1. What We've Learned About Autism: Tools For IM4Q Monitors
Jack Hartley
Mary Hartley

4. We don't need to be cured
Being autistic in a world that isn't built for people like us comes with all sorts of pain and challenges, but why do so many people automatically assume that it's the autism that needs fixing? Many of us on the spectrum believe that the money and energy that's funneled into searching for a cure would be better spent on acceptance, supports, and services to help autistic people with everything from personal care to employment issues.
-Sarah Kurchak for CNN April 2017

5. Don’t assume anything. Ask.
Presume Competence *at all times
Person First (Pronouns) Language May not be Preference
Pronouns

6. One example
“Are your eyes listening? That’s what needs to happen to hear my writing voice. Because of autism, the thief of politeness and friendship, I have no sounding voice. By typing words I can play with my life and stretch from my world to yours. I become a real person when my words try to reach out to you without my weird body scaring you away. Then I am alive.” — Sarah Stup, excerpted from “Are your eyes listening? Collected Works”

7. When you’ve met one person with Autism…
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

8. Diversity

10. What is autism (medically speaking)?
CDC:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability  that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. There is often nothing about how people with ASD look that sets them apart from other people, but people with ASD may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in ways that are different from most other people. The learning, thinking, and problem-solving abilities of people with ASD can range from gifted to severely challenged. Some people with ASD need a lot of help in their daily lives; others need less.
A diagnosis of ASD now includes several conditions that used to be diagnosed separately: autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome. These conditions are now all called autism spectrum disorder.

11. Synapse

12. Working with Autistic Adults
Be positive, but calm
Take direction from the autistic adult -observe and listen
Speak and allow time for response
Outline expectations of your interview and discussion
To complete this, I will…you will…
Give time frames of structure: this whole discussion will take 1 hr., this first part will take 15 number of minutes, etc.
Visual and written cues and answers
Depending on time, breaks

13. “The best way I can describe my personal experience would be similar to being lost in a cave. The inside of the cave is my mind, and the cave walls are formed to block the sensory overload and overstimulation. I don’t want to be in there. I want to connect with the outside world. But I can’t find the exits. Or when I finally do, it’s only for a moment. I finally process what someone has said to me, and respond. But then I get sucked back into the cave again. It’s not always a choice for me, but my brain’s automatic response.”
Sensory Overload: What Overstimulation Feels Like for Me as Someone on the Autism Spectrum BLOG Erin Clemens

14. What should be done about Stimming?
What is Stimming?
What should be done about Stimming?

15. While it’s true some people don’t show much emotion…
It’s not for lack of empathy. In fact, the person may feel a lot.

17. Challenging Behaviors
Communication
Antecedent (when is this occurring?)

18. “Autistic people are individuals
“Autistic people are individuals. We are not all maths geniuses, we don’t all like trains. I am hopeless with technology and much prefer painting. There is no ‘typical Autistic.’ But I think we probably all like being respected and validated.” — Jeanette Purkis

19. Independence-Positive Outcomes
Always Choices Never Limits

20. Environment Preferences and Challenges
Light
Sound
Texture
Taste
Smell
Preference, Repetition May be directly linked.

21. Repetition
Although repetitive behaviour varies from person to person, the reasons behind it may be the same:
an attempt to gain sensory input, eg rocking may be a way to stimulate the balance (vestibular) system; hand-flapping may provide visual stimulation
an attempt to reduce sensory input, eg focusing on one particular sound may reduce the impact of a loud, distressing environment; this may particularly be seen in social situations
to deal with stress and anxiety and to block out uncertainty
to pass the time and provide enjoyment.
-National Autistic Society June 2018

22. Autistic Adults who Don’t Speak at All or Much (Tips for Communication from Variety of Sources
Get at physical level
Ask, and wait for response (Breathe)
Pictures and Words
Mirror, repeat
Non-verbal cues
Communication Device (if at first, keep trying)

23. Choices & Concrete Statements

24. Adulthood

25. Washington Post, 2015 Citing Drexel Study
Shattuck’s team found that more than half of young adults with autism were “completely disengaged” from any employment or post-secondary education in the two years after leaving high school.

27. Largely about Interests
More tonight!

28. Sources
routines.aspx#
autistic-spectrum/
spectrum/
autism-a-lack-of-support-when-they-need-it-most/2015/03/23/cd082c64-b e4-854b-a38d13486ba1_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.dc51bac5a535