Happy Valentine’s Day to an Autism Ambassador
Just when I thought life couldn’t become any more wonderful, my daughter Samantha Elisofon learned today that she was cast in the SPARK’s Autism Awareness project. Not only that, but she will be paid $1000 for a full day of filming, plus additional fees. (!!) The...
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An Autism Mom’s Unexpectedly Awesome Day
After seven straight years of writing weekly blogs—mostly about autism—I sometimes need to take a week off. I may take a break because of vacation, lack of inspiration or stress and fatigue. (The latter three often go together). Until Thursday morning, I was pretty...
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Autism, Etiquette and Car Service Apps
Late to the party when it comes to Uber, Lyft and Via Apps, I always take yellow taxis unless a friend orders a car. My very first Uber experience was so horrifying that I’ve never ordered another one. To make a long story short, my Uber driver took me to Brooklyn...
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Autism and the Social Butterfly
Who could envision a person with autism becoming a social butterfly? Almost no one, except me— Samantha Elisofon’s mother (and the parents of some of Samantha’s friends on the spectrum). My daughter, bless her gigantic heart, is busy all the time with her various...
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Autism, Insurance and Absurdity
Until I hung up the phone with Aetna, our insurance company, I didn’t think there was anything worth blogging about this week. But now I’m ALL FIRED UP. Aetna has refused to refill my daughter Samantha’s prescription for Trulicity—even though the company filled it...
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An Autism Mom’s 14 New Year’s Resolutions
Turn the reins of my daughter’s life over to her and micromanage less. My life is another year shorter, so I need to pick my battles. Spend more time with people I love AND enjoy; avoid the others. Stop trying to persuade people to listen to my point of view when they...
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Life in the Middle of the Autism Spectrum
Let’s start with the fact that life anywhere on the autism spectrum can be challenging and lonely for families. In spite of progress made by support groups, therapies and special education programs designed to engage autism families, individuals of all ages on the...
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Transformative Theater: Neuro-Inclusive, Drag Queen and Disability Performances
Lately I’ve been treated to a delightful variety of theater and cabaret performances. In the past month alone I’ve seen the amazing Uma Thurman in the Broadway production of The Parisian Woman, and my wonderful daughter, Samantha Elisofon, who starred as Lucy in EPIC...
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EPIC Players’ First Musical Inclusion Cabaret
This week EPIC Players presented its first musical inclusion cabaret of the season, featuring a “mix and match”—as Samantha says—of performers with and without disabilities. Directed by Broadway musical professionals Jonathan Ivie and Amaker Smith, EPIC’s Cabaret was...
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Sense and Sensibility on the Autism Spectrum
Last weekend I saw the off-Broadway play, Uncommon Sense, the story and exploration of four characters on the autism spectrum. Attending with me were my husband, neurotypical son and his twin sister Samantha—an actress on the autism spectrum—along with four members...
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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. 