Welcome

Valerie Paradiz, PhD, is a writer the co-founder of the Open Center for Autism. She offers workshops, consulting, and professional development on Autism Spectrum Differences (ASDs) to universities, public and private schools, mental health and other service organizations. As the developer of Integrated Self Advocacy (ISA)™, Paradiz teaches individuals with ASDs, school teachers, therapists, families and professionals the value of celebrating and preserving autisic identity and how to foster the emerging autistic self-advocate. Books by Valerie include Clever Maids, a narrative history about how the famous Grimm fairy tales would not have made their way into print without the brothers' faithful female friends and Elijah's Cup, a powerful memoir about the author's life with her autistic son.

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Latest Writings

United Nations Briefing

Elijah and I were honored to join the Autism Society of America and other friends from the community at the United Nations last week to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day. It was a truly inspiring session, meant to inform NGOs of some of the most pressing issues facing families, professionals, educators and individuals on the spectrum today and to share our vision for a global autism community. Continue..

• Written 37 days ago in Autism & Asperger's Syndrome

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Autism Through the Life Span at the Omega Institute

Omega Institute for Holistic Studies Hosts "Autism Through the Life Span"

Please join me and colleagues in the autism community for this three day conference and retreat for parents, professionals and others who support individuals with ASDs on the beautiful campus of the Omega Institute, located in upstate New York. Continue..

• Written 341 days ago in Autism & Asperger's Syndrome

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Mr. Inevitable, Elijah Wapner, Announces His New Web Site!

Don't miss out on Elijah's new web site: www.mrinevitable.com Continue..

• Written 422 days ago in Autism & Asperger's Syndrome

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Clever Maids

The secret history of the Grimm Fairy Tales. Read more..

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Testimonial

[Paradiz's work] is rooted in a view of autism as an alternative form of brain wiring, with its own benefits and drawbacks, rather than a devastating disorder.

—The New York Times

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