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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 …
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 …
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, …
Looking back at my son's diagnosis 12 years later… son or daughter needs you to be upright and breathing. Look for parents who have been there, done that. Whether it’s a support group or a friend of a friend, look for support. Better yet, look to an individual with autism. Who better to educate you about autism? Find your person. You will …
Meet Miles W.… showing signs of delays, my initial thoughts were of worry and fear. At the time, I wasn’t sure what I should be doing to support him, but I prayed a lot and asked the Lord to order my steps. I sought out speech and group speech therapies, as well as occupational therapy in school. Outside of school, I enrolled Miles in Tae Kwon Do, … be a greater focus on transition services for teens and young adults who have aged out of educational programs or community supports. Organizations like Autism Speaks need to continue to build relationships with companies to provide employment …
One family’s story of navigating their son’s Down syndrome/autism dual diagnosis … also made Jake eligible for additional services, such as the state autism waiver, which provides him with community supports. The diagnosis also helped family members and school- and community-based providers to better understand the reason … It was also through the organization that I learned about and subsequently joined the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group (DSMIG) DS-ASD committee, which provides expertise to healthcare professionals who work with individuals with Down …
Karl Wittig, a retired electronics engineer, reflects on his late diagnosis and career journey… spectrum disorder. His diagnosis gave him a deeper understanding of his differences and allowed him to find a tight-knit support group of other autistic adults. In this Q&A, Karl talks about his journey to an autism diagnosis and his three secrets to … I had finally nailed it. After my diagnosis, I became very engaged in the autistic communities. I started going to support meetings, which I’ve been going to and facilitating ever since. I’m part of an organization now called Aspies for …
Meet Erin M.… I read about their experiences, and they gave me the words to recognize what I was going through. What services and supports have you received since being diagnosed? How have they help you? Occupational therapy – helped with creating sensory diet and troubleshooting issues like finding clothes too itchy or coming up with creative coping skills. Group therapy – we work on social skills and communicating with other people, as well as things like goal setting and …
Assembling Your Team After a Diagnosis… It often takes a team of people to help support a person with autism. Your child’s team will consist of many different members. They will help you to address all … about your child’s treatment, education, recreation and health. Below is some helpful information on how to assemble this group of professionals. Medical team Your child should be supported by a pediatrician who understands developmental issues and who will serve as your child’s primary care provider. …
Meet Brandon W.… from the 2015 movie “Furious 7.” Brandon has made great strides since he was diagnosed with autism in 2018 through the support of his mom and big brother, L.J., 23, and the consistency of vital intervention services, including Applied Behavior … most parents, Kelli hopes her son can “live his life to the fullest knowing that no matter what, he’s loved.” With a sturdy support system around him and access to the crucial services he’s been receiving since he was diagnosed, Brandon is well on … like he should have been around age 2. I started to notice that he was very particular about little things. He would group things in order by shapes, colors and sizes - things most people wouldn’t even think about. He didn’t care much for …