Autism Resources

Center in Boise Closes

It takes resources to help people on the spectrum. The Idaho Center for Autism closed its doors because of an issue with resources. The center's director, Stephanie Spencer told KTVB that insurance companies are not required to cover therapy for autism. That means many families are dependent on Medicaid to cover the cost. According to Spencer, how the state covers autism through medicaid has been changing. Students were seeing a therapist two to four hours a week. "It simply is not enough to make progress."

It will be up the schools and parents to pick the slack.

More People Need to Care

This would all change if more people were aware of the need for funding to diversify revenue sources for autism treatment programs like the one in Boise. A starting point would be the realization that contributions to large charities like Autism Speaks do not directly benefit treatment centers like The Idaho Center for Autism.

Wake Up

One in 68 children diagnosed as on the spectrum is the average. In places like New Jersey and Delaware the rates are much higher. School systems cannot keep up. For those who age out of the system...very little help is in place. In some places, insurance is not required to cover the coasts of therapy. The system is being overwhelmed. Wake up! The schools are overburdened and non-profits that specialize in the therapies that offer the chance for children on the spectrum are underfunded. There is no cure. There is no drug to treat autism. 

The example below is just one case of how a school system is bending under the burden. But, it isn't really about the schools. It should be about the children and their families.

Autism surge creates special education teacher shortages

Akron Student with ASD Gets $100k Accomodation

Parents Win Appeal

State Impact is reporting the Akron School Board ok'd a one year accommodation to send a student with Autism Spectrum Disorder to the Monarch School in Cleveland.

Public school pays $101,972 to send Akron student to private school in Cleveland 

The Monarch Center for Autism provides a comprehensive living and learning environment for children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). According to their website, Monarch School and Monarch Boarding Academy are grounded in a language-based treatment Model that is respectful, empowering and kind. The price of a year at the school exceeds $81k which puts it out of reach for most parents. Affordable treatment, therapy and educational accommodations is out of reach for many parents. The average spent by school districts nationwide to educate children with ASD is around $17k per child.

Accommodation Outside the Norm

Schools in Ohio generally give parents $20,000 a year if they want to take their children with Autism out of public school to help with costs. In this case, the parents appealed. The Akron district settled. Assistant Superintendent Ellen McWilliams told the Akron Beacon Journal., “You have to look at whether it’s good to continue fighting or not.” She says that in most cases, the schools are equipped to meet the needs of special needs children.

The accommodation is for one year, but could be renewed until the child ages out of the school system at age 22.

Why We Give

WIIFM – There’s got to be more

According to an article in Christianity Today by Bruce Wydick, most of us are motivated to give out of a sense of reciprocity. We give because we hope to get something back.  The article points out, “reciprocity is embedded in the cultures of much of the poor world today. James Scott at Yale and other anthropologists have demonstrated how the poor in developing countries use reciprocal acts of generosity as survival mechanisms, providing, for example, informal insurance. A family bringing food to another who is temporarily unable to work due to illness is not only regarded as kind; the act represents an investment in a reciprocal claim when the situation may be reversed.”

Jesus wants us to give to serve the greater good without the expectation that we will get something back. Our reward comes much later.  Then Jesus said to his host [a prominent Pharisee], "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." (Luke 14:12-14, NIV). 

Thoughtful Giving – Generous Souls

The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) of Great Britain recently asked 700 of their regular donors their motivations for their generosity. They asked why they gave and what could grow giving in the UK. Personal values, sense of morality, belief in a specific cause, and faith all scored above 70% as a motivator. Growing the ranks of givers depends on effectively communicating outcomes.  More than eight out of 10 (81%) said that more hard evidence on the impact of charities’ work would be likely to increase giving significantly. This underlines an appetite for a yet greater level of communication between donor and cause, and more transparency in the ways charities work.

The second most common response was that companies need to do more to support charities, with 78% agreeing with this statement. Tax also plays a key role. Three quarters (77%) of those they surveyed thought it was likely that if donors had a better understanding of existing tax incentives it would increase giving significantly, and a similar proportion (76%) said that they would welcome more generous tax breaks.

