Launching "The Autism College Connection"

From Newsletter to Career

I started writing about son’s autism twenty years ago, before he was even diagnosed with autism. I blogged on his second birthday in 2004 about his lack of speech. Fun fact: after I published that post, two readers sent me a note telling me to get him evaluated for autism.

Later I wrote about autism for big magazines.

A few years ago, as my son was getting reading to graduate from high school, I was frantic because I needed to find the next place for him, and nobody was helping me. I created a separate newsletter just for disability stuff, because this topic was drowning out other writing interests.

After twenty years of talking about autism, I’m ready to start doing more than talking. I want to connect parents with quality resources, programs, and information. So, I launched a new venture last week: The Autism College Connection.

It’s been a lot of work. After I did the techie stuff — making a website, a Facebook page, a newsletter — I set up two webinars for February. I put them up on Eventbrite and connected them with a paid Zoom website. Everything is free for the first couple of months as I get the kinks worked out of the program. There’s always kinks at first.

My first talk is almost sold out. 82 out of 100 spots were snapped up in five days. The second one is doing well, too. There is a massive need for information, and I want to provide that to parents.

I’m going to start doing more advice stuff here, and less complaining. After three years, I’ve learned a lot and we have a plan for the next couple of years. Both Ian and I have both made A GREAT LEAP this year. Now, I’m ready to make another one as I launch a new business.

I’ll share insights as I go along. I’m sure I’ll make mistakes and all that. I’ll share mistakes and triumphs, because I want others to set up ventures, too, to support our community.

Not walking on the same paths as others means that we’ve got some unique wisdom in our back pockets. Through perseverance and perversity, we have survived a hazing process in life that others never have to deal with. I hope that the process makes us all smarter, stronger, and more thoughtful people.

Hell, let’s all make some noise and build something better.