Guest guest Posted February 11, 2012 Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 Another great approach that comes at a high cost to parents already struggling financially with Autism. All the help in the world means little if it's out of reach financially for the majority. This kind of thing needs to be funded by the college as a accommodation to persons on the Autism Spectrum to have equal access to the learning environment. Trina Hi- I think there is a great need for the type of support you are describing. In addition to being a Certified Relationship Development Intervention (RdI) Consultant, I am also a Professional Certified Coach. I took an excellent course on coaching high school and college students with ADHD from JST Coaching....Jodi Sleeper-Triplett. Most of the material was related to Executive Functioning and would apply to individuals on the spectrum. You might want to check it out. Expensive, but lots of good stuff, including basic coaching techniques. The downside to all this is there is little funding for families. I currently am coaching college and high school students with ADHD and/or Asperger's in addition to my RDI practice. Also, I have just finished The Nurtured Heart Approach to coaching parents and teachers of children with very challenging behavior. The results of this Approach are astounding. Dema Stout, MA San www.synergycoach.com Sent from my iPad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2012 Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 Dema, I agree with you. Nurtured Heart Approach is fantastic. We got dramatic results with my son's severe aggression using it a few years ago. It also works great with my daughter with an ODD diagnosis. We've kind of fallen off the wagon lately, though. Marilyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2012 Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 Louis, I will save this posting - nothing is to long when it comes down to our children. You are my hero!! Matteo and I say, Hi. Thanks for being our advocate. J. , B.S. M.A. Ed./CI Educator33@... Montgomery, Texas 77316 (CST) C: To: Texas-Autism-Advocacy Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2012 8:00 PMSubject: Re: college age As many of you know on this list, my son Ben graduated cum laude last May and then committed suicide last July. Naturally, I deal with my grief everyday, but I think that I can impart some important insight on this issue. I think too many parents are overly focused on academic skills and focusing on graduating their kids on time at age 18. We all need to remember that IDEA mandates that students be prepared for further education, employment and independent living. The preamble of IDEA states almost 30 years of research and experience has demonstrated that the education of children with disabiliites can be made more effective by preparing students to lead productive and independent lives to the maximum extent appropriate. You will note that the statute did not say, further education, employment or independent living. The bottom line is the schools must prepare the students in all three areas. I am of the belief that we shouldn't move these kids out of the public school system too quickly. Students need to have positive work experiences prior to going to college. A year of job shadowing and developing employability skills is crucial. We also cannot overlook their mental health needs. I have seen statistics that the AS and HFA population has a 3.5 time increased risk of suicide completion compared to the general population. We also must address the obsessive compulsive disorder that is a sympton of AS. Too often educators and clincians do not address this. While not all obsessions are bad, sometimes they are dark such as suicidal thoughts. The problem is that it becomes hard wired in their brains, and it is difficult to get them off those thoughts. Undertanding these individuals are at a greater risk for suicide, I established a non profit fund to address these critical needs.The purpose of Ben Geigerman Memorial Scholarship Fund is to recognize and support the critical contributions of mental health services, job counseling and job placement assistance, the teaching of independent living skills, as well as educating and training potential service providers and employers in providing assistance to individuals between 18 to 28 years of age with high-functioning autism and asperger's syndrome. Tax deductible contributions should be made out to:The Houston Jewish Community Foundation. In the memo section, please direct the funds to "The Ben Geigerman Memorial Scholarship Fund"Address: 5603 South BraeswoodHouston, Texas 77096 Sorry for the long post, but I thought it was important to share.Louis H. Geigermanhttp://narda.orghttp://collegedisabilityadvocates.com>> hi group! I am a mom of a sophmore with Asperger's and have been very concerned about the transition from high school to college. I also recently have been hired by a mom of a college student with Aspergers who is extremely bright but was failing because he couldn't keep track of assignments, due dates, etc. I help him with the organizational piece of his college life. I am thinking of branching out into this as a side business (I have a master's in special ed) but am wondering if there's a general need. Just wanted an opinion of older kids possibly facing this stage in life. (I am not job seeking here - I made sure not to post to a local support group. Just trying to see if I am the only mom and professional seeing this as an unaddressed issue). I know when my son goes to college in a couple of years he will still need support but probably won't want his mom to give it to him. I know some colleges are starting to offer support for Aspergers but not many.> > I would love to hear input. Thanks so much!> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2012 Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 Louis, I somehow missed hearing about your son. My deepest sympathies. Did he have autism? Marilyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2012 Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 Louis, Our deepest sympathy remains with you and your family. I will keep this post. You give great insight into not pushing our kids to be on the same time/age track as others. My family will keep you in our prayers. Haven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 Louis I would be honored to donate to your son's memorial fund. I too agree there is so much more to teach these kids than just traditional schoolwork. All a parent wants is for their children to be happy and sadly kids on the spectrum struggle with this so, so much. Graham-Garza,DDSlgrahamgarza@...Sent from my iPhone As many of you know on this list, my son Ben graduated cum laude last May and then committed suicide last July. Naturally, I deal with my grief everyday, but I think that I can impart some important insight on this issue. I think too many parents are overly focused on academic skills and focusing on graduating their kids on time at age 18. We all need to remember that IDEA mandates that students be prepared for further education, employment and independent living. The preamble of IDEA states almost 30 years of research and experience has demonstrated that the education of children with disabiliites can be made more effective by preparing students to lead productive and independent lives to the maximum extent appropriate. You will note that the statute did not say, further education, employment or independent living. The bottom line is the schools must prepare the students in all three areas. I am of the belief that we shouldn't move these kids out of the public school system too quickly. Students need to have positive work experiences prior to going to college. A year of job shadowing and developing employability skills is crucial. We also cannot overlook their mental health needs. I have seen statistics that the AS and HFA population has a 3.5 time increased risk of suicide completion compared to the general population. We also must address the obsessive compulsive disorder that is a sympton of AS. Too often educators and clincians do not address this. While not all obsessions are bad, sometimes they are dark such as suicidal thoughts. The problem is that it becomes hard wired in their brains, and it is difficult to get them off those thoughts. Undertanding these individuals are at a greater risk for suicide, I established a non profit fund to address these critical needs. The purpose of Ben Geigerman Memorial Scholarship Fund is to recognize and support the critical contributions of mental health services, job counseling and job placement assistance, the teaching of independent living skills, as well as educating and training potential service providers and employers in providing assistance to individuals between 18 to 28 years of age with high-functioning autism and asperger's syndrome. Tax deductible contributions should be made out to: The Houston Jewish Community Foundation. In the memo section, please direct the funds to "The Ben Geigerman Memorial Scholarship Fund" Address: 5603 South Braeswood Houston, Texas 77096 Sorry for the long post, but I thought it was important to share. Louis H. Geigerman http://narda.org http://collegedisabilityadvocates.com > > hi group! I am a mom of a sophmore with Asperger's and have been very concerned about the transition from high school to college. I also recently have been hired by a mom of a college student with Aspergers who is extremely bright but was failing because he couldn't keep track of assignments, due dates, etc. I help him with the organizational piece of his college life. I am thinking of branching out into this as a side business (I have a master's in special ed) but am wondering if there's a general need. Just wanted an opinion of older kids possibly facing this stage in life. (I am not job seeking here - I made sure not to post to a local support group. Just trying to see if I am the only mom and professional seeing this as an unaddressed issue). I know when my son goes to college in a couple of years he will still need support but probably won't want his mom to give it to him. I know some colleges are starting to offer support for Aspergers but not many. > > I would love to hear input. Thanks so much! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 It too home schooling again for me to realize the stress and anxiety my son was suffering in the public school environment. Having been a teacher for fifteen years before autism came into our lives, I doubt that environment is going to change much with PS so unwilling to change. College is not very different. It is high pressure and high stress, and brings a lot of challenges. We will definitely add some coping skills goals to our home school curriculum. As to what the future holds -- I can't be sure. It may come down to my son and so many of these kids attending college on line -- at least until we can assure these kids can get the right kinds of supports beyond high school. Louis, what happened to your son has disturbed and saddened me so much. Through circumstance, we have all become a family -- where we find so little understanding beyond this circle, but within it... what transpires with any one of our children affects us all. We will not forget your son.Sincerely,Haven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 Louis,I have posted the memorial to Ben and information about the foundation to my facebook. We all need to get this message out and get support for the foundation.Haven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2012 Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 Louis - our prayers with you and your family. To: Texas-Autism-Advocacy Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2012 12:29 AM Subject: Re: college age Yes he was an ASPIE. > > Louis, > > I somehow missed hearing about your son. My deepest sympathies. > > Did he have autism? > > Marilyn > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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