REACH: Recent Episodes
Stacey Hoaglund
REACH – Resources, Education, Advice, Compassion and Hope. REACH is a podcast of the Autism Society of Florida as it endeavors to reach out to families and people with autism across the state and beyond. In this program, we bring to you writers, researchers, and people with a great depth of knowledge who will hopefully help make your journey a little bit easier, and lot more meaningful.
May is Drowning Prevention Water Safety Month.
Children with autism are 160 times more likely to die from drowning than typically developing children.
Check out these resources to stay ahead of a potential tragedy.
https://www.autismfl.org/drowning-prevention
https://ndpa.org/
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety.html?srsltid=AfmBOorjFrLqDlRa5rYW0ROMlK6f9CbRFzx888g7qDcxv3R_T-J5IuWJ
For many people with autism, food sensitivites and sensory challenges tend to contribute to aversions when it comes to eating certain types of foods.
Some struggle with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), which is an eating disorder that involves extreme picky eating caused by sensory sensitivities or food-based fears. In some cases, this can lead to severe malnutrition.
Research is increasingly finding connections between the ARFID and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Listen to this podcast to learn more.
As crazy as it seems for 2024, we are still faced with an 85+% un and underemployment rate for those with autism - many of who would LOVE to have a job! In this episode, we talk about what some of the challenges are and what steps you can take to traverse the interview process and do what we'd all like to do - start making some money!
This episode provides the real life experiences of bullying by two autistic self-advocates.
Females with autism often go unidentified until adulthood, which sets them up for a childhood riddled with anxiety brought on by masking and bullying. In this episode, hosts Michelle Zeman and Conrad Blaze share a candid conversation about some of those challenges and offer some tips to assist families as they seek to support their daughters, nieces, granddaughters and female loved ones.
In this session, hosts Michelle Zeman and Conrad Blaze give us their personal experience as self advocates dealing with masking.
In this episode, we hear from self-advocate, Conrad Blaze as he shares the difference between awareness and acceptance, and why acceptance is so much more meaningful.
Having medical information that's easily accessible to first responders is SO IMPORTANT to those with autism, as well as other medication conditions like epilepsy - which is found in more than 35% of those with autism. Equally important is for Mom or Dad to have medical jewelry on their own body, in case they become incapacitated during an accident with their child in the back seat, who may be unable to communicate with those who will need information during such a time. This interview with Lauren's Hope will give you tons of valuable information on this subject. Get your Lauren's Hope jewelry here and help protect the lives of those you love: https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=561791&u=4071577&m=51477&urllink=&afftrack=
Labels might be something that's meant for shirts, or even jars, but unfortunately they're also a pathway to accessing services. Maybe one day that will change, but for now, it's what we have. That's why it's important to know and understand what they are and why they have changed over the last ten years.
Access No Limits Global here - NOT TO BE MISSED :) - No Limits Global
Access our blog here: Blog of the ASF
We count on our workplaces to give us support. This episode explains what makes a workplace a supportive atmosphere for parents of kids with autism.
No Limits Global here
Blog here
To get a friend you have to be a friend. In this episode we talk about ways to become friends with a person with autism.
No Limits Global access here
Blog access here
You can't take care of someone else if you're not taking care of yourself. In this episode, we talk about some ways that you can ensure that you're remembering the person who's holding things together - YOU!
Grab No Limits Global Right here
This info can be found on our blog at: Autism Blog
Are you a caregiver? It's hard, isn't it? If we want to be around to help our kids and other loved ones, we MUST take care of ourselves! This episode focuses on the caregiver and why it's so important to not forget about YOU.
The #1 cause of death of children with autism is drowning. In fact, it happens 160 times more for these kids than it does for typically developing children. It's vitally important that parents know about CPR.
You can never hear or know too much about the need and benefits of early intervention. It helps ALL kids. This segment reviews some of the reasons why it's so important and offers some guidance on how to make it not seem so daunting.
Upwards of 63% of kids with autism experience bullying, at least that's what the statistics tell us. What about the kids who don't realize they're being taken advantage of, or who can't express themselves in order to report what they're going through? This segment shares some background on this horrible statistic and offers some suggestions on how to make change.
Animals contribute to our lives in SO many ways. This segment will expose some of them and hopefully give you some ideas on how you and your family might benefit.
More young people on the autism spectrum are attending college these days than ever before. In this episode we talk about some of the things that need to be taught before you get to college as well as the accommodations that you can expect after you get there if you understand your rights and how to advocate for yourself.
