by Marguerite Elisofon | May 30, 2014 | "Keep the Change, actors, Artists Public Domain, Asperger's Syndrome, autism, Facebook, film festivals, films, movies, special needs, Tourette's Syndrome, young adults with disabilities
Last summer Sarah co-starred in “Keep the Change,” a short film about two young adults with disabilities who struggle to find a romantic connection. (See “Sarah’s Fifteen Minutes,” 5/10/13). Written and directed by Columbia University film graduate Rachel...
by Marguerite Elisofon | May 25, 2014 | autism, autsitic spectrum, college graduation, cum laude, diversity, Google, Landmark College, language delays, NVLD, OASIS, Pace University, PDD, PDD-NOS, sensory processing, static encephalopathy
I wish all the naysayers of the past 23 years could see Sarah now. All those educators and therapists who told me my autistic spectrum daughter would “never be independent and never go to college,” were WRONG. As of May 21st, Sarah graduated from Pace University...
by Marguerite Elisofon | May 16, 2014 | Boko Haram, Britain, daughters, female senators, hostages, in-laws, Islam, John Kerry, kidnapping, Michelle Obama, Mother's Day, New York City, New York Times, Nigeria, United States
Mother’s Day, like all feel-good family holidays, is often tainted with some degree of tension and disappointment. At family gatherings, even in the best case scenario where in-laws get along, there’s usually some friction between other relatives. Even if...
by Marguerite Elisofon | May 9, 2014 | All That Jazz, Broadway, dance, Equinox, exercise, Hair, hobbies, James Darling, manicures, massage, Matthew Johnson, Meg Ryan, mothers, music, rap, self-mothering, stress, When Harry Met Sally, women's magazines
What’s the best way for a stressed out mom of difficult kids to escape and find some relief? Short of flying the coop and permanently abandoning your offspring, every mother should avail herself of a temporary release. Dare I say “me time?” I’m not talking about...
by Marguerite Elisofon | May 2, 2014 | affirmative action, Asperger's Syndrome, autism, Autism Awareness, Broadway, choral groups, college graduation, discrimination, diversity, Landmark College, lyrical sopranos, perfect pitch, Shakespeare, singing
As April ends—and with it so-called Autism Awareness month—I thought it would be appropriate to discuss discrimination against people on the spectrum and how it seems to apply to my beloved daughter, Sarah. Early last month, Sarah auditioned to sing the national...
Marguerite Elisofon is a New York City writer and the author of My Picture Perfect Family, a memoir about how her family navigated life with a child on the autistic spectrum before the internet and support groups existed. She also blogs about parenting young adults and disability related issues in The Never Empty Nest. Her writing has been featured in a variety of publications, including Time and NY Metro Parents magazine, and her family’s story has been featured by the NY Post, Fox News, The Daily Mail, and on Jenny McCarthy’s Dirty Sexy Funny radio show. A Vassar graduate, Marguerite was born and raised in New York City, where she still lives with her husband, Howard, in their mostly-empty nest. She is available to speak about a wide variety of issues relating to twins, parenting, and autism. 