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Opening Doors: A Discussion Of Residential Options For Adults Living With Autism And Related Disorders… within the fabric of their communities. This study addresses current and projected demand for life-long living options that support the segment of individuals with autism spectrum and related disorders unable to live on their own. It also explores …
Justin Moehn’s journey from autism diagnosis to first responder training… an award from The Arc of Fort Bend in 2019. A 2001 graduate of Austin High School, he earned certifications in PC technical support and office administration at Wharton County Jr. College. These days, Justin also trains first responders about autism, helping them better understand and support the community. Join us at our upcoming 2025 Empower Summit and Challenge event. Register here:  2025 Empower Summit …
Public Policy Priorities During COVID-19… routines and predictability. Closures and social distancing force many autistic individuals over the “services cliff,” as supports they normally receive within a school system, day program or other setting are no longer available. To address the … ensure that their health and educational needs are met. Increased funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) We support enhanced funding for Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS). These additional funds could be used to … recruit new direct service workers and home health workers to cover needs, temporarily increase provider payment rates and support emergency enrollment. Educational supports for students with autism, and protecting rights under IDEA We oppose …
VCU Autism Center for Excellence Webinar: Smartphones and Tablet as Cognitive-Behavioral Aids in Autism… tools for managing cognitive-behavioral challenges experienced by people with autism.  They can be easily customized to support just-in-time activity cueing, task-sequencing, wayfinding, communication assistance and behavioral coaching, among …
Housing and community living… the biggest decisions in a person’s life. For a person on the autism spectrum, finding and securing a house and caregiving supports can be complicated for you and your family. Autism Speaks can make this planning easier through tools and resources … for housing options and keep you informed.  As a first step, download our Transition Roadmap to Housing and Residential Supports  to help you begin your journey. This roadmap is for you if you are: An autistic student planning for your future. …
Victoria Handy… autism , marking the beginning of a transformative chapter in her life. Armed with her diagnosis, Victoria found solace in support groups and online resources geared towards helping her navigate the complexities of social interactions and everyday challenges with autism. Citing the support of her devoted mother, and a reliance on her own strong intuition, Victoria has carved out a successful path in life … in behavior analysis. Today, the Mississippi native serves as a dedicated behavior technician, working tirelessly to support autistic children and their families. Her firsthand experience as a caregiver and a person on the spectrum underpins …
ASD levels of severity… to diagnose of mental disorders, including autism. The DSM-5 introduced three ASD levels of severity: level 1 (“requiring support”), level 2 (“requiring substantial support”), and level 3 (“requiring very substantial support”). The full-text of the DSM-5 severity levels for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is provided below with permission …
Transition Roadmap to Meaningful Employment… up to age 22 to help you get ready for employment. You can work through the roadmap at your own pace and choose the age and support level most meaningful to you. Each goal in the roadmap includes key action steps, including how, when and where to request supports and services to help you make informed choices about: Education and service options before, during and after high …
Tonya Haynes… diagnosis of autism around the age of two, marking the beginning of a path illuminated by early intervention and tailored support. Recognizing the importance of early intervention , and through the help of resources made available by Autism Speaks, Tonya spearheaded initiatives to ensure Tyler received the necessary services and support systems, forging partnerships with academic and community resources. Through a process, she identified strategies … Tonya observed his blossoming social skills and vibrant personality, nurturing his interests and aspirations. With the support of his mom, Tyler was accepted into the University of Missouri - St. Louis SUCCEED Program, a Comprehensive …
Kate Wasmer on Autism Advocacy, Academia, and Research… an autism advocate, reflecting on how ABA therapy helped her as a child and how she has navigated graduate school with the support of a strong community. She also discusses how she's leveraged her math and data science degrees to make meaningful …