Samantha Shines and Impresses the College Experience Alumni
In the spirit of a proud momager, I'm re-posting a short blog by Jesse Saperstein, Activities Coordinator for the College Experience. Jesse and his College Experience participants travelled nearly four hours to see Samantha and her fellow cast members in EPIC's most...
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20 New Year’s Resolutions by An Autism Mom in 2020
My number one goal is to be valued and recognized for my efforts. No more invisible labor. Connect with my son in person more than three times a year. Try to visit him once in LA. Get treatment for my dizziness. Find a safe, affordable and independent living situation...
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A Truly EPIC Production of Peter and the Star Catcher
Until EPIC’s production of Peter and the Star Catcher, I had never gone to see both the opening and closing performances of one of my daughter’s shows. To support Samantha and EPIC, I usually attend two shows—always the opening night and then a second random show in...
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Samantha Performs for MIKTA on International Disabilities Day
Did you ever hear of International Disabilities Day— celebrated on December 3rd? Neither had I until Samantha was invited by the Korean ambassador, Chull Joo Park, to perform at a reception for International Disabilities Day 2019. Ambassador Park explained that...
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Gratitude Revisited in a Challenging World – Thanksgiving 2019
Looking back at Thanksgiving 2015, I had a LOT to be grateful for including 75 comments from readers who (mostly) loved that post and are STILL commenting on it four years later! ...
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The Evolution of the Autism Character in Film and Television – Fall AANE Conference
As an autism momager, I’m always networking on behalf of my actress daughter Samantha and her neurodiverse theater group EPIC Players. In that spirit, I was able to arrange for Samantha, EPIC Players’ Talia Eapen and myself to appear at the Asperger/Autism Network...
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A Caretaker’s Conundrum
As the mother of a 28 year-old daughter on the autism spectrum, I will always be a caretaker. When Samantha was born 7 weeks early, I promised her that if she just kept breathing, I would help with everything else. That was before the diagnosis of autism and...
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My Heart Books – Connecting Neurotypical and Special Needs Children
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could find new ways to create greater understanding and acceptance of special needs children in the mainstream community? Nearly one-fifth of all Americans—more than 54 million men, women and children—have a physical, sensory or...
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EPIC Players Sing Their Hearts Out
On Sunday, September 22nd, EPIC Players sang their hearts out to a full house at Joe’s Pub. Described as a “neuro-inclusive Musical Experience,” EPIC Players performed “Songs About Ourselves,” addressing cast members’ individual dreams and challenges in love,...
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Autistic Blind Man Wins “America’s Got Talent”- Sharing the American Dream
Just when I was complaining to my husband that I had writer’s block and wasn’t inspired to post a blog this week, he happened to mention that Kodi Lee, a blind, young autistic man, 22, won “America’s Got Talent.” What could be more inspiring for an autism mom...
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About Marguerite
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. 