Tagged: autism

Washington state began handing out same-sex marriage licenses last night; the weddings will start on Sunday. We talk with some of the couples who showed up in downtown Seattle at midnight to be among the first to get a marriage license.

About one in 120 children in the Washington state public school system have an autism spectrum disorder. That’s a 430 percent increase from a decade ago. In the next decade, many of those teenagers with autism will become adults, but what they will do as adults is anyone’s guess. Autism is often associated with children, but it’s a lifelong condition. Producer Bryan Buckalew introduces us to young adults with autism trying to figure out how to take the next step in a KUOW Program Venture Fund special report. Join the conversation afterward by sharing your thoughts at 206.543.5869 or weekday@kuow.org.

Growing up, Jordan Howard always felt like an outsider. He had trouble making friends, and he felt awkward in groups. He says he felt like one of those misunderstood high school clichés. And he could never put his finger on why.

The first time Rolando Elias came to work at the Federal Way farmers market, Dr. April Walter was nervous.

“That was a big-time risk,” April says. “It could have blown up in my face.” She opened a tent at the market to give young adults with autism a chance to work.