Here is the link to Autism Speaks' Transition Tool Kit
http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits/transition-tool-kit
Here are some highlights:
It is important be mindful that the transition process must include goals that are:
• Outcome-oriented
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Based upon the student’s strengths and areas of need
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- Focused on instruction and services for education, employment, and other living skills.
- This is a process that will continue to evolve. The transition plan is a work in progress that should be monitored several times per year. You and your adolescent with autism will continue to learn and grow during this process, and you will need to adjust your plan accordingly. By beginning early and working collaboratively with your school district, outside agencies and others in your community, you will be able to make the best possible use of educational entitlements afforded to your child with autism before he or she enters adulthood.
"As far in advance of the first meeting as possible, you should talk with your
adolescent with autism about what he or she may want to do in the future. While
out in the community, you can identify different jobs that may be of interest to him
or her. You may also want to point out older siblings or other young adults in your family
or neighborhood that are going off to college, getting a job, or living on their own. It is
important to remember that this may seem like a scary topic for adolescents with autism
to discuss, and they may not be ready. Some families have shared that they have
scheduled a specific day of the week and a specific time to discuss future plans with
their young adult. Along with their adolescent, one family scheduled Sundays from 3:00
to 3:30 as their time to discuss employment, living arrangements, or community life.
This helped provide structure and a time limit on a sensitive subject. It also provided
some time for the young adult to prepare for what he or she was going to share during
these sessions. "
Keeping It Real: How to Get the Supports You Need for the Life You Want
http://rwjms.umdnj.edu/boggscenter/projects/keep_real_more.html
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Prozac May Reduce Symptoms of Autism in Adults
The antidepressant Prozac may alleviate repetitive behavior and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in adults with autism, reducing these defining symptoms of the disorder, according to new research.
The research, which included 37 high-functioning autistic adults, mainly diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, followed participants for 12 weeks. Taking Prozac (fluoxetine) doubled the chances that a patient would show overall improvement, measured by their clinicians. Half of the participants taking Prozac had significant reductions in obsessive-compulsive symptoms, compared with 8% taking placebo. Side effects were mild to moderate and participants taking Prozac did not show increases in suicidal thoughts or ideas.
“Repetitive behavior is a core symptom of the illness,” says lead author Dr. Eric Hollander, medical director of the Autism and Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Program at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, explaining that “from a very early age, these children have rituals and routines. For example, they like to line up their toys and they get very bent out of shape if there is any deviation.”
A previous, larger study of a similar medication, Celexa (citalopram), in autistic children did not find a reduction in repetitive behaviors, but the drug did reduce irritability and was superior to placebo among children who had the highest levels of irritability. Irritability can sometimes lead to repetitive behaviors because autistic people often engage in these activities to soothe themselves.
Both Prozac and Celexa belong to a class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. Prior research on SSRIs in autistic people has also looked at Luvox (fluvoxamine) and found a reduction in repetitive behavior in adults but not children. It is not known if the differences between these studies are due to differences between the medications or other factors.
Obsessive behaviors may also arise in autistic people in response to the stress or discomfort of unpredictable situations. “Many of these individuals have expectations for what’s going to happen, and if there is an unexpected deviation, they experience a lot of discomfort and then they do all these kinds of behaviors,” says Hollander. That’s why people with autism may obsessively avoid locations where they previously experienced discomfort, for example, or they may engage in a repetitive habit like washing, checking, counting, touching or tapping.
When taking Prozac, Hollander says, “Patients acknowledge experiencing less discomfort. They’re more able to go outside their comfort zone and to better resist their habits and rituals.” One participant in Hollander’s study was previously too anxious to take the subway or eat in a restaurant, but, when taking Prozac, was able to tolerate these unpredictable environments.
“It takes the edge off,” Hollander explains, noting that the findings were statistically significant and clinically meaningful. “The clinicians could tell that people were doing better not only in terms of OCD symptoms but overall distress and ability to function.”
Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2011/12/05/prozac-may-reduce-symptoms-of-autism-in-adults/#ixzz1p8dFKxkr
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Recent studies by Nottingham University and Carnegie Mellon University have shown the enormous benefits and functionality that those in the autism spectrum experience when using computers. Belmont Technology provides a cost-effective way to employ computer use in homes and institutions that educate those in the autism spectrum.
Elk Grove Village, IL (PRWEB) March 14, 2012
In recent years, more and more educators have found the positive benefits of incorporating computer-based learning in the classroom of autistic children and adults. This is supported by brand new research in the field of computer-based learning for those in the autism spectrum.
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of developmental disorders that first appears in children around age 3. Autism affects the developing brain and hinders the normal development of social and communication skills. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 110 children in the United States have some form of ASD.
Children and adults with ASD struggle with both verbal and non-verbal communication, which affects their ability to learn in a traditional teaching environment. Many times parents and educators feel frustration or helplessness with respect to educating a child with ASD. While every ASD case is unique, studies have shown that computer interaction is one way those with ASD can learn and interact.
According to a new study by Nottingham University and Carnegie Mellon University, there are a number of factors that make computer learning easier for those with ASD.
Professor Simon Baron Cohen, Director of the Autism Research Centre, stated that the benefits for computers among this type of users are profound. "We can use computers to teach emotion recognition and to simplify communication by stripping out facial and vocal emotional expressions and slowing it down using email instead of face-to-face real-time modes."
While there are a number of software programs and applications that are targeted to those with autism, autistic children and adults can be very entertained, productive and talented with all types of computers. As anyone that has personal or professional experience with autism can attest, the demands of raising or educating a child with autism can be tolling on one's patience as well as wallet.
Fortunately, there are a number of ways to minimize some of the costs of educating a child or adult with autism. One such way is to invest in a refurbished desktop PC or refurbished laptop. When buying from a trusted computer distributor like Belmont Technology, you can be assured that you will receive a fully-functioning computer backed with a 90-day warranty.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2012/03/14/prweb9274701.DTL#ixzz1p8eahNlh
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of developmental disorders that first appears in children around age 3. Autism affects the developing brain and hinders the normal development of social and communication skills. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 110 children in the United States have some form of ASD.
Children and adults with ASD struggle with both verbal and non-verbal communication, which affects their ability to learn in a traditional teaching environment. Many times parents and educators feel frustration or helplessness with respect to educating a child with ASD. While every ASD case is unique, studies have shown that computer interaction is one way those with ASD can learn and interact.
According to a new study by Nottingham University and Carnegie Mellon University, there are a number of factors that make computer learning easier for those with ASD.
- ASD has a tendency to affect sensory processing, which limits writing ability but allows for typing.
- The precision and predictability of computer-formatted information is very useful for those in the autism spectrum.
- Those with ASD may demand complete control on a variety of aspects, making classroom learning nearly impossible, but computer learning a good option.
- The sound effects and graphics that can be employed through computers are engaging and stimulating for this in the autism spectrum.
- Communication is processed in a simple and non-threatening manner that adds comfort to those with autism.
Professor Simon Baron Cohen, Director of the Autism Research Centre, stated that the benefits for computers among this type of users are profound. "We can use computers to teach emotion recognition and to simplify communication by stripping out facial and vocal emotional expressions and slowing it down using email instead of face-to-face real-time modes."
While there are a number of software programs and applications that are targeted to those with autism, autistic children and adults can be very entertained, productive and talented with all types of computers. As anyone that has personal or professional experience with autism can attest, the demands of raising or educating a child with autism can be tolling on one's patience as well as wallet.
Fortunately, there are a number of ways to minimize some of the costs of educating a child or adult with autism. One such way is to invest in a refurbished desktop PC or refurbished laptop. When buying from a trusted computer distributor like Belmont Technology, you can be assured that you will receive a fully-functioning computer backed with a 90-day warranty.
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