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A Parent Advocate’s Hard-Fought Journey
Throughout Daniel’s life I have advocated for my intellectually challenged son on the autistic spectrum. My journey began early in Daniel’s life, as the parent of an adopted infant from Peru. I have learned throughout Daniel’s life that advocacy is an art that requires flexibility, networking...
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Housing and Supports: Parents are Vital to Positive Post-Secondary Outcomes
Keeley is a 23-year-old college graduate who was diagnosed with autism at age 8. To all those acquainted with her, Keeley appears to navigate the community and manage her life independently. Despite her independence, Keeley experiences much of her day with communication breakdowns between herself...
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Increase Neuro-Inclusive Housing in Your Community: Here’s How!
For most people with autism, housing is not affordable. It is a myth that Medicaid pays for housing (unless the individual lives in an institutional setting). If a person with autism can access Medicaid Long-term Support Services (LTSS) that pays for staff, transportation or programs necessary to...
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Basic Guidelines for Choosing an Advocate for Your Child
Working with your school district to ensure your child is receiving an appropriate education can be challenging. Often parents feel they are not equal members of their children’s educational team, and that decisions are not always made with their child’s unique needs in mind. Add the...
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What I Hope People Will Get Out of My Autism Memoir
I tried to “write” my first book (or more accurately, dictate a story to parents who wrote it down on the bottom third of blank sheets of paper, leaving room for me to add illustrations later) when I was four years old. I started discussing what would become I Overcame My Autism and All I Got...
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#DisabilityStillTooWhite: A White Autist Examines Representation in the Disability Movement
I identify as White, non-binary, neuro-queer, autistic, and disabled. I believe it is crucial to be transparent as soon as possible about (my) positionality when discussing intricate and delicate concepts (and always starting with my Whiteness to highlight how my White privilege directly and...
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United States Senator Robert Menendez Honored by the Autism Society of America with the Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Leader in Adult Autism Award
On December 16th, the Autism Society of America and The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation awarded New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez as the 2020 recipient of The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Leader in Adult Autism Award. “I am deeply honored to accept this award and would like to thank my...
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How a Sibling Connection Inspired Advocacy and a Career
When I was nine years old, I became an advocate. We were out in public and a woman chastised my mom for being unable to control my younger brother, Joey. My blood started to boil and I was outraged by this woman’s lack of empathy. However, my mom handled the situation with poise and grace,...
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With Greta Thunberg in Time’s Spotlight, Those on the Spectrum Seeing “a Profound Moment”
In just several months, Greta Thunberg, 16, has flayed international leaders, electrified climate advocates and served notice that her generation will bring new urgency to saving the planet. Her voice is forceful, her intensity unapologetic and her expressions candid. She’s also on the autism...
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The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation for Adult Autism Shares Its Pioneering Mission On the Global Stage in Beijing, China
On August 22-23, 2019, The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation attended the International Symposium on Rehabilitation and Advocacy for Autism sponsored by the Ai You Foundation at the Crowne Plaza in Beijing, China as an invited Keynote addressee. Over the course of two days, this international...