Faith plays a significant role (Response to the GAF Poll)

“My faith informs my giving and when I give regularly to the church it is nice to know that I am contributing towards a church project or towards paying the salary of one of its workers. I think as a society to some extent we don’t value giving enough, but it is encouraging being in a church where you can clearly see the generosity of other congregation members.”     AJ Finch  - Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) “Why We Give”

“Our giving is based on the belief that everything we have belongs to God and that we should give back both to the church and those in need.”     Amy Bright - Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) “Why We Give”

“I have always known that we are very privileged compared with many other people and, as a Christian, I think that all gifts come from God and to God we return them. They are not ours, they are given to us by God – whether it’s the brains, opportunities or health to earn the money, or the inherited wealth. I would encourage anyone who doesn’t give to think about those who are less fortunate than themselves.”     Charm Robson - Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) “Why We Give”

“Stories help. The stories of the improvements that are made on the international front through quite small changes, the story of a guy I was mentoring last year who now has a job, stories from Jamaica, where we’re funding two development projects. Telling people stories I think helps. When you’re dealing with international development you can create a very, very great impact with a very little input.”      Keith Stephenson - Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) “Why We Give”

Top Motivators    

They give because of their personal values and beliefs, lifestyle, morality, ethics, belief in a specific cause, faith and personal experience. Much further down the list are determination to leave a positive legacy, and relationships forged through giving. Family and enjoyment from giving had a middling response.

Hiring Autism

Disappointing Statistics

• The Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found  that only half (53%) of young adults with an ASD had ever worked for pay outside the home in the first 8 years following high school, the lowest rate among disability groups even when controlling for impairment severity, household income, and social demographics.
• The same study found only 34% were employed at the time of the survey interview.
• And one in five worked full-time with average earnings of $8.10/hour, significantly lower than disability comparison groups. (The Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)

Despite the disparities, there are some gains. Some companies are seeking out mostly high functioning individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The numbers are small when you consider about 50,000 young adults age out of the support system each year. Much more needs to be done to support these gifted individuals.

  Some See the Light

There are some companies that are going out of there way to hire those with ASD. Below are some examples.

SAP Labs announced they will hire 60 persons with ASD as part of their initiative to employ one percent of their workforce with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Headquartered in Walldorf, Germany, with locations in more than 130 countries, SAP SE calls itself a world leader in enterprise software and software-related services.

 Extraordinary Ventures employs young men and women with autism and other developmental disabilities. They create jobs and fund our programs through our space rental business as well as laundry services and other ventures. Based in the university town of Chapel Hill, NC, Extraordinary Ventures, Inc. (EV) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that creates and nurtures self-sustaining small businesses designed around the skills of the young adults with autism and developmental disabilities that serve as its workforce.

Some with ASD are entrepreneurs. Temple Grandin, a well-known Autism advocate says, "autistic people can become business owners if they're allowed to develop interests that can be turned into a living." Grandin has a business designing systems to handle livestock. She became interested in animals working on a farm in her teens.

  Ultra Testing almost exclusively hires employees who are on the autism spectrum. ULTRA provides a full suite   of manual testing services for websites, digital campaigns, mobile applications and enterprise solutions. According the Ultra's website, over a third of the ASD population, approximately 500,000 adults, have Asperger Syndrome or similar ASD profiles, have completed high school and/or college, and can have heightened abilities including those required to be an exceptional software tester, e.g. pattern recognition, focus, attention to detail, tolerance for repetition. However, due to a combination of factors including difficulties with social interactions and interpersonal communications, 80% of this population are currently not employed. Using cutting-edge tools, specialized training and customized workflows, ULTRA is unlocking the potential of this vast, untapped talent pool, and in doing so, bringing excellence to the software testing industry.

ASD Teen Wins Jeopardy Playoff!

Jeff Xie is the new teen champion for Jeopardy. He did it in a first ever tie-breaker for the tournament.

Jeff will use his $75,000 prize for college and to do a little travel.

Autism Costs in Billions!

Autism Costs Billions 

$2.4 million per person    

Bloomberg.com shared research results last from the University of Pennsylvania and the London School of Economics and Political Science that look beyond age 18. Their findings confirm other research that lifetime costs for people on the Autism Spectrum can exceed over $2 million during the course of a lifetime. The majority of the costs are experienced in adult life.      

Special Services and Unemployment     

In the U.S., most of these costs were for services such as special education and residential care, while in the U.K. it was for services and lost employment by people with autism, according to the research paper. 

“While most of the cost is born by government in the form of special education, it’s also true that families bear costs as well,” said Paul Shattuck, who wrote an accompanying editorial. More studies are needed of adults with autism and better ways to join with businesses to hire more adults with special needs, Shattuck, an associate professor at Drexel University in Philadelphia, said in a telephone interview.

Total Costs are Eye Popping

The cost per year in the US is for children on t he Autism Specrtrum  are estimated to be $61 to $66 billion. The cost for adultswith Autism is estimated to be 175 billion to $196 billion. With improved diagnostic tools, the costs may go up even further. Some of these problems can be ameliorated through early diagnosis and behavioral therapies designed to improve learning, communication and social skills. FOCUS Center for Autism offers these services. There are others doing the same, but there is not nearly enough services avaialable to cover the growing need. More funding is needed to provide supports for children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. 

Rep. Esty pictured with representatives from the 
FOCUS Center for Autism in Canton

There may be Relief        

Connecticut Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (5th District) is urging Congress to pass the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support Act (Autism CARES Act). In a letter to FOCUS Center for Autism Director Donna Swanson Esty says, “Talking with these families and hearing children and teens advocate for the services they need was empowering and inspired me to become more actively involved in the issue.” The act would  provide resources to continue research, increase awareness, and help improve the quality of life for our children and families.

The research was published in JAMA Pediatrics. Funding for the research was provided by Autism Speaks.     

Admiring Autism

Below is a blog I wrote for the FOCUS Center for Autism about a mother in the UK who started documenting her son's challanges and progress with autism. Sara Dunn's photos are celebritory and compelling. She is crowd funding to put on an exhibition next April.

Breaking Through Barriers/Dispelling Myths

A photographer from the United Kingdom is trying to bust some myths surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) through her photography. Sara Dunn’s quest began soon after her 23 month-old son was diagnosed with Autism. At first she started taking pictures to document the difficulties her son was having. She soon found there are many reasons for hope. Dunn is now photographing her son and other children diagnosed with ASD so people can gain a better understanding of what the ups and downs of life with an Autism Spectrum Disorder are like.

The first myth she broke was the belief by many that Autism does not exist. People were telling Dunn that these children were just behaving badly. She told reporter Tom Airey of BBC News, “Some people have said to me they don’t believe in autism, my son’s just a naughty child. I’ve been told autistic children don’t know how to love. They do.  Usually these children are having very complex sensory experiences and they’re in distress, with some adults perceiving it as misbehaving. It’s pretty scary.”

Awareness and Insight

The project may take on a much larger scale. Dunn is hoping to put her photos on display next year during Autism Awareness Month. So far, 15 families are participating in “Admiring Autism.” The UK’s The National Autistic Society has called it an “inspirational project”. Dunn is hoping to raise funds in support of her exhibition through crowd funding. She’s asking for funding through Patreon.  Dunn is also hoping to expand the scope of the exhibit to include older children and adults on the spectrum.

Find Out More

You can find out more by linking to Airey’s report: Admiring Autism: Busting ‘autism myths’ with a camera. There’s also a gallery of photos of Dunn and her son, Frank, available through the Chester Chronicle.  Mum’s project admires autism.

Eight Things You Should Know About Autism

Some Things You Should Know

Columnist Dan Tynan shares eight things you should know about Autism in YAHOO Tech in his article "Eight Things You Ought to Know About Autism (but might not)." Gaining understanding about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) can be an uphill battle. As a fundraiser for FOCUS Center for Autism I've run into roadblocks. But, when we get a chance to speak about ASD and share the stories about the children we treat at the Extended Day Treatment Program, those barriers often come down. FOCUS Center for Autism is Tynan breaks down some of the barriers and challenges other long-held "truths."

