Autism Empowerment Radio

Is it possible to Unite the Autism Community? Can Autistic and Aspie adults, teens and children respectfully come together with parents, educators, service professionals and nonprofit autism organizations to discuss challenges and work toward the common good?If so, what would that look like? Who would be seated at the table? Who would facilitate the conversation? How do we calm the chaos, reduce the infighting and begin to work together for a stronger, more united, autism community that focuses on acceptance, empowerment, optimal outcomes and positive life trajectories? How do we provide individuals and families with support, opportunity and connection?Join Autism Empowerment Radio as Karen Krejcha discusses these challenges. Diagnosed with Asperger syndrome in her 40s, Karen is mom to two sons (8 and 15) also diagnosed on the autism spectrum. As Executive Director and co-founder of the nonprofit, Autism Empowerment, Karen regularly engages in conversation with autistic teens and adults as well as parents and

Arguably the biggest celebrity in the llama world isRojo the Llama, a charming therapy animal from Mtn Peaks Therapy Llamas & Alpacas that has completed over 800 therapy visits throughout the Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA area since being certified 7 years ago. Attendees of Autism Empowerment's Easter Egg Hunt for Acceptance of All Abilities in April 2014 lined up for the chance to share kisses, carrots and hugs.According to Rojo's Facebook page, "I've always been a little weird because I LOVE being around people! That's why my owners decided to get me certified in 2007 through the DoveLewis Animal-Assisted Therapy Program in Portland, OR. My roommate, Smokey also passed his certification with flying colors, and now we also have a rescued llama named Beni, and three very sweet alpacas named Napoleon, Andre, and Jean-Pierre at our place that also do therapy visitation. We leave the farm at least 3 - 5 times every week to visit kids with special needs and old folks in retirement homes. We also get to do lo

Join us today as we chat with Elissa Bosley, SpecialCare Program Manager from MassMutual Oregon. We'll be talking with Elissa about the fantastic work MassMutual has been doing regionally providing free support, workshops, sensory events and support services to the autism and cross-disability community in Oregon and Southwest Washington.We'll also be talking about MassMutual's SpecialCare Program, a program that is also offered at various MassMutual offices throughout the country. SpecialCare is a program from MassMutual that provides access to information – from what you need to know in order to provide the best care to your loved one, to how to manage the needs of yourself and other family members.  If you are caring for a person with a disability or other special needs – a spouse, a child, sibling, dependent parent, other relative or friend, the SpecialCare program is an innovative outreach initiative that provides access to information, specialists, and financial products and services that can help improv

EarthLink is committed to offering our time, talent and resources to build strong, connected, thriving communities. We believe that the biggest impact is made when all of us come together in a variety of ways to make a difference, providing a HALO effect for our communities and our customers.Today Autism Empowerment Radio welcomes two Earthlinkers: Pam O'Connor, Senior Manager of Corporate Communications and Brian Tashima, Pricing Analyst and Autism Empowerment Board Member.  We will learn more about EarthLink's Corporate Giving HALO (Helps, Acts, Links and Outreach) and listen to examples of how EarthLink has recently been serving in communities throughout the United States.EarthLink was a Featured Event sponsor for Autism Empowerment's 3rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt for Acceptance of All Abilities on April 19th, 2014. This Acceptance Event which included an egg hunt, family entertainment and cross-disability resource fair served over 1,300 in the Southwest Washington and Portland metro area, including 40 cross-

As April comes to a close and we end Autism Acceptance month for 2014, how as individuals, family members and community members do we continue to facilitate positive change beyond Autism Awareness?What steps should we take to promote a meaningful call to action for Acceptance both within the Autism and Asperger community and our world at large?How can we tame some of the infighting among organizations and individuals within the autism community and work together toward a common goal of providing meaningful services, support and resources to help youth and adults on the autism spectrum and their families?We welcome you to join Autism Empowerment Radio as Autism Empowerment co-founders Karen and John Krejcha share about the activities that Autism Empowerment has been involved with in April and how those activities are sparking meaningful change locally and throughout the nation.You will learn about our Autism Serves Volunteerism program.You will learn about Ambassadors for Acceptance of All Abilities.You will b