Bridget Taylor is executive director and Kate Britton is the principal and assistant director of Alpine Learning Group, a Paramus, NJ-based program that provides learners with autism and their families comprehensive, scientifically validated educational and behavioral services designed to foster individual growth and personal achievement. Picture it: You are at home alone with your three…
We all know this rule: Don’t go anywhere with a stranger. But let’s say you meet a cute guy at the movies. The two of you chat for a few minutes while you’re waiting to buy popcorn. Then he asks you if you want to walk around before the movie starts. How would you react?…
The ‘Perspective’ column provides readers of The OARacle a firsthand account on a range of topics related to autism from someone affected by a developmental disorder. This month’s features an article about Summer Living with Autism by Liane Holliday Willey, Ed.D., originally published in the May 2005 issue of The OARacle. Just as summertime is…
For many of us, autism spectrum risk and safety management is a daily concern. We now know that with the increase in autism diagnoses, there is also a corresponding increase of autism-related contacts with law enforcement, community safety and juvenile and criminal justice organizations and professionals. Across the nation, autism advocacy organizations are increasingly addressing…
Over the past 10 years, much has been written about facilitating social skill development in persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Intensive efforts to teach social skills from very young ages have made the newest generation of young people with ASD more socially aware and skilled than the previous generation. However, the onset of adolescence…
Note to readers: In each issue of The OARacle, we provide a helpful resource on a topic of interest within the autism community. This month’s article focuses on safety tips for families affected by autism. Special thanks to Janet Fernandez, who works with the police forces in Sacramento, Calif. to investigate cases of abuse, for…
Many students with Asperger Syndrome and other autism spectrum disorders (ASD) view school as a stressful environment, presenting several stressors that are ongoing and of great magnitude. Stressors include difficulty predicting events because of changing schedules; tuning in to and understanding teacher directions; interacting with peers; and anticipating differences in environments such as classroom lighting,…
Note to readers: In each issue of The OARacle, we provide a helpful resource on a topic of interest within the autism community. This month’s article focuses on ensuring health care coverage for children with autism and suggestions for parents on successfully advocating for their child. For many families affected by autism, financing costly treatments…
Note to readers: In each issue of The OARacle, we provide a helpful resource on a topic of interest within the autism community. This month’s article tackles the issue of autism awareness and safety in your community. Special thanks to Dennis Debbaudt, a father of a son with autism and a law enforcement consultant, for…
