SPECTRUM CONNECTION

By Toni Lapp
When classes ended at Penn Valley Community College in May, the school laid to rest its ABLE program, another victim of the sour economy, The Kansas City Star reported.

ABLE, an acronym for Academic Bridges for Learning Effectiveness, helps students with learning disabilities — many of whom are on the autism spectrum — navigate the transition to college life. It was founded at Longview Community College and had been in place for 10 years at Penn Valley.
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By Jeanne Holverstott, M.S.

Question: It seems like summer can be full of pitfalls for my son with Asperger’s — the structure has gone away, and he’s no longer in contact with classmates. He is content to play on the computer all day, but seems to get moody more easily. Should we treat summer vacation as a long break from school-year stress, or what?  

Answer: Summer vacation presents a contradiction: Children with autism spectrum disorders thrive on structure, routine, consistency. Summer vacation throws these principles of ASD parenting and behavior management in flux.
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JUNE 1. Jeri Kendle, Interim President/COO, Vocational, Academy Director of the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center will present workshop sponsored by Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training. From 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at KU Edwards Campus, 12600 Quivira, Overland Park, Kan. Cost, $60. Click here for registration information.