Robert Bernstein - Autism Speech

03/31/2026

We want our autistic children to live happy and successful lives. Many parents, however, often approach their kids with an agenda: instead of offering acceptance and approval, they want their child to do something differently—to change. Consequently, autistic kids frequently feel that who they are is not who we want them to be. They end up hiding their authentic nature and keeping up a façade.

Robert J. Bernstein, author of Uniquely Normal: Tapping the Reservoir of Normalcy to Treat Autism, is an educational and behavioral therapist. During this presentation, he will discuss how to completely focus on your child, do things to captivate their attention, follow their lead, and create an accepting, non-judgmental space for them to engage, assimilate new information, and develop new thoughts and behaviors.

If you live near the Wilton, CT area, please join us for this event!
Where: Wilton Library:
137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton, CT 06897
When: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Please register in advance here: wilton.librarycalendar.com/event/hold-spednet-31172

01/06/2026

Today is the day! We can't wait to see you tonight!

We invite you to a very special FREE session of Yakinar!
Join us as we discuss the life and school aged years of Stephen Shore. He was once nonspeaking, and his parents were told he would never be independent. Experts suggested institutionalizing him. Today, he’s a successful psychologist, author, professor, and an international speaker.
This live event features a powerful discussion with:
• Robert J. Bernstein
• Stephen Shore
• Special Guest Marcia Eckerd, Ph.D
Click here to register in advance, as space is limited: tinyurl.com/Yakinar-03

12/29/2025

We invite you to a very special FREE session of Yakinar!
Join us as we discuss the life and school aged years of Stephen Shore. He was once nonspeaking, and his parents were told he would never be independent. Experts suggested institutionalizing him. Today, he’s a successful psychologist, author, professor, and an international speaker.
This live event features a powerful discussion with:
• Robert J. Bernstein
• Stephen Shore
• Special Guest Marcia Eckerd, Ph.D
Click here to register in advance, as space is limited: tinyurl.com/Yakinar-03

12/23/2025

We invite you to a very special FREE session of Yakinar!

Join us as we discuss the life and school aged years of Stephen Shore. He was once nonspeaking, and his parents were told he would never be independent. Experts suggested
institutionalizing him. Today, he’s a successful psychologist, author, professor, and an international speaker.

This live event features a powerful discussion with:
• Robert J. Bernstein
• Stephen Shore
• Special Guest Marcia Eckerd, Ph.D

Click here to register in advance, as space is limited: tinyurl.com/Yakinar-03

12/22/2025

Don't forget to register for our next FREE Yakinar! The turnout was amazing last time, and spots are limited, so please register today to hold your spot!

Register here:

Join us as we discuss the life of Stephen Shore. In this next Webinar we will discuss Stephen Shore’s upbringing and transition to adulthood.

12/16/2025

“It’s for their own good” is the well-intentioned
but ill-conceived mantra of many parents.
Parents often approach autistic children with an agenda—they want the child to do something differently, they want change.

To truly love and work with autistic children,
we need to accept them as they are,
as their authentic selves.

If we worry too much about “fitting in” and “making it” in the neurotypical world,
we may actually stop them
from doing just that.

11/21/2025

Thanksgiving can be a wonderful time, but it can also feel stressful, especially for people who are neurodivergent. In this video, Marcia Eckerd and I talk about why this holiday can be challenging, and we share simple ways to make it calmer, more inclusive, and enjoyable for everyone.

Thanksgiving happens all at once, which means long periods of social interaction, loud rooms, strong smells, and expectations from family and friends. We talk about how planning ahead, thinking about what will happen, who will be there, and how long the event will last can help reduce stress.

Participation can look different for everyone. Not everyone can sit at the table for hours. Some people may enjoy doing a craft, working on a puzzle, sharing a hobby, etc. Having at least one supportive family member who understands can make the day much easier and more enjoyable.

Thanksgiving can be a wonderful time, but it can also feel stressful, especially for people who are neurodivergent. In this video, Rob Bernstein and Marcia E...

11/11/2025

Connection isn’t about words or gestures — it’s about being seen, heard, and valued just as we are. Every child, no matter their background, communication style, or abilities, holds a deep capacity to connect. When we slow down, listen with presence, and meet them where they are, we uncover the many ways they already reach out to the world.

10/28/2025

My goal is for autistic people to live in the world and connect with the people in it as themselves, to express their unique humanity and engage more fully in the human interactions that give life meaning and make it worth the effort of getting out of bed every day.

10/24/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined our Yakinar (live webinar) on October 22nd!
We had a great turnout, and we're very excited to bring you another episode soon! Reach out to me here if you had a question or comment that wasn't answered during the webinar.

10/22/2025

TODAY IS THE DAY! Don't miss this FREE Live Autism Webinar! Featuring two incredible voices in the autism community: Robert J. Bernstein and Stephen Shore.

Register here: www.tinyurl.com/Live-Yakinar-2

This special event is built on Real Conversations, Real Experience, and Real Understanding. The main topic of conversation will be an exclusive interview with Stephen Shore on his journey: "From Nonspeaking Child to Global Voice."
Join us to gain insights from Stephen Shore, an autistic professor and world-renowned autism advocate, and Robert J. Bernstein, a respected educational and cognitive therapist with over 35 years of experience.

When: October 22nd at 7:00 pm EST
🔗 Register for FREE: www.tinyurl.com/Live-Yakinar-2

10/20/2025

To truly love and work with autistic children, we need to accept them as they are, as their authentic selves. If we worry too much about “fitting in” and “making it” in the neurotypical world, we may actually stop them from doing just that.