Articles:
Autism—It's Different in Girls
By Maia Szalavitz on March 1, 2016
This was the article that set me off - New research suggests the disorder often looks different in females, many of whom are being misdiagnosed and missing out on the support they need
I'm Autistic. Here's what I want you to know on Autism Awareness Day
Six things about autism autistic people want you to know!
On ABA from all sides:
The Controversy Around ABA: Why some autism parents and advocates find fault with the therapy
By the Child Mind Institute
The controversy over autism’s most common therapyApplied behavioral analysis is the most widely used therapy for autism, but some people say its drills and routines are cruel, and its aims misguided.
BY ELIZABETH DEVITA-RAEBURN10 AUGUST 2016, Spectrum News
Exploring the Controversy Around ABA Therapy
By Karla Pretorius, M. Psych, April 13, 2021, Autism Parenting Magazine
What is the Controversy Surrounding ABA?
Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide
A Response to “The Controversy Over Autism’s Most Common Therapy”
By Andrea Ridgway, Ph.D., BCBA-D, August 29, 2016, Autism Spectrum Therapies
An Open Letter to LGBTQ Car Enthusiasts
An article talking about how special interests like cars (one of mine before I felt unwelcome) conflicts with our other identities.
Books:
Autism—It's Different in Girls
By Maia Szalavitz on March 1, 2016
This was the article that set me off - New research suggests the disorder often looks different in females, many of whom are being misdiagnosed and missing out on the support they need
I'm Autistic. Here's what I want you to know on Autism Awareness Day
Six things about autism autistic people want you to know!
On ABA from all sides:
The Controversy Around ABA: Why some autism parents and advocates find fault with the therapy
By the Child Mind Institute
The controversy over autism’s most common therapyApplied behavioral analysis is the most widely used therapy for autism, but some people say its drills and routines are cruel, and its aims misguided.
BY ELIZABETH DEVITA-RAEBURN10 AUGUST 2016, Spectrum News
Exploring the Controversy Around ABA Therapy
By Karla Pretorius, M. Psych, April 13, 2021, Autism Parenting Magazine
What is the Controversy Surrounding ABA?
Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide
A Response to “The Controversy Over Autism’s Most Common Therapy”
By Andrea Ridgway, Ph.D., BCBA-D, August 29, 2016, Autism Spectrum Therapies
An Open Letter to LGBTQ Car Enthusiasts
An article talking about how special interests like cars (one of mine before I felt unwelcome) conflicts with our other identities.
Books:
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Nerdy, Shy, and Socially Inappropriate: A User Guide to an Asperger Life by Cynthia Kim This was the best book I've read about adults Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism by Barry M. Prizant, PhD A crash course on autism in kids Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman If you like history and disability rights The Autistic Brain: Helping Different Kinds of Minds Succeed by Temple Grandin If you like science on brains - - |
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Websites:
Embracing Autism
Embracing Autism is a very forward group of support for people looking to love, support and accept their autistic child and not try to change them into a neurotypical child at great mental health costs to the child. This group of autistic adults, parents of autistic children, and everyone in between seeks to help others support the individual with autism and learn why they do the things they do and how to help them live more fulfilling and happy lives.
Ask me, I'm autistic
“Ask me, I’m Autistic” is pretty much what it sounds like! For all the questions that people have about autism, they can come to this board (which has many, many autistic folks on it) to ask questions, recommendations, thoughts on intervention possibilities, etc from actual autistic people who can explain what it feels like in their own minds. This site has been invaluable to me, because experts aren’t on the “inside” and can only explain their interpretations, but autistic individuals have been able to answer my questions about my children much more thoroughly.
Autism Inclusivity
Another great Facebook group
Autism Spectrum Women's Group
A Facebook group run for female autistic folk (inclusive of trans and non-binary women).
Autistic Women
They have a lot of good materials on self-diagnosis - if you can't view them, joining the group is worth it:
1. Getting Diagnosed
2. My Diagnosis
3. Understanding the Spectrum
ASAN
ASAN stands for the “Autistic Self-Advocacy Network: Nothing about us without us.” ASAN has many resources for autistics and their families including free downloadable informational books, videos, history, position statements, policy information, toolkits, and more. This is a great identity-first website for families to get information from a Neurodiveristy perspective instead of the medical model of disability.
