Did you know that autism-related events are happening around the world every single day? Did you know that scientists are coming up with new research? Did you know that many people and communities all around the world are coming up with different ways to include and love autism? Well, EAP Malaysia aims to bring you the best pieces of news, stories and events right here on our blog.

Wicked to stage first autism-friendly performance

In the United Kingdom, producers of the West End musical, Wicked, have worked with the National Autistic Society to come up with its first ever autism-friendly performance in May. NAS chief executive Mark Lever said it would be the first theatre performance that some of the audience will have seen. Click here to read more!

Stranger pays tab, leaves note for mother of boy with autism

In Washington, a kind stranger helped buoy up the mother of a boy with autism after he broke down in the middle of a restaurant. It read, “Have a great day. You’re doing a wonderful job. God bless. From a mother who knows.” Click here to read more on this touching act.

Children with autism invited on ‘imaginary flight’ at Asheville Airport

For children with autism, the experience of a flight can be extremely frightening and so overwhelming that flying is not an option for these children and their families. A new program taking flight at Asheville Regional Airport on Feb. 13 hopes to change that. The event, called Wings for Autism, takes children with autism and their families on an imaginary flight, easing them into the experience of air travel. Read more about this event here.

Dancing Toronto Starbucks barista with autism serves up grande moves

When offered a position to work at Starbucks, Sam told his parents that for the first time in his life that his life had real meaning. 17-year-old Sam was diagnosed with autism and a movement disorder. He is now known as the dancing barista in Starbucks. The teen said he wants to see more businesses give opportunities to people with special needs. Watch Sam serve up a beverage while dancing throughout here!

‘In a Different Key: The Story of Autism,’ by John Donvan and Caren Zucker

This news article talks about John Donvan’s and Caren Zucker’s new book, where it charts America’s path to recognizing autism as part of the human condition, making a case that the arts as well as advocacy have been central to the process. Click here to read more about it.

Reference:

1. Dancing Toronto Starbucks barista with autism serves up grande moves (2016, January 26). CBC News. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news
2. Groopman, J (2016, January 26). ‘In a Different Key: The Story of Autism,’ by John Donvan and Caren Zucker. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/
3. Hutchison, D (2016, January 16). Wicked to stage first autism-friendly performance. The Stage. Retrieved from https://www.thestage.co.uk
4. Ivins, J (2016, January 21). Stranger pays tab, leaves note for mother of boy with autism. KSL.com. Retrieved from https://www.ksl.com/
5. Mundhenk, A (2016, January 21). Children with autism invited on ‘imaginary flight’ at Asheville Airport. Times-News Online. Retrieved from http://www.blueridgenow.com/