Spectrum Educational Services

ASDreams is funded by Family Supports for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) and hosted by Crestwood Mennonite Brethren Church in Medicine Hat. 2018 is the ninth year of running this program for youth on the Autism Spectrum. Registration is ongoing. Contact FSCD directly or Wendy Johnson 403-952-8406 wendywheelockjohnson@gmail.com

Micah Sudom, my son and former ASDreams member, composed Give it Time.  His band, Mostly Micah, played it during high school graduation. Micah is the one on piano. Mostly Micah also provided the dinner music for the school district's teacher retirement party. Micah's first educational assistant and his kindergarten teacher both retired this year. The PUF administrator who got me started in the school support system was one of the two honoured educators at the event. The title Give it Time wasn't chosen for a graduation theme or a teacher retirement gig, however I can't imagine a more fitting title. Early educators who gave of their time not knowing how their involvement would shape the lives of their students. Junior high boys who spent six years eating their lunches together in the band room, learning new instruments and jamming together. A mom who invested 18 years into countless appointments with Family Supports for Children with Disabilities, service provide

Due to renovations at CORE association, ASDreams new session begins Monday, October 17.

My article "Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder" appears in the summer edition of  Bridge magazine . Scroll to page 13 to find a readable version of the thumbnails below. Save Save

Sue Thomas, Gerry Gabrielle and Myles Bingham coauthored an article on using the HALT strategy. It is an acronym that encourages caregivers to stop and question where a negative behaviour might be coming from. It identifies four basic needs that, left unmet, could lead to a behaviour issue. They are using this strategy with teenagers, but I see it  applying to a broad range of ages and abilities. For more information on how they are using the HALT strategy scroll down the May 2016 edition of the Autism Around Alberta newsletter here . Save Save

Alberta Health Services is offering an online session called, "Supporting and thriving with your loved ones affected by Asperger's Syndrome". This is the description: Adam has personal experience of living with a sibling diagnosed with Asperger's that he uses to guide others in understanding Asperger's and some commonly associated conditions. This will aid you in taking more informed care of the person with Asperger's in your life. Combining personal experience and training, Adam will explore how narrative approaches can help you connect to someone with this diagnosis. In addition, the personal impact on the caregiver will be discussed, including ideas for self-care. The course is available until June 10, 2016 at 11:00am.  Registration information available here.

These sessions are hosted by the Regional Autism Spectrum Disorder Coordinator, Wendy Johnson. Click on the image for a larger view.

My next speaking engagement is a lot closer to home.

Thankful to be participating! Don't miss our great speaker line-up!  #atacie15 #facesofinclusion pic.twitter.com/9lG82t7AQJ — Council4InclusiveEd (@atainclusiveed) October 4, 2015

The "UP Program" provides employment training and supports. The class size is small. The last two times this program was offered Spectrum Educational Services presented about the personal challenges of finding and keeping employment while managing life with a disability. Information about this program and other services Being Human Services offers can be found on their website .

Here are links for resources I referred to recently. The  Social Thinking  website has great information about key social thinking concepts and links to their materials. Advance OT created the Good Sense workshop which helps find the "Just Right" state for learning. If the funky tune "Keep Your Body in the Goup" is still playing in your head you can replay the  video . You can find more of my son's music here . If there was a resource I've missed, please contact me and I'll add it to this post.

Recently I have been going through old photographs. I love looking at the ones where my children are wearing matching outfits that I constructed for them. I created them with intention. When they were finished I didn't say, "Oh look! Sewn fabric. I wonder what it is for?" I wanted two dresses and a vest and so I sewed.  Purpose proceeded design. God planned me. He had a purpose in mind for me before there was a me. I received my design. After all, I didn't make myself. I have the option to be thankful for how He made me. Thankful? What does God think of His handiwork? He thinks I'm wonderful. His thoughts about me are precious. He is thinking about me all the time. He loves me to my innermost being. That most certainly warrants my thanks. When I renew my mind to this truth, being Autistic no longer gets in the way of me being me. The difficult parts of living with a social communication disorder are difficult. However, they are not wasted. God wove me to

Although not specifically about Autism, I created this for those who recharge their energy by spending time alone with a good book.

I was thankful to take part in IDPD again this year. Shaw TV Medicine Hat captured highlights of the events. One minute into the video they focus on Autism Spectrum Disorders. I had the privilege of being interviewed. The interview took place in the foyer at the end of the school day just as parents were arriving to pick up their children. My "robotic" voice reveals that I'm using a significant amount of my brain for self regulation. Tools I used to manage myself during the interview: I focused my eyes on Leslie Jerry , a familiar face from the Advisory Committee on Disability Issues . Before being interviewed I asked the interviewer what questions she would have for me. I remembered that any part of being Autistic that I couldn't hide from the camera could become another avenue for ASD awareness. The comments from students demonstrated that IDPD increases inclusion. The sessions increased the level of students' understanding of different disabilities. I

Celebrate the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2014 to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. The UN has gathered information on disabilities which you can read here . The article highlights barriers that people with disabilities face. " These obstacles can take a variety of forms, including those relating to the physical environment, or those resulting from legislation or policy, or from societal attitudes or discrimination." I'll be doing my part to remove obstacles by giving two classroom presentations to grade five students on Autism Spectrum Disorders at St. Pat's school.

Unfortunately November 14 was a typo on the Linking Together brochure. The group was held November 12. If you set aside the third Wednesday, November 19, for Linking Together, you now have a free evening. There will be no group in December. We meet again on January 21, 2015. The group is still welcoming new members. So far this year we have enjoyed  Wendy Johnson explain what criteria are used to formally diagnose Autism. Todd Samuelson and Nicole Stein from  CHHS shared ways to communicate your child's needs with school as well as different options for completing high school. Ruth Isaac demonstrated sensory strategies and gave a tour of a children's gym downtown.

The UP (Untapped Potential) program gives adults with Autism and other developmental disabilities employment support. Training includes skills and e mployability assessments, Life Skills workshops, job search skills, continued support on the job site, support to the employer, multiple work experiences, job customization, job placements, and three and six month follow up. I'll be doing some of their staff training. More information is available at  Being Human Services .