Autism: What in the World is Going On (Feb 2012)

February 2012 By Maureen Bennie Member, Autism Calgary Community Director, Autism Awareness Centre Inc.

 The University of Ulster  in Northern Ireland has launched a new Master’s Degree program that will expand and enhance the management of Sensory Processing Disorder by occupational therapists and other allied health practitioners. The new Master of Science in Sensory Integration degree is based  on a series of modules conducted in partnership with the not-for-profit educational organization, Sensory Integration Network (UK and Ireland) .

The new courses are designed to equip participants with knowledge to apply current theories to everyday practice and to provide them with a theoretical basis for the management of people with SPDs. The courses are delivered as a pathway to certification by the Sensory Integration Network as a Practitioner, or Advanced Practitioner, of Sensory Integration.

This new program will produce highly qualified professionals to work with those who have SPD such as individuals with autism, ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Dyspraxia and Developmental Coordination Disorder. It’s a great step forward in education and programming.

A recently published study in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders found that although individuals with autism spectrum disorders are often preoccupied with television, computers, and video games (screen-based media), the majority (64.2%) spent most of their free time using non-social media (television, video games), while only 13.2% spent time on social media (email, internet chatting).

These results aren’t surprising because using social media involves using social skills, something people with ASD struggle with. Assistant Professor Paul Shattuck who lead the study, says that as kids with ASD’s age and as their cognitive skills improve, they spend more time using social media, which helps them to further develop social skills.

I recently discovered an excellent Facebook group called The Autism Discussion Page. The posts are written by Bill Nasen, MS, LLP and discuss tools that help children on the spectrum feel safe, accepted and competent. His philosophy is although each child is different with their unique strengths and challenges, there are some common strategies that can strengthen the social, emotion, and cognitive security for most children on the spectrum.

All of his presentations are organized on the Fragile World on the Spectrum website. He then opens the floor for discussion about these topics on his Facebook page. I noticed he does answer everyone who posts. Lots of effort here from someone who is clearly intelligent and understands individuals with ASD.

There is a lot of discussion and controversy around the new proposed criteria for autism in the upcoming DSM-V. The new definition would sharply reduce the skyrocketing rate at which the disorder is diagnosed and might make it harder for many people who would no longer meet the criteria to get health, educational and social services, a new analysis suggests. The new changes would probably exclude people with a diagnosis who were higher functioning.

There was an outstanding article written in the New York Times on this subject, which includes statements from a wide range of researchers, people working in the field of ASD and parents; a very informative read on a hot topic right now.

We don’t often hear from fathers of children with ASD. One dad I know in Nova Scotia, Paul Peters, started his own blog called a Father’s Perspective on Autism. He has a daughter with autism. Paul’s posts are insightful and well-written. You can read his blog here.

It is challenging to find a curriculum on teaching sexuality to people with ASD. The recently published book Intimate Relationships and Sexual Health: A Curriculum for Teaching Adolescents/Adults with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Social Challenges is a comprehensive, well-researched curriculum  and an up-to-date resource on sexuality, tailored to the unique characteristics of high-functioning adolescents and adults on the spectrum. The accompanying CD-ROM contains all the handouts for easy duplication and individualization.

Former Deputy Sheriff Robert Kahn, author of the Bobby and Mandee children’s safety series books, has a new book called Good Touch, Bad Touch. In this simple and engaging guide, Mandee and Bobby explain “good touches” (hugs and kisses from family members, a pat on the back, a handshake, or a high five) and “bad touches” (a hit, slap, punch, kick, bite, hard pinch, shove, or grabbing, tugging, scratching, tripping, or choking). They describe how to recognize each kind of touch, the differences between them, and how to respond.

There are some great, helpful features in this book such as the 8-question Bobby and Mandee’s Touch Quiz, how to teach the use of 911, and My List of Safe Grown-ups to Call – a blank form that parents and children can fill out together. Safety needs to be taught and this book provides a great framework to do just that.

Congratulations to Margaret Spoelstra, Executive Director of Autism Ontario, for her appointment to the Order of Canada. Thanks, Margaret, for your dedication to advocating for acceptance and opportunties for all individuals with autism; as well as your tireless work with Autism Ontario Chapters, families, self-advocates and professionals.

The Globe and Mail wrote an article about the Ottawa Police Service and their new voluntary autism registry. The idea of the registry is to inform police of an ASD diagnosis and if they need to intervene with that individual at some point, the diagnosis is known and the police have some training in dealing with ASD.

“The goal of the registry is to inform police that a child or adult may not be able to speak to them or follow commands – often the case for someone with autism spectrum disorder, a term that describes a range of increasingly common disorders that affect social interaction and communication. Police are finding themselves increasingly interacting with people in crises. Factors including deinstitutionalization of care have meant that more people with mental illness, or disorders such as autism, are coming into contact with police. Arming officers with information about a person’s condition is one way to prevent harm – both to the officer and the individual.” To read the article in its entirety, click here. 

