Autism Adulthood: Stories, Strategies, and Insights for a ... · Autism Adulthood: Stories,...
Transcript of Autism Adulthood: Stories, Strategies, and Insights for a ... · Autism Adulthood: Stories,...
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Autism Adulthood: Stories, Strategies, and Insights for a Fulfilling Life
Susan Senator, Parent and Author
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Who Am I? Why Am I Here Today?
Mad Elephant Mom
25 years of advocacy
Autism Author
Optimist
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What Constitutes a Successful Life?
1. Money?2. Employment?3. Fun/Growth?4. Community?5. Stability?6. ????
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Realities of Post 22
• Little Funding
• Few Safety Nets
• Inadequate Transition Help
• Uncertain Paths to Follow
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On the Bright Side…
• Less Structure = More Freedom!
• Pioneering = Creativity
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PLUS…you already have the skills
• Getting services
• Identifying quality programs
• Envisioning
what should be
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Adult Life’s Essentials
• Work
• Fun
• Quiet Time
• Community
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Your Steps
• Regular Resume
• Deep Resume
• Others’ Lives
• Current Possibilities
• You
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1. Regular Resume
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Resume Exercise
• School
• Skills
• Experience
• Passions
• Something special
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3. What Do Others Do?
Juniper Hill Farms roommates at the Farmers’ Market
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Others: Find Your Peeps
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Where to Find Community
• Special Olympics sidelines
• Workshop attendees
• School parents
• Facebook and support groups
• Neighbors & friends who get it
• Others on the Spectrum
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4. Current Possibilities
-Traditional Day Program
-Community & Traditional College
-High School Job Sites
-Arcs, service providers
-Volunteering
-Cottage industry
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5. What Do You Want?
• Work
• Play
• Quiet Time
• Community
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What Do You Like?
• Obsessions
• Stims
• Activities
• Achievements
• Company
• Down time
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6. How?
HELP is NOT a bad word!
• Ask Others
• Attend Conferences
• Explore – Partnerships
– Funding streams
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From Perseverating To Persevering
• Pete’s Petstones• Made By Brad• The Teaching Hotel• Stefano & Duck Tours• Sri & the Hospital• Scott’s Poetry• Rising Tide Carwash• Nat’s Day Program• MUSE
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Going BigRising Tide Carwash
• Money to invest
• Place to practice
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The Teaching Hotel
Advocate Dad + Local Arc + Perseverance = Jobs for Thousands w/ Disabilities
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Made By Brad
• Legos + Love
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Scott, Poet & Activist
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Pete’s Petstones
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Sri at the Hospital
School job + Teacher Advocacy = Post-22 Career
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Stef on the Duck Tours
• Start with the Passion
• Utilize Connections
• Go to the Source
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Nat’s Day ProgramBakery????
• Utilize all skills
• Foster community connections
• Find possible partnerships
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Social Life!!• Bonds from Before • Adaptive Sports• The Arts• Social Groups• Geek Groups• Special Camps
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MUSE: A Role Model
A Special Ed TeacherA Violin LessonA Home ConcertTwo BandsGigsPartiesCommunitySelf-Directed Day Services
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Remember: Cultivate Experts/Partnerships
• Other autistic people• Autism families• State agency• Service providers• Local public schools • College and grad Students• Artists, musicians• Therapists, counselors
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Most Important:Dream. Ask.
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What We Still Need:
• Social interaction experts
• Sexual safety training
• Employer training
• Better public funding & supports
To get all of this…Vote! Register, Lobby, Become an Advocate!
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Keep Growing
LARPer
Rock StarWorking Man
Public Speaker
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Success and Happiness: You Define It!
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Questions?
• www.susansenator.com
• My Books: Visit Shambhala.com, and SkyhorsePublishing.com, Amazon, B&N