Back to School Tips for Educators and Parents: Free Autism College Q&A with Chantal Sicile-Kira and Dana Pulde

August 12, 2012

It’s almost the end of  summer and  most parents  are  looking forward to the routine the new school year will provide, and teachers are busy getting classrooms and lessons ready for the new school year.  The start of a new school year can also mean more stress  for all involved – the student, the educator and the parent.  But there are ways to keep stress to a minimum  for a new and hopefully successful new school year.

Autism College hopes to help this year by offering you a one hour free Q & A with Visiting Professor, Dana Pulde, a Special Education Teacher,  moderated by Chantal Sicile-Kira. Both Dana and Chantal are looking forward to answering your questions and giving  tips to educators on how  to prepare the classroom, and to parents on how to prepare yourself and your child for the start of a successful new school year! Whether your child is fully included or in a special day class there are ways to prepare and alleviate some of the stress of the transition from summer to school, especially when there are teachers new to your child or teenager.

Join  Chantal and Dana  for the free interactive Q & A on Thursday, August 16 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm PST (9:00pm to 10:00 EST).

To submit  your questions, go here.

Here is the information for the day of the event:
To attend online, go to:
http://InstantTeleseminar.com/?eventid=32195109
To call in:
Primary dial in number: (206) 402-0100
Secondary dial in number: (208) 272-9671
Guest pin code: 026332#

Dana Pulde Dana Pulde has been working in the field of special education for a little over a decade.  She began as a paraprofessional working in homes with families using Applied Behavior Analysis to help students with autism.  She resumed her studies to continue her professional growth receiving a moderate/severe teaching credential and masters in autism and she has completed her supervision hours to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.  She began her teaching career working at a non-public school serving students with IEPs where she was responsible for developing student programs, creating and implementing Behavior Intervention Plans, Collecting and analyzing data, and creating/modifying materials to meet student needs and support academic growth.  She has continued her career as a supervisor for families of children with special needs by developing home programs and providing ongoing staff and parent training; as a teacher in a public school; and is currently working with an advocate making sure students receive a quality life and education through optimum support and offers of FAPE.

Chantal Sicile-Kira is the founder of AutismCollege.com and the author  of five books on autism, the latest being A Full Life with Autism: From Learning to Forming Relationships to Achieving Independence (co-authored with her son, Jeremy). Chantal’s first practical experience with autism was at Fairview State Hospital, teaching self-help and community living skills to severely developmentally disabled and autistic adolescents in preparation for their de-institutionalization.  Chantal has served on  the California Senate Select Committee on Autism & Related Disorders, and was appointed to serve as  Co-Chair, South Counties Autism Regional Taskforce.  Her son, Jeremy,  graduated from high school at age 22 with a 3.78 GPA despite being severely impacted by autism.

Why We do What We Do

June 14, 2012

Some days I wonder why I do what I do, and  at times Jeremy wonders if all the time and energy it takes him to write is worth it. So we are always happy to receive emails like the one below, from a dad, who is referring to our book A Full life with Autism.

“I am the parent of a 34 year old woman with high functioning autism.  I have started to read a number of books on ASD over the years and usually stopped – feeling overwhelmed @ about page 30.  But my daughter has sat alone in her room long enough.  Thanks particularly to Jeremy’s comments in the book and Chantal’s understanding and good explanation – I think we can do this.  I am buying the book for self and two adult siblings so we as a family as well as our daughter can begin to understand some steps to finally stop our avoidance and begin to develop a life of independence and quality for her.  THANK YOU!”

 

Autism and Employment: What are some barriers you or a loved one have encountered?

June 12, 2012

Do you have a story to share about yourself, or a loved one, or a student you know on the autism spectrum who is having a hard time finding or keeping a job?  What are the challenges to getting and  staying employed you have experienced?

My son, Jeremy, is writing a paper on the barriers to employment for someone with autism including Asperger’s Syndrome. He is looking for more personal stories to illustrate his paper.  Please, could you share your experience  by writing it in a comment to this blog?  You may stay anonymous if you wish.

In A Full Life with Autism, we wrote about employment among other topics and shared some practical and empowering advice from different sources.  Here, Jeremy is researching more about the barriers people have encountered.

Please leave your  stories, and pass this along to others who may have an experience to share.

Thank you for taking the time, and Jeremy will  write a blog here when the paper is finished.

