Almost daily I speak to a parent about their childās future. Like any parent, they want to know that their child will be taken care of and happy. Every child with autism is unique and so are their needs now and in the future. I wish I had the answers, but I have to ask…
Employing Adults with Autism: You Can Help
The need for employment opportunities for adults with autism is significant; studies have shown that a majority of them are unemployed or underemployed. For individuals on the spectrum, employment not only fosters financial stability and promotes greater independence but also increases self-esteem and provides opportunities to improve social skills, grow a network of friends and…
Employment Just One Part of His Full Life
Chris Schildās job at Walgreens is just one part of his very full life. Chris, who is 25 now, was diagnosed with autism when he was about 8 years old. He has worked three days a week at Walgreens for more than a year. āHe loves it there and they love him,ā said his mother,…
Autism Awareness is for YOU, Autistic Person! Yes, You!
While autism awareness may appear to focus on teaching non-autistics about autism, it is also about us! The ones WITH the autism! It is very important for a non-autistic (a neurotypical) to treat another person with autism with patience and understanding. However, it is much more important for an autistic person to treat themselves with…
Setting Goals and Making Resolutions
How many times this week have you been asked whether youāve made any New Yearās resolutions? How many times in your life have you been asked about your plans for the future? How would you answer if you had a limited concept of time and limited organizational skills? What is a goal, anyway?! Individuals with…
Transitioning to Competent Adulthood with Dr. Peter Gerhardt
Dr. Peter Gerhardt, who has worked in the autism field for 37 years, shared some of his expertise with parents and professionals last week at a one-day conference in Raleigh. His presentation was titled āTransitioning to Competent Adulthood for Individuals with Autism: Implications from Preschool to High School and Beyond.ā Dr. Gerhardt is the Executive…
URGENT: Tell Senators Not to Cut or Cap Medicaid
Congress plans to hold hearings Monday on a health-care bill that makes massive cuts to Medicaid, which includes funds for Innovations waivers, EPSDT services, and many other health and disability services. Analysis of previous health-care bills estimated that billions of dollars would be cut from Medicaid and 32 million people would lose health coverage, resulting…
Planning for My Adult Childās Future
What does the future hold for my son? As a parent of an adult child with special needs, I have been asking myself the same question for the past 24 years. When my son was very young, I exhausted myself, my child, and all of my loved ones by going from one expert to another…