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Multiple Awards for Excellence!
NAPPA (National Parenting Publications) Gold Award 4 years! 2007 - 2010 Mom's Choice Awards Gold Winner 2010 APEX Award for Publication Excellence Marcom Communications Award 2007
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Our Vision of Autism
"He started to sing as he tackled the thing that couldn't be done, and he did it!" -Lynn Willard
It's hard to believe 10+ years have passed since the Autism Asperger's Digest debuted in fall 1999. Back then, resources were so very limited: only a handful of books were available, autism conferences were few and widely scattered, and a magazine on autism? Not in existence. Future Horizons stepped in to change that picture and I was handed a golden opportunity: to join a community of dedicated, giving, and tireless people working to create a better life for children and adults with ASD everywhere.
Oh, what a journey it has been!
Today the picture is much brighter, and in so many ways. We no longer view the diagnosis of autism or Asperger's Syndrome in the negative light it once held. We understand it to be a brain-based disorder, and not a psychological-based disease. Treatment models, school and community-based programs for individuals with ASD are tangible options now in cities across our country. And, a growing number of these programs are being built upon the idea that our children and adults can achieve, can learn, can grow to their fullest potential when we structure programs to their strengths and their different ways of thinking and functioning.
We're moving out of the dark ages of autism and into a greater awareness of and appreciation for the unique talents and gifts these individuals bring to our lives. It has been a blessing to witness the growth and evolution of ideas and attitudes within our community. After all, the change is as much within us as it is in the spectrum individuals in our lives; maybe that's why it's such an exciting time to be involved in the autism community. Each day is a new adventure, a new discovery, whether it's a parent or teacher seeing that light of understanding and social connection in a child, or a researcher uncovering a new link that opens a new door to better treatment and care.
Every turn of the road holds endless possibilities...for each of our precious children and for each of us to learn, grow and become more fully human. It's important that we not lose sight of how far we've come, for although the journey has been difficult, as a community, and as individuals, we have traveled far. Love, understanding and acceptance will continue to light our way, and propel us even further. I can't wait to see what another 10 years will bring!
All my best,
Veronica Zysk Photo by Waylon Christner, www.waylonchristnerart.com
BIO
Veronica Zysk has been working in the field of autism since 1991. She served as Executive Director of the Autism Society of America from 1991-1996, and then joined Future Horizons, moving into an editorial position with the company in 1999, as Managing Editor and visionary for the first national magazine on autism spectrum disorders, the Autism Asperger's Digest. Under her direction the magazine has captured multiple Gold awards for excellence, including the distinction of being the only product ever to win a Gold Award four consecutive years in the National Parenting Publications Resources Awards competition.
Veronica continues as Editor of the AADigest today. In addition to her writing collaborations with bestselling autism author, Ellen Notbohm (they co-authored 1001 Great Ideas for Teaching and Raising Children with Autism and Asperger's), she has co-authored and/or edited 14 other books on autism and Asperger’s, working with noted authors such as Temple Grandin (Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships; The Way I See), James Ball (Early Intervention and Autism: Real life Questions, Real life Answers), Jean Duane (Bake Deliciously Gluten & Dairy Free), and Michelle Garcia Winner (Think Social!; Thinking About You Thinking About Me; Socially Curious and Curiously Social; A Politically Incorrect Look at Evidence-based Practices & Teaching Social Skills).
Veronica makes her home in the beautiful western mountains of North Carolina where one can often finding her sporting a t-shirt which echoes her life perspective: Life is Good!
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