So much time is spent during the school day on academics, that there's often little time for play, movement, or the arts. Many kids go to school every day with the expectation that they will have to be still and seated for the majority of the day, which is contrary to what it is to be a kid. If we want our children to discover their gifts and their talents, especially if they are budding young artists, there's no way for that to happen if we don't open up the opportunities for them to have those experiences.
We all benefit from schedules. Some people need visual schedules, some people need checkoff schedules, some people need tactile schedules. In this episode we cover the importance of teaching kids how to utilize the schedule, as this is one support that can be embedded within the classroom and in the home that will help your child become as independent as possible, while still providing an incredible support to decrease anxieties, while promoting success.
When we feel stress, we don't learn. It's nearly impossible to focus on what someone is trying to teach you while you are filled with anxieties, frustrations, and stress. It's vitally important to teach our children different ways to cope with stressful situations so that when they find themselves in the midst of one, they have an outlet to reduce those anxieties and seek out the assistance that they need.
So many parents feel lost when it comes to IEPs. In this episode we talk about some of the most important parts of this plan and the things that you need to watch out for as a parent seeking the best education you can find for your child with autism.
There are incredible abilities that some people with autism have, but sadly, the system usually puts all of its focus in other areas :( This video shares some of the abilities that we should most definitely recognize and encourage.
The sooner intervention begins, the better the potentially amazing outcomes. There is no reason to delay seeking identification. None
Countless numbers of women with autism have shared that they struggled as children, never knowing why they seemed to have a harder time than most girls when it came to interacting with others. Masking who one is can not only take a tremendous effort, but can be completely debilitating. This video reflects on this and provides some guidance to obtain better outcomes.
Bark Parental Control of Social Media:
https://www.bark.us/?utm_source=aw&utm_medium=paid-search&utm_campaign=website-branded-google&utm_content=46385868617&utm_term=e&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrMKmBhCJARIsAHuEAPRFlHehNNnHwwdPfCe7TpFeYFnRStfGMog9xOsBgthW37t8Uqi9pYwaAnnREALw_wcB
IEP goals are a lot more important than parents think. If your child has IEP goals that require a separate setting (small group setting), the school will have what they need to keep your child outside of an inclusive educational environment. If you have goals that lower the bar on their achievement, you can easily experience limited growth and development. But, when a parent does know how to create rigorous and meaningful IEP goals, the IEP can be used as a tool to get your child on a pathway to success.
It's hard to say if social media is more harmful or more helpful these days. Particularly for kids, parents need to be hypervigilent in monitoring what they see and how they engage in the online world.
All kids are guaranteed an appropriate education in the "Least Restrictive Enviroment". If you're not sure if your child is getting what they should, it's time to schedule a meeting with your school to make sure that all supports are in place within the general education classroom BEFORE removing your child to a more segregated setting.
Hurricane season can stress us all out, but for especially for those who crave sameless and push back against change, it can be particulary harrowing. There are steps you can take NOW to make this time a little less manic.
No parent who has lost a child to drowning ever thought it could happen to them. Drowning is silent and quick and can happen in 2 inches of water. By knowing and practicing the layers of protection against drowning, you can save your child's life.
- Computer time, when use appropriately, can be a big benefit to kids. We know that while they're in school, they're being required to spend time online, whether we like that or not. Learning how to do so in a safe environment, like home, can be a big help.
Do you know WHY early diagnosis of autism is so important...even for kids who are reportedly doing well in school? In this segment of REACH, we'll talk to renowned researcher, scientist and psychologist Dr. Christopher J Smith from SAARC about the enormous benefits of early identification and interventions.
In this episode of REACH, we hear about a form of communication that is giving nonspeakers a way to not only get their point across, but to inform and educate those who are speakers in countless ways.
Expert, Dawnmarie Gaivin, shares several links with us so that you can gain a better understanding beyond what we captured during this 30 minute interview.
Share this information with your schools and therapists. Links: www.transcendingapraxia.com www.interplaytherapycenter.com www.I-ASC.org
In this edition of REACH, we talk to Dr. Siobhan Timmins, author of Developing Resilience in Young People with Autism Using Successful Social Stories. Resiliency is found in successful people across the globe, but for many who have autism, it's a skill that gets left untaught. Watch this video to learn how you can help your child improve in this vital area of development.
We are honored to have author and expert, Janice Goldschmidt, with us today. Find her book, Teaching Authentic Cooking Skills to Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, anywhere you find great books.
