June 1, 2012

Recently, I have been researching different programs available for teens and adults diagnosed with ASD. As I was continuing my search, I came across a news article from CBS news in New Jersey. What caught my eye was the title of the article, "One in three adults with autism lack professional experience, worrying professionals." The study goes on to talk about how one in three people diagnosed with Autism has had no paid job experience, college or technical schooling nearly seven years after high school graduation. With Autism being diagnosed at a higher rate, we need to keep in mind all of these young adults and adults entering into the working force. I have blogged before about different programs available in different states for teens and adults after they graduate. The programs provide these young adults with the skills needed to find jobs and provide them with basic living skills. Although there are quite a few of these programs, we need more, especially with the growing population of children diagnosed with ASD.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57433744-10391704/one-in-three-adults-with-autism-lack-professional-experience-worrying-experts/

June 1, 2012

I began to research different children's programs available for children diagnosed with Autism. As I was looking through the websites I found one called www.autism-programs.com. The website provides professionals and adults the opportunity for special training for working with children diagnosed with Autism. Professionals and adults can travel to The Netherlands and Florida to attend seminars and training programs. The programs provide the attendees with effective techniques for treating children with autism and teach them how to facilitate positive, nurturing relationships between children and the adults in their lives. The program further educates the attendees how to alter their teaching styles to be more playful and interactive, which is more appropriate and effective.

http://www.autism-programs.com/programs.htm

March 31, 2012

After researching different adult programs for adults with Autism, I decided to research high school programs that are available to teenagers with Autism. I found an article that talks about a high school, Vernon Hills High School, that provides it's students with helping teenagers with Autism make connections.The program was created to help the students positively interact socially and be better prepared for life after graduation. The program also works with students to help develop stress management techniques and learn more effective time management. The students learn by role playing which helps to expand on their students social awareness.
I believe programs like these are a great way to help work with teens diagnosed with Autism develop the necessary skills. The programs provide teens with Autism the skills to be successful in life after high school.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/ct-x-teen-autism-program-20120516,0,6879053.story

May 25, 2012

As I continued look up different websites about adults with autism, I found another article that caught my eye and was very interesting to read. Although I do not have children, I know that parents at one point in their lives wonder, what is going to happen to their child if something happen to them? While reading this article, a mom express those feelings about her 16 year old son who has severe autism and has always needed someone to help him navigate through the adult world. I began to wonder, what does happen to the young adults, or even older adults, who have been diagnosed with Autism and require assistance to live their daily lives? Does the state find a living relative willing to help them or does the state find a group home that would be suitable for the young adult? The article discusses how 1 in 110 people have autism and how we need funding and more research to find out these answers before it's too late. The article references a book that families could look into for further assistance to read about what other families may have done in the past. It's important that we start looking for answers and finding the funding so that when these teenagers do enter the adult world, they are ready to be a key member of society.

May 24, 2012

As I was reviewing over my past blogs, I realized there was one question I had that I did not answer. My question was, what happens to children who are diagnosed with autism and thrown into the adult world? I know that I have discussed different group homes that are available and how some states offer programs but, I began to wonder what happens to adults with Autism? I found this article in the New York Times, and was immediately drawn to what it had to say. The writer made the statement, "with some 200,000 autistic teenagers set to come of age in the United States over the next five years alone, little is known about their ability to participate fully in public life, or what it would take to accommodate them." The writer talks about a boy, Justin, who is trying to find his place in the adult world. The family shares interview experiences and how his teacher from school accompanied him to the interviews. Because of his habits, it was hard for Justin to find a job; a job that understood Justin and what he was capable of.  As stated before, there is around 200,000 autistic teenagers coming of age, are all of them going to benefit from having a teacher help them to find jobs, or help them through the interview process? I wonder what families do while preparing for this time in their child's life.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/us/autistic-and-seeking-a-place-in-an-adult-world.html