A Full Life with Autism: Comments by Dr. Cathy Pratt

May 9, 2012

Unfortunately, many adults on the autism experience high rates of unemployment or underemployment.  Some of our most gifted live in poverty and have few options in life.   Chantal and Jeremy have creatively worked to create an engaged life for Jeremy and his family.   This book provides very practical ideas for transition planning and provides a template that others can use as they support adults moving into adulthood.   I highly recommend this for any family or individual as they  prepare for transition planning.

 

Dr. Cathy Pratt, BCBA-D, Director- Indiana Resource Center for Autism, Indiana Institute on Disability and Community; Former President of the Autism Society of America

The Golden Hat : Q & A with Margret D. Ericsdottir moderated by Chantal Sicile-Kira

May 5, 2012

The Golden Hat

Why did  Kate Winslet ask  over 100 celebrity friends including  Oprah, George Clooney, Rosie O’Donnell, Tom Hanks, Kobe Bryant and Leonardo DiCaprio,  be photographed wearing a Golden Hat for a book that includes photos of eleven non-verbal youngsters with autism wearing the same hat?

What are the long term goals of the Golden Hat Foundation?  What goals do you have for your youth’s future? What are your child’s long term goals?

Join the conversation on May 14 about creating  A Full Life with Autism when  Margret Dagmar Ericsdottir, President & CEO of the Golden Hat Foundation joins Moderator Chantal Sicile-Kira  to discuss  these topics.  The  one hour Q & A  on Monday May  14, 2012 will take place from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm PST  (9:00 pm to 10:00 pm EST). Sign up for the Autism College newsletter to receive instructions on how to participate and send in your questions. Instructions will be sent via newsletter before the Q & A  takes place. (Already registered? Hold tight, the participation link will arrive soon).

The Golden Hat Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating barriers for people with autism around the world, and creating an environment that holds these individuals as intellectually capable.

Kate Winslet and Margret D. Ericsdottir

Guest: Margret D. Ericsdottir is the President & CEO of the  The Golden Hat Foundation; Founder Frontier Filmworks; Co-Author, The Golden Hat: Talking Back to Autism; Advocate for Individuals with Autism; Mother of Keli, 14-year-old with nonverbal autism.  Margret Dagmar Ericsdottir, MBA, had a successful career in business and held various executive positions in Icelandic companies. Then, in 1997 Margret’s youngest son Keli was born and diagnosed as having severe autism at the age of four. The sudden and profound changes in her family prompted Margret to shift her focus from career-related pursuits to caring for Keli. In 2006 Margret founded Frontier Filmworks, and made the documentary, A Mother’s Courage: Talking Back to Autism, which describes her family’s journey.

The  award-winning actress, Kate Winslet, narrated the documentary, and subsequently co-authored The Golden Hat: Talking Back to Autism, in which celebrities and some non-verbal individuals with autism are photographed wearing a “golden” hat.

Moderator:  Chantal Sicile-Kira is the founder of Autism College, author of five books on autism. Her latest book A Full Life with Autism, was co-authored with her son, Jeremy Sicile-Kira whose photograph appears in The Golden Hat.

Questions from a Dad re Transition Services. Any Thoughts?

April 6, 2012

Here’s a few questions from a reader of  A Full Life With Autism.  Anyone wish to answer or comment? Please do so in comment section below.

Dear Chantal,
I have just begun reading your new book, A Full Life with Autism and am really appreciating all of the information that you have given.
My daughter is 19 years old and has Asperger’s syndrome.
We live in Eugene Oregon.
She is in a program that teaches living skills and work experience which has been excellent thus far.
She has only 1 more year after this one.
From what I was told, in Oregon, high school goes until 21.
She graduated from regular high school at 19 and this is the post education program.
You mentioned in your book that there are some states that offer educational services beyond 21.
Is there anyway that I can contest what the law has in effect for her in Oregon?
I feel that it would be so helpful if she could have at least one more year beyond next year before she heads into employment and life in general.
Also, I was wondering what states do provide services that go beyond 21?
Thank you and much appreciation for writing a book such as this for us parents and our children.

Expressing Gratitude

March 28, 2012

Melissa Crothers, Shapar Ostovar, Steve Crothers, Chantal

Recently I had a discussion with my family doctor about keeping good mental health in general for all types of people (college students, parents) and  she mentioned the usual items : regular exercise, good diet, and plenty of sleep. But then she mentioned another item that research shows is important to good mental health : having gratitude. Each day spending a few minutes acknowledging what you are grateful for, can improve your mental health. Interesting concept, right?

