Deep Dive Into Autism | What Resources are Available for Parents of Autistic Kids

Описание: Do you want to learn more about autism? Do you notice any signs of autism in your child, or has your child already been diagnosed? Join Ekaterina for a conversation with Lindsay Martsolf, the President of Central PA Autism Community (https://centralpaautism.weebly.com), to learn about various sides of the autism spectrum and what resources and support are available to parents of autistic kids.

Did you know that kids with autism can get free or deeply discounted admissions to museums and zoos? Families can also receive up to 300 free diapers per month. What is the Special Ed Medical ACCESS and what services and expenses does it cover? What are the special sensory events and what is the transportation program that teaches kids to ride a bus or go through airport security?

#autism #autismawareness #autismacceptance #neurodivergent #autistickids #autisticchild #autisticchildren #supportforparents #autismeducation

0:39 Intro
1:00 What does it mean to be on the spectrum and what autism means to Lindsay as a speech therapist and a mom of an autistic child
2:43 Range of the spectrum, a child “doesn’t look like s/he has autism”
3:36 Lindsay’s personal story, how hard it could be to get the right diagnosis, mom’s intuition
6:39 No matter how prepared you are, you will never forget hearing the news
7:45 Helping other parents, keep fighting for your child
8:43 The cost of testing, doctor visits – what is free in PA and what services are available at no cost
10:25 What medical services the Special Education Medical ACCESS covers
12:28 Non-medical programs available to kids with autism such as discounted museum and zoo admissions and the Diaper Program
13:38 What is available in other states, why people are moving to PA
14:38 Central PA Autism Community history and evolution and how it supports parents, children, and the community
18:50 The types of events Central PA Autism Community hosts
20:56 Transportation program to teach autistic children to ride a bus, train, or go on a plane
22:17 Chuck E. Cheese sensory Sundays
22:50 Resources for parents to connect and help each other, encourage positivity
23:48 Regular life activities are hard for autistic kids – the ‘finger schedule’ for transitions
26:36 Training a child at a restaurant with consistent restaurant visits and repetition of steps
28:37 Dealing with criticism and judgment from people around you, including relatives. “My kid is not being a brat.”
30:20 Autistic kids' superpowers; “A kid may not be able to have a conversation with me, but they can break into my phone”
32:10 Dismantling autism stereotypes
33:13 How can people get involved with Lindsay’s organization
34:45 High school kids becoming advocates for autistic kids
35:32 Preventing bullying of autistic kids at school
36:02 What testing is available in the early childhood programs; the difference between the educational diagnosis and medical diagnosis
37:27 What a parent can do to provide all the help they can get
38:57 IEP accommodations in colleges
39:10 Peer support for kids with autism, Best Buddies and Circle of Friends programs
41:49 Final thoughts