Autism “Actorvist” Performs on New Stages
What’s an “actorvist?” That’s the word Pace University’s “30 under 30” catalog of accomplished young alumnae used to describe my daughter Samantha Elisofon. As an actress, singer and autism advocate, Samantha jumps (almost!) seamlessly from one stage to the next,...
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Empowering an Autism Mom – A Perfect Escape
Well, my escape wasn’t quite perfect. Shortly before landing in Las Vegas, my traveling companion received a text saying one of our bags hadn’t made it onto the plane. Not surprisingly, the missing luggage turned out to be mine. My bag would arrive on a later plane...
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Encouraging Disability Inclusion – Game of Thrones
After watching eight seasons of Game of Thrones, I expected to be disappointed by the last episode on May 19th. I couldn’t imagine a satisfying finale to the long, bloody and convoluted story of powerful families fighting to control the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros and...
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An Autism Mother’s Day – Communicating Across Three Generations
Let’s face it, family holidays—including Mother’s Day—can be stressful, even under the best of circumstances. The old cliché of in-laws not getting along often holds true. Add a son or daughter with autism to the celebration and the result is often less than...
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After Autism Awareness Month Ends
When April is over, what happens to autism awareness for the rest of the year? Answer: not all that much. As an autism mom, I always learn a lot each year from my participation in myriad autism conferences and events during the month of April. Often I’m inspired by...
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Autism Champions – EPIC Players’ Cabaret Exceeds Fundraising Goal
Last Tuesday, at EPIC Players 2019 annual fund raiser, we reached and exceeded our goal. A big thank you goes out for the incredible efforts of our Executive Director Aubrie Therrien, Cabaret Music Director Jonathan Ivie and all of the talented, passionate EPIC...
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Betsy DeVos – Educational Enemy Number One
When my daughter Samantha Elisofon spoke at the United Nations for World Autism Awareness Day, she was asked to address the lack of services for adolescents and adults on the autism spectrum. What did she think ought to be done to remedy the situation? We were given...
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Samantha Speaks Again at U.N. World Autism Awareness Day
Sometimes lightning DOES strike twice. . . . Last year it seemed like a dream come true when Samantha was invited to speak on a film panel about empowering females with autism along with Rachel Israel, director of Keep the Change and Aubrie Therrien, Executive...
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Autism Inclusion in the Entertainment Industry
I’m going out on a (potential) limb here to say I’ve noticed a worrisome new trend: hiring actors who self-identify as living with Asperger’s to play characters with more symptomatic autism. In other words, gorgeous/handsome, slim actors with high IQs are being cast...
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Audition Updates for Actors with Autism
Well, Samantha didn’t win the role of Laura on the ABC pilot, “Until the Wedding.” But I enjoyed a lovely birthday anyway—even though my cherished birthday wish did not come true. We haven’t heard back yet about the Target print ad. There’s no way to know if no news...
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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. 