Controversial Comments

Four of his comments are controversial. I happen to think that's a good thing. The comments will further the discussion and cause those of us in the autism community to dig deeper for answers.

It’s kind of a geek thing. 

The saying goes, "If you meet one person with Autism, you've met one person with Autism. To be sure, some of the kids are geeky. Some of them are not. It would be just as valid to say that some of us not on the spectrum are geeky. If you've ever been to the Spectrum Unplugged Panel you are going to find children and young adults who love writing poetry, a proficiency in math and science, a love of reading, an interest in comparative religion, creating comics, playing instruments and song-writing.

But it’s not an epidemic.

If you look at the strict definition of Epidemic, Tynan is right.  Epidemic; a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time. This definition would be more appropriate to measles and polio. It might be more appropriate to say diagnosis of ASD has reached epidemic proportions.

It is not caused by vaccines.

The original report linking the MMR Vacine to Autism published in the Lancet was found to be a fraud. Since then the independent Institute of Medicine concluded in August 2011 that the use of vaccines — particularly the measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine routinely given to children under the age of 6 — has no relationship to the rise in ASD cases. The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a similar report in April 2013.

It can’t be cured.

This is sure to cause controversy certain circles. Major fundraising efforts are based on finding a cure. Tynan explains, "In fact, some autism advocates bristle at the notion that ASD is a condition in need of a cure. Others in the ASD community are desperate for a solution to the daily struggles of their autistic offspring. But while autism isn't a disease that can be cured, it is a disorder that can be treated."

What FOCUS Does

FOCUS Center for Autism’s mission is to help children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders achieve their full potential. Since becoming a nonprofit in 2000, FOCUS has developed a well-respected Milieu Therapy model of treatment that has now served over 600 children and families.
With an emphasis on planned environments (milieu), and relationship building, FOCUS helps address the many challenges children, and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders are confronted with every day.

FOCUS Launches Its New Website

FOCUS has a new website!

You're invited to check it out.

The website was redesigned to make it easier for you to navigate, offer updated information in a timely manner, and give clearer sense of what FOCUS has to offer you and your family. 

Features include ease of navigation. We've organized the information on the website in a simple and structured way.   The main function of the website is to convey relevant content to our visitors and help you understand our services and the support we can offer your family. We hope the site will encourage you to dig deeper for more information. 

We’re hoping our site can build a community. Interaction with the Autism community is essential to the site. The site has built-in links to social media including Facebook and Twitter. It also has space for a blog.  Creating and maintaining a blog is one of the most effective ways to build community and a great way to offer content that promotes dialog. Blogs are a great way to have a conversation with our visitors and families on a regular basis and improve the level of trust website visitors and families have over time.

While you’re there look at past episodes of FOCUS on Autism TV, get an update on the FOCUS Festival for Autism, find out where the next Unplugged Panel will be and, enjoy the photos from our programs.

FOCUS would like to thank Constanza Gowen-Segovia, Melissa Harris, Rich Hollant, and the Co:Lab team for all of their great teamwork and expertise.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what think and what you might want to see!

Autism Bill Proposed in Massachusetts

Update

The bill passed the Massachusetts House 151-0.According to masslive.com the bill "would also expand eligibility for developmental services to individuals with IQs higher than 70, a current rule that Bradley said excludes many people with autism who have other developmental challenges they must overcome."

A Greater Need

The increasing diagnosis of Autism among children is moving some legislators in Massachusetts to increase services. WCVB in Boston is reporting a bill is being proposed to develop training for schools and  teachers. The bill would also provide tax exempt savings account for extended care needs.

House Speaker Robert DeLeo says in a statement, "I believe this bill is the next, crucial step to make Massachusetts the leader in caring for residents confronting autism,"

Read more: http://www.wcvb.com/health/proposed-autism-bill-to-develop-training-for-schools-teachers/25479152#ixzz2yxnMeSg9

Serving Adults

In an acknowledgement that supports are needed for individuals on the spectrum after they age out of the school system, the bill would expand eligibility for IQ-based state programs to adults with Autism.

