asperger's, and Sensory Processing Disorders. It is filled with great ideas for families and siblings to join together in fun using household items or toys and games typical of many homes with young kids. It's therapy-as-everyday-play in action. Check it out! Click here: http://www.amazon.com/Activities-Children-Aspergers-Processing-Disorders/dp/0071623361/ref=sr_1_1... September 11, 2009 Another essay, "Autism: The Last Human Rights Movement," has been posted to The Huffington Post at the link here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/william-stillman/autism-the-last-human-rig_b_267266.html September 9, 2009 A review of my latest book, Empowered Autism Parenting, has just been posted to Basil & Spice online at: Click here: Author & Book Views On a Healthy Life! - MIND AND BODY - Book Review: Empowered Autism Parenting By William Stillm Additionally, the third and final book in the autism-and-the-God-connection trilogy has sold to New Page Books, publishers of The Soul of Autism. The Autism Prophecies: How a Rising Evolution of Healers and Intuitives is Influencing Our Spiritual Future will be published in April 2010. August 29, 2009 The results of two federally-funded autism studies are about to be made public, and the latest statistics for autism indicate that rates are continuing to narrow dramatically, and are as high as one in every thirty-eight boys. Could my prediction of one in ten children with autism within the next five to ten years be far off? See David Kirby's report at this link: Click here: David Kirby: Autism Rate Now at One Percent of All US Children? August 21, 2009 I am so pleased and proud of my young friend, Christopher, who, at just twelve years old, has his own very insightful blog and has been busy making presentations about autism and Asperger's from an inside-out perspective. Be sure to check out his museful bloggings at: Click here: Christopher's Blog August 20, 2009 I am now an official blogger at TheHuffingtonPost.com. Here is my debut article:Click here: William Stillman: Children with Special Needs, Credibility, and the Lone Billings Murder Witness August 12, 2009 More commentary posted to Basil and Spice: Click here: Author & Book Views On a Healthy Life! - MIND AND BODY - Autism Parents in Victim Mode: The “Why Me” Syndrome#entr August 3, 2009 Here is the link to a newly posted piece I wrote for Basil and Spice about autism and the 90 percent factor. Read on to understand...Click here: Author & Book Views On a Healthy Life! - BREAKING NEWS AND OPINION FROM BASIL & SPICE - U.S.A.: Autism Affects 1 I July 1, 2009 Dr. Kristie Koenig, of NYU, brought a terrific, new PSA to my attention entitled "No Myths." It features ASAN president Ari Ne'eman as well as others on the autism spectrum, including a gentleman who uses FC. Check out this important and refreshing piece of social activism at: www.nomyths.org June 26, 2009 Regarding "presuming intellect," here's validation that the mainstream may finally be catching on!: Click here: Standard IQ Test May Undervalue People With Autism - MSN Health & Fitness - Autism June 19, 2009 My dear friend, Johnny Seitz, uses his autistic experience to support recovery and healing in those compromised with stroke (including Dick Clark). He just sent a powerful, brilliant and beautiful video posted to YouTube that is a must-see: Click here: YouTube - "the stroke whisperer" June 12, 2009 Kristina Chew, friend and fellow autism activist (and mom to son, Charlie), recalls the St. Lucie, Florida, incident in which a kindergartener with Asperger's Syndrome was voted out of his class Survivor-style after his classroom teacher took a poll among his peers. That teacher, once suspended, is now having her tenure reinstated. To protest and sign a petition, follow this link to Kristina's blog: Click here: Autism - Change.org: Take Action for Students with Disabilities In other news, I made the Pocono (PA) Record for the second time in recent months with an article summarizing my recent keynote address at the "Including Every Child" conference held at East Stroudsburg University. The link is here: Click here: ESU conference says that fear, ignorance make autism 'too complicated' | PoconoRecord.com Finally, colleague, disability-rights supporter, and fellow author, Rachel Simon has a new book just out. Please visit her new-and-improved Web site at: www.rachelsimon.com. June 4, 2009 The Autism Perspective online magazine is no longer in operation although, at present, the link to it and its back issues remains active and may be accessed via the identified button at left. The newly-appointed Editor-in-Chief, Sharisa Joy Kochmeister, is a friend and self-advocate who has decided to initiate her own online autism publication which she expects to launch shortly. Anyone interested may sign-up now for free at the following link: Click here: Volume 1 Issue 1 - Windows Live Once Sharisa is ready and the magazine goes live, I will post updated information. I wish her a wonderful success with it and, of course, I will be fully supporting her efforts. May 26, 2009 I'd like to share information from a new colleague, Rudy Simone. Rudy is an author, speaker, and an adult with Asperger's who's got some great, female perspectives on being in a relationship with a man with AS, as well as providing guidance to parents about meeting the emotional needs of their child with AS. If you are an organization in New York State, or beyond, I'd recommend Rudy's unique insights as a keynote or workshop presentation. Check out Rudy's Web site at www.help4aspergers.com. Rudy also has a YouTube.com