Urgent Need for Capacity-Building

1. ™ Fostering Self-Advocacyfor Adults with Autismin the Services SectorsValerie Paradiz, PhDExecutive DirectorAutistic Global Initiative

2. Urgent Need for Capacity-Building • Exponential increase in diagnostic rate in the past 20 years • 1 in 68 school-aged children have autism (Centers for Disease Control) • 78% increase in demand for adult services expected over the next 6 years (TEACCH, North Carolina) Valerie Paradiz, PhD for Autistic Global Initiative

3. Autistic Global Initiative The Mission of AGI is to foster the development of adults on the autism spectrum and those who work with and for them. Autistic Global Initiative

4. AGI Resources • Online Course for DSPs • ISA Integrated Self-Advocacy • Trauma Awareness Initiatives • “Trauma Warriors” Hosting Program • AGI eBulletin • Technical Assistance Autistic Global Initiative

5. AGI Residential &Daily Living Course for DSPs • 12-Week Online Course • Nationally renowned faculty teaching evidence-based practice • Teaching assistants are individuals with autism • Self-determination as foundation • HoultonInstitute.com Autistic Global Initiative

6. Units of Study (1) • History of Autism • Person-Centered Approach • Supporting Regulation • Supporting Communication • Applications (Evidence-Based Practices) • Citizenship & Community Life Autistic Global Initiative

7. Units of Study (2) • Sexuality & Relationships • Supporting Safety • Health & Wellness • Supporting Transportation Autistic Global Initiative

8. Person-Centered Approach

9. Starting Assumptions • Individuals with autism can fully participate in making decisions about their lives • Individuals with autism have limitless potential • It is our responsibility to support individuals with autism to attain a high quality of life Janine Collins, MTS, MSW for Autistic Global Initiative

10. Key Factors to aPerson Centered Approach Janine Collins, MTS, MSW for Autistic Global Initiative

11. Person-Centered Thinking (1) • Focuses on capacities/strengths • Moves away from notion of “fixing” the person • Views disability as one component of things considered • Supports choice while considering issues of safety and risk • Incorporates belief that individuals can/should have natural supports Janine Collins, MTS, MSW for Autistic Global Initiative

12. Person-Centered Thinking (2) • Distinguishes between what is important to a person and for a person • Plans support in terms of the individual’s • Preferences • Interests • Needs • Strengths PINS Janine Collins, MTS, MSW for Autistic Global Initiative

13. Supporting Regulation

14. Regulatory Issues in Autism Janine M. Collins, MTS, MSW for Autistic Global Initiative

15. Sensory Processing

16. Sensory Processing (1) • The ability to process information from the senses • Sensory processing is • Present from birth • An unconscious process • Impacted by prior knowledge and experiences Janine M. Collins, MTS, MSW for Autistic Global Initiative

17. Sensory Processing (2) Information may come in: TOO BIG too small Seeing Smelling Tasting Hearing Touching Proprioception Vestibular distorted Sensory Gang used with permission of AAPC Judy Endow, MSW for Autistic Global Initiative

18. Sensory Processing (3) • Some people are hyposensitive and may • Make repetitive or high-pitched vocalizations • Seek contact through • Touching, tasting or smelling objects or surfaces • Viewing highly visual stimuli, such as flickering lights Janine M. Collins, MTS, MSW for Autistic Global Initiative

19. Sensory Processing (4) • Some people are hyposensitive and may seek • Movement requiring balance such as • Scaling • Climbing on objects • Deep pressure by • Throwing self into objects • Falling to the floor Janine M. Collins, MTS, MSW for Autistic Global Initiative

20. Sensory Processing (5) • Some are hypersensitive and may react negatively to • Certain types of repeating sounds • Light touch or handshakes • “Ordinary” tastes and smells • Bright or flickering light • Abrupt changes in surface • Movements requiring balance Janine M. Collins, MTS, MSW for Autistic Global Initiative

21. Integrated Self Advocacy ISA Online Course & Certification ISA Certification course All disability populations AutismSelfAdvocacy.com

22. Ineffective & Effective Self-Advocacy Valerie Paradiz, PhD for Autistic Global Initiative

23. Indicators of Self Advocacy • Self-awareness • Competence • Autonomy autismselfadvocacy.com

24. Five Advocacy Skill Areas • Sensory/environmental • Social • Disclosure • Strengths & interests • Civil rights & entitlements autismselfadvocacy.com

25. ISA Sensory Scan™

26. Understanding the Necessity for Sensory Self-Advocacy Valerie Paradiz, PhD for Autistic Global Initiative

27. Advocating for Sensory Needs • Becoming aware of one’s own self-regulation and sources of comfort • Understanding how to advocate for environmental accommodations • Advocating for environmental accommodations in novel situations or settings Valerie Paradiz, PhD for Autistic Global Initiative

28. Indicators & Skills Assessment Survey autismselfadvocacy.com

29. The ISA Sensory Scan™ Valerie Paradiz, PhD for Autistic Global Initiative

30. Scanning with Visual & Communication Supports Center for Integrated Self-Advocacy for Autistic Global Initiative

31. Graphic Organizer Social Scan autismselfadvocacy.com

32. Making an Advocacy Plan Advocacy Plan 3 Advocacy Steps • Self-Awareness • discover needs & preferences • Disclosure & Plan • make an advocacy plan • Implementation • carry out plan & assess outcome Valerie Paradiz, PhD for Autistic Global Initiative

33. Trauma Awareness Autistic Global Initiative

34. AGI Trauma Initiatives • “Trauma Warriors” Film Hosting Program • Review of Literature (Paul Shattuck, Drexel University) • AGI Young Leaders Think Tank • Trauma Recovery and Survivorship • Trauma Survey (JFK Partners, CU School of Medicine) Autistic Global Initiative

35. Additional Resources Autistic Global Initiative

36. Resources • Technical Assistance: AGI@autism.com • AGI Adults with Autism eBulletin: www.autism.com Autistic Global Initiative