Author Archives: Cynthia J. Patton

About Cynthia J. Patton

Writer, Editor, Advocate, Speaker, Special Needs Attorney, and Autism Mom. Also the Founder and Chairperson of Autism A to Z, a nonprofit providing resources and solutions for life on the spectrum.

Cynthia’s Yearlong 50th Birthday Bash–November Update
avatar

As I described back in April (you can read the post here), I’m celebrating my 50th birthday with a year of activities, challenges, and FUN designed to honor this milestone. I’m calling it Cynthia’s Yearlong 50th Birthday Bash, and so … Continue reading

Posted in My Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sculpting Waves in Wood and Time
avatar

Welcome to another Tuesday with TED. Today we have kinetic sculptor Reuben Margolin, whose moving sculptures combine the logic of math with the sensuousness of nature. Margolin makes wave-like sculptures that undulate, spiral, bob and dip in gloriously natural-seeming ways, … Continue reading

Posted in Creativity, Tuesdays with TED | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sneaking Candy
avatar

I don’t know if this is something I should admit, but my daughter Katie is getting sneaky. Because she has autism and I don’t have any typically functioning children, I’m often unsure if Katie’s behavior is due to her diagnosis … Continue reading

Posted in Autism, My Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why a Good Book Is a Secret Door
avatar

Welcome to another Tuesday with TED. Today we have bestselling author Mac Barnett, who is the author of fifteen books for children. He was the executive director of 826LA, a fabulous nonprofit writing center, and founder of The Echo Park Time … Continue reading

Posted in Creativity, Other Writers, Tuesdays with TED | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What I Learned From Building a Foundation For Fitness, Part 2
avatar

Last year, in the spring of 2013, I took a virtual workshop called Building a Foundation for Fitness, which was taught by my friend Amy Christensen, the owner of Expand Outdoors. Since I lost weight and ran in the fun … Continue reading

Posted in My Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Be An Artist, Right Now!
avatar

Welcome to another Tuesday with TED. Today we have Korean novelist Young-ha Kim. Kim weaves tales that speak  to the thrills and challenges of young Koreans in our increasingly globalized and ever-changing world. Young-ha Kim wishes that his eighth grade … Continue reading

Posted in Creativity, Other Writers, Tuesdays with TED | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mr. Mike
avatar

When my daughter Katie switched to yet another school district back in February 2013, she once again was slated to ride the special needs “short bus.” The two school districts, however, didn’t share bus service, so after a month of … Continue reading

Posted in Autism, My Life | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Politics of Fiction
avatar

Welcome to another Tuesday with TED. Today we have novelist Elif Shafak, who is the most-read female author in Turkey. She explicitly defies description. Her writing blends East and West, feminism and tradition, the local and the global, Sufism and … Continue reading

Posted in Creativity, Other Writers, Tuesdays with TED | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cynthia’s Yearlong 50th Birthday Bash–October Update
avatar

As I described back in April (you can read the post here), I’m celebrating my 50th birthday with a year of activities, challenges, and FUN designed to honor this milestone. I’m calling it Cynthia’s Yearlong 50th Birthday Bash, and so … Continue reading

Posted in My Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Mystery Box
avatar

Welcome of another Tuesday with TED. Today we have writer, director, and producer J.J. Abrams. As the Emmy-winning creator of the smart, addictive TV dramas Lost, Alias, and Felicity, J.J. Abrams’ name looms large on the small screen. As the writer/director behind the … Continue reading

Posted in Creativity, Other Writers, Tuesdays with TED | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment