If you’re traveling with an individual with autism, here are some tips from the experts to make the trip more enjoyable for all concerned.
Plan in advance. Call ahead and inform the airline, hotel, resort and cruise line of the individual’s situation and inquire what special accommodations – fridge, inside room – are available.
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By Jeanne Holverstott, A.S.
Last year, a parent asked me to watch The Dog Whisperer and shared how Cesar Milan’s behavioral strategies for canine lovers could be applied to instilling confidence in children with ASDs. Initially, I wondered how “sit” and “stay” related to creating confidence in my clients, who are prone to debilitating anxiety. As it turns out, nothing. But, the role of dog owner is not so far removed from a confident kid who holds his head high as he walks into school.
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Click here to download a brochure for this summer camp developed to teach empowerment skills to children 10- to 14-years-old.
By Toni Lapp
Although a Kansas state senator has told the Topeka Capital-Journal that the future of an autism bill being considered by her committee is “looking cloudier and cloudier,” autism advocates remain steadfast in their support for legislation to mandate health insurance coverage for autism therapy.
Kansas law requires any new mandated health insurance coverage apply only to the state health care benefits program before a mandate can be approved by the legislature for the general population. Kate’s Law (SB 12/HB 2367), backed by the Kansas Coalition for Autism Legislation, was written to be exempt from this statute, which some lawmakers are opposed to.
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By Kate Duffy
A while back, Toni, the SpectrumConnection editor, asked me to write about how far parents should go to help their teens on the spectrum land a job. Since then, several of our Hot Topics parents have shared their kids’ job search stories with me, and I realized there was no easy answer to her question. For the most part, though, their stories revolved around the kids’ inability to accurately read situations, to remember instructions and to multitask to make a deadline. Looking at that list, it sounds like business as usual on the job for most of us — which is why it is so very important that our kids start learning about the world of work as soon as they can.
That’s why the short answer to Toni’s question is this: do what you need to do.
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Fourth graders from Ridgeview Elementary School in Liberty take the stage in "No Such Thing As Normal," Monday night at the Liberty Community Center.
| April 11, 2010 |
APRIL 10-11. Lisa Lieberman, MSW, LCSW, Temple Grandin, Ph.D., and Valerie Paradiz, Ph.D., are among the presenters at a free, two-day, virtual conference to celebrate Autism Awareness Month presented by momsfightingautism.com.
By Toni Lapp
A visit with Santa is a yearly ritual that many children look forward to this time of year. But for children with special needs and their parents — between the crowds, the long lines, the noises and all the lights — the event can be anything but enjoyable.
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Gov. Jay Nixon marked Autism Awareness month by announcing his strong support last week for the passage of legislation that would require health insurance providers to cover treatments and therapies for Missourians afflicted with autism. Citing the growing number of autism diagnoses, Gov. Nixon called on the legislature to pass a bill that ensures Missourians with health care coverage have access to treatments for autism and related conditions.
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Advertise on SpectrumConnection.net and reach bistate families affected by autism.
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.
» READ MOREBy Kate Duffy
A while back, Toni, the SpectrumConnection editor, asked me to write about how far parents should go to help their teens on the spectrum land a job. Since then, several of our Hot Topics parents have shared their kids’ job search stories with me, and I realized there was no easy answer to her question. For the most part, though, their stories revolved around the kids’ inability to accurately read situations, to remember instructions and to multitask to make a deadline. Looking at that list, it sounds like business as usual on the job for most of us — which is why it is so very important that our kids start learning about the world of work as soon as they can.
That’s why the short answer to Toni’s question is this: do what you need to do.
» READ MORE