What Happens When AI "Reads" a Human Story? Unpacking "Giaci and Me"
What happens when AI reads a memoir? Unpack Rita Miceli's "Giaci and Me," a powerful autism memoir, & discover deeper themes of family & acceptance revealed by digital analysis. Explore the human heart of "Giaci and Me," Rita Miceli's autism story, through a unique AI lens. Uncovering deep themes of family, love, & acceptance. Take a listen.
Rita's Interview on Lynn McLaughlin’s "Taking the Helm"
Join Rita Miceli as she shares her personal journey raising her autistic son Giaci, from early concerns and delayed diagnoses to embracing unexpected joys and community. Discover how a viral TikTok sparked a supportive community of over 600,000 followers, inspired her award-winning memoir, and opened vital conversations about autism awareness, early intervention, ABA therapy, and groundbreaking research.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Indigo and All Who Came!
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Indigo and everyone who attended last Saturday’s book signing for 'Giaci and Me.' Your support, sharing of personal stories, and genuine connections made this event truly unforgettable.
A Heartfelt Recognition of Service: Rita Miceli Receives the Gerry Bloombeld Volunteer Award
Rita Miceli, a dedicated volunteer, has been honoured with the prestigious Gerry Bloombeld Volunteer Award from Autism Ontario. Her unwavering commitment to supporting autistic individuals and their families has made a significant impact on the community. Learn more about Rita's inspiring journey and the important work she does.
Come Into My World
From the outside, Rita Miceli’s book Giaci and Me looks like an overnight success; but when you peer behind the scenes, you’ll see that this local mother and educator has spent decades with this story in draft. …
Celebrating a Milestone: Our Book Wins Gold at the Nonfiction Book Awards
We are thrilled to announce that our book has been honoured with a Gold award at the prestigious Nonfiction Book Awards! This recognition is not just a testament to the hard work and dedication that went into creating this book, but also a confirmation of the impact it has had on its readers.
Challenges of Raising a Child with Autism
In "Giaci and Me," Rita Miceli shares the peaks and valleys of her family's journey raising and supporting their son and brother Giaci, who was diagnosed as autistic at the age of two. As a mother, Miceli worked hard to teach her son many skills while as an educator for over 31 years, she's advocated to bring awareness to autism. Her memoir won the Best New Canadian Manuscript award and it is about finding joy, acceptance, and love in the challenges of her perfect, imperfect life. This story tells parents, friends and professionals that they are not alone and that autism can be worked with.
Insights and Inspirations: Rita Miceli on “The Commentary”
Recently, Rita Miceli graced the airwaves on “TheCommentary.ca,” sharing her poignant journey detailed in her book, "Giaci and Me." The interview offers a deep dive into the challenges and triumphs of raising an autistic child and how these experiences shaped her and her family's life.
An Italian-Style Field Trip
An excerpt from Giaci and Me: A Mother’s Journey of Loving and Raising an Autistic Child. —— After our hilarious Sunday service, we arrived home just as the phone rang. It was Mom calling to tell me about a religious retreat organized by the Italian church. “There is a religious retreat, and I’d like you and Giaci to come,” Mom said in Italian. She wanted me to bring Giaci because she felt that a special blessing would help him recover from his delays.
A Beacon of Hope and Education on "Face to Face TV"
Rita Miceli, an ardent autism advocate, educator, and the author behind "Giaci and Me," recently graced the set of "Face to Face TV". Her engagement with organizations such as GIACI Canada Autism Services Inc. and Autism Ontario demonstrates her deep commitment to supporting individuals and families affected by autism in Windsor & Essex County.
A Riveting Radio Journey: "Giaci and Me" on CBC's Afternoon Drive with Matt Allen
Afternoon Drive reconnects people to their communities during that transition time of day. Hear the latest news and weather as well as the stories and music of southwestern Ontario. Rita had the opportunity to have an enlightening discussion on CBC Radio’s "Afternoon Drive" hosted by Matt Allen, where he featured "Giaci and Me," a profound narrative detailing a mother’s journey with an autistic son.
'We Have Learned So Much From Him': Mother Pens Open Book About Experience With Autism
Rita Miceli is opening up about her life as a mother, raising a child with autism. The Windsor, Ont. mom first started journaling her experiences 25 years ago. “To track Giaci's progress and see where he was at and how things were going and then I just started writing how it felt as a mother, what the experience was like,” she said. Miceli stopped journaling about five years ago. Then Giaci’s sisters got on TikTok in 2020 and his account took off. “I had mothers from all over the world reaching out,” Miceli said. “Parents that were like, ‘OK Rita you know it's nice, we're just starting the journey. It's nice for us to see what an adult lives like.’”
The Dan MacDonald Show - Sound Bites
The Dan MacDonald Show is a call-in talk show that gives you a chance to give your opinion on local, national and international news happenings or get advice on a lifestyle or personal situation. Guest: Rita Miceli, author, Giaci and Me: A Mother's Journey of Loving and Raising an Autistic Child
Advocates call for change following assault on teen with autism
In the wake of a group assault on an autistic teen at a bus stop in Windsor, advocates say work needs to be done to prevent incidents like this from happening.
Rita Miceli, an educator with St. Clair College's autism and behavioural science program, said she was heartbroken to learn of the incident.
Unlocking Potential: Creating Inclusive Workplace Opportunities for Autistic Individuals
More and more companies are recognizing the value of neurodiversity in the workplace and actively seeking autistic adults to join their teams. Society needs to recognize the value and capabilities of autistic adults and provide them with the same opportunities as everyone else. A neurodivergent may need certain accommodations to succeed, such as a quiet workspace, clear instructions, and understanding from coworkers. Everyone deserves the chance to pursue their passions and achieve their goals, regardless of the neurotype. The possibilities are endless when given the opportunity.
Temple Grandin: A Unique Mind Shaping a More Compassionate World
In a world where diversity is increasingly celebrated, few stand out as profoundly as Dr. Temple Grandin, a trailblazer in both the autism community and animal science. Her journey, eloquently depicted in her TED Talk, "The world needs all kinds of minds" (watch here), and in the critically acclaimed film about her life, exemplifies how distinct perspectives can reshape our understanding of both human and animal minds.
Embark on a Transformative Journey with 'Giaci and Me'
GIACI Canada is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of 'Giaci and Me: A Mother's Journey of Loving and Raising an Autistic Child' by Rita Miceli, available on March 27, 2024. This inspiring memoir is now available for pre-order at Giaciandme.com.
Publishing Announcement & Cover Reveal for Rita Miceli’s “Giaci and Me”
We are honoured to be publishing Rita’s family story. Rita’s writing doesn’t shy away from the challenges and offers a supportive hand to any parents on the lifelong journey of raising a neurodivergent child.
— Genevieve Loughlin, Publisher, Pownal Street Press
A Call to Action
EVERY AUTISTIC CHILD IS DIFFERENT, and every autistic adult is different. There are no two cases the same, so their needs must be addressed individually with consultation from their loved ones. I know this firsthand because I am the mother of an autistic adult son.
The Miceli Family Raise Autism Awareness Through TikTok
One Windsor family is using social media to share their love with the world.
The Miceli’s are an exceptionally close family of six. There are the parents, John and Rita, the eldest Lauren, there’s Giaci and then the twins, Carolina and Maria.
Although, as Carolina points out, Giaci is clearly the star of the show.
“Our parents have helped us embody how Giaci is the centre of our family and our universe,” Carolina states. “We’ve always known, ever since we were little, that we had to protect and take care of him alongside our parents. That really helped us develop that close relationship that you see in our TikTok account.”