Friday, July 20, 2012

Farming and Technology Programs for Teens and Adults with Autism and other Developmental Disabilities.



For the second year in a row, CBS2 and KCAL9  hosted a resource fair called “Stephanie’s Day.” It was started by CBS2 and KCAL9 President and General Manager Steve Mauldin in honor of his daughter, Stephanie. The event was in my neighborhood so I ventured out in search of new resources devoted solely to life skills and vocational training for tweens, teenagers and young adults.   
Donna Ross Jones and Dr. Pam Wiley

It was great to see friends who offer an array of fantastic support and programs for our kids, like Ellen K. Reinstein, L.C.S.W.,& Ellen Pearlman of Cheerful Helpers (www.cheerfulhelpers.org), Dr. Barbara Firestone, founder of the “Help Group”( www.thehelpgroup.org/about.htm)  and Dr. Pam Wiley, author and founder of Los Angeles Speech and Language (http://speakla.com/). 

Yudi Bennett and her Exceptional Minds Team
As I wandered the fair with both my kids, in tow, it became strikingly clear how limited the options would be for Nicholas post high school. There were only a few vendors committed solely to programs insuring young adults with autism remain active, learn vocational and life skills. 

On the upside there were two groups who were very exciting!!!  "Exceptional Minds Studios" and "Farming Independence."  Both ideal for me because Nicky loves animals and the computer. “Exceptional Minds Studio,” created by the wonderful Yudi Bennett, is a non-profit  animation studio for young adults on the Spectrum with a vocational center and summer camp.  (See their web site:  www.exceptionalmindsstudio.org)  They are dedicated to helping young adults with ASD who have a passion for graphics and animation learn skills that can be transferred to the work force.  This could be a real option for Nicky I was also introduced to Farming Independence and their “Go Wild” summer program, another perfect fit for my young man who loves animals. The participants ages 16 to adult get to grow and create things on the farm, which they later sell. The program activities include everything from animal husbandry to culinary arts.  (Their web site: http://farmingindependence.org/.)

I also got a chance to talk to a group called CCI, short for Canine Companions for Independence. Very exciting.  They train and provide service dogs and cats!
I'll post more about them later.

There's no doubt we need many more options, nonetheless it's great to see these people jumping in and offering options for our kids. 

4 comments:

  1. Thanks, Donna. I'm so glad for this information!
    xox
    Prudence

    ReplyDelete
  2. The gap within the following, and the amazing maybe acte, would be the s /
    s completion. Rather than combined fishing gear juice extractors typically mashes these write
    or maybe song auger which inturn squeezes pulp to
    some less and so small sized opening, this particular
    removing spool spins as well as being layered from several of these metal knives, which always shred one particular cultivate generally fed the brewer.
    Not surprisingly, possibly you've also doubted it the mulch can become juicer deserves it's actually acknowledgement or perhaps if to make sure
    because exaggerations. A definite blender or food processor.


    Visit my homepage :: Braun Multiquick Blender (Mr 550)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of
    any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest
    twitter updates. I've been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.

    my website book of ra kostenlos spielen deutsch

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am bold enough among many others to state that there is now a potent cure to this sickness but many are unaware of it. I discovered that I was infected with the virus 3 months ago, after a medical check-up. My doctor told me and I was shocked, confused and felt like my world has crumbled. I was dying slowly due to the announcement of my medical practitioner but he assured me that I could leave a normal life if I took my medications (as there was no medically known cure to Herpes). I went from churches to churches but soon found that my case needed urgent attention as I was growing lean due to fear of dying anytime soon. In a bid to look for a lasting solution to my predicament, I sought for solutions from the herbal world. I went online and searched for every powerful trado-medical practitioner that I could severe, cos I heard that the African Herbs had a cure to the Herpes syndrome. It was after a little time searching the web that I came across one Dr Itua(A powerful African Herbal Doctor), who offered to help me at a monetary fee. I had to comply as this was my final bus-stop to receiving a perfect healing. My last resolve was to take my life by myself, should this plan fail. At last it worked out well. He gave me some steps to follow and I meticulously carried out all his instructions. Last month, to be precise, I went back to the hospital to conduct another test and to my amazement, the results showed that negative,Dr Itua Can As Well Cure The Following Desease…Cancer,Hiv,Herpes, Hepatitis B,Liver Inflammatory,Diabetis,Fribroid, Dercum,fibromyalgia,Get Your Ex Back,Als,SYPHILLIS,Genetic disease,Epilepsy, Parkinson's disease.Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva.You can free yourself of this Herpes virus by consulting this great African Herbal Doctor via this e-mail: drituaherbalcenter@gmail.com or call and whatsapp him on +2348149277967 He will help you and his herb medication is sure. he has the cure on all disease .You can talk to me on INSTAGRAM..tashamoore219....

    ReplyDelete