Word to Your Mom (or Dad)

When we hear the word communication, we most often think of speaking. This is fair and quite logical, as most of us use words to convey messages each and every day with a variety of people. We talk about our weekends and the tastes of the foods we eat and how we feel about Hurricane Sandy, Argo or the upcoming election.
But many children with special needs are often unable to effectively express even their most basic needs and desires. They do not have the words to say, " I absolutely despise broccoli," or "I'd rather watch SpongeBob," or "I need help in the bathroom."

Airline iPad Policy Sparks Disability Debate

Carly Fleischmann is a 17-year-old author who has a form of autism that prevents her from speaking. Doctors said she would never intellectually develop beyond the abilities of a small child, but Carly eventually began using a computer to communicate and now carries an iPad with her so she can "talk" on the go.
Last week, a flight attendant asked Carly to put away her iPad before a flight, something she says had never happened before, even though she travels often for media and autism advocacy-related reasons. Carly explained that she needed it to communicate, but the fight attendant still insisted that she put it in the front of her seat, out of her reach, due to FAA regulations that require passengers to turn off electronic devices during take-off and landing.