Autism/Expert Profile

Expertise

I am an adult with autism, and have an educational and professional background which helps fill in where needed. Answering questions about autism is extremely easy for me, because I have lived it daily for my entire life. Although individuals with autism are all unique, we have many things in common, especially in the interactions we have with neurotypicals (or those often referred to as "normal"). When something confuses you about an autistic's behavior or needs, I can help. I am not a doctor, however, so I cannot diagnose.

Experience in the area

I have four children, all of whom have special needs related to ASD. I have worked with autism from just about all directions, as a child, peer, parent, employee, patient and therapist. There is so much misinformation about the autism spectrum, partly because it has been described comparatively recently in the medical literature and partly because most of the information published has been provided by those "outside looking in". As a physical therapist I have had training and experience in behavioral management and rehabilitation which blends well with the neurological, psychological and medical education I persued in college.

Education/Credentials

BA Biology/Psychology Wells College 1981 BS Physical Therapy Upstate Medical Center CHRP 1983 Manual Therapy Certification 1988 Independent Studies

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

The outward behaviors are not the autism. The autism is deeper and more pervasive than that. It is the way we ADAPT to the autism that causes the behaviors to surface.