Reduce the Travel Hassle - 10 Websites Help You Build an Effective Autism & Airports Strategy

For me AAA means, Autism, Airport and Angst! The number one reason to not go on vacation if  you have a child with autism - is a tie- airport and airplanes! 

But it seems that things have gotten better over the years, and people are working to help make travel with our families a reality.  Check out this list and start taking the headache out of your families travel plans.

1. 7 Travel Agencies for special needs travel

2. A Special Needs Pre-Flight checklist

3. 32 Vacation Destinations for Individuals with Special Needs

4. Packing For The Plane

5. A Special Needs Guide To Airports

6. Do You Have Your Access Pass Yet?

7. 70+ Tips and Tricks for Special Needs Road Trips

8. Your Rights as an Air Travelers with a Disability

9. Airplane Travel: 5 Books to help prepare your special needs child

10.  15 Airports-that-offer-rehearsal-programs-for-individuals-with-autism/#.V7yZHp

Do You Live In 1 of the 10 Best States For People With Disabilities?

The 10 Best States For People With Disabilities Was A Surprise to Me! 

I expected California to do better. At the sametime I've been watching families face more and more challenges identifying and getting services. Frightening. Maybe a move will be in our future.
Donna

Eleanor Goldberg 
Impact editor, The Huffington Post

So, what does it take for a state to foster a comfortable and safe environment for people with disabilities?

According to the United Cerebral Palsy’s most recent ranking of the best states for people with disabilities, there are five distinct categories. It requires promoting independence, keeping families together, encouraging productivity, reaching those in need and tracking health, safety and quality of life.

The 2015 Case for Inclusion report came back with some disappointing figures. Waiting lists for residential and community services remain high and unemployment rates have increased among this demographic. 

In just eight states, 33 percent of people with disabilities have competitive employment. That’s down from 10 last year.

Still, a number of states have made some marked improvement, and these are the 10 best for people living with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

·         10

Ohio

Ohio "dramatically" increased the number of individuals and resources committed to serving the disability community and cut the number of people being served in large institutions by more than half, according to the 2015 Case for Inclusion report. It rose from No. 48 in 2007, to No. 10 in 2015.

·         9

South Carolina

The report found that improving conditions for people with disabilities doesn't necessarily require enormous wealth. South Carolina was the 44th poorest state, based on median income, yet it was No. 9 in terms of quality of life for people with disabilities. 

·         8

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. is one of 14 states that reported having no state institutions that seclude people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. 

·         7

Minnesota

Minnesota is among 14 states that offers support services to a large number of families caring for a relative with disabilities. Such programs allow families to stay together and enable people with disabilities to live in a community setting, according to the 2015 Case for Inclusion report. 

·         6

Colorado

Colorado is one of eight states that are top performers in the “home-like setting standard" category. That means that 80 percent of people with disabilities live in their own home, a family home, or group setting that has fewer than four residents.

·         5

Hawaii

Hawaii is one of 10 states where at least 10 percent of people with disabilities use self-directed services, according to the 2015 Case for Inclusion report. That means they have more control, and are more involved in decision-making matters, when it comes to their Medicaid services. 

·         4

New York

Since 1960, 220 state institutions have closed. By next year, 16 more are expected to be shuttered, which include two in New York. Activists often argue that such large institutions segregate people with disabilities from society and also aren't cost efficient, Amber Smock wrote in a blog post for American Association of People with Disabilities. 

·         3

Missouri

Missouri jumped from No. 41 in 2007 to No. 3 this year by increasing the amount of resources allocated to people with disabilities and closing six state institutions, among other noteworthy improvements.

·         2

Maryland

Maryland is one of just eight states where at least 33 percent of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities are working in competitive employment. That’s down from 10 stateslast year, according to the 2015 Case of Inclusion report. 

·         1

Arizona

While Arizona ranked No. 1 overall, the 2015 Case for Inclusion report called on the state to still work toward making the state even more accessible for people with disabilities by promoting productivity, a category it came in at No. 41.

Spread the Word! The International Day of Acceptance is January 20, 2015!

SPECIAL EDITION

Spread the Word! The International Day of Acceptance is January 20, 2015!

