Name: Arnold

5 Favorite Hobbies:

1. Catching bugs
2. Puzzles
3. Putting together models with his parents
4. Baseball
5. Yo-Yo

5 Favorite Things:

1. Hotdogs and pizza are his favorite foods
2. School and academics
3. Computer games
4. Comic books
5. People

5 Strengths:

1. Loves to talk and being around people! Since his parents own a local comic book store, there are a lot of people that Arnold finds very interesting, oftentimes based on what the content provides in the bookstore
2. He isn’t afraid to say what’s on his mind
3. A genius in math and science
4. Can be a total goof at times getting a few laughs here and there
5. Very good at sports (baseball being his favorite sport)

5 Weaknesses:

1. Very closed minded when it comes to food
2. Doesn’t know when to stop talking about his favorite things at times (even though he admits that he needs help in some areas)
3. He rambles on whenever he’s afraid in trying something new. Whether that’s with food or going to a new place. Even if it’s...

Name: Ella

5 Favorite Hobbies:

1. Spending time with her sisters
2. Drawing abstract art
3. Picking flowers
4. Playing the Piano
5. Photography

5 Favorite Things:

1. Playing with her dog “Daisy”
2. Eating ice cream
3. Doing things with her Family (she prefers family over friends)
4. Computers
5. Art museums

5 Strengths:

1. Amazing at drawing designs and adding color to them during her free time
2. Talented singer
3. Knows all of the bells and whistles in photography editing
4. Her family and friends adore her bright beautiful smile
5. Excellent at math, and writes the answers in an artistic kind of way

5 Weaknesses:

1. Extremely shy
2. Often times she isn’t strong or confident in what she does
3. Hard to stay focused at school, and very insecure about her outward appearance, and her mind is typically on when she will see her big brothers again.
4. Tends to get lost when people (other than family) come up to her to say hi or have a conversation.
5. Doesn’t know how to use body language in a social situation

...

The very first discovery when having autism is innocence.

In the beginning, many children would not know that they have autism. Should someone let them know early or later on? It depends; Every parent is different when breaking the news to the topic of autism with their children. For my case, I didn't learn about this information until I was thirteen. Here's why.

I had the help at school. With the para pros, the tests, and all of that good stuff to assist me because of autism, but was not told that I have had it. I retained my innocence and went on with whatever went on.

Felt happy in a way not knowing about the whole autism thing as I was growing up. Next to the extra help, I had my share of fun moments with other children in elementary school. In all honesty, I believed we shared the same innocence together. Learn, laugh, run, and play; Didn't matter if you were dumb, deft, or blind, or anything like that, along with things I have had; One thing we all had in common was that we...

Many children with autism watch the same video over and over again. The question is: Should you let your child with autism watch the same video over and over again?

The answer is yes! Most likely they are using that part of the video to develop language, or are using it as a “touchstone” to help them handle the sensory input around them.

You can use that repetitive activity as a bridge into other interests. It may seem strange at first, but once you understand the reason that your child with autism watches a video over and over again, you will learn how to use that as a took for their development.

So next time that they are watching the same thing repetitively, sit with them, be interested in what they are doing, and have them show you the specific part of the video they are watching.

Look for faces, mouth movements, and other clues as to why your child might be watching that particular section.

Most likely they are trying to add that specific activity to their world,...

It has been one topic that I have been pondering over when someone asked me what were some of my fears were. Dinosaurs were one of them; But then something about this topic of fear got me even more fascinated. Because it can be a similar study in the topic of humor. What could be seen as not that funny, to someone with autism, they're laughing their heads off. Same with fear, what could be considered not so scary, to someone with autism, they're frightened.

For example, speaking to others. Afraid of saying the wrong things. I know I sure had my fair share of those moments... through experience. Rather be the silent protagonist in whatever goes on. But many people with autism can have the ability to speak, and speaking itself can be a skill that can be mastered. To the point where people become keynote speakers and singers on stage. Another example of an unusual fear based on what I have experienced would be birds. May be because of an Alfred Hitchcock movie I've watched; But even...

From humble beginnings, author and writer, Tyler McNamer, casually introduces himself as AutismWorks was still under development shortly after he wrote and published his first book, Population: ONE.

Here is Tyler's first appearance in the video sharing channel.

Introducing the first video to the AutismWorks video sharing channel. When we were first developing AutismWorks, my dad took the time to share the audience on what AutismWorks will be about as we were building the community.

Enjoy the first video!

The girls had open arms,  but I thought they just wanted two high fives, but they came up to me and gave me a big hug. This happened a lot, and almost every time I was very surprised and  would just freeze. I knew they they were just being friendly and kind, but it was very uncomfortable for me.

I was used to receiving hugs from family members and that was pretty much it, but hugs from other people? “WHAT IS GOING ON?!” I said in my head. Being touched was a huge thing growing up. There were rules that I needed to follow. It was strictly forbidden because it’s not appropriate, and I needed to keep my hands to myself unless I’m introducing myself and shaking their hand. That was it. Those were the rules. So when someone I didn’t know gave me a hug, I wanted to be kind and not reject the offer, matter of fact I welcomed it.

But in my head it just felt very weird and odd and I didn’t  want to break the rule because it’s not...

Repeating footage and/or sound over and over again. Why?

Here were some of the reasons for my part in terms of footage like videos.

• Facial and body expressions in certain moments that spark interest
• Part of the footage where there's a neat musical part even if it's short
• Wanting to catch something thinking it was abnormal
• A line of dialogue that sounds noteworthy for real life situations
• Certain patches of color or lack of that is worth seeing again
• A funny or cool moment

Here were some of the reasons for my part in terms of sounds including music.

• Sound effects that involves a fat beat that sounds neat like a heartbeat
• Sounds become so addictive in a way during a game that it's hard to move on
• Parts of music that become calm all of a sudden after some energy
• Music in itself calms and relaxes the mind
• Hard to expand on music when the same song is being played over and oever
• A part of the lyrics that feel most appropriate depending on what's going on

I would repeat VHS tapes and...

I do not know what it is like to not have autism, so that is why I would take mental notes into understanding how it all works. Sort of has been a thing I have been doing for a very long time since I was a small child.

Something that has come to mind for a very long time. I would take my time to look at someone. Look at the way they move their body, the way they speak, even the way they think on whatever. This kind of observation started off when parents encouraged me to imitate others at school. Imitate such as sitting on the chair by the desk, how to play soccer during recess time, and raise their hands until they're called on so they can speak.

I knew I was different when I was in kindergarten. Have different emotions, be sad over things that shouldn't really be sad about, not being flexible with whatever goes on, and have had a curious fascination with the color red. And once I fully understood what the heck I was doing that seemed different, I just stopped and looked around...