Bloom Living

04/05/2022

16/03/2019

Coffee Shop Run by People With Down Syndrome to Open Its Third Location

Have you stopped by a Bitty & Beau's Coffee location?

13/03/2019

Guide Dog And Wheelchair Users To Be Added To Official Emoji Roster

"The sixth major update to the official roster of emoji symbols will include service dogs in harness, wheelchair users (in motorized and non-motorized wheelchairs) and prosthetic legs. The new mobility emojis – to be officially launched in March – were developed with organizations such as American Council of the Blind, the Cerebral Palsy Foundation and the National Association of the Deaf."

A list of 59 new proposed symbols has been announced by the Unicode Consortium and will be officially adopted in March.

07/03/2019

Mattel Adds Two Barbies With Disabilities to Its New Line of Dolls

The dolls will be available later this year.

03/03/2019

What Selma Blair's Oscar Appearance Meant to Me as Someone With a Chronic Illness

"It may seem silly, but for me it’s a big deal."

18/02/2019

Joining Cross Country Changed So Much for This Teen With Autism

It's that time of the day on a Monday when you might be looking for a little .

No worries we have you covered:

She almost didn’t make it through her birth, and now she’s never felt more alive.

14/02/2019

Vanderbilt University launches the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation

Thank you to Bill and Jennifer Frist for their amazing and ongoing commitment to creating a world where all impacted by autism are provided life’s opportunity.

A $10 million gift from alumna Jennifer R. Frist, BS’93, and husband William R. “Billy” Frist will endow a new center focused on supporting and developing the neurodiverse talents of individuals with autism at Vanderbilt University’s School of Engineering.

10/02/2019

U.S. autism rate up to 1 in 40 children, CDC says

The title of the article implies the CDC says the rate is 1 in 40. The CDC doesn’t say that but a separate non-CDC study concluded the rate. While we rely upon the report issued by the CDC, once every two years, studies like this are needed and important. However, we must focus our efforts and attention on having the needed services and support for those impacted by autism who are unable to access critical and needed services. In some states, people in need wait as long as eight years for such help. This is what must be discussed and addressed. While we rely upon the incidence report issued by the CDC, studies like this are important but we need to utilize the data to help shift the conversation to bring awareness and attention to the needed services and support for those impacted by autism who are unable to access critical and needed services. In some states, people in need wait as long as eight years for help. The Autism Society and our network of affiliates are committed to ensuring we are supporting individuals and families living with autism. This is what must be discussed and addressed.

A new government study finds that roughly 1 in 40 American children has autism, a huge jump from the previous estimate of 1 in every 59 children.

08/02/2019

Aquatica Orlando becomes the first water park in the world to become a Certified Autism Center - IBCCES

The Autism Society couldn't be more thrilled about Aquatica Orlando becoming the first water park in the world to be a Certified Autism Center.

Today, Aquatica Orlando in conjunction with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), announced the completion of a staff-wide autism sensitivity and awareness training as well as an onsite review of the park property and guest experience. The completion d...

29/01/2019

Autism and doctor visits: Family seeks help to ease daughter’s fears | Autism Speaks

Tips for successful doctor visits...

Our daughter is severely affected by autism. We're having a particular problem with doctor visits. She doesn't like being touched and won't sit still for procedures like a shot or drawing blood. Do you have some advice for preparing her for the visit? How about while we're at the doctor?

26/01/2019

New York Governor announces coverage of medically necessary treatments for children with autism | Autism Speaks

What are your thoughts on this?

Autism Speaks applauds New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s inclusion of coverage for medically necessary treatments for children with autism spectrum disorder in proposed budget.

19/12/2018

Autistic Teen Gets Through Traumatic Appointment With a Simple Change

Now that's what I call accommodation!

It's the little things that make a big difference.

13/12/2018

Family-Owned Business Employs People with Autism — And It’s Thriving!

The family was inspired to open the restaurant to create job security for their son on the spectrum.

We need more of these!

08/12/2018

Mom & Disabled Son Can’t Get Home After Game, Cop Notices & Refuses To Leave Them.

I want to shake his hand.

Chris has cerebral palsy and relies on a wheelchair.

29/11/2018

Man on the Spectrum Creates World’s First Comic Book Hero with Autism

The comic has been a huge hit since it hit the shelves.

The comic has been a huge hit since it hit shelves.

