1) The medical community is becoming a friendlier place for people with autism and other developmental disabilities. Some shining examples:

• HealthMeet®:  they aim to improve the health of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) through trainings for medical students and health professionals, community-based health assessments for individuals with I/DD, data collection and analysis including longitudinal health outcomes for people with I/DD, comprehensive information and referral, and a public awareness campaign. Read more about them  HERE.
• UCSF’s Developmental Disabilities Conference for Health Professionals 

This is an annual event, thanks to a grant from the Special Hope Foundation, where the medical community gathers to learn about healthcare for people with special needs.

2) Companies are beginning are beginning to understand that adults on the autism spectrum have strengths and abilities that make them valuable employees.The Autism Speaks Employment Tool Kit is here! Read about it HERE.

3) Autism Awareness (in my opinion) is morphing into autism acceptance. Read why I think so by reading the following stories:

• 12 reasons why autism awareness month matters–to me
• Children with autism become adults with autism: It doesn’t get any better than that
• Autism and the kindness of community

4) It is not a perfect world. Many self-advocates feel misrepresented. Read Zoe Gross’s perspective HERE. This month The Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism is also deconstructing the meaning of autism acceptance and highlighting the voices of individuals on the autism spectrum. Read their April series HERE.

5) Parents are helping parents and siblings are also weighing in, more than ever. Read their stories of encouragement in the recently released  Chicken Soup for the Soul: Raising Kids on the Spectrum: 101 Inspirational Stories for Parents of Children with Autism and Asperger’s . I was honored to be a part of this collection.

Take a look, also, at the blogs listed in the in the sidebar on the right—->

What trends have you noticed? Which would you like to see more of?

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Three good books I like about autism. OK the first one I am partial to.  More recommendations coming soon. Click images to order.