Janice Kern, TACA Mom and Dang Chic There was a special event planned for a particular evening. As with most special events, I wanted to pick an outfit for the occasion. Fortunately, a package had arrived several days before so I didn’t have to think too hard about what to wear. The occasion was our... Continue Reading →
It’s Time to Get Serious about Autism Legislation
By Holly Bortfeld For 16 years, I’ve watched government agencies say nothing useful and do nothing to help my kids. For as long, I’ve seen autism orgs fight a regimented system who doesn’t care, for money they don’t want to spend on a diagnosis that no one can agree on the cause, treatment,... Continue Reading →
16 years later
By Holly Bortfeld My son Max was diagnosed with autism 16 years ago today, May 4, 1998. I have been mulling around in my head for a few weeks how I wanted to mark this anniversary of autism entering our lives and had drafted a blog but I didn’t like it. I kept poking at... Continue Reading →
Hindsight and the evolution of ASD treatment and recovery
By Holly Bortfeld I went to the IACC meeting in Washington DC on April 8, 2014 (1) to testify in front of the committee about my family’s autism journey. I took my son with me, as I am a single parent and have never had respite care. Standing over 6 feet tall, my... Continue Reading →
Four Friends. . .
By Janice Kern When I found out I was pregnant, we had only been living in our community for a couple of years but I already had established some very good friendships with three special women. At that time, there were 4 children among the four of us. Kim and Jalene had two children... Continue Reading →
Autism now affects 1 in 68 U.S. children
By Lisa Ackerman This is the third year in a row the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has announced new autism rates right before April (1), a month that has been designated as autism awareness month. For years, TACA likes awareness but appreciates ACTION hence why we call this effort #AutismActionApril. As I have mentioned... Continue Reading →
DSM-5, the fall out begins
By Holly Bortfeld TACA has been reporting on the potential effects that the proposed DSM-5 changes, which eliminated PDD, PDD-NOS, Asperger’s Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative disorder and others, from the DSM since 20111. Now, we see the first tangible proof2 that the new diagnostic criteria will reduce the number of those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder... Continue Reading →
If the IACC’s Strategic Plans were IEPs, would they be in non-compliance?
TACA Action Alert If the IACC's Strategic Plans were IEPs, would they be in non-compliance? By Guest blogger: Carolyn Gammicchia As the New Year approaches and many of us are spending time over the holidays with family and friends, we often think about the achievements our children have made over the past year and in... Continue Reading →
United we stand, divided we fall
By guest blogger: Ali Hoffman – TACA Volunteer Maryland The autism community is the most divided community in the world. Some say it’s a disability, some say it’s an opportunity to celebrate diversity, and most say - that’s not my (child’s) autism. What one group does to support families is viewed as offensive to another... Continue Reading →
Our Two Pound Miracles
More from TACA Family stories! They say autism is a marathon, not a sprint, and I have to say I agree with that sentiment. Our marathon began in 2006 with the arrival of my identical twin sons, born at 26 weeks. Three weeks later we received a call in the middle of the night that... Continue Reading →