Thorkil Sonne Presenting to Individuals and Families

Meet Thorkil Sonne Specialist People Foundatin Monday January 30 at 7:00pm Saphire Room, Executive Royal Inn 2828 23 Street NE, Calgary

This coming Monday January 30, 2012 Thorkil Sonne founder of the Specialist People Foundation is traveling from Denmark to Calgary to kick of the Specialisterne Canada Project.  An advisory committee of Autism Calgary community members has worked diligently to raise funds to embark on a feasibility study to examine the potential of a licensed Specialisterne operation in Calgary.  During Thorkil’s visit we are thrilled to provide an opportunity for individuals and families to meet Thorkil Sonne and learn more about this initiative that is sweeping the globe.

To register, be sure to contact Rebecca with your name, contact information, and the number in your party.  E-mail info [at] autismcalgary [dot] com or leave a phone message 403-250-5033 and dial zero.

The Autism Calgary member meet and greet will be held in the Saphire room of the Executive Royal Inn Calgary, 2828 23 Street NE at 7:00pm.  Thorkil will be presenting and there will be opportunity for conversation and refreshments.

 Press Release: 

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Calgary Social Enterprise to Create IT Employment for People with Autism

Specialisterne Founder Thorkil Sonne in Calgary January 30-31,

To Launch First Canadian Project

 CALGARY, AB, January 20, 2012 – People at the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum usually have a higher than average IQ, and special mental gifts – photographic recall is common.  In spite of this, they have an unemployment rate higher than 85%. 

Observing the amazing abilities of his own son with Autism, Danish Information Technology professional Thorkil Sonne founded Specialisterne (‘The Specialists’) in 2004, employing persons with Autism as IT consultants, primarily in software testing and data conversion.  The Copenhagen company has thrived on the special skills of its employees, delivered the benefits of their talents to Danish firms, and created good jobs for over 50 people, 33 of whom are on the autism spectrum.  In 2009, Thorkil set up the non-profit Specialist People Foundation and sold Specialisterne to it for a single Danish Krone.  The foundation’s goal is to create one million jobs for those on the autism spectrum, in part through facilitating the start-up of similar operations in other countries.  Licensed Specialisterne operations have been established in many countries around the world.

Calgary has tremendous potential to be a successful Specialisterne site.  It has roughly twice the population of Copenhagen, and more significantly, has a much higher proportion of Information Technology activity.  The Specialisterne Canada Advisory Board’s goal is to establish Specialisterne Canada as a Calgary-based not-for-profit company.  Autism Calgary, a registered charity, is underwriting this project. 

We are proud to announce that Thorkil Sonne will be in Calgary to kick-start our project, January 30 and 31.  We begin with a Feasibility Study and Business Planning.  Our goal is to begin operations before the end of 2012.

Thorkil will be helping to promote our project to the local IT community and Calgary supporters, and will be available for media events.  He has a powerful and positive story to tell. 

The Specialist People Foundation www.specialistpeople.com

Autism Calgary www.autismcalgary.com

Russ Peardon, Chair, Specialisterne Canada Advisory Board, russ [at] autismcalgary [dot] com  mobile: 403-609-9773

 

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Autism Community Choir

Autism Community Choir Tuesday Afternoons

We are looking for participants, youth and adults, with ASD ages 15 and up. We are focusing on individuals with moderate to severe autism.  We recognize this population is in as much need of peer to peer support and some fun!! Please come with your coolest caregiver and join us. No pressure, just hanging out!

Where: Deer Park United Church, 77 Deer Point Road SE Calgary T2J 6W5When: Tuesday Afternoons What: Get together, learning songs…a choir Who: YOU and Nicola, our very wonderful volunteer choir conductor. Maria and Rebecca our Autism Calgary Family Support team and Corrine, a wonderful volunteer. There will be snacks…

To Register or for more information please email Rebecca info [at] autismcalgary [dot] com or phone and leave a message at 403-250-5033 and dial zero.

Special Guest Jay Serdula

Special Guest: Jay Serdula 7:00-9:00pm Thursday January 26 Autism Calgary Centre

Autism Calgary Archives 2008 Run The Dream (Jay, Sarah, Dean)

It is our privilege that Jay Serdula is returning to Calgary this year to provide another inspirational presentation.  However, this year Jay is directing his presentation for an audience whose participants are primarily individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.  In this presentation Jay will share his experiences as an adult with Asperger Syndrome and he will detail the story of his swim across Lake Ontario.  The presentation will be between 60 and 75 minutes.  Following the presentation there will be an opportunity for open discussion with Jay and other individuals in the audience.