How will you celebrate this important day? On January 20, embrace the beautiful uniqueness of each and every member of the disability community by spreading the message of acceptance as far as you can. Learn how to get involved, share your #DayOfAcceptance story and let the world know what acceptance means to you! Here's how… Read More

Call David Korse at 310.450.8831 x3 to find out how you can sponsor the Abilities Buzz. Upcoming Expos Los Angeles March 6-8, 2015 Los Angeles Convention Center New York Metro May 1-3, 2015 New Jersey Convention & Expo Center Chicago June 12-14, 2015 Schaumburg Convention Center Houston July 31- Aug 2, 2015 NRG Center (Formerly Reliant Center) Boston September 18-20, 2015 Boston Convention and Exhibition Center DC Metro December 4-6, 2015 Dulles Expo Center

News Alert: Chasing Recovery, LA Times

DISCOVERING AUTISM - from the Los angeles times

Families cling to hope of autism 'recovery'

An autism treatment called applied behavior analysis, or ABA, has wide support and has grown into a profitable business. It has its limits, though, and there are gaps in the science.....

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/autism/la-me-autism-day-three-html,0,3438178.htmlstory

Warrior parents fare best in securing autism services

This just published today in the Los Angeles Times

Finally statistics confirm what so many families have known; when it comes to services

all things are not equal. Areva Martin and I formed Special Needs Network, because we saw first hand how families were being impacted and why we need groups to teach advocacy to families living in under-served communities.

Warrior parents fare best in securing autism services

Diploma Track and a Certificate; What’s the difference and why does it matter?

“Even if Nicky is the best reader or mathematician in his grade, it won’t matter if he can’t get safely across the street, and right now he cannot. That said, my priority is not Nicky graduating with a diploma.”  mom

Diploma Track and a Certificate; What’s the difference and why does it matter?

I overheard two conversations; first was a family upset because they didn’t know there was more than one "track" and another was a family who pulled their son off the Diploma track in 10^th grade when they learned the difference.  Seemed to me if people were this excited, it must be an important part of the conversation I needed to have before Nicky hit high school. I asked around, and here’s how it was explained to me. If anyone has any additional information..please email me or leave a comment.  The difference between certificate and a diploma when a student exits High School is:

Ø  Both a High School of Diploma and Certificate of Completion  allow students to participate in the high school graduation ceremony.

Ø  The Diploma track is the standard curriculum in general education. It has set courses (math, English, science, foreign language etc.) which all students are required to take.  

Ø  Graduation with Certificate is based upon the student opting out of the Diploma track for an “Alternative Curriculum”.  When a child in enrolled in “Alternative Curriculum”  the IEP team has flexibility to schedule  classes based on a student’s individual needs, which can include Community Based Instruction (CBI)

Ø  A Certificate of Completion – is not a document presented to get a job, or used to get into college.

Ø  Students on the diploma track will have a document to show potential employer’s colleges and universities that they completed the mandatory requirements of high school.

Ø  If a student is on the diploma track and pass’s (even with all D’s) Public school is no longer responsible for the students education beyond 12^th grade. As soon as you get your diploma you are exited from the public school (that’s why the prom and activities are before the diploma).  The public school districts are no longer your resource for education. 

Ø  From age 18 diploma track students exited from high school  will be rely on other state resources, department of rehab, regional center for educational/vocational supports.

Ø  Individuals with an IEP, enrolled in an alternative curriculum can stay in public school system until age 22 or until they receive a diploma, whichever comes first.

Ø  18 year old students walk with their peers for graduation, moving forward they go into a post -secondary program, utilizing school district resources/funds.

Ø  Public schools tend to have the best resources when post-secondary students will still get 7.5 hours of instruction.  (Unless you go to a workshop or day center)

Conclusion for this family: Nicky is not on the “Diploma” track. My priority is not Nicky graduating with a diploma. Even if Nicky is the best reader or mathematician in his grade, it won’t matter if he can’t get safely across the street, and right now he cannot. For us, opting for the alternative curriculum lets us focus on life skills directly related to his independence while he is in high school.  I would like him to have the choice to remain with our school district until age 22, so he can move into LAUSD’s post-secondary programs and access educational programs designed to move him toward independent while meeting his individual needs.  The best way for us to do this it to jump off the Diploma track and create a curriculum where the priorities in his education are classes/programs/activities that directly impact independence. 

iPad, Apps, Autism, Holidays...Am I the only one confused?!

I’ve read and seen so much about iPad & tablet “Apps” helping our kids learn and communicate.  I don't want my kiddo to miss out, but I've hesitated because he's a computer obsessed kid. I have to be sure how we are going to use it, when he will use it and where. If I don’t, I could just add one more obsession to his list, one more thing for him to perseverate on and risk missing out on the  benefits. 

