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Autism
& Related Disabilities
THE
FACTS
Autism is
a lifelong neurological disability that affects a
person's ability to communicate, understand
language, play, and interact with
others.
There are
diagnoses closely related to autism such as
Pervasive Developmental Disorder--;Not Otherwise
Specified (PDD--;NOS), Asperger's Syndrome, and
Rett's Syndrome that are included in the category
of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Every
person with autism or a related disability is
different. No two people with these disorders
experience the world or behave in the same way. The
impairment of social skills, communication skills,
and cognitive skills can range from mild to
severe.
Scientists
believe there are biological explanations for
autism spectrum disorder, but no specific cause has
been identified. There are no parenting styles that
cause autism.
Autism
spectrum disorder occurs in about 15 out of every
10,000 births, and it's four times more likely to
occur in boys than girls. Families of all cultural,
social, and ethnic backgrounds are affected by
autism.
Coping
with autism and related disabilities can be complex
and frightening for families. At
the CARD centers, we provide intervention and
services, free of charge, that can help individuals
with autism make progress and fulfill their
potential to achieve a higher quality.
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DIRECT
ASSISTANCE
The Family
Network Project (FAMNET) is a three-year project
funded by the National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research that offers help to
families of children with developmental
disabilities. FAMNET helps families by teaching
them new ways to deal with their child's problem
behavior. As families learn new positive behavioral
support (PBS) strategies, they create a behavioral
support plan to fit their child and family. They
also learn from other parents who have children
with similar challenges.
Families
from selected communities receive PBS through
bi-weekly parent groups. On the weeks in between,
members of the FAMNET team visit each family's home
to help families practice what they have learned
and to fit their child's support plan into their
daily routines.
FAMNET has
developed PBS training materials and they provide
training for organizations that offer services to
families as well as providing in-service training
for teachers and administrators.
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TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE & CONSULTATION
These are
activities undertaken on behalf of a program (e.g.,
a classroom, supported living, supported
employment) that serves people with autism and
related disabilities.
The
foundation of effective technical assistance is
based on developing collaborative relationships
between families, service providers, and CARD-USF
staff.
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PROFESSIONAL
TRAINING
Focused on
various aspects of autism and related disabilities
is provided through workshops, conferences,
in-service training, and college
courses.
CARD-USF
staff presentations have emphasized many topics
including adult services, young children,
deaf-blindness, behavioral support, communication,
and curricula. Trainings have been conducted for
school districts, adult service agencies, college
and university courses, family groups, and
others.
Public
Education & Awareness focuses on developing and
disseminating accurate information about people
with autism and related disabilities.
A major
goal involves accumulating a more actual count of
the number of people who are eligible for CARD
services.
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