If you are an individual with Asperger Syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorder, we welcome you to attend this presentation and stay for the discussions that follow.  If you are a caregiver, a family member, or someone providing support to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder – you are also welcome to attend.

To learn more about Jay Serdula, please visit Jay’s website.

This presentation will be Thursday, January 26^th 2012, 7 to 9 PM at the office of Autism Calgary: 174, 3359 27 Street NE Calgary. Please register by leaving Rebecca a message with your name, number attending and your contact information by e-mail at rebecca [at] autismcalgary [dot] com, or telephone 403-250-5033 and dial zero.  If there is a change of venue, all registered participants will be contacted.

Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.

What in the World Is Going On, January 2012 Edition

As we welcome in the New Year, let’s have a look back at the Autism Speaks Top Ten Autism Research Achievements of 2011 released this list last month.  Some highlights include genetics, prenatal vitamins, brain discoveries, and earlier autism screening.

The University of British Columbia has launched a pilot program for people with intellectual disabilities age 18 and up. The Canadian Inclusive Lives Learning Initiative (CILLI) 8 month web-based program gives participants the opportunity to learn about decision-making, employment, financial literacy, legal matters and how to access outside resources. The program is a combination of on-line learning modules and telephone sessions with facilitators. People with intellectual disabilities can enroll in the course on their own or with a family member or friend. Each month, participants log onto a website to complete a learning module on a topic. In addition, participants receive telephone calls from an expert on that month’s topic and a program co-ordinator who helps them incorporate what they’ve learned into their life plan.

This first course has 22 participants in it ranging from ages 18 to 65. It begins and ends with camp-style retreats that encourage participants to get to know each other and express themselves in events such as a Canadian Idol-style talent show. To read more about the program, click here.

At the University of Victoria, psychologist Jim Tanaka is using a computer program that helps individuals with autism navigate social interactions in the real world through the recognition of faces. FaceMaze is face-recognition software, developed by the Temporal Dynamics of Learning Centre in San Diego. The program is designed to recognize the messages that are communicated by the complex network of muscles that make up the human face, and it is sophisticated enough to tell the difference between a genuine smile and a phony one.

Dr. Tanaka, a specialist in face recognition, saw the potential this program had for people with autism. In 2010, Dr. Tanaka launched UVic’s Centre for Autism Research Technology and Education, where a small team is developing software programs like FaceMaze to help people with autism learn to read others’ expressions – and to improve their ability to use their own faces to communicate as well. The co-director of the research centre, Joseph Sheppard, is a psychology student who also has autism. He is studying the mechanics of decision-making and the unique memory capacities association with autism.  Learn more about the Centre for Autism Research by clicking here. 

Easter Seals, supported by Google SketchUp, is hosting its second annual Sketch-A-Space contest to draw attention to the employment needs of people with autism. The winner of the contest will receive $3,000.

Using the Google SketchUp 3D modeling software, contestants are to design a space that represents a dream job, career interests, or plans for future employment. The purpose of the contest is to raise autism awareness and increase community understanding that individuals with autism can be successful in the working world when they have access to the supports they need and find the right job match.

This contest is open to people with autism, as well as those interested in autism. A panel of judges consisting of three experts in architecture and design, along with last year’s Sketch-a-Space winner, JP Saikali, a college student living with autism, will pick the top three entries. Deadline for submissions is January 13^th. To learn more, click here.

Each month, I’m hoping to draw attention to great blogs written by people on the autism spectrum. Check out Julia Bascom’s blog called  Just Stimming.  She is an Autistic writer, and Just Stimming is her internet home and the official depository of her collected writings about disability, disability justice, and growing up and living as an Autistic girl. She started writing when she was 12 and is now a presenter on autistic identity and culture. This is a very poignant and well written blog – another voice that gives great insight into the autistic mind.

Some great new books have been recently published. Unstuck and On Target: An Executive Function Curriculum to Improve Flexibility for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders  is a classroom-based intervention approach for high-functioning students ages 8–11 that addresses problems with flexibility and goal-directed behaviour. These two things can be taught just like any other skill—and this how-to manual equips professionals with simple, real-world ways to help students with ASD develop this critical aspect of executive function.

If you are a fan of the Superflex Curriculum, there is a new comic book out in the series called Superflex Takes on Brain Eater. This book focuses on one of the social cognitive challenges seen most often in students, distractibility, with strategies on how to stay on track with every day activities like getting ready for school and listening in class. The engaging comic book is the third in the Superflex series designed to help children learn more about their own social behavior and strategies to regulate it.

I recently discovered a website that is very comprehensive and interactive. The Autism News has articles, great places to visit for people with ASD, recipes, open discussion, tip of the week, product discoveries and much more. Check it out here.

These are the highlights of what in the world is going on in autism for January 2012.