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Meet Kim M. … seventeen months old, she felt alone, overwhelmed, and terrified. When the autism diagnosis came, she gave her son all the support she could to give him the best chance at an independent life. By the age of 6, Kim says, “his father and I knew … his own. Despite all his progress, he would need 24/7 supervision until the day he died.” She wanted to create a loving, supportive, safe forever home for her boy. “It has become the driving force of my life,” she says. Throughout the years within this community, she has made many friends with parents who also have profoundly autistic kids. Within this group, the idea for HomeLife21 was born. The friends' group came up with the idea to create their version of a group home …
Why a mother-daughter running duo teamed up for Autism Speaks… Christel, Iowa Wesleyan ’88, decided to check out different race options online. She saw that through Disney you can run in support of various charities, including Autism Speaks. Christel and her daughter Samantha, Iowa Wesleyan ’14, decided to … signed up for the races six months in advance and began training 16 weeks before the race. “Everyone has so many different groups and causes to support, so it was hard for me to ask people to give to another cause. Putting myself out there on social media and asking …
Finding Information on Autism-Related Genes … 15q duplication syndrome, copy number variation Pheland-McDermid syndrome and DiGeorge syndrome . A number of advocacy groups and organizations provide information, parent and child support, research funds and services for those affected by these specific genetic disorders. (See list below.) … aware of an organization that specifically addresses Xp22.31 deletions. There are, however, a few Yahoo and Facebook parent support groups for Xp22.31 deletions. The National Society for Genetic Counselors provides a platform for finding genetic …
Respite Care… services can be available to families through provider agencies with trained staff or through a more informal network of support. Find more helpful information about respite models as well as a respite locator from the National Respite Network … to families. The RAISE Family Caregivers Act , signed into law in January 2018, will create a national strategy for supporting caregivers. Respite options for family caregivers will be one piece of the considered strategy and solution. How … role in managing the specific behaviors of the individual with autism. How will the respite worker support the person in a group setting? You may want a worker to accompany your family member to a social group, or an afterschool program. The …
Study finds higher rates of gender diversity among autistic individuals… can improve their quality of life,” said Thomas W. Frazier, Ph.D., chief science officer at Autism Speaks. “By looking at groups of autistic people across several different types of data collected, this study gives us a more realistic idea of how … should focus on how to better meet their healthcare needs and what medical and mental health providers can do to best support their patients.” Read more about how parents can support autistic, gender-diverse youth in this Got Questions? article from Dr. Eric Butter, a clinician at the Division of …
Things to Look For in Your Child's Team… quite complex, so it is helpful to take a broad approach when evaluating concerns, and deciding how to provide appropriate support. In order to meet their various needs, many people with autism, especially those with challenging behaviors, need a … have you worked collaboratively in the past? “I have to say, we were lucky enough from the beginning to have assembled a group of fine people who had the very best intentions of helping my son Eli. But a few months into his preschool year, after … the provider’s experience by asking at his office, or by connecting with school or agency staff, other parents, or local support groups for suggestions and recommendations. What is your experience in working with individuals with autism? This …
Navigating Adult Services… Tool Kit was prepared by Autism Speaks Board Member Val Paradiz, PhD. Adults with autism are often eligible for services to support them in various aspects of their lives. Services vary from state to state, but most involve a team component … on services below is not exhaustive by any means, it provides some basic information to help you and the person you support begin to navigate programs and options. Applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) SSI is a Federal Social … with autism lives (his/her own private home, in the home of the individual’s parents or other family members, or in other group and residential home settings). In addition to services covered by medical assistance, the following additional …
Autism Speaks opens applications for Local Impact Grants… enhancing their lives today and accelerating a spectrum of solutions for tomorrow. Autism Speaks’ Local Impact Grants support a variety of programs, including: Education and training programs for autistic individuals Recreation, athletic and … services, including vocational training, life skills, residential services and others Assistance for sensory equipment and supportive technology Summer camp scholarships for financially disadvantaged people with autism Since 2013, Autism Speaks … therapists and peers. Timeline: April 15: Application opens May 16: Application closes May 23 – June 17: A group of independent evaluators from across the country reviews and scores applications June 27 – July 8: Review …
Autism Speaks national board member Dr. Tom Frazier appointed to federal autism committee… has been appointed as one of two new members of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee ( IACC ), an advisory group on federal autism activities. He will serve alongside other public stakeholders as well as federal committee members … IACC plays a critical role in deciding where our federal priorities should lie in funding autism services and research to support autistic people across the spectrum and of all ages,” said Dr. Frazier. “I look forward to working to ensure that …
Free Sensory Friendly Holiday Performance… for Allegro that plays off all the popular reality baking shows that we all know and love. Our Allegro Players drama group are the main characters that take us through the story while the dance performances support the story through song and movement! The sensory friendly showcase modifications will include: Lower sound level in …