May 20, 2012

As I continued to read through different websites about programs for young adults with Autism, I found one called Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism. As I was reading through the headlines provided in the website, I ran across one that caught my attention. It stated, "The U.S. Department of Labor has made available approximately $20 million in grants to fund cooperative agreements that will improve the educational, training and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities." I found this headline to be exciting and promising. There are so many young adults diagnosed with Autism that graduate from high school, and they themselves and their families don't know what the next step is. And, even if they know the next step, they don't have the funding and, some of the programs don't have the funding, needed to provide their child with whatever he or she needs. The grants are said to be split into ten different grants with funds ranging from $1.5 to $6 million, and will be spent over a 3 year period. Through these generous grants, I hope to see the different recipients use the funds in a wise and positive manner. I would like to see the programs use the money to hire on more employees, therefore, they will be able to take more young adults diagnosed with Autism into their programs.

May 19, 2012

I began to further explore the different programs that states offer young adults diagnosed with Autism and what those programs can provide for that specific person. One program I found is called Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program; it's located in Texas. The program offers services to those students who meet the requirements and, who are graduating high school, an opportunity to receive transition planning services. Throughout the planning period, the students are prepared to move from receiving special education services to receiving vocational services. The program then helps to minimize any delays in the transition from school to employment or independence.

I find these programs intriguing, and I'm constantly wondering what else the school can provide for these children and young adults. I have an Aunt, who has a developmental delay. I know that one of her goals, according to my Grandma, was for her to be able to live independently. After she graduated high school and lived at home for a few years, working at the local restaurant, she moved into a group home. In that group home she lived with two other girls who were diagnosed with similar disabilities. These girls cooked for each other and split the rent and the bills. It was nice to see my Aunt be given the opportunity to live independently and see the skills that she was taught, not only at home but, at school be put into use.


http://www.dads.state.tx.us/tarrc/services/overviewofservicesforchildren.pdf

May 16, 2012

As I was exploring different websites that focused on the Autistic Spectrum, I came across a news video that was recorded back in February 2009. The news report talked about a program called, Devereux's Community Adult Autism Partnership Program, or CAAPP, in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The program provides job training along with independent living techniques for adults diagnosed with mild to moderate Autism. They brought up an interesting point, what happens to the young children diagnosed with ASD after they graduate high school. The educational services taper off as they get closer to graduation, what is the family supposed to do then? This news video provided families with answers. They provide adults diagnosed with ASD, who have completed their core education, with the proper training they need to live independently and work. "Betsy Swope, the program director, said CAAPP serves adults with mild to moderate autism. Depending on their potential, the students are taught everything from social skills at home and work, to making doctors appointments, to riding the bus." According to Swope, "A lot of the people on our program have the ability and the capability to do these skills, they just need extra help and intensive teaching to learn them." As an early childhood educator, I was always thinking about the child as a child, not thinking about what was going to happen when the child grew into an adult. I believe that the CAAPP program is a great idea, and I believe that if the funding is there, more of these programs should be developed. These programs are providing young adults diagnosed with ASD and their families hope for a more fulfilling life. They will be able to work and function in society more independently, therefore, giving the young adult a sense of pride. Throughout the next week, I would like to further look up more information on different adult programs provided for adults diagnosed with ASD and have left the public school education system.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/health&id=6668343

May 14, 2012

Today I chose to explore the autismspeaks.org website. The website provides the readers with a great amount information on the autism spectrum from defining it to events and even research. While exploring the site, I find the side link that talked about different family services. When I clicked on it, I expected links to other informational websites. After looking through it, the websites are different resources that guide you to information, different conferences, testimonials of families, and activities that can be done with your child. The one resource I found really interesting on the website was the Autism Apps. Autism Apps provided different applications that can be downloaded onto an Apple I-Pad. Children on the spectrum tend to do very well with technology, by providing these apps for the children diagnosed on the Autism spectrum and their families, they can work together to complete the work and build a stronger relationship. The website offers families with the extra help and support they may need as they work with their child. The site is full of more links that can be used to further research on a topic.

