Gary G. Porter

I am not one who offends easily, nor do I consider myself overly-sensitive. However, there are some words that should simply be extinguished from our vernacular. "Retard" is one of them. Earlier this week, I was out shopping…

In a follow up to our most recent update on Ayn Van Dyk, there have been more disturbing details brought to our attention that are worth passing along. Apparently, this is not the first time the Ministry of Children and Family Development…

Today is January 31, 2012. For Derek Hoare, this simply means it's day number 230 -- the number of days his 10-year-old daughter with autism has been kept from him by Child Protective Services (MCFD) in Canada. The tragedy began in…

It has been a long time since I have been profoundly moved by a television show that has left me feeling hopeful regarding the interconnectedness of humanity. For anyone who believes things happen for a reason, this will be your new…

Among the many autism-related stories I have read, written and edited over the years, there are some that have left a profound and lasting impact on me. Stories involving wandering-related deaths involving children with autism are always…

Last year, we reported about an upcoming autism documentary from producer/director Richard Everts that involved a 40-day cross-country trip and 20 different autism families, speaking 5 different languages. At the time, producers of…

Several news stories have emerged in the past few days, underscoring the troubling and persistent issue of bullying regularly endured by those with autism and other special needs. In Kansas, 22-year-old AJ Alexander was attacked…

Authorities have announced that they have apprehended 24-year-old Harry Burkhart for a string of arson fires that have left Los Angeles-area residents on edge for the past four days. In total, 53 fires have been set in Hollywood, California…

As the holiday travel season comes to a close, many parents of children with autism are relieved that it's over. As we’ve documented in the past, traveling with a child with autism can be a major challenge, with airports and airplanes…

At the moment, the biggest story in all of professional sports has been the unprecedented play of NFL quarterback Tim Tebow. For those unaware, Tebow is currently the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos and has led his team to an…