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The Autism Care Network works to expand access to autism diagnosis in Canada… becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with the need for autism assessment. We’re fortunate to work with a wonderful group of community pediatricians who are engaged with lots of autistic kids, so we saw an opportunity for them to take on an advanced practice role in autism diagnosis. We began to work on developing the optimal training approach to support this group and came up with a three-step educational process. We’ve done the training three times now and we’re … child communicates, expresses themselves and plays. We also shared information about community resources, how the different supports and services are funded, and how families navigate services. The second phase was mentored assessments in the …
Newly diagnosed adult with autism seeks therapy advice… adults with autism.  Finding adult autism programs in your community While we have few scientifically tested therapy and support programs for adults with autism, many clinicians, parents, community providers and adults with ASD are developing such programs in their communities. One place to look for therapy and support programs is in the Autism Speaks Resource Library for Adults . Another way to search for these programs is through … I recommend seeing a psychiatrist for a medical consultation and a psychologist or social worker for individual therapy or group counseling. Ideally you want someone experienced in helping adults who have autism. So ask for such expertise when you …
Should I pursue an autism diagnosis as an adult?… you to go through the effort of pursuing a diagnosis. However, you describe a number of important challenges that warrant support. You can get help for some of these issues without an autism diagnosis. For example, a psychologist may be able to … plan provides. In addition, many colleges have supportive programs and services for students with a diagnosis of autism. Support groups You may or may not need an autism diagnosis to join an adult support group or social skills training group in your …
Want to make a difference? An autism advocate shares her tips… the tide for countless Hispanic families. Autismo en mi Vida, her pioneering non-profit, is not just offering bilingual support; it's revolutionizing the way Spanish-speaking families perceive and tackle autism. And with the platform of the … insights for families eager to ignite change in their communities. Have questions? Contact our Autism Response Team for support in Spanish (1-888-772-9050, ayuda@autismspeaks.org ) and English (1-888-288-4762, help@autismspeaks.org ) You’ve … need? Eight years ago, I formed Autismo en mi Vida with four parents I met in my son’s therapy office. It was a very small group and we just wanted to find people that we could talk to—somebody who could understand what we were going through, and …
Meet Malachi… is now preparing to graduate high school this spring and take on the next phase of his life. With the help of a rock-solid support team of therapists and teachers, and his mom Nonnie, helping to navigate his autism journey, Malachi is thriving.   … potential – even if it meant battling discrimination and racism. “At first, Malachi did not have access to the services and support he needed. The biggest hurdle in the early years was insurance paying for occupational, physical and speech … was getting through to the public school district. To them, my son was just another child of color who would end up in a group home. “We eventually left that school district as soon as possible and ended up in a different area of the city, and …
Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder (DS-ASD)… lead to a better understanding of your child’s behavior and give you access to critical autism resources, interventions and support that have been shown to improve outcomes. A formal diagnosis could: A formal diagnosis can legitimize a family’s concerns about their loved one’s development and open the door to greater community and support. Help parents and family members better understand, support and guide their loved one Explain why your loved one is … 2nd Edition, 2024  (Froehlke and Sattel) Professionals Recommendations to Providers Handout Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group USA (DSMIG-USA) Association of University Centers on Disabilities   AAP Guidelines National List of Down Syndrome …
Meet Lindsey W. … helped you since being diagnosed?   Some of the resources that helped me include speech therapy, occupational therapy, play group therapy, behavioral therapy and friendship group.   When facing new challenges and life changes, how do you cope with the anxieties that can come along with that?     … include listening to music to help me relax, doing what I enjoy such as video editing, utilizing my fidgets, relying on my support system, and staying focused on positive thoughts.   What is your connection to Autism Speaks and how has the …
Autism and ‘optimal outcomes’… to rethink what we mean by “optimal outcomes” For years, we’ve been using this term to describe a relatively small group of people with autism who, with therapy and support, experience such a marked decrease in autism symptoms that they no longer meet the criteria we use to diagnose the … re-defining “optimal outcome” as the best possible outcome based on each child’s personal characteristics and available supports . We find this as a much more suitable concept for developing autism services and setting goals for each child, …
My story of being diagnosed with autism late… very clear to me. Even though I liked to socialize and had some friends, I started to feel isolated when kids began to form groups and I got left out. So I decided that I wasn’t going to let that happen again in high school (age 12), and started … weirdo, I actually belonged to a group of people that were just different. It gave me clarity, belonging, peace of mind and support. Obviously I had my times while struggling with the question of what Asperger’s meant to me, and if it defined me, especially when I decided to work fulltime as a model. Would I really be able to travel the world, without my support system at home and without any sense of stability? But I know now that even with a disorder, you’re able to learn, …
Meet Rebekah F.… looking for new ways to bring the best out of her students. She tailors lesson plans to highlight their strengths and support their weaknesses and pulls from personal experiences that have provided her with the type of insight many teachers … advice from books and informational packets from the pediatrician, Rebekah’s parents would eventually help her obtain the support she needed to get on track to reaching her full potential, but it was a long, winding journey filled with many ups … me realize at 20 years old that I could do better too. I watched Star Trek every night and later came to join a Star Trek group where I found people that I was able to talk to and get better at my social skills. Because it took me so long to be …