Anderson Family Partners: Extended Family, Redefined

• By: Marybeth Cale Cale Communications Estuary Coaching
• October 2nd, 2023
• advocacy, caregivers, communication, community, Fall 2023 Issue, families, family support, quality of life, relationships, support groups
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For Colleen Contreni, Family Liaison at Anderson Center for Autism, the concept of ‘extended family’ has long inspired her work. “I have always been a very family-oriented person, and this role at Anderson is a reminder that by cultivating a spirit of kinship among parents, caregivers, and...

“Reflecting on the Journey” – A Retreat for Parents of Autistic Family Members

• By: Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP Childhood Communication Services, University of Rhode Island Elaine C. Meyer, PhD, RN Harvard Medical School Barbara Domingue, MEd Community Autism Resources
• October 2nd, 2023
• caregivers, community building, emotional support, Fall 2023 Issue, family support, fun, improved relationships, parenting challenges, parents, reflection, respite, rest, retreat, self-care, social support networking, stress management, stress relief
• 1904    2

This past year marked the 25th anniversary year of our annual weekend retreat for parents of young and adult autistic individuals. This innovative family support activity has become a highlight of the year for us, and for many of the approximately 60 parents of autistic family members who join us...

Services for the UnderServed’s Positive Psychology Approach to Serving People in Crisis and Their Families

• By: Lori Lerner, LMSW, RYT-200 hr. Services for the UnderServed (S:US)
• October 2nd, 2023
• caregivers, coping techniques, crisis prevention, crisis response, crisis stabilization, Fall 2023 Issue, family support, gratitude, positive psychology, resilience, respite, self-esteem, strengths-based support, support services, treatment plan, wellbeing
• 1010    0

Since 2016, Service for the UnderServed’s START/CSIDD (Crisis Services for Individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities) Program offers crisis prevention and response services to people who have both developmental disabilities and complex behavioral needs and their families and...

Strategies for Navigating College for Students with Autism

• By: Denise Gackenheimer Verzella, Esq., MA Manes & Weinberg, LLC, Special Needs Lawyers
• July 5th, 2023
• accessibility, accommodations, college, disability services, disclosure, family support, IDEA, self-advocacy, students, Summer 2023 Issue, transition programs
• 2394    0

College is a transformative period in a young adult's life, offering a platform for growth, self-discovery, and academic achievement. However, for students on the autism spectrum, navigating the challenges of college life can be particularly overwhelming. College students with autism spectrum...

Listening is Key to Supporting Families and Caregivers and Leads to Better Outcomes

• By: Trudy Ann Pines, EdD AHRC New York City’s Middle/High School
• April 8th, 2023
• caregivers, families, family support, future planning, listening, person-centered planning, Spring 2023 Issue, transitioning to adulthood
• 1236    0

Supporting families and caregivers is a lifelong learning process as children and young adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) typically undergo many changes. When providing workshops to families about accessing services, I began to consider the question of how we can support them further, as...

Making Meaningful Connections: Amy Kelly Discusses Value of Devereux’s Internal Family Support Group

• By: Amy Kelly, MBA, MNM Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health
• September 29th, 2022
• Fall 2022 Issue, family support, staff support, support groups
• 908    0

At Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, we are always looking for ways to better support our talented and hard-working team members. Devereux National Director of Family Engagement Amy Kelly, MBA, MNM, leads a family support group for Devereux employees and their significant others who are parents,...