By Lisa Ackerman There are a lot of dreams for two grown people who come together, in love, with dreams to be lucky enough to create a family. In the early stages, you giggle "what will their eye color be?" while you silently pray they turn out identical to the ones you stare at. You... Continue Reading →
I CHOOSE ELLIOT..
Guest Blog By - Laura Sylvester Our autism journey has been a rocky one. Like most families we have marched forwards and backwards at times. In our quest to help Elliot be the best he could be, we have had to take some seemingly “backward” steps before we could continue “forwards.” One of those “backward”... Continue Reading →
My Bad-Ass Autism Survivor Story…
By guest blog writer - Julia Berle May 13, 2005 was a joyous day in our household. On this day, seven years ago, our child Baxter no longer qualified for the diagnosis of autism. He had been re-evaluated three years after receiving the label and no longer fit the diagnostic criteria. We were elated. ... Continue Reading →
Hope is a Big Word…
It surprises me how much the single word HOPE can make all the difference when living with a child with autism. Follow that word with EDUCATION and EMPOWERMENT and nothing but good things can happen. These powerful words, HOPE, EDUCATION and EMPOWERMENT are exemplified in a short but powerful note I received from a family... Continue Reading →
A Physician’s Perspective on the Proposed DSM-5 Autism Diagnostic Criteria
By Dr. Bob Sears- TACA Physician Advisor With the upcoming proposed changes in the DSM - 5 diagnostic criteria for autism, many parents are worried that their child may no longer qualify for much-needed services. One 2009 study published in Pediatrics (1) revealed that almost 40% of children who were previously diagnosed with autism improved so... Continue Reading →
Who’s in Charge Here?
On a Saturday in April 2001 almost 60 parents gathered in the living room, dining room, kitchen, and backyard at a home. They were all looking for answers to help their children with autism. To date, this was our 6th parent meeting in that home. I held my breath. I looked around. People were finding... Continue Reading →
Holding on to Hope…By Guest Blogger Linda Betzold
Correction: It has come to our attention that the wrong blog article was posted on 2/1/12. Our apologies to Linda for the mix up. Holding on to Hope... By Linda Betzold I like hope. It is my nature to hope. In the face of almost anything, I am looking for hope. In my fourteen-year autism... Continue Reading →
Diagnostic Criteria Changes: What Your Family Needs To Know
Coming up in May 2013, proposed changes to the DSM diagnostic criteria will greatly affected the lives of families living with autism. Over the last week, the media has picked up with this story in a big way.In the 12 years history of TACA I have never heard of a family excited about an autism... Continue Reading →
Hope by the Numbers…
If you missed this great article in the last printed newsletter, check it out here. Since 2006, TACA has provided medical scholarships to families living with autism. These scholarships help families pay for physician-prescribed services, and include stop gap medical treatments, independent assessments, and other necessary crisis funding. The stories we hear from scholarship recipients... Continue Reading →
Personal Note from TACA Executive Director, Lisa Ackerman
2011 is a wrap and as usual it feels like another year went by in the blink of an eye. It’s only in reflection that I am reminded that what feels like a blink now wasn’t. TACA was a whirlwind of activity all year; helping families, building relationships, and expanding our community. This could not... Continue Reading →
Moving Autism Forward by Team TACA 