The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

New York Times best-selling author Shonda Schilling is the mother of a child with Asperger’s Syndrome and wife of retired Boston Red Sox All-Star Curt Schilling. Her book, The Best Kind of Different describes the story of her son Grant’s struggle with Asperger’s Syndrome and the heartbreaking and ultimately blissful journey she and her husband took to understanding this often misunderstood syndrome. Shonda spends much time and energy speaking publicly about Asperger’s Syndrome and generating awareness for children with autism spectrum disorders. She works closely with the Asperger's Association of New England and the YouthCare organizations, and has been a comfort to other families with Asperger children, letting them know they are not alone. Shonda Schilling is also a cancer survivor. In 2002, Shonda created The Shade Foundation of America, an organization dedicated to eradicating melanoma through the education of children and the community in the prevention and detection of skin cancer and the promotion of sun safety. Shonda and her husband Curt also work with the ALS Association to help find a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Since 1992, they have donated and raised over $10 million dollars for the association.