Special Education Movement- Diversity and Inclusion Advocates

Everything you need to know about autism in adults

We all have our quirks. But if you’ve noticed that your way of thinking, feeling, or doing things isn’t quite the norm, you may suspect that you have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), even though you never received a diagnosis as a child.

Perhaps your body language, social skills, interests, behaviors, or general preferences don’t seem to match those around you? Or maybe you have a child who was recently diagnosed with autism and you recognize some of the same issues in your own way of behaving?

In recent years, more people are embracing the idea of neurodiversity—the concept that some people have neurological differences and those differences should be valued rather than “corrected”. Still, a diagnosis of autism as an adult can come as an unwanted surprise. You may even experience denial or anxiety over the diagnosis. On the other hand, if you’ve long suspected that you have ASD or some other condition that sets you apart from your peers, a diagnosis can come as a relief. Suddenly, a lot of your past experiences and interactions make sense and you’re afforded a sense of clarity.

No matter how you feel after a diagnosis, keep in mind that, just like everyone else, you have unique strengths and weaknesses. You can always take further steps to better understand your own thoughts and behaviors and grow as a person.

Living with a diagnosis

Feel caught off guard by your adult autism diagnosis? It may help to look at your diagnosis as a path to better understanding yourself. You can gain insight on challenging moments from your childhood or teen years, for example, or any relationship problems you’ve experienced as an adult.

Every adult with ASD has both unique challenges to overcome and unique strengths to draw upon. However, there are some common challenges to address, including difficulty building or maintaining relationships, social isolation, managing mood disorders, and staying organized.

Tips for shoe tying! ❤️

In my years as an OT, I have found the best strategy to teach shoe tying is all about breaking the task down, so I wanted to share my approach by sharing this visual.

First, start with taking different colored laces and tying them together. This makes the visual demands of the task easier. Next, teach kids to tie the laces around their waists - this makes it SO much easier. Next, children tie the laces around their leg. Eventually, scaffolding through these steps, you get to the actual shoe tying on a shoe.

What challenges do you face in teaching children to tie their shoes? Share in the comments!

Autism is:
Unable to speak, or maybe speaking too much
Hugging everyone, or disliking touch
Escaping outside,
Or trying to hide
Excitedly flapping
Inappropriate clapping
Autism varies so much
Won't wear a coat, or wears one all year round
Fussy eater, or would eat dirt from the ground
Screaming or humming
Annoyingly drumming
Toys in a line
The same way every time
Autism varies so much
Struggling to learn, or has wonderful gifts
Obsessions of numbers, Cars, films or lifts
Spinning around
Throws things on the ground
Constantly spitting
Aggressively hitting
Autism varies so much
Alone without friends, or controls every game
Always looks different, always dresses the same
Swinging on doors
Head banging on floors
Freaks at the dryer
Keeps climbing higher
Autism varies so much.
Can't answer questions, won't do as they're told
In their own world or bossy and bold
Over prepared
Anxious and scared
A spectrum so wide
But they all bring us pride
When autism touches our lives.
I support autism awareness always
Copy & Paste If You Do Too! 🥰
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
Support, don’t stare or ridicule. Support is welcomed, this could be any child, any parent’s daily struggle, but understanding and patience are important .
It doesn't matter how old that child is either.
I support autism awareness... always 💕❤💕
💜💛💚💙💗💗💙💚💛💜
Happy Autism Awareness Month

Make transition easier with these tips 👌

Transitions can be challenging for children of all ages, whether they are autistic or neurotypical. Developing consistent and effective transition strategies not only enables kids to get on with their day and to shift from task to task as needed, but smooth transitions cultivate their emotional regulation overall.

No child wants to feel upset and dysregulated for any amount of time. As we work to co-regulate our kids - helping them transition happily from task to task - we are supporting development of their self-regulation. As they experience more positive transitions, they will feel calmer and more safe in home and school environments.

And this builds a foundation of joy and meaning in their lives!

definitely contradicts what I’ve learned during college and I’ve been using “person first “ approach since the beginning of time.

This piqued my interest. It's interesting since it contradicts everything I've been told since I was in undergrad.

Despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of the autistic community has been saying for YEARS that they prefer to fight the stigma of their neurology rather than attempt to linguistically distance themselves from it, many parents and professionals still insist on using - and teaching - person-first language ('person with autism' rather than 'autistic person').

A gentle reminder to the special ed teachers, other professionals in this field and to parents to be open minded, be aware, listen and be mindful with our statements. We can ask a person on the Autism Spectrum with regards to their preference or even the family if they couldn't express themselves yet.

In my personal experience, I always use both 'Autistic and "with Autism" depending on the people I converse with. I refine it during IEP meetings for discussive techniques, and depending on the conversation and setting. I don't emphasize disability; instead, I constantly emphasize what they can do as individuals, not as people with disabilities.

We can always ask if we are not sure!

MY ADVOCACY FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN HONOR OF MY BEAUTIFUL SON, CARLO (+)

At the age of 27, my son Salvador Carlo III died peacefully in his sleep 5 years ago today (January 6, 2017). He had Down Syndrome, which causes physical and mental development delays.

Despite our difficulties and ordeals in taking care of him, we loved him dearly, and miss him everyday. This picture of Carlo sits on top of my piano at home, which I play every morning for him, just as I did when he was still alive.

He was such a lovable, naughty, and brutally honest boy. He was also immovable like the rock of Gibraltar.

My favorite story of Carlo is when he refused to board our flight after a layover in Japan, en route to the US for a 10 day family vacation in 2014. I volunteered to stay behind with Carlo in Japan, and told my family that we will follow to the US the following day. We missed the next 12 flights over 6 consecutive days because he simply shut down all attempts to make him board the plane. The two of us ended up staying in Japan for 10 days, reuniting only with our family on our return flight home. Our unplanned odyssey in Japan brought out the best in me as a father.

However, Carlo’s untimely passing strangely solved a nagging problem that haunted my wife Celi and I as we grew older: Who is going to take care of Carlo if we passed away ahead of him? Carlo could not take care of himself, and we thought it would be unfair to burden our other children with his care, as they have their own families to take care of.

In 2018, PhilHealth estimated that 1 out of 7, or 5.1 million Filipino children are living with disabilities, including those with Down Syndrome. This means that there are millions of Filipino parents that have the same problem Celi and I had.

Whether or not I am elected in the Senate, I vow to push for legislation that would mandate the government to build facilities where children with special needs or disabilities like Carlo can be taken cared of if their parents or guardians pass away ahead of them, or are incapable of providing them with the great care and attention they need.

Under Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution, it is the prime duty of the Government to serve and protect the people. No sector of the population needs service and protection from Government more than these children who are not fully equipped to fend for themselves.

This is my advocacy to honor my son, and all special children. They have been sent to us to give us an opportunity to show our humanity to them, for they too are God's children, and are little angels.

Please share this post to raise awareness for the plight of these children and their parents.

THIS IS FOR YOU, CARLO! WE LOVE AND MISS YOU, SON!

Thanks Charlie Mackesy, I think so many people need to hear this. ❤