Archive for August 2013

Monthly Archive

When Parents Disagree about Their Child’s Treatment

Finding and participating in treatment for a child with autism spectrum disorder can be challenging under the best circumstances. At the outset of treatment or even in the course of it, barriers to progress may become evident. One of the most difficult barriers to overcome is a situation in which a child’s parents disagree with the choice or course of treatment. As a result, much of the interaction with the provider may be dominated by resolving conflict and managing the adults in the session, rather than focusing on the child’s needs and well-being. Thus, the child’s treatment needs may be overshadowed, and progress is slowed or halted altogether.  Read full post »

Prioritizing Treatment When Your Child Enters School

school busIf you are a parent of a young child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), you may be juggling multiple services and interventions during the week (such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, social activities, applied behavioral analysis (ABA). You may be wondering how to gauge your child’s progress in these interventions. You may also be wondering how you will pare down these interventions once your child enters school. For instance, how much intervention is TOO much intervention? And how do I know which interventions are really making a difference and warrant continuing once my child enters school? Read full post »

Alyssa Burnett Adult Life Center to Provide Resources for Adults with Autism

We are very excited about this new resource for our community. Please see the official press release from July 25th below:

“Seattle Children’s Hospital today announced a $7 million gift from Charles and Barbara Burnett and Tessera to help launch the Alyssa Burnett Adult Life Program to provide lifelong services for people with autism and other developmental disabilities.

The donation includes the Tessera Center for Lifelong Learning, which will become the new home of Seattle Children’s Alyssa Burnett Adult Life Center. The Tessera Center was founded in 2004 by the Burnett family to provide young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities an opportunity to build skills that foster independence and social connections, and improve their overall quality of life.  Read full post »

How to Request Special Education Services after an Autism Diagnosis

My child just received a diagnosis of autism. How do I get support for him/ her at school?

The first step is to request a special education evaluation through public school. This request must be made in writing. The letter can be short and to the point, and should be delivered to the school principal or school psychologist. You can request this evaluation through the public schools even if your child is home-schooled or attends private school. Read full post »

National Housing and Residential Supports Survey

Voice your needs in the National Housing and Residential Supports Survey

Autism Speaks is hosting a national survey about the housing needs of adolescents and adults with autism in the United States. Their goal is to increase support for both the public and private sectors to expand housing and supports for individuals with autism.

The survey takes about 15 minutes and is designed for individuals with autism ages 14 and older and their caregivers. Voice your concerns in the first survey of its kind, but hurry, the survey will close on August 9th! Autism Speaks is hoping to have 10,000 responses by Friday (just 3 days to go!) and to share the results on October 1st.

National Housing and Residential Supports Survey (En Español)

FAQs about the survey  Read full post »