a. Autism Mutual Support Groups: I attended an autism conference in March 2010. Most of the speaking was done by speakers whom are considered the leading experts in the field of autism. There were a few autistic speakers, but most of the major speakers were neurotypical experts on the subject of autism. Most of the autistics, their parents and educators all sat together in the audience listening to these speakers. However, they might as well been on different planets because there was no interaction amongst these three groups. This complete and total lack of dialog among the rank and file audience members was the most disappointing aspect of this conference.
The closest that we autistics, parents and educators came to an actual dialog with each other was an autistic panel that I was asked to be part of. We were allotted 5-7 minutes each which we tried to cram as much tangible knowledge that we could before our time was up. After these initial presentations, there was only enough time for about 3 audience questions. One was from a parent looking for answers for a serious problem that she was facing with her son. The other two questions were just curiosity questions. I believe that no more than maybe 3 or 4 audience members came up to us afterwards to engage in any kind of dialog. I only talked to one counselor who was working with a child who was struggling with some of the same bowel control issues that I had mentioned having struggled with myself. I gave her my phone number and told her to talk to the child’s parents about letting me speak to him. I have not heard anything from her or the family since then.
If you agree with me that the best way to problem solve is direct dialog among those who are having these problems, then such conferences will never provide the solution. However, I have a solution to propose that I have great confidence in, “The Autism Ambassadors Mutual Support Groups.” It would bring autistics, their parents, educators and significant others together to discuss the specific problems that they are having. It would be modeled largely after a general purpose Christian 12 Step support group, called “New Wine,” that I have been attending for years for codependency. Some modifications would need to be made to make these meetings more applicable to those that it would assist, but the core concept has helped 1,000s of people in need for the past 25 years.
b. Autistic Mentoring Groups: The number one priority of this group is to help autistics learn how to advocate for themselves to the best of their abilities. In some case, they need more than just knowledge about autism. Some have to overcome a variety of speech/language impairments. Some lack the ability for verbal communication all together, but there are a variety of alternative communication techniques that they can be taught. Some have the ability to be taught sign language. Later on in life, they may be able to type as well as use a variety of high tech devices. These groups, like the aforementioned “Mutual Support Groups,” are also modeled after “New Wine.”
c. Autism Expos: This event provides an opportunity for autistics and autistic groups to promote themselves. This ranges from groups that provide support for autistics and their parents to autistics who have talents in music, art, etc.
d. Autism Ambassadors Clubs: School club that would be geared towards provide autistics a safe venue in which they can be themselves under the guidance of a teacher advisor (which all school clubs are required to have). Some schools might prefer to have a school councilor full fill the advisory role. Furthermore, it would also be preferable to have an adult autistic participate as the club’s role model.
Nevertheless, the adult advisor(s) must recognize the need for each club to be customized to the likes of its own members. Some may simply want to have a safe social gathering while others may want to be groomed so they can advocate for themselves. Most autistics would benefit greatly if they could be presented with an opportunity to shine in the presence of their parents (as well as other relatives), educators and peers. The Autism Ambassadors Club must always be looking for ways to give autistics such opportunities if they want them, but must never pressure any of them into doing something that they would not feel comfortable doing.
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