ASN Summer 2019 Issue
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UTISM PECTRUM EWS A YOUR TRUSTEDS SOURCE OF SCIENCE-BASED AUTISM EDUCATION,N SUMMER 2019 INFORMATION, ADVOCACY, AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES VOL. 12 NO. 1 Supporting Older Adults with Autism By Karen Parenti, MS, PsyD challenges that older adults with autism and Maggie Haag, MEd, BCBA, LSW face including, but not limited to: social Melmark PA isolation, communication challenges, fi- nancial problems, not enough support with personal care, lack of employment options, utism is a lifelong diagnosis, inadequate health care, lack of housing and and as adults with autism age, lack of advocacy. many of the medical, physical, Aand mental changes they face Residential Model for are similar to those of typically aging Older Adults with Autism adults. As adults with autism get older, it is extremely important for family members One way to support older adults with au- and/or professionals working with these tism is by living in residential community individuals to understand the aging pro- homes where care is provided consistently cess. If professionals and family members and regularly by qualified direct support learn as much as they can about both the professionals, along with a team of other person they support and what to expect as professionals. All older adults with Autism that person grows older, they will be bet- do not require this level of care. However, ter equipped to notice any subtle behavior many older adults need this level of support or physical changes which may alert them to navigate their environments and reach that new interventions are necessary. It is their maximum potential. This article high- important to note that changing physical lights how one residential provider offers needs may require home modifications; ongoing support to older adults with autism. changing healthcare needs may require autism spectrum. According to Mukaeto- vided care for an adult with autism. The As adults with autism age, their group more specialized care; and changing psy- va-Ladinska & Stuart-Hamilton (2015), authors found these participants to be homes or living environments may need to chiatric and neurological needs, such as de- there continues to be much discussion deeply worried about the long-term care be modified or adapted to their changing mentia, may require constant monitoring. about the limited research available on and management of autism in regards to needs. Needed environmental modifica- Life expectancy rates are increasing in older adults with autism. In this study, re- aging, especially in relation to long-term tions can sometimes be overlooked for the United States, and that is no different searchers interviewed 45 adults who were support in their communities. Additional- for many individuals diagnosed on the either diagnosed with Autism or who pro- ly, the researchers identified a number of see Supporting on page 10 An Autism Spectrum News Interview with Temple Grandin By David H. Minot, BA Schizophrenia the Steep Price of the Hu- Publisher man Brain? This article basically says the Autism Spectrum News same genes that make our brains big also are involved in autism and schizophrenia. With autism, you get extra growth in the emple Grandin has been at the back of the brain, which might account forefront of autism awareness for for art, math or music skills, but that then the past 50 years. She has seen au- short-changes the social circuits. That pa- Ttism unfold from an unknown to a per was a mind-blower to me. Some other much better recognized diagnosis, yet she interesting studies that have surprised me is keenly aware that gaps in understanding scientifically, Solitary Mammals Provide and unfulfilled priorities remain. This is- an Animal Model for Autism Spectrum sue of Autism Spectrum News is themed Disorders. When you look at animals, “Supporting Older Adults,” and so, appro- some are more social than others. For ex- priately Temple shares her unique perspec- ample, in the big cats, lions are more social tives as an autistic woman, now in her 70s. than panthers. One of the things I talk a lot about to the public is that autism in its mild What has surprised you the most over forms may be just part of biological vari- the years regarding autism awareness ation. Look at Silicon Valley, it is run by and scientific research? people on the mild end of the autism spec- trum running fortune 500 companies! Awareness has improved, but I’m con- cerned about the many young people who Dr. Temple Grandin You wouldn’t have achieved the level of come up to me and say that all they want success in your career without the moti- to do is to become autism activists. For me, primary identity is career. Where people be aware, but I’m seeing too many smart vation your mother gave you, pushing you career is my primary