The bill is scheduled to be debated Wednesday.

Offering Hope  

At the FOCUS Center for Autsim we provide therapy for children and young adults on the spectrum on a daily basis. We're serving over 80 children and young adults a week. That only scratches the surface. It is estimated there are over 51,000 persons on the spectrum in Connecticut alone. For many families the cost of care is out of reach. More children will be diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder than AIDS, cancer, and diabetes combined. Intervention and treatment offer hope for the parents and a sense of belonging among the children we serve.

Autism, Like Race, Complicates Almost Everything

Autism...like race complicates everything...

There's an interesting and revealing essay by Alicia Montgomery about her experience caring for her Autistic son. Her situation is complicated by the fact that she and her son are African American. Her fear is her son's lack of social graces will get him in trouble. When her son acts out in anger...she fears he will become the next Travon Martin.

Through it all she feels lucky because of her support system but wonders about those who do not have support. Treatment is expensive and the costs most often fall entirely on the parents.

Check out her story and what she has been able to accomplish with her Autistic son at the NPR blog site
Frontiers of Race, Culture and Ethnicity.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2014/04/12/301814519/autism-like-race-complicates-almost-everything

Autism Discovery a Game Changer

Researcher have found that most forms of Autism may have their origins in utero. CBS news reported today results from a study from the National Institute of Health and the Allen Institute for Brain Science in Seattle. The study found Clusters of disorganized brain cells in tissue samples from brain regions important for regulating social functioning, emotions and communication.

According to a paper published on Wednesday, March 27 in the New England Journal of Medicine. The findings suggest brain abnormalities in children with autism can be traced back to prenatal development.

There will be more research in this direction but, the findings further debunks the already discredited research that attempted to link childhood vaccines and Autism. The discovery could mean that intervention to develop new pathways in the brain can start in the first year of a child's life.

Check out the report here.  For children with autism, brain abnormalities may begin in utero

Autism and Diagnosis Anxiety

Update: The date of the FOCUS Center for Autism Unplugged Panel at Northwestern Connecticut Community College in Winsted, Connecticut is being moved to April 17th. It will be at the same time and place. The Panel presentation is from 6:30p to 8:30p.

Why parents shouldn't worry so much about regressive autism.

There's a lot of fear and anxiety among parents that their child might be diagnosed with Autism. Does the increased awareness of the disorder drive this? It might. Awareness should not only FOCUS on fundraising for a cure, but also on hope because there are many people who are willing to help. There are organizations who are treating the disorder so children on the spectrum can reach their full potential. Jennifer Richler wrote for Slate about Regressive Autism. Awareness about Regressive Autism increased after Ron Suskind’s essay in the New York Times Magazine about raising a son with autism: “Reaching My Autistic Son Through Disney.” Suskind's son Owen was diagnosed with Regressive Autism.

"Suskind describes how, at almost 3 years of age, his son Owen “disappeared.” The child was once “engaged, chatty, full of typical speech,” but then he stopped talking, lost eye contact, even struggled to use a sippy cup."

Richler says Regressive Autism is very rare. Because of the prevalence of Autism, parents are fearing the worst. She says Owen's story is really one of compassion and hope because of the involvement of his parents and engaged therapists.

Find Out More At The Unplugged Panel
Through treatment and therapy, children on the Autism Spectrum will surprise you with what they can accomplish. If you want to find out more...FOCUS Center for Autism will hold an Unplugged Panel at Northwestern Connecticut Community College in Winsted, Connecticut. The Autism Spectrum Unplugged travels statewide to schools, businesses and public venues to talk about their experiences of living with Autism. They have enlightened and educated over 100 audiences from Connecticut to Massachusetts and beyond. The Panel is Thursday, April 3rd at NCCC. It's free. You might want to reserve your space.
Call FOCUS at 860 693-8809.

