Parent Training Series - Disability and the Law

Eden Family of Autism Services in conjunction with the Law Offices of Hinkle, Fingles and Prior are holding free Parent Training on the topic of Disability and the Law. These seminars will be held at Eden’s Clayton Center in West Windsor, New Jersey. Attendance is free but due to limited seating pre-registration is required.

If you are interested in attending please go to http://www.freeautismsupport.org/ and register or call (888) 358-8418 ext.704. – Once you have registered you will receive a confirmation email with driving instructions one week before your scheduled attendance.

Below you will find all dates and topics for these upcoming seminars.

Disability and the Law

Monday, November 10th, 2008 – 6:30pm to 8:30pm – New Jersey’s ‘Real Life Choices’ Program for Adults.

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008 6:30pm to 8:30pm – Transition from School to Adult Life

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009 – 6:30pm to 8:30pm – Understanding Medicaid, SSI and other Important Entitlements.

Monday, April 6th, 2009 – 6:30pm t0 8:30pm – Accessing Appropriate Adult Services

Wednesday, May 13th – 6:30pm to 8:30pm – Guardianship and Financial Planning

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009 – 6:30pm to 8:30pm – Beyond Group Homes: Option for housing and Residential Supports

Father and his autistic son rescued at sea after 12 hour ordeal.

A father and his autistic son were rescued after being swept into the sea by strong currents off the coast of Florida. They tread water for 12 hours before being spotted - A remarkable story!

Harry Smith of CBS reports.

September 15th - Chicago Tribune article.

"Dads with autistic children get a place to learn, brag and vent"

By Rex W. Huppke

James Harlan quickly saw good coming from the autism awareness program his wife started in west suburban Proviso Township. But as the group—aptly named The Answer Inc.—grew larger, Harlan noticed something missing at its meetings."Where are the men?" he asked his wife, Debra Vines. "Where are the fathers? It was all women."

Click on the picture below to continue this article.

Autism in the Hispanic Community

Horizonte host Richard Ruelas introduces a story produced by Marcos Najera. The story emphasizes the lack of information hispanic parents have regarding autism and early detection.

"It's not as easy as follow the leader." From Anne Holmes - Chief Clinical Officer - Eden Family of Autism Services, Princeton NJ

During the last 32 years, as I have had the pleasure of working with many families who have children with autism, I have observed consistent themes that, to me, potentially represent some measures of quality of life for families and individuals with autism. I see the themes of the need for effective communication, highest level of independence, and the ability to follow directions, that is, compliancy.

I would like this paper to focus on the area of following directions/compliancy, as I see many families struggle with this, particularly as their child gets older. The ability to follow directions from parents, not only when a child is willing to respond, but as if not more important, when the child is not in the mood to respond, is a challenge for all parents, with or without a child with special needs. For parents of a child with autism, this becomes a critical factor, and if following directions is not a skill that is well established in the home environment, inevitably these parents have significant difficulties with their children when they become adolescents and then adults. It is not so bad to see a 2-year old not respond to a parent’s direction to stand up when he has thrown himself on the floor in a store. However, when a 15-year old throws himself on the floor and does not respond to the parent’s directions to stand up, it becomes quite a different scene.

So, how does one establish compliancy and following directions? It is not difficult to understand this concept, as it is to integrate the concept to everyday life, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. For those parents who want to start today, it’s simple! Every time you give a simple direction, ensure that your child follows through, physically assisting them if they don’t, then praising them for following the direction. It is absolutely essential that the parent gives the direction ONCE, then follows through. Why? If a child can anticipate that his mother or father is going to ask him ten or fifteen times to do something, he will by nature not respond, knowing that he will be asked again and again. It is important that parents teach their children that the first direction is important. There is no negativity to teaching “following directions,” even if the child is resistant to direction. Parents should physically prompt their child to comply, and then praise him, even if the child was resistant to complying.

Another key to success in this area that I have noted over my years of working with families, is that it is important for parents to only give a direction when they are absolutely positive that they can follow through and prompt the desired response. For example; if mom is on the telephone and making dinner, this would not be the appropriate time to tell her child to climb down off the couch; this direction should only be given when the mother has free hands to give the direction and walk over and assist her child in completing the task. It is amazing how many directions are given by parents and not followed through upon because of a parent either being preoccupied or deciding that the request was not that important in the end anyway.

Since there are many opportunities throughout the day to give simple directions, the opportunity for practice is built into everyday life. Directions can be as simple as, “Come here,” “Stand up,” “Sit down,” “Give to Mommy/Daddy,” “Put on ,” “Clean up,” “Give Mommy/Daddy a kiss.” I have worked with families who have been successful and not successful in teaching their child to follow their directions. I urge all parents of children with autism to establish or re-establish this control. Parents who have been unsuccessful in teaching their child to follow directions have all consistently ended in a difficult situation at best, as their child approached the teenage years. The families I know who were successful with teaching following directions when their child was young, had much less challenges through adolescence and adulthood. With that in mind, I urge all parents to start today and make following directions a family goal, in order to reap the benefits, not only in the present but also in the future.

Eden By MoonLight

Eden Institute a nonprofit organization dedicate to meeting the lifespan needs of individuals with Austin is holding it annual "Eden by Moonlight" charity event this September 12th. They say the twenties where roaring but I don't think they could hold a candle to this party..

Take a quick peek at last years "Eden by Moonlight".