Summary: <a href="http://specialmouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/maxmillerphoto.jpg"></a> My featured guest is Max Miller, 13-year-old artist and author of Hello, My Name is Max and I Have Autism, and founder of the Blue Ribbon Arts Initiative. Max wrote his first book, Hello, My Name is Max and I Have Autism as a way of sharing what autism was like through his perspective. Non-verbal until the age of six, Max struggled with language and used art to express himself. By the age of 10, he learned how to read and write. At 12, he published his first book as he wanted to make a difference for other children, especially for those who could not speak. His intention is to help create compassion, awareness and understanding for children affected by autism. Max wanted to take his advocacy further and he created <a href="http://blueribbonartsinitiative.weebly.com/">Blue Ribbon Arts Initiative.</a> A portion of his royalties benefit his foundation. Max said, "Art saved him," and he wants to share the gift of art with other children. He is doing so by providing low-income children with Autism Spectrum Disorder "Art Start Kits" to help them get started with their creations and by hosting an art show to celebrate the work of kids on the autism spectrum. You can email Max via his mom at insightintotheautisticmind@gmail.com. Max, his mother and I discuss autism, art, his book and something that he shares in common with Walt Disney! His foundation's first art show, "Youth Artists on the Spectrum: A Celebration of Neurodiversity," which will run from April 2-25, 2015 on limited days and hours. Friday and Saturday from 1-4 and by appointment. Call 40 West Arts 303-275-3430 or Blue Ribbon 720-999-6130 to set an appointment time. <a href="http://specialmouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Hello-My-Name.jpg"></a> Max's book is available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hello-Name-Max-Have-Autism/dp/1496922980">Amazon</a> News: Disney has announced they will roll out Allergy-Friendly Menus to around 120 restaurants. The menus will be available at both counter service and table service locations throughout Walt Disney World and Disneyland parks and resorts and will include offerings at the Disney water parks and Downtown Disney restaurants as well. You can read more about it on the <a href="http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2015/04/16/news-disney-to-roll-out-allergy-friendly-menus-at-more-than-100-restaurants-in-disney-world-and-disneyland/">Disney Food Blog.</a> Mousekeeping: The Special Mouse Community will be having its first Disney Parks meet-up next month at Walt Disney World! We’re meeting at the Contemporary Resort’s Contempo Café on Friday, May 22 from 4 to 6 PM. Yes, this is the same day as the Disney Side 24-hour event at the Magic Kingdom! So, if you’ll be up before dawn to attend that event and you find yourself starting to drag just a little in the late afternoon, head on over to the Contemporary and hang out with us in the air-conditioning for a while. Hope to see you there! Many thanks to all of you who have pledged to support the publication of <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/522828044/walt-disney-world-with-autism-a-special-needs-guid">Walt Disney World with Autism: A Special Needs Guide</a> on Kickstarter! The campaign ends on May 7th. <a href="http://specialmouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Kick-Image-B.png"></a> ~ Kathy