video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRSjMIY5yGo May 19, 2009 Two items of interest pertaining to the self-advocacy movement. First, my longtime friend, Michael, who contributed the eloquent soliloquy that concludes Autism and the God Connection, has begun an online blog. Fans of Michael, and others wishing to hear his voice, will appreciate his insights at: Click here: In My Voice Another friend and colleague, Ari Ne'eman, is profiled in a recent Newsweek article advocating neurodiversity. The article may be found here: Click here: Erasing Autism | Print Article | Newsweek.com May 8, 2009 This week I made my "Demystifying Autism" presentation in the Poconos, PA, area and was delighted to have been contacted by Melanie Gold, a mom in the audience, who was following up to share the musings and insights which she had posted to her blog. Melanie has done a very fine job of summarizing my most salient points, and she also shared that she aplogized to her young son with autism for having not fully presumed his intellect by talking about him in front of him. Powerful stuff! Bravo Melanie, thanks for being an inspiration to other parents. Here's Melanie's blog: Click here: Melanie Gold April 22, 2009 I am pleased to announce that, after two tiers of critical review, The Soul of Autism: Looking Beyond Labels to Unveil Spiritual Secrets of the Heart Savants, has been judged a Silver Award-winning title by Nautilus Book Awards. (For what it's worth, I consider Soul to be my best written work to date.) Nautilus honors books that "Promote Spiritual Growth, Conscious Living, and Positive Social Change." The Silver Award distinction qualifies the book for a third tier of judging and eligibility for Gold Award status, which will be announced at next month's Book Expo America, an annual publishing industry trade show held in New York. Also, here is an article from today's Port Huron, Michigan Times-Herald written by a mom whose perceptions of her son were influenced by The Soul of Autism:Click here: Point of view: Treat autism as a blessing | thetimesherald.com | The Times Herald April 12, 2009 I received a lovely message from Andrew Palermo, co-creator of the below-referenced choreographed performance about autism titled beyond.words. He writes, "Autism and the God Connection had a profound effect on me and the creation of beyond.words." I'm also absorbed in reading a terrific new book by friend and fellow self-advocate, Nick Dubin, called Asperger Syndrome and Anxiety: A Guide to Successful Stress Management. Please check it out; it's a must read for anyone with AS and those who love them! April 8, 2009 I have learned that my writings served as one inspiration for the dance company, dre.dance, and its mounting of beyond.words, a collaborative with Autism Speaks. The choreographed performance premiered at New York's Tribeca Performing Arts Center. Here is the description, and also a link to excerpts from the performance on YouTube: "beyond.words dives into the world of autism with both wonder and sympathy. with movement that combines dre.dance's propulsive choreography and interpretive actions gleaned from typical spectrum behavior, artistic directors palermo & diggs passionately attempt to give voice to these 'multi-sensory' individuals. inspired by first-person accounts of people on 'the spectrum', beyond.words challenges common conception that the 'afflicted' want and need to be cured, and hopes to shed light on the beauty and spirit of these 'inherently gentle, exquisitely sensitive' (Stillman) beings." Click here: YouTube - dre.dance's "beyond.words" (excerpts) directors andrew palermo/taye diggs April 7, 2009 Here is the link to an article from yesterday's New York Times which was forwarded to me by Dr. Kristie Koenig at NYU. The piece is refreshing on a couple fronts; it is written by the mom of someone over the age of twenty-one, and her closing comments validate the more spiritually-themed contentions I've illuminated through my books Autism and the God Connection and The Soul of Autism. Enjoy!Click here: Cases - A Roller Coaster to Acceptance of a Son’s Autism - NYTimes.com April 6, 2009 One morning last week, my dear friend, Emily, a talented young high school student, signed on to her school's Web site to view the morning announcements. She was shocked and dismayed to read the following: "The United Nation’s General Assembly has declared April 2nd World Autism Emily is a brilliant advocate and a very eloquent writer; she set aside her personal routines that morning in order to compose a thoughtful response to her school's principal and vice-principal. The content of her reply follows here. I am so very proud of her as I hope you will be too! "As a person with a form of Autism, I’d like to say World Autism Awareness March 27, 2009 I am currently conducting a survey to gather information for what will become the third and final book in the Autism and the God Connection trilogy. The survey is to be completed by children and adults on the autism spectrum. Anyone who is interested in receiving the survey may contact me at Bill@williamstillman.com. February 16, 2009 FREE FRANKIE
Pat Amos writes:
"Those of you who attended or heard about the 2008
INSPIRED PARENTING MAGAZINE
Sandie Sedgbeer, publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Inspired Parenting and Children of the New Earth magazines is offering a bonus with subscriptions to the new publication, Inspired Parenting. She writes, "As a thank you, we're also offering a FREE 6-month subscription to our monthly online magazine, Children of the New Earth."
