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.

What Happened to August?
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Posted on September 12, 2013 by

Sometimes I find that as a special needs parent I focus so much on what needs to be done in the future, that I often lose track of how far we’ve come. I was given a little reminder this past … Continue reading →

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Creativity and Disability
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Posted on September 10, 2013 by

Welcome to another Tuesday with TED. Today we have Alberto Cairo of the Red Cross speaking about the disabled and how “There Are No Scraps of Men.” In this powerful talk, Alberto tells the moving story of why and how … Continue reading →

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Remembering Pearl
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Posted on September 5, 2013 by

I went to law school with a woman named Pearl. I didn’t know her well, even though she may have been in my small section. I honestly can’t remember. I didn’t pay much attention to Pearl because she was “old.” … Continue reading →

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What Fear Can Teach Us
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Posted on September 3, 2013 by

Welcome to another Tuesday with TED. Today we have fiction writer Karen Thompson Walker talking about “What Fear Can Teach Us.” Karen tells the story of the whaleship Essex and shows how fear propels imagination, as it forces us to … Continue reading →

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I Am NOT Trayvon Martin
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Posted on August 29, 2013 by

I’ve been thinking a lot about Trayvon Martin and the Zimmerman trial. Rolling the facts around in my head and searching for a different, more equitable outcome. No matter how I slice it, an innocent teen got shot because a … Continue reading →

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Creative Obsession
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Posted on August 27, 2013 by

Welcome to another Tuesday with TED. Today we have Adam Savage talking about “My Obsession with Objects and the Stories They Tell.” This talk is an entertaining adventure through the mind of a creative obsessive. In other words, the place … Continue reading →

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The Sweet Life
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Posted on August 22, 2013 by

Apparently between my posts on inclusion, the one on stealth grief, the sixth and final installment of the insensitive autism comments, plus the post on how sometimes shit just happens, I have inadvertently given people the idea that I’m in … Continue reading →

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How Books Open Your Mind
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Posted on August 20, 2013 by

Welcome to another Tuesday with TED. Today we have Lisa Bu talking about “How Books Can Open Your Mind.” It seemed appropriate as many of us prepare to start (or have started) a new school year This one is short, … Continue reading →

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A Battle of Wills
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Posted on August 15, 2013 by

Lately it seems Katie and I have been locked in a battle of wills. For hours, or even days, our lives will run smoothly and I will congratulate myself that all our hard work and effort are finally paying off. … Continue reading →

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The Technology of Storytelling
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Posted on August 13, 2013 by

Welcome to another Tuesday with TED. This week Joe Sabia talks about “The Technology of Storytelling.” I had to watch this one a couple times. I bet you will too! What did you think about Joe’s storytelling method? Was it … Continue reading →

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