I know there are days when that “gratitude list” seems pretty short. For some the list consists of being thankful they got through a day of  not having to  call  the doctor,  or being grateful that the respite worker showed up so they could leave the house to do the shopping.  But really, every day there is something to be grateful for, and our children (on and off the spectrum) can learn to focus everyday for a few minutes on what they have to be grateful for – it could improve their mental health.

Right now, I would like to express gratitude about all the people over the years who have shown interest in my son, or who have helped him become the person he is today.  Many of these people were at the Poseidon Restaurant in Del Mar on Monday night to help celebrate the release of Jeremy’s first book, A Full Life With Autism. We are grateful to be surrounded by such wonderful people and to be part of this local community. I’ll be posting more photos as time goes on; I’ve put a few here.

So tell me, what can you express gratitude  for today?

Dr. Carl Hillier's Team

Join the Conversation – A Full Life With Autism

March 26, 2012

Jeremy and I wrote A Full Life With Autism in order to empower families. We hope that our experience – from the point of view of both a  young man reaching adulthood, and  a parent helping to prepare him for the future – will help you think about all your child needs – no matter his age- to prepare for the adult years down the road.

We’ve also highlighted the experiences of others,what organizations are doing to help prepare a brighter future, and what life skills a person needs to be successful as an adult.

We’ll be writing here often and we hope that you will join the conversation about creating a full life with autism. Your comments, questions and suggestions are most welcome here.

If you’ve read any of my books and articles, or Jeremy’s, then you know about us. Tell us your story. You are not alone, and we want to hear from you!

It takes a village to raise a child, and a community to make an enjoyable life.

Together, we can make a difference. Join the conversation!

Q & A Webinar: Temple Grandin, Chantal & Jeremy Sicile-Kira : A Full Life with Autism

March 19, 2012

Temple Grandin and Claire Danes

On Saturday, April 7 th from 8:00am PST to 9:30am PST (11:00am EST to 2:00am EST), Visiting Professor Temple Grandin will answer questions with Chantal Sicile-Kira  moderating. Then, for those who want to stick around,  from 9:45am PST to 11:15am PST (12:45pm EST to 2:15pm EST) Chantal and Jeremy Sicile-Kira will be answering questions in regards to their new book, A Full Life With Autism for which Temple wrote the foreword.

This is an opportunity to ask Temple Grandin questions, and get insight as to what is important for preparing our children for life as successful adults. Chantal and Jeremy will answer any questions you may have about raising a child with autism, and the transition to adulthood.  Register for our newsletter to sign up. (If you are already signed up, you will be receiving instructions shortly).

What questions do you have? Let us know, we’ll answer them!

Temple Grandin, PhD, is a doctor of animal science and professor at Colorado State University, bestselling author, and consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior. As a person with high-functioning autism, Grandin is also noted for her work in autism advocacy and is the inventor of the squeeze machine designed to calm hypersensitive people.  Grandin is listed in the 2010 Time 100 list of the 100 most influential people in the world, and the subject of the Emmy award winning  HBO documentary, “Temple Grandin.” Temple is the author of many books including, The Way I See It, Developing Talents, and Animals in Translation.

Chantal and Jeremy Sicile-Kira

Jeremy Sicile-Kira was diagnosed severely autistic as well as mentally retarded when he was born in 1989. In 2010, he gave a commencement speech at his high school graduation.   Jeremy  co-authored a book A Full Life with Autism ( Macmillan, March 2012) as a  guide for parents and educators helping those on the autism spectrum transition  into meaningful and independent lives.  Jeremy writes for  autism magazines, and his new website, www.JeremySicileKira.com.  He is one of three national Youth Advocates of the Autistic Global Initiative, a project of the Autism Research Institute. In 2007, Jeremy was highlighted on MTV’s documentary series True Life in the episode, “I Have Autism,” which won a 2007 Voice Award. Follow him on Twitter.

Chantal Sicile-Kira is an award-winning author, columnist, and autism advocate, as well as the founder of of AutismCollege.com which provides practical training  to parents and educators. Her latest book, is  A Full Life With Autism, co-authored with her son, Jeremy.  Their  story has been covered by a wide variety of media, including NPR, PBS, MTV, The Chicago Tribune, Newsweek, and Fox News.

 

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