Local Resources:
Regional Center of Orange County
The Regional Center is an amazing resource for families with special needs members. They coordinate support groups, evaluations, services, and parent education and support families all throughout the process. They are so supporting that they come to families houses for appointments instead of asking families to come in to their office. They offer financial assistance for insurance copays, even for middle-class families. They offer assistance transitioning to the school district services at three years of age, will assist in signing up for Medi-Cal, and offer Lanterman services for children with significant delays in three or more areas over the age of three.
Behavior Frontiers
Behavior Frontiers offers individualized ABA therapy to families. They are flexible and understand that many parents work and offer therapy nights and Saturdays. They will send Behavioral Interventionists to events, activities, homes, and schools/daycares to provide services and are very flexible in what the can bill insurance as ABA, and traditional (outdated) discrete trial ABA methods are not used by Behavior Frontiers, which makes them rank much higher than Easter Seals (another local ABA provider which follows the 1980s ABA guidelines).
Beach Kids Therapy Center
Beach Kids provides Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Therapy and Physical Therapy for children with autism and other disorders. They work with families to provide a therapy routine that works for each family’s needs and goals and are kind and professional. They make parents feel like part of the team and always works towards meeting the best of the child.
Regional Center of Orange County
The Regional Center is an amazing resource for families with special needs members. They coordinate support groups, evaluations, services, and parent education and support families all throughout the process. They are so supporting that they come to families houses for appointments instead of asking families to come in to their office. They offer financial assistance for insurance copays, even for middle-class families. They offer assistance transitioning to the school district services at three years of age, will assist in signing up for Medi-Cal, and offer Lanterman services for children with significant delays in three or more areas over the age of three.
Behavior Frontiers
Behavior Frontiers offers individualized ABA therapy to families. They are flexible and understand that many parents work and offer therapy nights and Saturdays. They will send Behavioral Interventionists to events, activities, homes, and schools/daycares to provide services and are very flexible in what the can bill insurance as ABA, and traditional (outdated) discrete trial ABA methods are not used by Behavior Frontiers, which makes them rank much higher than Easter Seals (another local ABA provider which follows the 1980s ABA guidelines).
Beach Kids Therapy Center
Beach Kids provides Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Therapy and Physical Therapy for children with autism and other disorders. They work with families to provide a therapy routine that works for each family’s needs and goals and are kind and professional. They make parents feel like part of the team and always works towards meeting the best of the child.
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Stakeholders who may be involved in support, primarily with school-age children:
Parent or Guardian
A parent or guardian is the legal guardian and caretaker of the child with autism. Their role is to determine which interventions are most beneficial and how they would like them to be implemented using the support of their IEP team, medical team, and other specialists.
Special Education Teacher
The special education teacher is the teachers who either monitors the student with autism’s progress in their general education classes, does pull-out courses with the student, or has student in special day class all day or some combination of these. The teacher determines how to implement the IEP on a day to day basis and records successes and failures.
General Education Teacher
The general education teacher provides inclusion classroom experience with general education courses. The general ed teacher is expected to provide accommodations from the IEP and teach Universal Design for accessibility to all students.
Administrator
Administrators participate at the IEP and facilitate needed accommodations for students, discussions with parents, and generally make sure that team members are present and those who need input are present.
School Psychologist
The school psychologist typically runs the evaluations for the student and in collaboration with the rest of the IEP team specialists, recommends what kind of services, interventions, or accommodations may be necessary and monitors how the student is progressing.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Speech-Language Pathologists provide speech therapy and, in collaboration with the rest of the IEP team, set speech goals for the student to be able to work on and monitors speech progress in therapy. This can include pronunciation, comprehension, and verbalization of speech.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists (OTs)are often needed for students with autism who also have issues with fine motor control. OTs assist students in maneuvering physically for students who struggle with inability to coordinate both hand in motions, writing tasks, and many more activities.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) work with students onoe-on-one or in small groups using Applied Behavioral Analysis techniques to help students manage their behaviors and learn socially acceptable behaviors. The facilitate goals in the IEP by helping students learn new ways of doing things that work.
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapy (PT) can be needed for students who experience gross motor skills problems. Some students who have autism are also hypermobile and very flexible, but uncoordinated. For example, some students’ feet turn slightly inwards and they trip themselves, for example, and a PT can help teach this student how to align their feet so they do not trip.
Paraprofessional
Paraprofessionals are adult workers who assist in classroom settings for students with learning challenges. Some are there to help with academic skills, some with social skills, some with general classroom management, and some even help students use the bathroom.
