Taylor Morris is a High School Senior who was diagnosed as on the Autism Spectrum when she was 2 years old. She began her journey as an advocate for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome at age 17 with a simple 10-minute video about what it was like to have Autism as a young child and how it is for her today. Her intention was to bring a vision of hope for parents. The youtube video was passed around so many times, it was clear that her viewers wanted more videos. Taylor began her video blog at Meet Taylor Morris soon after.
Today, with more than 82,000 views of her videos, Taylor is a professional speaker who holds educational webinars and is a guest writer for blogs and magazines. On October 1, 2010, she will make her debut as a runway model for the First Annual New York Autism Fashion Show in Time Square. She will also speak at the event.
Lydia Wayman is a 23-year-old who loves cats (especially her own Elsie Penelope), swimming, and writing. Diagnosed with autism at age 21, Lydia has found her voice through typing and combines her personal experiences with her degree in education in order to write books, do presenations, and offer consulting services for families of children with autism. She believes that a girl with a keyboard can change the world and sets out to do just that.
“If you focus on the problem you can’t see the solution.” Patch Adams
My name is Arlene Taylor. I am a doctor based in Adelaide, South Australia.
During my intern year, following my graduation from medical school, I was diagnosed as autistic. My diagnosis followed years of misdiagnoses from professionals who failed to recognise my many autistic tendencies that were veiled by my intellectual capacity. Since being diagnosed I have been able to learn new skills, and enjoy life in a way I didn’t think was possible.
My special interests include pharmacology and toxicology, Rubik’s cubes, and now, autism spectrum disorders. I am presently studying two Masters. The first is in ‘Clinical Epidemiology’ and the other in ‘Disability Studies’. I will also be commencing a Masters in Forensic Studies (Toxicology specialisation) in 2011. As part of my Masters in Disability Studies I am doing a qualitative research project on the experience of depression in women with autism spectrum disorders: I hope to extend this research into a higher degree later on.
Lydia is dedicated towards ensuring fairness, equality, and appropriate accommodations for autistic individuals who interact with the criminal justice system or first responders. She has been working towards passage of a bill in Massachusetts that would mandate autism training for law enforcement and corrections officers.
Lydia is also a member of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network New England. She had an article published in the May 8, 2010 Boston Herald entitled "Asperger's Doesn't Create Miscreant", and is currently conducting a research project on autistic characters in literature.
Lydia Brown is passionate about autism advocacy in the area of autism and criminal justice issues. She writes about a wide variety of topics, including: Autism, Christianity, Islam, Civics, and Ethical Issues.
Carol Greenburg, Executive Director of New York Special Needs Consulting, is a special education consultant and professional non-attorney advocate in private practice serving the five boroughs of NYC and beyond. Her unique perspective as an adult with Aspergers Syndrome, and as the mother of a severely language-delayed autistic child, informs all of her work.
In September 2010, she was appointed the East Coast Regional Director of Autism Women's Network. In January, 2011 she was honored to join the merry band of editors at The Thinking Persons Guide to Autism blog/book project.
A prolific writer of essays on autism and frequent speaker at National Conferences, area universities, parent support groups and community based organizations, she is a member in good standing of Council of Parents Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA).
Amy resides in Hermitage, Pennsylvania with her son Sebastian, husband Ken, and three feline children. She is a mother and advocate to a son with Asperger's Syndrome. After dealing with the local school district's inability to educate her son, Amy has become a devoted advocate to all children with special needs.
Recently Amy was hired as Pittsburgh Special Education Examiner for the Examiner.com where she reports on Special Education issues as they pertain to the Western Pennsylvania region.
Noel is passionate about writing and continues to freelance for numerous publications throughout the country including: Atlantic Publishing. She is the creator of Lipstick Magazine and is currently publishing the PinkDivaCafe.Com
In 2008 she began freelance writing and public speaking after selling Lipstick Magazine. Her speaking engagements focus on various topics including women's issues, marriage, modern feminism, green living, finances, Christianity, Asperger Syndrome and Autism. Noel's daughter and spouse are both on the autism spectrum.
Lydia Wayman is a 23-year-old who loves cats (especially her own Elsie Penelope), swimming, and writing. Diagnosed with autism at age 21, Lydia has found her voice through typing and combines her personal experiences with her degree in education in order to write books, do presenations, and offer consulting services for families of children with autism. She believes that a girl with a keyboard can change the world and sets out to do just that.