Commit to Fundraising

Staffing, Not Stigma, Is Biggest Fundraising Challenge for Mental-Health Charities

A recent post in the Chronicle of Philanthropy offers hope to non-profits that help people with mental-health problems, intellectual disabilities, and substance abuse. Some thought it might be stigma holding back efforts to get donors. According to a survey conducted by The Mental Health and Addiction Network, the only thing holding us back is our commitment of resources. Actually, there are five issues.

#1 Lack of Staff

#2 Competition

#3 Need to Diversify

#4 Board Support

#5 Stigma

Click on Stigma, Staffing and Boards – Surprises and Common Struggles  to see the survey results.

Tablets Can Help Teens on the Autism Spectrum

A new study from UNC-Chapel Hill touts the value of Tablets as a teaching tool for Teens on the Spectrum.
The study focuses on teaching independence to high school students with Autism. According to Kara Hume, a researcher at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, “It’s clear that teaching independence to students with autism should be a central focus of their activities in high school.”

Independence is the biggest indicator of which students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are likely to live on their own, have a job, and participate in their communities after high school.

The full report is published in Remedial and Special Education.

The Clinical Educational Staff at the FOCUS Center for Autism employs this technology with the Children in the FOCUS Extended Day Treatment Program. They would like to expand it. We're in the process of looking for funding to acquire new iPads.

We'll need your help in acquiring the funds. Have any thoughts? Leads? A willingness to help?

Autism and Music Therapy

At FOCUS Center for Autism, we're using music as a part of our therapy. According to studies released in the 2004 music in interventions used with children and teens with ASD can improve social behaviors, increase focus and attention, increase communication attempts (vocalizations, verbalization, gestures, and vocabulary), reduce anxiety, and improve body awareness and coordination. The study was released by The Journal of Music Therapy. Marcela DeVivo, mother of a child with severe disabilities, an attorney and writer, wrote about this in an essay for the Autism Science Foundation. Her article cites several other studies.

Music encourages social interactions.
A 2009 study by Kim, Wigram, & Gold found that children with autism showed more emotional expression and social engagement during music therapy sessions than in play sessions without music. 

Music can improve behavior.
In a 2012 study of 41 children with autism over a ten-month period, See found that weekly music therapy sessions seemed to improve overall behavior, with the most improvement seen in inattentive behaviors

Music can improve communication.
Wan et. al. (2004) found music to improve the mapping of sounds to actions, by connecting the auditory and motor sections of the brain, which may help improve understanding of verbal commands. 

Music can reduce anxiety.
Children with autism are more sensitive to anxiety than the average child, as they are unable to filter out provoking stimuli. A small four-week study, conducted at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse in 2006, found preliminary success in reducing anxiety in patients with autism through music therapy.

As DeVivo points out, the most important aspect, music is fun! There's more on using music as therapy in a 2011 episode of Science Friday.http://www.sciencefriday.com/segment/12/16/2011/treating-stress-speech-disorders-with-music.html

Investing in Autism

Investment Opportunities

Google and Autism Speaks are teaming up to find investors for Autism. In a report published by CNBC Private equity and venture capital firms TPG Biotech, Shore Capital Partners, Bay City Capital, Great Point Partners and Google Ventures, plus hedge fund Scopia Capital Management are among the investors slated to attend the 2014 Autism Investment Conference next week in San Francisco.

Funding for Autism has been well below the norm. Autism affects more people than those affected by diabetes, AIDS, cancer, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy or Down syndrome—combined. According to the CDC one in 88 are diagnosed. Yet funding continues to be a struggle. The reasons may include that there is no known cure and there is no known single cause. There is treatment. Where there is treatment there is hope. Places like the FOCUS Center for Autism in Canton, Connecticut offer treatment using Milieu Therapy. Others use ABA Therapy (Applied Behavior Analysis).

