We must turn autism awareness into autism acceptance Autism - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

We must turn “autism awareness” into “autism acceptance”

Autism Awareness Month doesn’t stop in April for those in our autism community. Regardless of autism or not..

STRETCH THESE KIDS

Contact me anytime to keep the dialogue going!

@KerryMagro

What you need to know about autism

1 in 68 (1% U.S. Population) Over 3.5 million 1 in 45 boys 1 in 189 girls Over 70 million people worldwide Cost a family an average of $60,000 a year across the child’s lifespan No medical detection or cure for autism Over 500,000 children will reach adulthood within the next decade. 35% of people with autism will not go to college 90% unemployed or underemployed 63% of children with autism are bullied 81% of adults with autism still live with their families

My diagnosis

Non-verbal till I was 2.5 Diagnosed w PDD-NOS-at 4 Speech delay, expressive and receptive language disorder, Severe sensory integration dysfunction, auditory processing disorder, twirling, dysgraphia, motor challenges Emotional issues throughout adolescence due to limited speech

@KerryMagro

Starting school

Dealt with severe sensory integration difficulties. Was asked to leave 2 different schools because they said they “didn’t know how to control me.” Re-diagnosed at that age to see if I had an emotional disorder which would explain my behavior.

@KerryMagro

Public school

Multi-handicapped setting for K through 1st grade Moved to three different schools in different parts of town Given three different classifications Multi-handicapped (K-1) Neurologically impaired (2,3) Perceptually impaired (4) Some teachers highly trained, other substitutes Bullied for being different. Didn’t have the ability to defend myself due to my social delays. Fell into a depression that impacted my grades.

@KerryMagro

Positive reinforcement plays a big part in our development

Starts with our parents and works it’s way to our teachers. You are in the fish bowl! Your actions can be seen by your loved ones. Christopher Ulmer – 26-year-old teacher from Florida who spends first 10 minutes of each day with his special need students telling them what they do well.

The transition

Parents fought to get me an out of district placement Paid out of pocket for 3 years while suing our district – transported me for 9 years to and from school Without them and their support I wouldn’t be talking here today…

@KerryMagro

Telling someone they have autism

• The decision to tell someone who is unaware of their disability

must be treated with care

• Was told I had autism at 11.5 but wouldn’t really learn what

autism was till I was in High School

• Advice: Make sure to keep love in the room and tell them at

least the definition of what autism is as early as 6-8 years old

@KerryMagro

Finding my balance in middle school and high school

Made my first friends 8:1 student teacher ratio

• vs. 25:1 in public school

Found my niche in basketball and theater which became part of my therapies Realized my first dream of going to college

Post-Secondary

IEP to Reasonable Accommodations Self-Advocacy continued

Extended time on tests Note taker for all my classes

Found my niche by joining school clubs related to my major (making friends) Went for my Masters in Strategic Communication and

• Leadership. Got accepted into

Doctoral school at NJCU which is starting this Summer.

@KerryMagro

What got me to where I am today…

• “We need to teach the way

these children learn…”

• Getting involved with theater

to build on communication and understanding others perspectives.

• Social story therapy, visual

schedules, self-reflection exercises.

@KerryMagro

7 things you can do to help our autism community TODAY!

Each school, from Pre-K to Postsecondary has an allocated budget for paraprofessional and school-related events! Have guest speakers talk at your schools to educate on autism and

• ther special needs.

Inclusion, inclusion, inclusion! Take the time to get to know from people who have autism and their stories.

Temple Grandin Stephen Shore Carly Fleischmann Alexis Wineman Me! 

@KerryMagro

7 things you can do to help our autism community TODAY!

Learn the early signs of autism and pass them along in your communities! You can see signs of autism as early as 6 months and get a diagnosis as early as 18 months. Early intervention is the key. 100 Day Tool Kit – Autismspeaks.org/toolkits Early Signs – Autismspeaks.org/signs Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (18 to 30 months of age) (M-CHAT) – www.mchatscreen.com

@KerryMagro

7 things you can do to help our autism community TODAY!

Look to your local legislators to become autism champions. Find out their rights to insurance coverage of services – www.autismvotes.org Educate our educators! School community tool kit – Autismspeaks.org/toolkits

@KerryMagro

7 things you can do to help our autism community TODAY!

Make our communities understand that autism is a lifelong disorder. Children with autism will grow up and we need to be ready for them. Housing – autismspeaks.org/family-services/ Postsecondary – Autismcollege.com Employment – TheSpectrumCareers.com Relationships – Autism and Falling in Love (Available

• n Amazon)

@KerryMagro

7 things you can do to help our autism community TODAY!

Join a community service based event focused on autism in your hometown. Autismspeakswalk.org Establish your village. Connect with the people you meet today and become a support system to one another. Those will be the best supports you can give yourself for your child.

@KerryMagro

@Kerrymagro KERRYMAGRO.COM

“My Name is Kerry and I Have PDD-NOS”

@KerryMagro