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Disability looks different for every individual and family

Understanding Disability

Disability is more common than you may think. More than 1 in 4 Americans have a disability. Yet outdated stereotypes and misinformation about disability often lead to discrimination in employment, education, and healthcare.

How Understanding Leads to Acceptance

The more we understand about disability and how it impacts every individual differently, the better we can support each other. Let's start with understanding more about autism. 

Understanding Autistic Traits

In our "Understanding Autistic Traits" video series, Autistic self-advocates and Easterseals experts share their experiences with common Autistic traits. 

Check Out the Full Series

What Does "the Autism Spectrum" Mean? Dani Bowman Explains

Dani Bowman from Netflix's "Love on the Spectrum" partnered with Easterseals to help show what “the spectrum” really means for Autism Acceptance Month!

Autism acceptance starts when we take the time to understand people as individuals.

Dani Bowman proudly holding her Emmy award. She has fuchsia hair and glasses.

Listen to Dani Bowman Talk About Autism Acceptance

On our podcast, "Everything You Know About Disability is Wrong," Autistic animator Dani Bowman discusses autism acceptance, neurodiversity, self-advocacy, and creating career pathways through DaniMation Entertainment, plus her experience on Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum.

Discover New Perspectives: Learn from Autistic People

The best path to understanding is learning from autistic people's experiences. Explore our collection of blogs and podcast episodes featuring autistic creators, leaders, authors, and professionals. 

Shoshana wearing a hat

If one only sees the world through their own place in society and their own observations, they might understand something on a cerebral level but never truly connect with what they’ve learned.

— Shoshana Kessock

Let's Get Real: Expert Tools to Support the Autistic Experience

  • Autism Services

    Easterseals autism service focus on empowerment through therapy, social activities, and career skills programs.
  • Grandmother hugging grandchild

    FAQ on Autism & Vaccines

    Frequently asked questions and answers about autism and vaccines. Developed by Easterseals Southern California, including Chief Clinical Officer Paula Pompa-Craven and the Autism Services and MarComm teams.

Can You Tell Me How to Get...To Better Understanding? 

As part of their See Amazing in All Children initiative, Sesame Street has developed new resources to help families discover and support the amazing in all children.

Take me to Sesame Street!

Understanding Mental Health

Autism does not exist in isolation. Mental health is closely connected to disability, caregiving, and access to support—yet stigma still prevents many people from getting the care they need.

These blogs feature firsthand stories of navigating mental health and disability. 

Understanding your mental health begins here

Know Your Mental Health Needs

Easterseals offers a free, accessible mental health screening tool to help individuals take the first step toward support.

Know the Facts About Autism

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disability that affects communication, social interactions, and sensory processing. Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning each Autistic person may experience their own set of Autistic traits and need varying levels of support and services.  

Misinformation can lead to discrimination in all areas of life, including education and employment. For example, when there’s an assumption that an autistic person can’t perform at the same level as someone who is not autistic, there are fewer employment opportunities available.

Join our Know the Facts campaign to support disability services!