Comedian Jerry Seinfeld recently said in an NBC interview with Brian Williams that while watching a play that had a character with autism, he found himself relating to some of the common traits of that developmental disability such as “When people talk to me and they use expressions, sometimes I don’t know what they’re saying”, adding, “I don't see it as dysfunctional; I see it as an alternate mind-set.”
Although in later interviews, Seinfeld said he is not a person with autism, and hasn’t been diagnosed as being on the spectrum, most advocates applauded his comments anyway, because if a major celebrity can identify with the condition, that will help take away some of the stigma of autism that currently exists. Other advocates were worried, however, that Seinfeld’s words would turn autism into just another celebrity fad. In the words of one Sun Times columnist who is also the mother of a son with severe autism: “What I fear is that these public faces of autism will allow society, and more important, policymakers, mentally off the hook. You can have autism and get a Ph.D.! It helps you write jokes! Your charming quirks and aggravating behaviors are now explainable,” Marie Myung-Ok Lee wrote.
Time will tell if other celebs will join Jerry in indentifying with autism, or if this was just one more case of “yada, yada, yada…”
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When our son with special needs was little (how can it be that he’s turning 20 next week?), there weren’t many ways to connect with other Moms outside of the waiting rooms of therapy sessions and doctor offices, and even less in a Jewish environment.
One innovative program that’s filling this gap is a new, free, Mommy and Me program that has started at Friendship Circle Los Angeles to give Moms and their young children with special needs ages 2-4 the chance to enjoy Jewish-themed music, art sensory play and circle time, joined by typical children of the same age span. Sessions are held at the inclusive, state-of-the-art “My Backyard” playground on site at 1952 S. Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles 90034.
The first session was successfully held today, and I was told that the hardest part was saying goodbye.
In partnership with the Los Angeles Jewish Federation’s Joint Special Needs Task Force for Jewish Education and Engagement, the program will be held again Feb. 24, April 21 and June 9th, from 10-11 am. For more information, contact chanie@fcla.org or call (310) 280-0955.
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Did you know that 85% of all adults with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) don’t have a paid job? In Los Angeles, a great new employment program has recently launched, with a partnership between the local office of Best Buddies and the Ruderman Family Foundation to provide opportunities for young Jewish adults ages 18-30 with I/DD to enter the workforce and work alongside their peers without disabilities in a supported setting.
Best Buddies is a “sister” non-profit to the Special Olympics and is dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for 1:1 friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with I/DD. One of the core areas of interest at The Ruderman Family Foundation is advocating for and advancing the inclusion of people with disabilities throughout the Jewish community and it has offices in Boston and Israel.
With the Ruderman Foundation’s $50,000 grant, a new employment consultant, Michelle Homami, has been hired to work with individuals and to outreach with local employers in Los Angeles. Homami said that she has already placed two Jewish participants under this grant, and hopes to place a total of 8 or more participants by the end of the grant period. Call her at (310) 642-2620 ext. 204 if you are an interested employee or employer.
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