The End of the Day is Only an Hour Away!!! But there are 3600 seconds in an hour….

What Did We Learn Today? Besides the obvious… Powerpoint is a marvelous innovation that enables even the most incompetent speakers to sound like experts.

Autism is Not Hopeless!!

Autism is Not Curable (Yet) But, once we adopt realistic goals, people with ASD can grow up to have lives as full, in their own way, as those of people who don’t have autism.

The Most Attractive People, Austitic or Not…. Are people who learn to accept who they really are, identify their strengths, protect their vulnerable areas and find what it is in life that inspires them to do their best. Short Story: To become loveable, learn to love yourself

Nobody With Autism will Learn How to “Always Blend In” But we don’t have to!! We live in a society that tolerates a wide range of people. Some people make a lot of money by being different!

Needs of People with Autism Change!!! Every age presents new challenges. Parents need support and respect. Most things that help other children/adults also help people with autism…..we are more like you than you think!!

People With Autism Don’t Always Have “Uniquely Autistic” problems or solutions… Some of us just get fat, old or lonely. We are just dead when dead, as you will be. Little League isn’t baseball therapy. Special Interests are just another name for “Hobbies.” George W. Bush perseverates on Iraq.

SUCH AS…. Flexible, reassuring structure… Diet and Exercise that suits the person Appropriate Inclusion Planning Ahead Assuming that a person can always learn and grow.

Spontaneous Events Often Confuse People with Autism But they can learn what to do in many situations by learning drills. They can also learn how to ask for help when they really need it.

Autistics Are Not Likely to Wind Up in the NBA But there are many individual or paired physical activities that they can and do enjoy. And a good diet is good sense for everyone.

Inclusion, Properly Done, Works Real Inclusion doesn’t try to make your child normal. It tries to help the child benefit by sharing learning and other experiences with age peers as often as possible when appropriate. The best place to start is any activity the child can enjoy or at least tolerate, good at it or not, with minimal need for support. Build from there.

Always Plan Ahead!! Link up with other Parents and Professionals as you plan… Have the big life events happen while you are around to help the child/adult through them. Have emergency plans in case you check out too soon.

There is No Such Thing as “too old” or “Too late” to learn or grow… My favorite case… ( Please bear with the speaker as he shares his favorite inspiring anecdote about a dear friend with autism )

Autistic People Can Help Each Other!! Support Groups don’t make them more autistic. They help them feel comfortable and learn about life from people who walk in their shoes.

Another Great Way We Can Help Each Other…. Circles of support: These are formed for any individual. Composed of any peer, family member or other sincere ally who wants to regularly meet to help that person discuss his life, share successes, get support and expand his horizons.

Autistic People Can Help You Help Us!! Autistic people have some traits that ironically, make them potentially good advocates! But they may want to advocate for some cause outside of autism. If so, let them!!

Autistic People Can Work!! Partial List of jobs your speaker knows have been successfully held by people with autism.. Cashier, Computer Programmer, Cab Driver, Hairstylist, Pet Groomer, Accountant, Teacher, Gardener, Psychologist, Delivery Man, Plumber,

More Work!!! Some of us have also made money as… Custodians, TV Repairmen, Mechanics, Mailroom Clerks, Copy Editors, Cooks, Pizza Deliverymen, Mailmen, Security Guards, Lifeguards, Tour Guides, Hotel Desk Clerks, Librarians, Musicians and Music Therapists…..

People With Autism May Want Relationships The speaker is happy to point out that thanks to the Internet, there are now HUNDREDS of examples of married couples in which at least one person, if not both have ASD. After all, sex is repetitive stimulation….

Interest Groups are Great Places for People with Autism… But Interest Groups are really just clubs!! There are lots of clubs for every age. Clubs provide potential friends and teach valuable social skills. There is a big difference between having a talent and an interest….

Hopefully, your child will find a life goal in which he has ability and interest… But that doesn’t always happen. The happiest and most successful people wind up following their greatest interest; their passion….

For Example, Your Speaker’s Passion… “Whether I have any talent at it or not, my passion is not in numbers for which I was always known… My passion is to convince every one I meet that life is worth living to the fullest and to the best of your ability.