23/11/2018

This Entire Town Became Autism-Friendly After Every Business Agreed to Apply Four Specific Measures

“The town of Clonakilty has rejected isolation, stigma and loss of potential in favor of autism inclusion, acceptance and cooperation.”

The community of Clonakilty has become the first ever town in Ireland that has been certified as autism-friendly.

19/11/2018

My Son Has Autism, Not a Discipline Problem

"A meltdown is completely different than a child throwing a fit."

"His brain is literally wired differently than yours."

13/11/2018

Autism Vocabulary 101: Illustrations from an autism mom | Autism Speaks

"When my youngest son Tate was diagnosed with autism, I knew almost nothing about autism."

The post below is by Lisa Smith, the mother of seven children, two with special needs. Her son Tate has autism. Lisa blogs about her experiences and can be found on Facebook at Quirks and Chaos or at quirks-and-chaos.blogspot.com. When my youngest son Tate was diagnosed with autism, I knew almost no...

01/11/2018

10 (Wrong) Things People Somehow Still Believe About Disabled Parking

It's time to debunk these myths.

27/10/2018

Why We're Sharing the Stories of Our Kids With 'Mild' Cerebral Palsy

"Many people don't know what someone with 'mild' cerebral palsy looks like.

"Many people don't know what someone with 'mild' cerebral palsy looks like."

22/10/2018

New Federal Law Will Create Airline Bill of Rights for Passengers With Disabilities

What do you think of the new requirements?

03/10/2018

Meet Derek, the Most Amazing Piano Player You’ll Ever See Or Hear!

Born over three months premature with severe cognitive disabilities and blindness, Derek Paravicini is a truly extraordinary human being.

He is blind and has severe cognitive disabilities. But when he sits at a piano, nothing short of magic happens.

29/09/2018

U.K. Supermarket to Have ‘Quieter Hour’ for People With Autism

More supermarkets should do this!

For an hour on Saturdays, Morrisons will dim the aisles, silence the music and take other steps aimed at easing sensory overload.

25/09/2018

This store employee's simple gesture meant the world to a teen with autism

This act of kindness went viral!

A grocery store employee is being lauded for helping a teen with autism stock shelves in a fridge.

21/09/2018

This 26-year-old baseball player with autism is an inspiration on the field

Tarik El-Abour made history earlier this year when he signed a minor league contract with the major league Kansas City Royals!

Tarik El-Abour, who was diagnosed with autism at age 3, made history earlier this year when he signed a minor league contract with the major league Kansas City Royals. In this week’s Sunday Closer, NBC’s Kevin Tibbles learns just what make this 26-year-old trailblazer so inspirational.

18/09/2018

As the School Year Begins, Please Talk to Your Kids About Disabilities

"As you sit down to discuss topics like manners, school etiquette and homework policies, please add disability awareness and being open to friendships with children who have disabilities."

"Show them it's completely normal to interact with someone who has a disability."

15/09/2018

New York Rangers Are Training an Autism Service Dog

This is such a sweet idea!

The New York Rangers are adding a future autism service dog, a 6-month-old yellow Labrador named Ranger, to their team this season — find out more

11/09/2018

Five ways teachers can support students with autism

"2. Make a list of the child’s strengths"

"Take a minute to digest what I just said. Visualize this child in your classroom."

09/09/2018

North Dakota Becomes 48th State to Require Autism Insurance Coverage

A big win for the autism community...

North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread announced that all state-regulated plans that have mental health coverage will be required to cover treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

03/09/2018

Xbox Adaptive Controller Will Come With Special Packaging, See It Here

The Cerebral Palsy Foundation, The AbleGamers Foundation, Craig Hospital, SpecialEffect, and Warfighter Engaged worked with Microsoft to develop the Xbox Adaptive Controller. The controller's design takes into consideration the needs of gamers who may not be able to hold a controller for a long time or reach all the triggers and buttons. It's a forward-thinking, important piece of technology, but Microsoft's efforts don't stop at the controller alone.

The controller will come inside innovative packaging that aims to be easier for people with mobility considerations to unpack, Microsoft announced today.

Microsoft's efforts to support gamers with limited mobility extend beyond the controller itself.

01/09/2018

21 Signs Parents of Kids With Disabilities Need to Focus on Their Mental Health

"I know I need a break when..."