Help Autism Asperger's Digest reach 3,000 likes on Facebook

Hello everyone,

Let's help Autism Asperger's Digest reach 3,000 likes on facebook...better yet let's help them get to 4,000 by the end of the month.  Below is a link to there facebook page.  This is a great publication providing tremendous articles and information to help families raising a child on the autism spectrum.

Take care...Eric

http://www.facebook.com/autismdigest

Eden Autism Services

I could not imagine raising my son with autism during the 1970’s, 80’s or even the 1990’s.  Twenty years from now parents raising a child with autism will be saying the same thing about parents having to raise a child during the beginning of the century in comparison to 2030.  As years and decades pass the level of therapy and education programs available to families raising a child with autism has greatly improved. During the 1970’s and 80’s a parent would be hard pressed to find a school district willing to build their curriculum specific to the needs of a student with autism.  During the 1990’s, specifically toward the end of that decade, curriculums for special education students started to shift as the number of students with autism entering public schools continued to climb, and the requirement for schools to develop Individualized Education Plan (IEP).   

 Today, it has become the norm in a lot of school districts to observe various evidence based practices and techniques being used, such as, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and TEACCH.  There are various other evidence based programs and more that are in development.  With the increase of our dependence on technology various computer programs and Apps have been developed to help teachers and therapists assist their students with math, reading, speech, and gross and fine motor skills.   As this mass population of children on the autism spectrum get older and move into adulthood there will be a greater need for resources to continue the therapy they are receiving, but also to assist with employment and residential placement.

One company that has grown with the autism population as it has gotten older is Eden Autism Services.  What started in 1975 as a family-oriented school for individuals with autism has became a multi faceted service provider for those living in New Jersey and Florida.  The Eden Institute provides school services to individuals on the spectrum from age 3 to 21 and teaching techniques are based on ABA.  The Eden Institute also provides speech and occupational therapy as well as adaptive physical education.

For those transitioning from school age to adult, Eden provides adult residential and employment services.  Eden offers 24 hour residential support and serves 5 to 7 adults with autism at their group homes.   They also operate an employment training center in New Jersey where adults are taught skills with the goal of joining center-based, supportive or competitive employment. Center-based employment consist of clients staying at an Eden Center and working on sub-contract mailings or assembly line work, and with supported employment clients work in the community under the supervision of an Eden job coach.  Competitive employment allows clients who have demonstrated the ability to work independently with minimal supervision to work in the community, and are dropped off and picked-up daily. 

Eden also offers several other services, such as, evaluation, consultation, training and workshops, assessment and curriculum series, and in-home services.  Thanks Eden Autism Services for nearly 40 years of serving children and adults with autism.  Your dedication and commitment to this population is greatly appreciated.

To learn more about Eden Autism Services or to donate to their organization you can click on the following link:  http://edenautism.org/wordpress2/

Buffets and Restaurants

It was not long ago when we were unable to go to a restaurant with Zach unless it was buffet style and he picked it.  Due to communication barriers and some behavioral issues, going to a restaurant was a challenge as we never really knew or could understand what Zach wanted.  Not to mention if the item he wanted at that moment was not on the menu there was always potential for verbal and physical objection followed by a public meltdown.  However, we were not going to be held hostage from going to restaurants, and we needed to get Zach use to that type of environment and social interaction. 

The best way we found to ease and introduce Zach to the restaurant world was by way of buffet style.  It seemed like a safe bet, because most buffets have something for everyone’s taste buds and appetite.  At first we let Zach pick the restaurant and he usually went with an Italian buffet where he could fill up on salad, pasta, garlic bread, and any kind of pizza he wanted.  After a short time we decided to start picking buffets that had more of a variety so the rest of us could enjoy something else besides a bunch of carbohydrates.  While at more inclusive buffets Zach surprised us with some of his selections and he started to broaden his food choices. 

It took a while for Zach to get use to the Restaurant atmosphere before we could take him to a typical restaurant where you have to remain seated while the wait staff takes your order and brings your food to your table.  The first time it happened I happen to be in New Hampshire with my daughter visiting my parents.  My wife called to tell me she just had lunch at the Olive Garden Restaurant with my son and he did awesome.  Since this time we have been to several different restaurants where Zach orders his own food, waits patiently for his meal to arrive, and uses proper manners and behavior throughout the meal. 

Recently, Zach asked me to take him to Taco Bell (not exactly your sit down eatery), and prior to going he looked at the menu online and printed out the items he wanted.  Upon arrival to the restaurant, Zach ordered his own food, picked a place to sit, and used proper manners.  Granted he polished off 7 tacos before he was done, but we had a great time.  He has come a long way from no restaurants to eating at buffets and finally graduating to a typical restaurant.  Maybe Zach will let me pick the next place we go to eat and be ok with it…we will see.