http://www.autismspeaks.org/

 

May 6, 2012

Dealing with Austim Spectrum Disorder can be difficult, not only for the parents but, for the sibling of children with ASD. As I was further researching different conventions that family's could attend, I started thinking, what if a family doesn't have the time to physically attend a convention? Is there another way families could still get this useful information? I started thinking about websites that are available, therefore, if a family was unable to attend they could use the internet and different sites to research ASD. I found a website that is available to families, or anyone interested in further understanding ASD. The website provides the viewers the chance to read about Autism, read about what it's like living with Autism, how to get involved, news on ASD, and families are able to share their personal stories with the viewers. I really like the idea of families being able to share their stories, it allows for other viewers who may be experiencing the same thing an opportunity to see how that family dealt with the situation. I also liked that the website provided the viewers with a blog. The blog discusses different topics that arise when dealing with children and/or adults who have been diagnosed with ASD. I believe the website is a very useful website, and I would recommend it to anyone who feels they need help dealing with ASD.

The website is: http://www.autism-society.org/living-with-autism/treatment-options/approaches-to-communication.html

May 5, 2012

As I thought further about the subject, I decided I wanted to know more about conventions and services in the Greater Cincinnati Area. Therefore, I would be able to pass on the information I have researched to future families I may encounter. I found one local organizing that was started here in Anderson Township, where I currently live. The organizing was founded by a single family, whose son at the age of four, was diagnosed with ASD. The organization was named Families with ASD, and was founded in 2005; seven families attended the meeting. That same year but, nine months later, the membership had grown to over fifty families. Since then, Families with ASD, has hosted their first Autism Expo. "Over 2,200 people attended their first Autism Expo which was held at the Anderson Hills United Methodist Church on Beechmont Ave, in Cincinnati, OH." Families with ASD has since grown to over 16,000 members and they have opened the "first in the Greater Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky area, Autism Family Reseurce Center which serves as a point of entry to families new and old to the Autism Diagnoses." The center is located in Milford and currently serves over five hundred families. I found this website and organization to be very useful and intriguing for families who may be facing the same situation as the Smith family. They provided information and serves to help families, just as they needed when their son was experiencing medical problems. The organization provides families who are facing the same thing, a chance to meet and talk about the diagnoses. They try to better understand ASD and work together to help their children be successful, not only in school but life after school.


http://www.familieswithasd.org/

April 25, 2012

I found the comments from my previous post to be helpful in finding more places that families of children with disabilities can go to for help. I believe that literature is always a great way to research and find out more information on any topic. Although literature may not always give you the answer, you can always refer to other books; therefore, coming up with your own comments and conclusion on the topic. I actually just finished reading the book Jamie: A Literacy Story for a class assignment. I found the book to be very powerful, and would recommend it not only to families of children with disabilities but, to future teachers who may come into a situation that they may not be familiar with. I also looked up the Kelly O’Leary Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. I had absolutely no idea that such a prestigious, elite place was located here in our city of Cincinnati. They provide different services for families and provide opportunities for parents and children to learn how to deal with and adjust to their child’s disability. The center provides an opportunity for families to get some answers and a better understanding of what Autism Spectrum Disorder is. My goal over the weekend is to further research more conventions or groups that families can attend in order to get a better understanding of their child’s disability. I believe that one of the first steps to helping your child is to understand your child. I want to be able to help any family I come in contact with, in the future, find the help they need.  