identity and autism make autism their primary identity, I’m kids become too focused on the label. to try new things and discover the world. is a secondary identity. I wouldn’t want concerned. If I had diabetes, I wouldn’t A recent scientific article surprised me: to change, I like the way I think but my make that my primary identity. It’s good to Genomic Trade-Offs: Are Autism and see Temple Grandin on page 12 PERMIT NO. 137 NO. PERMIT Effort, PA 18330 PA Effort, MONROE, CT MONROE, 460 Cascade Drive Cascade 460 U.S. POSTAGE PAID POSTAGE U.S. Mental Health News Education, Inc. Education, News Health Mental ORGANIZATION NON PROFIT NON PAGE 2 AutismSpectrumNews.org AUTISM SPECTRUM NEWS ~ SUMMER 2019 Mental Health News Education Autism Spectrum News Board of Directors Editorial Board Chair Cindy Alterson, PhD, BCBA, Principal of Devereux NY CARES Clinical Director, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health-New York Debbie Pantin, MSW, MS-HCM, President and CEO Outreach Joel Bregman, MD, Psychiatrist Vice-Chair United Community & Family Services Rachel A. Fernbach, Esq, Deputy Director and Assistant Joseph D. Buxbaum, PhD, Director General Counsel, New York State Psychiatric Association Seaver Autism Center - Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Secretary Susan Cortilet-Jones, MS, LMHC, Integrative Wellness Coach for Adults Yvette Brissett-André, MPA, Executive Director and CEO Discovering Your World, Corp. Unique People Services Stephen E. Freeman, LCSW Treasurer The Freeman Group Kimberly Williams, MSSW, President and CEO Vibrant Emotional Health Lynda Geller, PhD, Founder, Spectrum Services A Cooperative of Independent Practices & Organizations, New York, NY Members of The Board Anita Appel, LCSW, Senior Health Care Consultant Michael Gilberg, Esq. Sachs Policy Group Special Education Attorney, NY/CT Peter D. Beitchman, DSW, LMSW, Principal Ami Klin, PhD, Director Behavioral Health Consultation Marcus Autism Center Constance Y. Brown-Bellamy, MPA, President and CEO Harold S. Koplewicz, MD, President Brown Bell Consulting Child Mind Institute Jonathan P. Edwards, LCSW, ACSW, M. Phil., Program Consultant New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Cecelia M. McCarton, MD, Founder and Executive Director The McCarton Foundation, The McCarton School (for Autism) Roy Kearse LCSW, CASAC, VP Recovery Services & Community Partnerships Samaritan Village Judith R. Omidvaran Autism Parent Advocate, New York Matthew Loper, CEO Wellth Theresa Pirraglia, Co-Founder and Board Member FECA, The Foundation for Empowering Citizens with Autism Barry B. Perlman, MD, Past President New York State Psychiatric Association Howard Savin, PhD, Chief Clinical Officer Jorge R. Petit, MD, CEO First Children Services Coordinated Behavioral Care (CBC) Pat Schissel, LMSW, New York Director Keri Primack, CFP, Senior Financial Advisor, SVP Asperger/Autism Network (AANE) Gerstein Fisher Alison Singer, President Joshua Rubin, MPP, Principal Autism Science Foundation Health Management Associates Founding Chairman Fred Volkmar, MD, Professor Yale Child Study Center Alan B. Siskind, PhD, LCSW Linda J. Walder, Esq. Founder and Executive Director Executive Staff The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Ira H. Minot, LMSW, Founder and Executive Director Dianne Zager, PhD, Head of School David H. Minot, BA, Associate Director and Publisher Shrub Oak International School Autism Spectrum News is a Quarterly Print and Online Publication of Mental Health News Education, Inc, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization All inquiries regarding advertising, subscriptions, sponsorships, and submitting an article should be directed to: David H. Minot, BA, Publisher Vincent Dante-Maniglia - Publishing Intern, Shrub Oak International School (978) 733-4481 • [email protected] • 460 Cascade Drive, Effort, PA 18330 • AutismSpectrumNews.org Mental Health News Education, Inc. does not endorse the views, products, or services contained herein. We are not responsible for omissions or errors. Mental Health News Education, Inc. is not responsible for articles submitted to us without the final approval of the organization’s Executive Director, CEO, or Public Relations Department. All articles and Advertisements are subject to final approval by our Editorial Board. We reserve the right to edit any article sent to us. Copyright © 2019 Mental Health News Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Content contained in this publication may be reproduced for one-time personal use. However, anyone wishing to reproduce and distribute any content from within this publication for purposes other than personal use must request this intention in writing directly to the publisher. Failure to do so will be in violation of the copyright held by this publication. AUTISM SPECTRUM NEWS ~ SUMMER 2019 AutismSpectrumNews.org