Aspergers101- Autism Level 1

04/03/2026

Today is World Autism Awareness Day and the month of April is Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month here in Texas. Both are a time to recognize those on the autism spectrum and encourage greater understanding of autism across our schools, workplaces, communities, and public services.
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, is a developmental disability that can affect communication, behavior, sensory processing, and social interaction. Because autism exists on a spectrum, each person’s strengths, needs, and experiences may look different.
Families, educators, employers, service providers, and community organizations can all play a role in supporting those with autism. Some of that support may include:
clear and accessible communication,
sensory considerations, when possible,
appropriate services and accommodations,
support for educational and employment goals, and
access to community-based resources. As Sam said many years ago, "Don't think of autism as a weight, but a pair of wings in which to fly." Indeed!

11/09/2025

04/25/2025

Autism Community....I need your help. One last push (or shove if you will)....and it's uphill! Our most important piece of legislation has fallen to political divisiveness and is in grave danger of not passing through the current Texas Legislative Session. It has stalled by not being heard in committee, and there is a political undertone that has absolutely nothing to do with the validity of the bill but political divide. Both Directors of Texas DMV & DPS have written letters of support (excerpts from the Directors in comments below) and greatly want to implement SB 680 & HB 2096, changing their shared TLETS (telecommunication system) to better serve those citizens who wish to disclose their communication diagnosis of: Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Autism Spectrum Disorder, or Speech Language Impairment. If passed, this monumental change to our Texas Law Enforcement system would save lives! The Texas Driving with Disability program is being emulated by several other states for it's effectiveness as well as in Canada! The page below gives you the names/numbers and even questions to ask, I've highlighted the most important ones as well as given a brief background so you don't have to look anything up. Please take 5 minutes, and once again, let your voices be heard on a piece of legislation that is wanted, needed and should be passed into law. The chances of our Bill getting passed at this point is slim, but I have to try one last push. Please help with a call... !

04/10/2025

Texas Driving with Disability
If you have a child with a disability who is nearing driving age, we encourage you to explore the Texas Driving with Disability Program. The Texas Education Agency has developed a helpful guide for families. Learn more here.
https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/health-safety-discipline/texas-driving-with-disability-for-families.pdf

04/03/2025

April: Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month💖

04/01/2025

This is why SB680, currently in the Texas Legislature, is so very important! A person with a disability in Florida had a miscommunication with law enforcement that did not end well. In the attached news report, they mentioned Texas, The Samuel Allen Law, and the notification to law enforcement of a person's disability through our program, Texas Driving with Disabilities. "Texas enacted a new law in 2019 to give the power directly to drivers. The Samuel Allen Law is named for the advocate of people who have been diagnosed with Autism/Asperger Syndrome and who has trained law enforcement personnel in dealing with that population segment. According to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, the law allows anyone diagnosed with a communication challenge with the option for disclosure when registering their vehicle with the department." SB 680 would further clear up any miscommunication by alerting law enforcement of a person who is deaf/hard of hearing, Autistic, or speech impairment (covering many disabilities). The code is optional for Texas drivers.

Viral body camera videos of interactions with blind and deaf people highlight a lack of police training nationwide.

03/26/2025

Please support Texas SB680 by quickly leaving a comment of support (can be one line!) at LegiScan here: https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/SB680/2025 The space for comments is at the bottom of the page after clicking on the link! This will aid in getting legislators' attention!! The bill is awaiting a hearing with the Texas Senate Transportation Committee and would revise Texas Transportation Code § 502.061(b) otherwise, The Samuel Allen Law, to enable individuals the option to specify Autism, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, or Speech Language Impairment, under the current broad term “communication impediment” within the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System. This is optional and would save lives!! DMV wants it, DPS wants it....we just need to move this for passage during the Texas 89th Legislative session! Thank you for your effort and time!!

03/06/2025

Dear friends, followers and active supporters of the Texas Driving with Disability statewide program, I need your help! To better our current system with Texas DMV & DPS, we are on the long bumpy path toward passing new legislation that would greatly improve the communication between Texas Law enforcement and citizens wanting to disclose a communication challenge or those who are deaf/hard of hearing. SB 680 is being carried through Senator Bryan Hughes and is awaiting a hearing from the Texas Committee on Transportation. A Bill, once introduced into Legislation, may die in committee if not heard. Calls or letters to the members of the Transportation Committee on behalf of SB 680 creates an urgency and interest in it's passage on behalf of Texas constituents. If you are willing to show support of SB 680, a call (or letter) to the offices of the Texas Committee on Transportation would go far! Please allow me to give you better details on what the passage of SB 680 would do as well as the contact information for members of the committee. For over 10 years, this program and it's success has been placed on my heart and in my soul on behalf of those like Sam or who use a different means by which to communicate. This may result in a life-saving moment and has been met with great support and enthusiasm by both the Texas DMV & DPS.
OVERVIEW: Through the Texas DMV & DPS, a driver with a communication challenge may choose to disclose under "Communication Impediment" when registering their vehicle (DMV), or for placement on their Texas State ID or Driver License (DPS).
SB 680 is carried by Senator Bryan Hughes, and would drastically improve upon this system by revising Texas Transportation Code § 502.061(b) thus allowing the TLETS (Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System) to specify Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing, Autism, Speech Language Impairment instead of the current broad term “communication impediment” within the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System.
This change will significantly aid peace officers in identifying the specific type of communication challenge when stopping a vehicle registered under this program. I have received many calls over the past 2 years, from Texas Highway Patrol and officers in the field, hoping to better specify a persons communication challenge, especially when approaching a vehicle in a pull-over scenario where things may go wrong quickly when communication is key.
"the greatest opportunity to provide pertinent driver information is through the vehicle license plate and registration. Senate Bill 680 filed by Senator Bryan Hughes and House Bill 2096 filed by Representative Armando Martinez seek to fulfill that need. Being aware of unique communication needs prior to contact will aid the officer in achieving a successful interaction. The Department appreciates this partnership and the work that has been done to provide pertinent information to law enforcement officers, reducing uncertainty and helping officers and Texans to interact safely and effectively." - Colonel Freeman F. Martin/Director Texas DPS
A person who is deaf responds differently than a person whose brain processes slowly...this change would clarify for both the officer and certainly for drivers like my son who choose to disclose.
You may learn more about the history of Texas Driving with Disability, as well as the 3 Texas Laws that have previously passed to build the trailblazing program we continue to grow and improve here in Texas, on the Governor's webpage here: https://gov.texas.gov/.../texas-driving-with-disability

02/21/2025

Dr. Gail Saltz discusses how the Autistic Brain is uniquely wired to offer special gifts neurotypicals only wish they possessed. From her book, The Power of Different, a glimpse (medically speaking) into the brain of a person with Autism.

Dr. Gail Saltz discusses how the Autistic Brain is uniquely wired to offer special gifts neurotypicals only wish they possessed. From her book, The Power of ...

10/31/2024

The number of Americans diagnosed with autism jumped 175% between 2011 and 2022 thanks to a surge in new cases among young adults, new research finds.

A team led by Kaiser Permanente’s Division of Research in California examined health records and insurance claims for 12.2 million Americans for autism diagnosis trends.