The Need is Growing

Investment in treatment and educational specialists is a big need. Transitional services are going to be the next big wave as these children age out of the system at 18 and 21. Services are hard to come by after chidlren on the spectrum leave high school. Unemployment levels among young adults on the autism spectrum are quite high. Nearly seven years after high school, 35 percent of autistic young adults still had no paid employment or education beyond high school.  the National Autistic Society (UK) shows that 15% of people with autism have full-time jobs, compared to 57% of non-disabled individuals. 

Stem the Tide

It is understood in treatment circles that we are about to be hit by a tsunami of individuals on the spectrum reaching adulthood. There are too few services in place. Investment in treatment, educational services, job training, groups homes and other supportive services are essential.

FOCUS Center for Autism is a licensed Extended Day Treatment Program which runs an after school program, a Clinical Educational Support Program and a Summer Social Skills Immersion program. Each of these programs uses Milieu Therapy; a treatment model that utilizes a planned treatment environment in which everyday events and interpersonal interactions are opportunities for social learning. Through individual and group activities, children and adolescents receive the attention and support they need to develop social maturity, cope with the anxiety and frustration associated with having an Autism Spectrum Disorder, and learn to become successful academically and socially. Additionally, FOCUS runs two residential programs; one DCF Level II Therapeutic Group Home for boys aged 14-21 with Autism Spectrum Disorders and trauma, and one DMHAS Transitional Support House for young men aged 18-25 with Autism Spectrum Disorders and trauma.

Investments in FOCUS gladly accepted. 

Autism Friendly Cruises

It seems there are more Autism Friendly events than ever. That's good news for families on the Spectrum.
At FOCUS Center for Autism we have at least three family and Autism friendly events a year. We have two gatherings that include food, music, games, dancing and lots of laughter. The FOCUS Festival is heading into its 13th year in Canton on June 7th. Last night we attended Autism Awareness Night at the XL Center in Hartford and took in a Wolfpack game.    

Because I'm involved in this community, I often see postings for Autism friendly movies. There's even Autism friendly surfing.

Now...there's Autism friendly cruises. Royal Caribbean announced in an article in USA Today that they are now certified and "Autism Friendly"

The new designation, awarded by the travel organization Autism on the Seas, indicates the line will take specific measures to help its guests with autistic family members enjoy their cruise.  Royal Caribbean line now has Bronze Level certification, which means it will provide sensory-related toys, autism-friendly modification to youth activities (where appropriate), autism-friendly movies, priority boarding and dietary offerings (including gluten-free and dairy-free).

You can find out more by linking to the article or by going directly to Autism on the Seas.

Autism Growth - Delaware's Epidemic

Working with autism: Milford schools aim to boost education, awareness of growing population











There are two statistics that stand out in an article published by The Milford Beacon.

• The increase is diagnosis over the past 20 years is 600% nationally.
• The increase in diagnosis over the past 20 years in Delaware is 695%!

Milford Over Represented
The Milford, Delaware School District has identified 24 students on the spectrum. According to the 2010 Census, Milford has about 1600 school age children. At the rate of one in 88 they should have 18 children on the Spectrum.

Like many districts across the country, Milford is struggling to keep up. They have four teachers certified to work with Autistic children.  Right now they're working to make all of their teachers aware of the special nature of these children. The focus is on awareness. The hope is to expand treatment. Milford also hopes to keep these children inside their system.

Young Adults on the Spectrum Need Support in College

Emma Nicholson's posting in the Huffington Post about her son's trials at Community College bring up the need for support and advocacy for our children once they get past high school. Her son's experience left him bewildered and afraid to go back to school.

Advocating for Your College Student With Autism

Nicholson concludes:

Transitioning to a self-advocating adult takes time for any child. To expect students with autism to miraculously and suddenly be able to do this without extra support will guarantee the failure of many. I believe a series of support programs should be introduced as part of the college curriculum giving students with disabilities the time and guidance they need to fully prepare for self-advocacy. With time, practice, and a helpful hand, students with disabilities can not only learn to speak up for themselves but learn how to appropriately handle difficult situations they may encounter in life.

Please take the time to read this article. It is offered not to discourage...but to make us aware of the challenges ahead. The accommodations of Section 504 may need our intervention to be enforced.