Positively Autism ~ Teaching with Shaping ~ May/June, 2009

Teaching with Shaping
Volume 4, Issue 3 ~ May/June, 2009

Positive Autism News

Needs of College-Bound Students with Autism Highlighted

Various colleges and universities are beginning to offer services specifically for students with Autism. These programs, including "AHEADD — Achieving in Higher Education with Autism/Developmental Disabilities" and "ACCLAIM — The Autism College and Community Life Acclimation and Intervention Model," offer support for areas such as social skills, orgainizational skills, and stress management. Many parents report these as areas of concern, versus keeping up with the academic requirements. "He's got the intellect to do that," says father Elliott Frank, about his 15-year-old son who aspires to become an aviation historian.
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Tips Offered for College Students with Autism

At Huntington University, director of learning assistance Kris Chafin has noticed an increase in the number of college students with Autism. Other colleges have noticed the trend as well, and offer tips for college-bound students with Autism. Some of the tips are below. (1) Living with parents instead of the dorm, (2) Visiting colleges while still in high school to find out what services and programs are offered, (3) Meet with the school's disability office or department early to determine what accommodations the student may be eligible for, (4) Take your time and don't feel pressured to finish the degree in four years, and (5) “Pray, have faith, know you can do it, attend class, study hard, join helpful study groups, be satisfied with your grades, learn to manage your time.” - Jenny Law, a college student with Autism.
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Teen with Autism Featured in Photography Exhibit

Curtis Glover, a high school senior with Autism, recently held his first photography show. "Life As I See It: A Photographic Show" was held at Daniel Webster College. In addition to photography, Glover also gives presentations about his life with Autism, proving wrong the doctors and specialists who said he would never speak. "That's why God gave me a voice and gave me autism," he says, "so I can prove to the world that autism is never bad."
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Photography of 9-Year-Old with Autism Featured at Museum

Zeke Buchert started taking pictures early, at the age of six. Currently, he is featured among other photographers in a California museum exhibit. Photos of landscapes make up his exhibit, which he titled, "Autism Awareness." A description of the exhibit reads, "autistic children often see things differently than others which sometimes gives a unique perspective to his photos."
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Man with Autism Runs Boston Marathon

This year, Andy Bryant ran his second Boston Marathon. On his previous run, the 27-Year-Old finished in the top six percent, completing the marathon in a little over three hours. Since running his first 5K at the age of thirteen, he's been a natural distance runner. His Special Olympics coach, Mary Ellen Eagle, says, "I think he puts the message out there to everyone that regardless of any disability, you can do anything...You can work. You can run in the Boston Marathon. So parents should not give up. Anything can happen if they believe in their sons and daughters."
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