Healing Thresholds Autism Therapy Topic Feed

The Ability Hub Serves People With Autism and Their Families

scottie — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

The Ability Hub, part of University of Calgary’s Child Development Centre, is a one-stop-resource for kids on the spectrum and their families.

Body:

The Ability Hub, part of University of Calgary’s Child Development Centre, is a one-stop-resource for kids on the spectrum and their families. Children are diagnosed at the Development Centre, but go to the Ability Hub offers information, support, and cradle-to-grave care plans. Dr. Peter Szatmari, a researcher, explained, “It’s life-course planning, it starts early and it helps individuals with autism navigate through that very difficult transition at age 21.” Children's health, education, and employment, are all assessed to create a life-long plan.

Original Article:

Calgary's One-of-a-Kind Model for Autism Services

Teen with Autism Launches T-Shirt Line

scottie — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Hannah Greenberg is a teen who loves fashion; she also has autism.

Body:

Hannah Greenberg is a teen who loves fashion; she also has autism. That hasn’t stopped her from raising money to create a t-shirt line. Spectrum Designs, a company run entirely by people with autism, will create the t-shirts. Hannah loves color, the alphabet and her “zany curly hair,” all of which she brings to her A-Z t-shirts. For example, “D is for Diva” features a fun stick figure with curly hair and the word “Diva” designed to look like, well, a diva! A portion of the sales from the t-shirts will help fund employment for adults on the spectrum.

Original Article:

Teen with Autism Uses Crowdfunding to Launch T-Shirt Business

Scotland Asks Government for More Support for Autism

scottie — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

The National Autistic Society Scotland (NAS) recently asked the government for more support.

Body:

The National Autistic Society Scotland (NAS) recently asked the government for more support. Specifically, they would like to see an “autism employment ambassador” to help people with autism find and keep jobs. In attendance was a young woman with Asperger’s syndrome who explained some of the difficulties she saw with current employment. She explained, “I have some major strengths in my work which I believe play very well to the autistic traits in me, but being pushed too far can lead to me having some issues with exhaustion, especially if it involves social interaction or being in a noisy environment.” She said that ASD awareness in the workplace would help a lot, and she encouraged distributing awareness pamphlets to employers.

Original Article:

More Support Needed for Scots with Autism - Report

Eden Autism Services Expands Job Training in New Jersey

scottie — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Eden Autism Services has provided job training and placement for people with autism over the age of 21 for 30 years.

Body:

Eden Autism Services has provided job training and placement for people with autism over the age of 21 for 30 years. They have facilities in Florida and New Jersey; the new center will assist up to 60 people in NJ. The people Eden serves are typically on the low-end of the autism spectrum. The job training Eden delivers is focused on three areas: center-based, supportive, and competitive. For example, one of the skills they are teaching is how to scan photographs into computers to then be moved to CD for storage. In addition to job training, Eden offers residential and group home services.

Original Article:

Employment Training Center for Adults with Autism Opens in Hamilton

With Precision is New Canadian Job Initiative for People with Autism

scottie — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 23:44:42 +0000

Teaser:

The Sinneave Family Foundation has donated money to With Precision, an initiative to pair people with autism with job opportunities in Canada.

Body:

The Sinneave Family Foundation has donated money to With Precision, an initiative to pair people with autism with job opportunities in Canada. Autism Calgary (Canada) hopes With Precision will provide knowledge to employers about the benefit of hiring people with autism. Maureen Jensen-Fitzpatrick with Autism Calgary explained, “In many ways, people with autism are really, really valuable employees.” Foundation president Tom Collins has begun the process by speaking with Safeway, London Drugs, SAIT, and Toys ‘R’ Us.

Original Article:

Autism Calgary Launches 'With Precision' Employment Project

Job Club for Young Adults and Adults with Autism in Bay Area

scottie — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

The Autism Job Club meets once a month to allow people on the spectrum to socialize and share their job experiences.

Body:

The Autism Job Club meets once a month to allow people on the spectrum to socialize and share their job experiences. Michael Bernick, former employee development professional and parent, along with volunteers, and career coaches, coordinates job searches, resume writing, and practice interviewing. People on the autism spectrum often have difficulty in finding and keeping work. The job club is intent on building their own job network rather than relying on typical employment searches. One company, The Specialists Guild, has trained people with autism to do software testing, graphic design, and data entry. Bernick explained that building contacts begins with family and friends. He is hopeful that this initial effort will help identify appropriate jobs. He stated, “[T]he approach of building networks outside government is the best hope now for people with autism. . . . It takes a village to find a job in today’s economy, for nearly everyone. We are all members of the Autism Job Club now.”

Original Article:

The Autism Job Club

Green Tree School Expands Autism Program

scottie — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

The Green Tree School, which already serves children with autism and other special needs is expanding.

Body:

The Green Tree School, which already serves children with autism and other special needs is expanding. The Philadelphia based facility’s new space will include a vocational skills center, sensory rooms, movement areas, safe time-out spaces, and therapy rooms. The school has involved the community in the building process, hiring local workers for construction jobs and other employment opportunities.

Original Article:

Groundbreaking for New Autism Center

Support Helps Young Adult with Autism Live and Work Independently

scottie — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

A 26-year-old Virginia man with autism lives on his own and works at a law firm.

Body:

A 26-year-old Virginia man with autism lives on his own and works at a law firm. Kevin Gibson has his own apartment and prepares his own meals, as well as working as a file clerk at MG-IP. Martin Geissler, founding partner of MG-IP, explained, “He’s one of our most punctual employees. He takes a great pride in his work.” Gibson received his life and job skills training from Service Source, a national organization that helps people with disabilities find gainful employment. But Gibson had a head start with an early diagnosis and early intervention that included speech therapy, physical therapy, and communication skills. His story doesn't end at the law firm, he explained, “Hope when I retire, I’m going to move to Texas and open up an airplane hobby shop.”

Original Article:

Support System, Determination Help Autistic Man Lead Full Life

After 30 Years, TEACCH is Global Standard

scottie — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 03:57:49 +0000

Teaser:

Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) was developed at the University of North Carolina by Dr. Eric Schopler.

Body:

Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) was developed at the University of North Carolina by Dr Eric Schopler. Althought there is no one interventional that works, for every child with autism, TEACCH has been replicated around the world. The director of supported employment services, Mike Chapman, explains, "TEACCH incorporates empirically tested methods in the fields of psychology, education and neurosciences to bring out the best in each individual." Chapman recently spent time in Malaysia with Dignity and Services to help the autism community realize the potential of the job skills TEACCH methodology. Starting in the late 1980s, TEACCH expanded into finding jobs for people with autism. The goal was to find appropriate job placement as well as educate the public about autism.

Original Article:

Reach and Teach

Parents Hope Thrift Store Becomes Place to Support Workers with Autism

scottie — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:25:03 +0000

Teaser:

Fred and Alicia Harmon originally opened Lil’ Treasures Shoppe in order to increase the family's income.

Body:

Fred and Alicia Harmon originally opened Lil’ Treasures Shoppe in order to increase the family's income. But with two older children, and twins with autism, they decided that the Amarillo Texas thrift store might one day become a place for the twins and others with autism to find employment. In the meantime, Lil’ Treasures serves as a place for the twins to learn social skills and for other families with autism to stop in and find support. The boys also receive applied behavior analysis (ABA) at the autism program at Texas Panhandle Centers.

Original Article:

Parents Hope Learning Changes, Thrift Store Will Help Sons Grow