Learn more about both publications at the following links: Click here: Inspired Parenting Magazine
Click here: Children of the New Earth - Indigo Children
SHAWN FINTAK'S PAINTINGS
Shawn was a person with autism who, before he passed last April, was inspired to create and render passionate, glorious paintings, prints of which are for sale at the following link. Please check it out and support the gallery in his name, Shawn's Gate: www.artist-with-autism.com
AUTISM-AT-HOME PUBLICATION AND CD SERIES
Autism-at-Home publication and CD series is a new magazine published by Autism Today and featuring up-to-the-minute, cutting edge information from parents, professionals, and, of course, self-advocates. To learn more about subscribing, visit the following link: https://schneider.infusionsoft.com/go/home/williams
EMPOWERED AUTISM PARENTING
My new book, Empowered Autism Parenting: Celebrating (and Defending) Your Child's Place in the World, will publish this August but is available NOW for pre-order on Amazon.com (find it by doing a search on the title). It promises to be my most political, radical, controversial and (you guessed it) empowering work to date. Among the very candid contentions are the following:
The book's equally passionate foreword was written by Lu Hanessian, former NBC anchor, host of her own Discovery Channel parenting show, author, and founder of Wear Your Spirit for Humanity. Learn more about Lu at www.letthebabydrive.com. Lu is also mom to a son on the autism spectrum, and her voice lends authenticity to my own.
Here's to an early spring! January 16, 2009 Publisher Amra Verlag is pleased to announce the debut for the German translation of my book, Autism and the God Connection. For further information, and to view the new, alternate cover (which can be enlarged), please visit the Amra Verlag Web site at the following link: www.amraverlag.de. January 10, 2009 Linda L. Pannell will be launching a FREE live Evolution of Consciousness and Healing TeleSeminar Series—Science, Spirituality, & The Sacred: Ancient Wisdom, Modern Miracles.
On Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 6 PM EST, I will be talking with Linda and with you about my new book, The Soul of Autism, Looking Beyond Labels to Unveil Spiritual Secrets of the Heart Savants. Together, we will explore these things:
During the live call, I will be taking questions from the audience.
To register for the series to receive notices of each speaker’s presentation, please go to: www.worldchangingwisdom.com/bstillman.
This groundbreaking event hosted by Linda L. Pannell, Conscious Alliances, and World Changing Wisdom is a 12-week+ live teleseminar event that will allow you to connect to like-minds across the planet and give you live, intimate, and exclusive access to a collaboration and gathering of world-renowned experts, masters, teachers, and guides in consciousness, evolution, ancient wisdom, cellular biology, spirituality, The Law of Attraction, energy medicine, heart-based business, healing and much more—information to create your own spiritual practice and accelerate your own conscious evolution. It is an event like nothing you have experienced.
When you sign up for this free live series, you will be given a conference call number as well as a webcast link so you can listen to the live, weekly program. And if you happen to miss a call because the time does not work for you, you will have 48 hours to listen to a recording of the calls. Also, you have the option to submit your question prior to the live call. January 6, 2009 New Year Greetings! I am optimistic in looking toward a year of growth and change. Speaking of which, there is an outstanding conference opportunity being made available through Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. at the Penn State Great Valley Conference Center, Malvern, PA, April 29-30, and May 1, 2009. The conference title is reflective of its progressive content, "Living Good Lives on the Autism Spectrum," and further detail and early-bird registration may be found at the following link: Click here: YAP Inc - LIVING GOOD LIVES on the Autism Spectrum Conference |
