Divorcing Autism (formerly GPS Advocacy)

Robert TJ Thurston of Thurston Law Offices, has been practicing law for 26 years and hasbeen a solo practitioner for the last 7 years. He has had general practices in Illinois, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and has won several large trials. The majority of his practice is in special education. He obtained his JD from Ohio State College of Law and is the father of two boys, the oldest is 13 and has Asperger’s Syndrome and the younger one is 10 and neuro-typical. Robert can find him online atwww.schoolkidslawyer.com [http://www.schoolkidslawyer.com].

Jolene Philo is the daughter of a disabled father and the mother of a child with special needs. After a 25 years as an elementary teacher, she left education in 2003 to write and speak about special needs. Since then her articles have appeared in regional and national publications including Focus on the Family and ParentLife. Her books, A Different Dream for My Child and Different Dream Parenting were released by Discovery House Publishers. She speaks at special al needs ministry conferences, foster parent training conferences, and women’s events throughout the United Stats. Her blog, www.DifferentDream.com [http://www.DifferentDream.com], provides resources and encouragement for parents of kids with special needs. She also blogs about life on her dusty gravel road  at www.jolenephilo.com [http://www.jolenephilo.com].

Gloria interviews Dawn Osborne, Executive Director or POCWASN, a community organization dedicated to improving the lives of caregivers of people with disabilities by providing respite and support.

Gloria talks with Dr. Amy Griffitths of Advance LA about their programs for teens and young adults on the autism spectrum.

The Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) is one of the world’s largest and most successful organizations treating children with autism, Asperger’s syndrome, PDD-NOS, and related disorders using state-of-the-art therapy. CARD treats autism using the principles and procedures of applied behavior analysis which has been empirically proven to be the most effective method for treating individuals with autism.