Vocational Specialist
A vocational specialist will work on job training skills and finding jobs where students would be successful and earn income for themselves with the goal of students being able to be self-sufficient.
Adapted Physical Education Teacher
Adapted Physical Education Teachers teach PE for students with disabilities that prevent them from being in a general education PE class, such as students in wheelchairs. These students still need exercise, but have limitations that the adapted PE teachers navigate.
Pediatrician
A child’s pediatrician supports from the medical standpoint. If there are any medications that may benefit a child, dietary issues to navigate, or referrals for insurance to pay for services, these go through a child’s pediatrician.
Nutritionist
A nutritionist may be needed as a part of the team for autistic students because many autistic people have food sensitivities, allergies, preferences, or aversions. A nutritionist comes into play to make sure that the child is still getting the nutrition that they need while still operating within the family’s comfort zone.
Social Worker
A social worker may be a part of a child’s team if they receive Medi-Cal, SDI, or other state services that may be monitored by the state. A social worker may also get involved if there are discrepancies between the way the school determines the IEP and the parent actions at home. If a teacher suspects abuse or neglect to a child’s needs, a social worker may be called to assist and check-in on the family and help the family navigate the challenges of having a child with autism.
Parent or Guardian
A parent or guardian is the legal guardian and caretaker of the child with autism. Their role is to determine which interventions are most beneficial and how they would like them to be implemented using the support of their IEP team, medical team, and other specialists.
Special Education Teacher
The special education teacher is the teachers who either monitors the student with autism’s progress in their general education classes, does pull-out courses with the student, or has student in special day class all day or some combination of these. The teacher determines how to implement the IEP on a day to day basis and records successes and failures.
General Education Teacher
The general education teacher provides inclusion classroom experience with general education courses. The general ed teacher is expected to provide accommodations from the IEP and teach Universal Design for accessibility to all students.
Administrator
Administrators participate at the IEP and facilitate needed accommodations for students, discussions with parents, and generally make sure that team members are present and those who need input are present.
School Psychologist
The school psychologist typically runs the evaluations for the student and in collaboration with the rest of the IEP team specialists, recommends what kind of services, interventions, or accommodations may be necessary and monitors how the student is progressing.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Speech-Language Pathologists provide speech therapy and, in collaboration with the rest of the IEP team, set speech goals for the student to be able to work on and monitors speech progress in therapy. This can include pronunciation, comprehension, and verbalization of speech.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists (OTs)are often needed for students with autism who also have issues with fine motor control. OTs assist students in maneuvering physically for students who struggle with inability to coordinate both hand in motions, writing tasks, and many more activities.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) work with students onoe-on-one or in small groups using Applied Behavioral Analysis techniques to help students manage their behaviors and learn socially acceptable behaviors. The facilitate goals in the IEP by helping students learn new ways of doing things that work.
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapy (PT) can be needed for students who experience gross motor skills problems. Some students who have autism are also hypermobile and very flexible, but uncoordinated. For example, some students’ feet turn slightly inwards and they trip themselves, for example, and a PT can help teach this student how to align their feet so they do not trip.
Paraprofessional
Paraprofessionals are adult workers who assist in classroom settings for students with learning challenges. Some are there to help with academic skills, some with social skills, some with general classroom management, and some even help students use the bathroom.
Vocational Specialist
A vocational specialist will work on job training skills and finding jobs where students would be successful and earn income for themselves with the goal of students being able to be self-sufficient.
Adapted Physical Education Teacher
Adapted Physical Education Teachers teach PE for students with disabilities that prevent them from being in a general education PE class, such as students in wheelchairs. These students still need exercise, but have limitations that the adapted PE teachers navigate.
Pediatrician
A child’s pediatrician supports from the medical standpoint. If there are any medications that may benefit a child, dietary issues to navigate, or referrals for insurance to pay for services, these go through a child’s pediatrician.
Nutritionist
A nutritionist may be needed as a part of the team for autistic students because many autistic people have food sensitivities, allergies, preferences, or aversions. A nutritionist comes into play to make sure that the child is still getting the nutrition that they need while still operating within the family’s comfort zone.
Social Worker
A social worker may be a part of a child’s team if they receive Medi-Cal, SDI, or other state services that may be monitored by the state. A social worker may also get involved if there are discrepancies between the way the school determines the IEP and the parent actions at home. If a teacher suspects abuse or neglect to a child’s needs, a social worker may be called to assist and check-in on the family and help the family navigate the challenges of having a child with autism.
