Geoff Crist is the proud parent of a beautiful, energetic, curious, daughter, Sydney (aka Beanie), 11, who was diagnosed with moderate/severe autism when she was 18 months old. He is a career firefighter and nationally registered paramedic, has worked in the 911 system for the past 16 years, and is an Indiana State-approved autism awareness…
Dennis Debbaudt is the author of the book, Autism, Advocates and Law Enforcement Professionals, and parent of a young man with an autism spectrum disorder. He’s also written for the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin and Sheriff Magazine and contributed numerous reports and book chapters about this subject matter. He’s produced the training videos Autism &…
Glenda Fuge is co-founder of Developmental Pathways for Kids, a private practice in Redwood City, Calif., where she specializes in Sensory Integration treatment and Integrated Play Groups for children with autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, behavioral dysfunction and other self-regulation problems. In addition to her professional career, she served on the Commission on Disabilities for…
Dr. Thomas Zane is a professor of education and director of the Applied Behavior Analysis Online Program at the Van Loan Graduate School of Endicott College. He is a licensed psychologist in New York and Massachusetts. Dr. Zane has published in various journals and books, presented at regional, national, and international conferences, and been an…
Ernst O. VanBergeijk, PhD, MSW, is the associate dean and executive director of New York Institute of Technology Vocational Independence Program (V.I.P.). Prior to joining V.I.P., Dr. VanBergeijk was an assistant professor at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service, where he served as chairman of the college’s local institutional review board and as a…
Teaching any child safety skills is essential; but it is especially important for those with disabilities. Unfortunately, people and children with disabilities are more vulnerable to abuse. While studies exist that examine safety skill interventions for individuals with intellectual disabilities, few studies address the use of these interventions with children who have autism. In a…
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…
