• Why Jane Fonda is putting herself on the line to fight climate change

    Why Jane Fonda is putting herself on the line to fight climate change

    Nov 07, 2019 11:20 PM EST

    ... and so many of them. But there's something about Greta Thunberg. It's the fact that she's on the spectrum. Judy Woodruff: Right, autism spectrum. Jane Fonda: Yes, Asperger's, and that gives her a focus. She doesn't get distracted. And when I read what happened to ...

  • 'Sesame Street' turns 50

    'Sesame Street' turns 50

    Nov 06, 2019 06:56 PM EST

    It introduced the bilingual Rosita — the first Latina Muppet — in 1991. Julia, a 4-year-old Muppet with autism came in 2017 and this year has offered help for kids whose parents are dealing with addiction and recovery. So important is the show that PETA recently asked for the creation ...

  • Strike-ending deal will shape Chicago schools for years

    Strike-ending deal will shape Chicago schools for years

    Nov 01, 2019 07:40 PM EST

    ... proposal's potential effect on kids with disabilities and special needs, despite the commitments on staffing. Christine Palmieri, whose 11-year-old son Miles has autism, said she was pleased to see a raise secured for members of a separate union who went on strike alongside teachers. Its members include ...

  • More schools are teaching kids how to cope with emotions. Which programs actually work?

    More schools are teaching kids how to cope with emotions. Which programs actually work?

    Oct 24, 2019 06:26 PM EST

    ... own approach to social-emotional learning. Some use other strategies, like Zones of Regulation, an 8-year-old curriculum developed by former occupational therapist and autism support specialist Leah Kuypers, who owns the consulting company that runs the program. Perrigan said the district isn’t on the hunt for new ...

  • How 'Sesame Street' is still supporting families, 50 years after its debut

    How 'Sesame Street' is still supporting families, 50 years after its debut

    Oct 10, 2019 10:30 PM EST

    Sherri Westin: And so I think Julia has been amazing, because, again, she's helping children with autism have a child they can relate to and feel less alone, but she's also teaching others why Julia may not look you in the eye. Hari Sreenivasan: Some of that praise ...

  • Why Flint residents are still dealing with water worries, 5 years after lead crisis

    Why Flint residents are still dealing with water worries, 5 years after lead crisis

    Oct 03, 2019 10:45 PM EST

    ... s not my fault that the water is like this. It's not something that I asked for. It's not something that I chose for my kids. John Yang: Across town, Maxine Onstott's 7-year-old son, Max, was diagnosed with autism in the midst of the crisis.

  • Climate activist Greta Thunberg on the power of a movement

    Climate activist Greta Thunberg on the power of a movement

    Sep 13, 2019 10:50 PM EST

    But, for me, I have -- I am on the autism spectrum, and I don't usually follow social coding. And so that's why I go my own way. And I think that is a very strong reason why people just continue, because they don't see anyone else reacting ...

  • There is no ‘gay gene.’ There is no ‘straight gene.’ Sexuality is just complex, study confirms

    There is no ‘gay gene.’ There is no ‘straight gene.’ Sexuality is just complex, study confirms

    Aug 29, 2019 10:53 PM EST

    ... what GWAS hunts down. The technique can be used to suss out why certain people (and their particular genetic variations) correlate with health conditions like autism, physical traits like curly hair or colorblindness, behaviors like handedness or emotions like loneliness. What they found This GWAS study found that, like with ...

  • 'Sesame Street' and Sally Field to receive Kennedy Center award

    'Sesame Street' and Sally Field to receive Kennedy Center award

    Jul 18, 2019 04:59 PM EST

    ... on the show's original home, PBS. In recent years, the creators have worked to embrace more modern issues, introducing a puppet named Julia with autism. The co-founders of "Sesame Street," Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett, will accept the award on behalf of the show. Ronstadt was one ...

  • Drag Queen Story Hour offers a different kind of page-turner

    Drag Queen Story Hour offers a different kind of page-turner

    Jul 02, 2019 10:15 PM EST

    ... Griffin: In the Big Apple, Drag Queen Story Hours have become so popular that the chapter now offers events in Spanish and for children with autism and other special needs. The chapter also hosts drag queen fashion design and makeup workshops for older kids. The point, Aimee said, is to ...