Kelly O'Leary Center: http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/k/autism/about/ 

Jamie: A Literacy Story:  http://www.amazon.com/Jamie-Diane-Parker/dp/157110058X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335377979&sr=8-1  

April 24, 2012

I decided to look up the book, A Slant Sun by Beth Kephart, to learn a little more about the book and the information it has to offer. The book sounded very interesting and a great book for parents to refer to when they find out they have  a child with special needs. Although the child is not diagnosed with Autism, he does shoe Autistic characteristics along with many other characteristics. At one point during the synopsis, Beth Kephart states "What, in the end, are you fighting for: Normal?" Kephart asks. "Is normal possible? Can it be defined? . . . And is normal superior to what the child inherently is, to what he aspires to, fights to become, every second of his day?" I really found this quote to be very moving. It's true, everyday we fight for our children to stand out from the norm, we want them to be successful in their own ways yet, when a parents child is diagnosed with a disability they try so hard for that child to be normal. We need to embrace our children, know matter what disability or personality they may have. I've worked a lot with children diagnosed with Autism and their family's, it is hard. I know the family's work hard for that child to get the disability services they deserve, and the right amount of attention they deserve. But, I love seeing the family's allow that child to be who they are. This book seems to be about the parents of a two year old boy, who in the end realize, they don't want Jeremy to be normal, they want Jeremy to be Jeremy. That's why I ask myself the questions, are there books for parents to refer to or conferences they can attend, so that they too can learn how to help their child but, then allow that child to be who they are, not what society expects as "normal."

http://www.amazon.com/A-Slant-Sun-Beth-Kephart/dp/0393340988/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335271179&sr=1-1

April 18, 2012

As I was further researching my topic, I came across a website that discussed my questions in more detail. The website is based off of a book called, Raising Autistic Children by Colleen Moore. Colleen Moore wrote this book based off of her personal experience, her son is profoundly autistic. In the website and in her book, Colleen discuss the different emotions families go through, getting your child to the right school, the correct treatments for children with autism, and different ways to find community resources, self help teams, and support groups.

http://www.autisminkids.org/autism-help/what-to-do-if-your-child-is-diagnosed-with-autism/

While reading further into the website, I read a few interesting facts. Most parents  have a hard time accepting their child has a disability, this is what causes most families to split and divorce. I understand that it happens but, it's hard to hear that a family couldn't stay together all because of a child with special needs. That child needs both parents more than anything, especially the day they find out something isn't typical yet, families tend to separate at the sight of this concern. Parents need to fight for their child's education. As a parent, you should become educated, therefore, ensuring your child gets the attention he/she deserves. Another topic I found interesting was when Colleen Moore stated that you have to help your child, as they grow they need to grow age appropriately. As your child grows, do you still want to be changing their clothes or zipping up their jackets? The answer would be no. Another question I thought about was, are there any local conferences or books similar to Colleen Moore's, that teaches parents how to work with their children so that as they grow, they grow they are age appropriate.

April 9, 2012

Throughout this quarter, I would like to get a better understanding on what parent does when they find out their child has autism? I have worked with children on the autistic spectrum but, an individualized education plan has already been placed into affect. When a parent finds out their child is autistic, are there classes they are suggested to take? Or, do they have to do all of the research on their own in order to make sure their child is treated fairly?

After some research I found this website that helps ease the parents as they are finding out their child has a disability. They explain that they need to take it one day at a time and to consult the pediatrician or psychologist for any concerning questions. They also make a point to say, "Get educated. When looking at this new problem, what’s scary about it is the unknown. Once you understand the problem better and you have a plan on how to help your child, the problem won’t seem so scary; it will no longer be unknown.”

http://www.naddc.org/finding-out-your-child-is-disabled.htm

While further reading through the website I found an interesting story about a seven year old boy named Kaleb. His behavior was hard to deal with but, his mom adopted a service dog (a Labrador retriever). Instantly, Kaleb's behavior changed. The dog helped so much that Kaleb's mom took the school to court, fighting for Kaleb to be allowed his service dog at school. She won, and now Kaleb takes the dog to school with him every day. I find it interesting to read about what techniques work for certain children. I wouldn't have thought a service dog would have been able to provide the help Kaleb needed but this story has proved me wrong.