Girls and women on the autism spectrum are often forgotten or missed completely. What is needed is a collaborative and integrated approach that enables females to reach their potential. Grab some knowledge from this video as we talk to Dr Judith Hebron, author of Education and Girls on the Autism Spectrum, as we attempt to address the gender gap in the understanding of autism. By establishing close collaborations between girls on the spectrum, their parents, teachers and specialists, the field can move forward in terms of providing understanding and an appropriate educational framework for success.
In this REACH session we hear from Dr. Geraldine Dawson, world renowned expert in early intervention of children with autism.
Dr. Bettina Hohnen and Dr. Jane Gilmour, authors of "The Incredible Teenage Brain - Everything You Need to Know to Unlock Your Teen's Potential", join us for this segment of REACH. Learn strategies to decipher why your teen does what they do and how you can them get through this particularly difficult developmental period. This REACH session will help you guide your child to achieve their potential , build strong relationships and improve communication as they develop, learn and grow.
Purchase the book at: https://www.amazon.com/Incredible-Teenage-Brain-Everything-Potential/dp/1785925571
Humans, in general, learn a tremendous amount about life from play. For kids who have a harder time than most in learning social skills, play provides vast amount of benefits. In this edition, Glenda Fuge, OT, teaches us how we can use this time out of school to enhance our child's play skills - even in a time of social distancing.
Occupational therapist, writer and trainer, Kelly Mahler, shares information about how to assist others in developing skills in self regulation, awareness and social understanding. Kelly guides us along our path to interoception and how sensory systems impact so much of what we do every day.
Lisa Combs is a behavior specialist, educational consultant, and autism specialist. She is an author and consultant on instruction, inclusive practices and behavior support of children with special needs.
Lisa shares with us proactive strategies on inclusion in a practical and simple format that removes common barriers of success for students with autism.
Dr Barry Prizant is a speech language pathologist with 45 years in autism research. He is an adjunct professor at Brown University and Director of Child Communication Services. He is an author of both books and numerous articles, keynote presenter at hundreds of conferences, and consultant at school systems across the globe. His recent book, Uniquely Human, has been ranked by the Book Authority as the #1 of the "75 Best Autism Books of All Time."
This talk includes information about behavioral interventions for those with autism from one of America's most highly sought out certified behavior analysts, Dr Jim Ball.
Special thanks to Michelle Garcia Winner, creator of Social Thinking, for speaking with us and sharing her great depth of knowledge about social development on REACH. You can view that interview here – and please subscribe for more great info.
You can see her website, packed with helpful resources here: https://www.socialthinking.com/
You can also purchase her book, Thinking About You, Thinking About Me, here: https://www.socialthinking.com/Products…
THANKS MICHELLE!!!
Some children and adults with autism are having a particularly challenging time during the pandemic’s necessity to remain at home. Schedules are off, school has been cancelled, and providers who once came into homes to provide support, are often not available due to the social distance recommendation. With all of this creating “the perfect storm”, some may exhibit significant behaviors. During this live event, Jenna Ward-Hawkes and Melissa Rodi, authors of Managing Meltdowns and Tantrums on the Autism Spectrum, cover a variety of behavior interventions,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmAYcEaZJnQ
Order the book here:
https://www.jkp.com/…/managing-meltdowns-and-tantrums-on-th…
or on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Managing-Meltdowns-Tant…/…/1785928406
With school closings, parents are more confused than ever as to what their child has the right to and what they don’t. Parents are reporting that they’ve been told by their schools that there won’t be services until school resumes. Join us as we talk with Selene A. Almazan, Esq., Legal Director of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc
NO parent should feel alone in their journey of raising a child with autism. It’s HARD to care for them, teach them, advocate for them, fight for them, all while taking care of ourselves at the same time. We are parents just like any other human being. Our kids don’t come with a special manual or born to parents who have a certain set of skills. We learn as we go. Sometimes we figure things out fairly quickly, and sometimes it takes years of hard work and perspiration. If we try to do it all alone, or feel that we’ve been abandoned by those we once counted on, life can easily begin to feel as though it’s impossible.
Special thanks to Christine P. Collado-Acebal, Ph.D., for helping us along our journey.
The Autism Society of Florida is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that strives to empower lives by opening avenues of self-advocacy and advocating on behalf of others in a way that values equity, respect, dignity and diversity in all communities. This intro will offer a bit more background on what we do and how to connect. www.autismfl.org