My first step: to learn about the apps available.  I found two resources – so far –  that give the most info in one place, both links are below.  I found a book on Amazon (that’s inexpensive) called Apps for Autism that lists more than 200 apps and how they work and Autism Speaks has listed app’s. 

Amazon.com: Customer Discussions: Apps for Autism: An Essential ...

www.amazon.com/Apps-Autism-Essential-Effective-Communication/...

Apps for Autism: An Essential Guide to Over 200 Effective Apps for Improving Communication, Behavior, Social Skills, and More! forum ...

http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/resource-library/autism-apps

Next I’m going to look into tablets. Does it have to be an iPad? Will the new $199.00 Amazon Tablet do the trick? What about the new iPad scheduled to come out early next year that’s supposed to be less expensive?  What are the factors that determine what pad is best?  If anyone already knows the answers to these questions pls  email me (autismdaybyday@gmail.com) and I’ll post your information. 

We Can't Forget The Past! Watch this documentary “We are Here to Speak for Justice”

If you don’t read this piece, watch this documentary  
"We're Here to Speak for Justice"   http://www.lanterman.org/uploads/videos/video_werehere.html.  Here’s the link…please give it another go!  (new link 8/1/2011)

Yesterday I was given the opportunity to sit on a panel and give a parent’s perspective to service providers building quality behavior programs for the growing ASD population while working within the constraints imposed as a result of the budget crisis. I was honored to be included in the conversation and heard by an exceptional group of dedicated professionals. My comments reflected my belief that ASD will never align with a one size fit's all service model and I fear for those whose needs will not be met if we implement a model that is not required to consider each individuals "individual" situation albeit severity of ASD, family conditions, culture, history, medical or co-morbid conditions, resources and so on.  

Today I thought about when teachers and schools were first asked to make cuts. They cut back in good faith; unable to imaging each sacrifice wouldn't be enough. First it was PE, then the arts, consumables, field trips; followed by larger classrooms, less staff and cuts in salaries.  One cut after another until our system arrived at a point of crisis. I don't believe dedicated professionals foresaw our educational system would be where it is now.  Many I have spoken to, look back and acknowledge they would have made different decisions to protect public education and the children had they known we would end up here, I hope we learn from what has happened in education as we make plans for the future of our families.

In California the Lanterman Act governs state laws to protect this population and, just like public education, it’s been under assault for years pounded by increased case loads, rate freezes and reductions. The demands being placed on our Regional Centers and service providers are dismantling the entitlement system and this frightens me.

I didn’t have any idea what it was like for the mothers of children with developmental disabilities until I watched the documentary “We're Here to Speak for Justice" about the creation of an entitlement system to protect our children. Thank God, I didn't have a child with a developmental disability before the 70’s and the Lanterman Act. Seeing this video changed me. Knowing the past changed me and how I think about what could happen to my son if I forget the past and don’t fight like hell for the rights he has today.  I did some research and found it’s available online. Below is a link to both the online video and a companion booklet.  It’s important viewing for all of us.   

View the Film

A streaming video version of the film is available online.

http://www.lanterman.org/index.php/were_here_to_speak_for_justice_founding_californias_regional_centers/

Download the Companion Booklet

The companion booklet to the film "We're Here to Speak for Justice" is also available online as a downloadable PDF. Download the booklet (440 KB) For all of us who were not around to see what life was like for families in the 70's or for those of us who just don't remember please watch the documentary "We Stand For Justice" and consider the past as you move forward. 


and...thank you to all the parents who have gone before me. Your fight has made it better for my family. 

LAUSD Broadcast of the Teachers Hour

LAUSD's amazing Autism Specialist Debbie Moss asked if I would join some 14 teachers, administrators and parents in an open discussion on the Teachers Hour (KLCA-TV) to talk about how we used collaboration and communication to improve Nicky's school experience.

It was a great group of people who are clearly dedicated to seeing LAUSD be the best it can be. I appreciated being given the opportunity to voice an opinion. We were just getting rolling...just getting to the meat of the matter, ready to dig in and poof... it was time to say good night. Oh, well maybe next time.  

The program is now online for anyone who would like to view it. You can also view the other programs they have done, send  in comments and participate in the conversation when it's live, complete with Spanish translation.  I liked seeing some of the administrative faces typically invisible to us.

https://sites.google.com/site/teachershour/home.

Top 12 Autism Resource Websites

I just found this article. I've worked with many of these groups and wanted to share this list. 

 Savvy parents turn to the Internet to help them find answers and strategies for helping their children with autism. The problem is, the Internet is a huge repository of information about autism, sometimes helpful, sometimes not.

