Successful Community Living for People with Developmental Disabilities

Clarissa Kripke, MD, FAAFP odpc.ucsf.edu In this important talk for anyone concerned about their, or their child’s, long-term living arrangements and supports, Dr. Clarissa Kripke explores progress made in community living for people with developmental disabilities. She explains how California’s Lanterman Act has been enormously successful by establishing an entitlement to community-based services and supports for people with developmental disabilities of all age, and how those services work. She also discusses specific successful cases, and clears up misconceptions about which housing models work best — both financially, and for quality of life. I’m the Mom of an Autistic teen. Of course I want what’s best for him. I want him to have opportunity, stability, care, and respect. After trying to learn everything I could, I realized that wanting what’s best, and knowing how to achieve it, are two different things. Fortunately, we live in California. The Lanterman Act was developed…

It’s An Autism Thing … I’ll Help You Understand It

Emma Dalmayne autisticatedalmayne.com When I was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome two years ago I felt relieved, jubilant, and sad all at the same time. Relieved, because I now knew myself, I could understand so much more about myself. There were a lot of ‘ahh!’ moments to look back on! Jubilant, because I know knew I wasn’t unreasonable or a complete misfit; I was part of a neurodiverse community that helped me be proud of my autistic identity. Sad, for all the missed opportunities I had had, all the misunderstandings and meltdowns that are — in short — terrifying when you do not understand why you are going through them. Most of all I wanted to help other parents, as I am a mother to neurodiverse children, including two with complex needs, and felt I could offer help to others. I started a Facebook group with a large volume of autistics…

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A Vacation Destination for Autistic People And Their Families: Surfside Beach, SC

John Ordover Surfside Beach, South Carolina, a town just South of Myrtle Beach, has declared itself an “autism friendly travel destination.” For a deeper look into what this means on a practical level, John Ordover spoke with Champion Autism Network‘s Becky Large, the prime mover behind the project. Ms. Large is the parent of an autistic child. —- [image: Neon-lit Ferris wheel at night, behind a downtown entertainment district.] John Ordover:  Before we get into the specifics of how the town is prepping for autistic kids and their families, what do Surfside and the surrounding area have to offer for vacationers in general? Becky Large:  Water recreation, the beach, inlet and rivers, with boating, fishing (sea, surf, pier and fresh water), crabbing, clamming, oystering. There’s a Sky Wheel. Myrtle Beach boardwalk. Wacattee Zoo, zip lining, Broadway at the Beach, a museum, an aquarium, mini-golf, golf. Family Kingdom Amusement Park, water…