Search
Autism Speaks to host policy discussions at Transition to Adulthood summit… NEW YORK -- Joined by an invited group of researchers, policy experts, family members, and self-advocates, Autism Speaks will host a Thought Leadership … to bring together the people who can help move our understanding and knowledge forward to make systemic improvements to support adolescents with autism,” said Arun Karpur, director of data science for Autism Speaks. “We need to hear from people … challenges, how to create research questions around those issues, and public policy solutions that can provide meaningful support during transition as well as adulthood.” Over 50,000 teens transition to adulthood each year, and that number is …
Research to Practice: Expanding Opportunities for Employment… to their specific needs,” said Bridget A. Taylor, PsyD, BCBA-D, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Alpine Learning Group . “As the adult autism population continues to grow, employment opportunities are critical to foster independence, … as potential employers. Assessments from the Alpine Learning Group The Alpine Learning Group of Paramus, N.J., with the support through a grant from NEXT for AUTISM from the proceeds of Comedy Central’s Night of Too Many Stars , developed two …
Social skills classes produce lasting benefits for adults with autism… or other caregivers received training on how to coach the participants outside of class. Conversation, humor and more The group classes focused on conversational skills, appropriate use of humor and electronic communication, identifying sources … in the study, the researchers propose. “Our study offers encouraging findings that, through an evidence-based, caregiver-supported intervention, adults with autism can improve in ways that may help them be more successful in these aspects of … exist for young adults on the spectrum. “It’s exciting to see a community-based treatment model using caregiver support to help improve social skills,” comments Kara Reagon, Autism Speaks associate director of dissemination science. …
Life Skills Programs… Vista Vocational Independent Living Programs for people with autism are postsecondary programs that offer services and supports to help individuals live and work successfully. Instruction needs to incorporate best practices identified for … technology should be utilized to enhance learning and function. Instruction may occur individually or in small or larger groups. Functional academics are taught to enhance independent living and vocational functioning. Education may also include … experiences in a variety of work settings, both paid and non-paid. Scaffolding techniques and job coaches or professional supports should be utilized to ensure proper transition in the work place. Individuals with autism learn the vocational …
Meet Greg and Julie Y.… Yawitz is one of the lucky ones, able to turn her passion for crafting into a career thanks to her parents’ unwavering support. Each morning she hops in the car with her mom, Julie, a former adolescent therapist and special events coordinator, to head over to their newly opened AR Workshop , a do-it-yourself craft studio that offers individual and group classes to create the latest on-trend designs on customizable decor accessories. Working alongside her mom also … with countless families through the years through the Autism Speaks Walk events, and they continue to fundraise and walk in support of “Kaitlyn’s Crew.” “The best part of being on the board is directly helping the people who need it the most. If …
My son with autism is overcoming his challenges, finding his strengths… Sandy Petrovic is a registered nurse, an author, a public speaker, an instructional advisor/tutor in a college academic support center, and the mother of a son on the spectrum. Click here for more about us and the book we co-authored from each … even consciously considered; the social rejection David experienced when he wanted nothing more than to be part of the teen group; the years that he was bullied and lonely; the panic attacks and near-depression that he endured as a result of … relish these challenges and are confident that David will master them in his own time and in his own way, with the help and support of family and mentors—much as he has handled every other hurdle in the past—and just like every other young adult …
Parents seek help for anxious teen … from Jeffrey Wood, PhD, a psychologist at the University of California, Los Angeles. Three Autism Speaks research grants support Dr. Wood’s work on adapting cognitive behavioral treatments for children and teens with autism. Editor’s note: The … therapy is a widely accepted psychological approach for breaking severe cycles of anxiety. Through extensive research, our group and others have shown that modified forms of cognitive-behavioral therapy can work particularly well with children and … you to work with the school system to evaluate your daughter’s needs and develop a comprehensive educational plan that supports her re-entry. What school placement, grade level and accommodations does she need? A qualified psychologist can …
Teamwork and time management: Lessons from Autism Speaks intern, Binh… involved data entry and analysis and database management, which I liked. I mostly worked for the Science and Services and Supports group. Much of my work was around the function of the Autism Speaks website. There are a lot of URLS and I could see how the …
Meet Helen P.… expressions often left her feeling like an outsider. But when her family moved to North Haven, Connecticut, she met a group of friends who encouraged her to embrace the unique traits that make her who she is. It was at that point when … was right! I hope one day my work can inspire others to chase their dreams too. How important has it been to have a strong support system of family and friends in your life? My family is very supportive of my dreams of becoming a wildlife photographer for National Geographic and whatever else I want to pursue. …
Youth with autism gain, keep jobs after employer-based skills program… and $10.66 an hour. A year after graduation, 87 percent of the participants still had their jobs. Meanwhile, a control group of young people with autism who did not take part in the job skills program saw only 6 percent employed three months … school (greater than 75 percent), receive a combination of nine months of immersion in a business setting internship, plus supports such as applied behavior analysis, that their chances for becoming competitively employed are much better than … encouraging.” The study, “ Effects of an employer-based intervention on employment outcomes for youth with significant support needs due to autism ,” was published in the April 1 edition of the journal Autism . Wehman, a professor in the …