Posted in Adult Day Programs for Special Needs, Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Dual Diagnosis Down syndrome and autism

Autism Awareness Month: Final Thoughts

Autism Awareness Month: Final Thoughts

autism awareness 2016

April is Autism Awareness Month, and I’ve written all month how awareness is not enough. Individuals with autism and their families need understanding, acceptance and inclusion in society. Individuals on the autism spectrum (ASD) need various levels of support to become as independent as possible. This type of support can’t be provided without funding.

Here’s a sobering fact- “In the documentary, Autism: Coming of age it is reported that in the next 10 to 15 years, an estimated 800,000 children with autism will age out of the school system and transition into adulthood. Then, they will look to ill-prepared state and federal governments for the support services and resources to meet their many needs — a situation autism experts refer to as the “coming tsunami.

tsunami

Slapping an autism awareness ribbon on a car, isn’t enough anymore. Individuals with autism need various levels of support, and a person centered planning (PCP) to prepare for adult life.

person centered planning

“Wikipedia defines person-centered planning (PCP) as a set of approaches designed to assist an individual to plan their life and supports. It is most often used for life planning with people with learning and developmental disabilities, though recently it has been advocated as a method of planning personalized support with many other sections of society who find themselves disempowered by traditional methods of service delivery, including children, people with physical disabilities, people with mental health issues and older people. PCP is accepted as evidence based practice in many countries throughout the world.”

Person Centered Planning (PCP) is individualized. It can help identify opportunities for employment, community participation/enrichment activities and living arrangements for adult life.  PCP can be done with the school IEP team, to prepare the student for a bright future based on their strengths and needs.

Autism is not going anywhere, the wave is coming in hard. There is a staggering amount of families on waiting lists for state funding who are aging out of the school system. My son Nick is 25 years old and has a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism (DS-ASD). He required a high level of support. Currently, Nick attends an adult developmental training program that is covered by funds through a state waiver. All across the country thousands of families are on long waiting lists, to seek such funds to support their child with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. The conversation to advocate for individuals with autism must continue well past April before that tsunami wave hits the shore!

That’s what is in my noggin this week.

~Teresa

Follow Nick on Social Media:
Facebook and Pinterest @Down Syndrome With A Slice Of Autism Check 4/27 Facebook post to watch the documentary, Autism: Coming of Age
Instagram @nickdsautism
Twitter @tjunnerstall

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Dual Diagnosis Down syndrome and autism

100 Facts About Autism

100 Facts About Autism

autism did you know

April is Autism Awareness Month, but it’s much more than promoting awareness. Individuals with autism, their caregivers, and advocates want to encourage better understanding, inclusion and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Here is a quick and easy read of 100 facts about autism, that you can finish in less than 10 minutes:

https://nickspecialneeds.com/2018/04/23/blog-203-100-facts-about-autism/

When we have a better understanding about autism, we can help to promote acceptance and inclusion for individuals with ASD. Much can be gained in our society when we begin to accept people for who they are, and understand and embrace their differences.

That’s what is in my noggin this week.

~Teresa 🙂

Follow my son Nick (dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism, DS-ASD):

Facebook and Pinterest @Down Syndrome With A Slice Of Autism
Instagram #nickdsautism
Twitter @tjunnerstall

 

Posted in Autism, Autism Safety and Wandering, Dual Diagnosis Down syndrome and autism

Wandering and Autism: 7 Prevention Strategies

 Wandering and Autism: 7 Prevention Strategies

April is National Autism Awareness Month.  According to the National Autism Association, “Nearly half of children with autism engage in wandering behavior. Wandering occurs across all settings, under every type of adult supervision”.

Eloping picture and definition

There are safety precautions and prevention strategies families can put in place to secure a child that may run, bolt or wander.  I’ve had a few scares with my son over the years.  My son Nick is 25 years old and has a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism (DS-ASD). Nick has no concept of the danger, and he can be fast; so we are always on high alert both at home and in the community.

A few years back, I wrote a blog addressing elopement which includes 7 prevention strategies. Here is our story of a scary day when Nick went missing, and what we’ve put in place to avoid wandering since then.

Click to read 7 Prevention Strategies for Wandering and Autism: https://nickspecialneeds.com/2013/07/01/blog-60wandering-and-autism/

Wandering and autism

Wandering is a real risk for individuals with autism and other special needs. Putting a plan with prevention strategies in place at home, school and in the community can reduce the risk of your child to elope and provide security for you as a family.  That’s what is in my noggin this week.

~Teresa 🙂

Follow Nick:

Facebook and Pinterest @Down Syndrome With a Slice Of Autism

Instagram #nickdsautism

Twitter @tjunnerstall

 

Posted in Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Dual Diagnosis Down syndrome and autism

Autism Awareness Month,5 Ways You Can Help

Autism Awareness Month, 5 Ways You Can Help

autism awareness 2016

April is Autism Awareness Month, but it’s much more than promoting awareness.  Individuals with autism, their caregivers, and advocates want to encourage better understanding, inclusion and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Here are 5 easy ways you can help promote awareness, understanding, inclusion and acceptance for individuals with autism:

https://nickspecialneeds.com/tag/autism-5-ways-you-can-help/

Each of us can do our part to help individuals with autism feel more welcomed in their communities. Much can be gained in our society, when we begin to accept people for who they are, and understand and embrace their differences.

That’s what is in my noggin this week. 🙂

~Teresa

Follow my son Nick (dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism,DS-ASD):

Facebook and Pinterest @Down Syndrome With A Slice Of Autism

Instagram #nickdsautism

Twitter @tjunnerstall

 

 

Posted in Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Dual Diagnosis Down syndrome and autism

World Autism Day-April 2nd

World Autism Day- April 2nd

World-Autism-Awareness-Day_ss_323229098

On April 2nd, World Autism Awareness Day, we celebrate and recognize individuals on the autism spectrum, and promote fundraising and researching initiatives. In addition, this day is about promoting awareness and inclusivity for people with autism across the globe.

April is National Autism Awareness Month to promote autism awareness, understanding, acceptance and inclusion, drawing attention to the tens of thousands facing an autism diagnosis each year.

Click here to read more about World Autism Awareness Day and National Autism Awareness Month: 

https://nickspecialneeds.com/2018/04/02/world-autism-awareness-day/

World Autism Awareness Day and National Autism Awareness Month is a great time to advocate for understanding, acceptance and inclusion, it’s essential to advocate for children, and adults, with autism year-round.

That’s what is in my noggin this week.

~Teresa 🙂

Follow my son Nick (DS-ASD):

Facebook and Pinterest @Down Syndrome With A Slice Of Autism

Instagram #nickdsautism

Twitter @tjunnerstall