autism

How Does Washington State Help Workers With Developmental Disabilities?

The Conversation With Ross Reynolds — Thu, 09 May 2013 23:04:30 +0000

Washington State’s Developmental Disabilities Administration helps people with disabilities like autism, cerebral palsy and down syndrome find work. The DDA serves nearly 9,000 adults over the age of 21.

Ross Reynolds interviews Dr. Pat Brown, director of the University of Washington’s employment program. Ross also talks with Doug Wilson, a sales manager at Copiers Northwest, who employs people with developmental disabilities and Shawn Christensen, a man with cerebral palsy who works at Regal Cinemas in Renton.

Placenta And Autism Risk, Vegan Before Six, And Greendays

Weekday With Steve Scher — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:00:00 +0000

Placenta Offers Insight Into Autism Risk
New autism research shows that babies born with a high genetic risk for the disorder were more likely to have abnormal folds and creases in their placentas. However, Dr. Harvey Kliman says that it is much too early to say that an examination of the placenta could be used as a definitive test for autism at birth.

VB6: Eat Vegan Before 6:00 At Night
Could you eat vegan? If you could, research strongly suggests you’d be healthier, weigh less and perhaps even have a sharper brain. But could you find the discipline? Mark Bittman has a plan for you. The New York Times food columnist has written "VB6: Eat Vegan Before 6:00 To Lose Weight and Restore Your Health …. For Good."

What Plant, Where And When?
We are in the midst of plant-sale season. So how do you choose the perennial in spring that will survive the summer and look great next year? The Greendays gardening panel has some simple rules to follow for picking the right plant and taking care of it.

Same-Sex Marriage Arrives In Washington State

Steve Scher — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Washington state began handing out same-sex marriage licenses last night; the weddings will start on Sunday. We talk with some of the couples who showed up in downtown Seattle at midnight to be among the first to get a marriage license.

Full Spectrum: Autism, College, And Work

Steve Scher — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:00:00 +0000

About one in 120 children in the Washington state public school system have an autism spectrum disorder. That’s a 430 percent increase from a decade ago. In the next decade, many of those teenagers with autism will become adults, but what they will do as adults is anyone’s guess. Autism is often associated with children, but it’s a lifelong condition. Producer Bryan Buckalew introduces us to young adults with autism trying to figure out how to take the next step in a KUOW Program Venture Fund special report. Join the conversation afterward by sharing your thoughts at 206.543.5869 or weekday@kuow.org.

For Young Adults, Autism Diagnosis Opens Doors, Minds

Bryan Buckalew — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Growing up, Jordan Howard always felt like an outsider. He had trouble making friends, and he felt awkward in groups. He says he felt like one of those misunderstood high school clichés. And he could never put his finger on why.

Purpose And A Paycheck: Job-Seekers With Autism Reach For Both

Bryan Buckalew — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 03:50:00 +0000

The first time Rolando Elias came to work at the Federal Way farmers market, Dr. April Walter was nervous.

“That was a big-time risk,” April says. “It could have blown up in my face.” She opened a tent at the market to give young adults with autism a chance to work.

Cautiously Optimistic: Off To College, With Autism

Bryan Buckalew — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 03:40:00 +0000

Alex Brenner walked into his psychologist's office one day this summer and right away, he thought he had done something wrong. Both his parents were standing at the front desk. As he closed the door, his mom handed him a letter. “She said, 'read it.' I sat down. It said, ‘you’re getting into the University of Washington.’”

Alex was stunned. His dad helped him uncork a bottle of champagne and they celebrated on the spot. The University of Washington in Seattle was Alex’s first choice among schools. He had been studying for four years at a community college to get his grades up. All his hard work had finally paid off. But sitting there holding his acceptance letter, another wave of realization washed over him. Soon he’d be living on his own in a new city, a long drive from his parents’ home in Tacoma. He suddenly felt nervous.

Washington State To Cover Autism Therapy For Medicaid Kids

Ruby de Luna — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 01:34:57 +0000

Low-income parents will soon have a way to get treatment for their children with autism. Starting in January, Washington state will cover applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for kids with Medicaid coverage. The new benefit is part of a legal settlement between the state and a local advocacy group for children with autism.

Special Ed In Seattle Public Schools "Atrocious," "Heartbreaking," Say Parents

Ann Dornfeld — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 02:07:19 +0000

Two-and-a-half years ago, KUOW brought you the story of Bridget Ambrose and her son Ryder. Ryder was in kindergarten at the time. He’s on the autism spectrum. At Ryder’s preschool, he’d gotten special education services like speech therapy and the social skills training that many kids with autism need to teach them how to interact with other kids.