We wanted to "cut to the chase" and figure out which websites represent the best resources for parents looking for information. After reviewing hundreds of websites (there are over 16,000,000 hits for autism in a typical Google search), we've identified autism spectrum disorders sites that we think more than adequately cover the world of Autism. Of course there are hundreds and hundreds of excellent sites available and over time you may want to visit many of them. 

Our Top12 list is a good starting place.

First Signs

This site is dedicated to educating parents and professionals about how to recognize, diagnose and treat autism. It contains easy-to-use milestone lists, monitoring tools and lots of very practical advice. There are tools available that you can provide to professionals who may need extra coaching on how to handle or deal with your child's autism. We like the fact that this site is based on up-to-date clinical research.

Act Early

This site is great for families with recently diagnosed children because it specializes in the provision of bridge services while awaiting publicly funded programs. Their Early Intervention Network attempts to increase public awareness of Autism's early warning signs with its 'Red Flags of Autism' campaign. And the program 'More than Words' helps parents develop the special skills required for an Autism Spectrum Disorder child.

Interactive Autism Network

This is a fascinating website that matches children and families with researchers in the field. The site includes an active forum, a great deal of excellent background information and many, many useful articles. We appreciate that this site is very active, frequently updated and relies on scientific sources for its information.

AutismLink

We liked this site for two reasons. First, it offers a mentoring service, matching experienced parents with families who have a newly diagnosed child. We don't know how well the service works for any specific situation but it's a wonderful idea. We also found information for emergency care professionals on the site, something that we haven't come across too often. This information is very valuable and worth downloading from the site. We were excited to find a directory of services by state with listings such as autism-friendly dentists. However, we found that there aren't too many listings available in the directory. We say A for effort and hope that the work continues and the directory grows.

AutismParents.NET

This is a slightly quirky site which seems to be blog-based. It's a bit difficult to follow and there are a lot of commercial distractions going on (probably to pay for maintaining this site run by the parent of a child with autism). However, we liked it because there was a real ring of authenticity to the material there. Plus, the site owner publishes and updates a list of top ten fun sites for children with autism and that seemed like a great service.

Autism Retort

This site consolidates blogs about autism. The blogs cross all areas including adults with autism blogging about their lives, political issues, parents blogging about their experiences or documenting their children's experiences and so on. The material can be controversial but it's a real up-to-the-minute view into autism in daily lives. The left hand side of the homepage lists all of the blogs it indexes by category. You can use this site as a jumping off point to find blogs you like.

Awe in Autism

Using the world of art this unusual and captivating site conveys its message in its mission which states "through original works of art, music, literature, poetry, photography and video, as well as many other resources, Awe in Autism seeks to provide inspiration and encouragement to those affected by autism." It's worth coming back to this site on a regular basis!

Autism Speaks & Autism Speaks Canada

While this may seem to be primarily an advocacy site, it has some of the best resources we've seen including links to local chapter websites that provide specific local information. There's a "science" section which is easy to read but very in-depth, with enough information to satisfy the need to understand the science behind autism. There's also a video glossary that covers words and terms that are useful in working within the autism world. The section titled "Autism and your family" has wonderful advice and the section titled "Your Child's Rights" is a succinct description of the services your child is entitled to under the law. One of the most valuable tools we've seen anywhere is the "First 100 Days" eBook that helps parents organize themselves in the first 100 days after receiving the diagnosis of autism.

Exploring Autism

This site specializes in the genetics of autism. It's not necessarily useful for general information but it's one of the few sites we've seen that provides such an excellent look at the scientific thinking behind the genetic research. The site is very up-to-date and will give you a very clear look at the state of the art in this area. And this site will probably not be your first stop in your information gathering but it's definitely worth marking as a favorite and visiting from time to time.

The National Autistic Society

The United Kingdom's National Autistic Society site is an excellent resource for everyone. We particularly liked their sections with advice for grandparents, siblings and employers. There's also a section where you can sign up for research studies, participate in research surveys, contribute articles to the site or volunteer to work with authors interested in writing about autism.There's even information available for professionals such as architects to help them create autism-friendly spaces. This site is a treasure trove of interesting and less common information that transcends national borders.

Autism Society Canada

There are several large Canadian autism sites. We like the Autism Society Canada best because of the extensive practical information provided. We especially appreciated the section on how to evaluate treatment programs which gives parents the tools to stay in the driver's seat, even when they are the only non-professionals in the discussion. We also found the section for adults with autism to contain very useful information. Finally, the resources section has a huge number of links covering everything else you might need to know about autism and autism services.