Introducing Easter Seals “Celebrate Autism” Story Page…Why We’re Celebrating…Again…
Posted - Thursday, April 11, 2013“Experiencing situations through the eyes of others is magical”
Hello everyone, and welcome to the Celebrate Autism Story Page, Stories and Insights hosted by Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago. My name is Colleen Shinn and I am the Training Specialist and Manager of the Autism Program Service Centers for Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago.
A new study has recently been released suggesting that 1 in 50 children are diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. The need for…
A new study has recently been released suggesting that 1 in 50 children are diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. The need for…
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Daily Accomplishments
Posted - Monday, April 29, 2013“Each day we realize that autism does not define her.”
My daughter was diagnosed at 18 months old. I can remember it like yesterday. The questions and fears that consumed my husband and me: What will her future be like? Will we ever hear her voice again? Will we ever know her wants and desires? It has been 6 ½ years, and it has been an amazing journey to peel back the layers and get to know her. It has…
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Expectations Being Met
Posted - Monday, April 29, 2013“These were the expectations I had for my son and they have become a reality!”
My name is Ana Hernandez and I am the mother of Alberto Hernandez who is 17 years old and has Fragile X Syndrome as well as autism. When Alberto was born I was told by the doctors that my son would not talk, walk, nor do anything a normal child would be able to do and that I would have to do everything for him. I was devastated but I…
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Mason’s Lasting Impression
Posted - Monday, April 29, 2013“BUT Mason was able to laugh, show love, show sadness, etc.”
My autism story starts with my son, Mason Frickman. He was diagnosed with seizures as well as cognitive, speech, and developmental delays. The autism diagnosis came a few years later. He had a larger than life personality, with so much love to share. He had no fear of anything or anyone! Before his passing away on June 27, 2011 from complications of a seizure, he touched the lives of so…
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Brain Pop
Posted - Monday, April 15, 2013“The student can now sit in the classroom with the group”
A year ago a student was unable to participate in a group activity called Brain Pop. The student was disruptive to his classmates. He had to leave the room to watch the video and take the quiz. Even in a different room he could not control his laughter. Visuals were used to remind him to have a “Quiet Mouth.” In the fall of 2012 a goal was written so he…
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Success at Work
Posted - Monday, April 15, 2013“When students transition their skills into the community a great sense of pride is evident”
It has been a privilege to work with our students. I have seen success numerous times when training our students with job skills. Our students are more than capable of completing work at school and in the community and we currently have students completing work both at school and in the community. This has included filing papers, labeling envelopes, shredding documents, cleaning tables, working in the school store and much…
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Where my Journey has Led
Posted - Monday, April 15, 2013“The only logical thing was working in a special school for kids on the autism spectrum”
The first time I met someone with autism was when I was 20. It was when I started working in residential programming. Even though we were not supposed to have favorites; this resident was my favorite. After that I figured I needed to work with people with autism. After 6.5 years in residential I moved on to working with adults with disabilities. The young lady I worked with had a…
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Giving Others the Help I Once Needed
Posted - Monday, April 15, 2013“If I can give every child, every chance, every day I have made my dreams a reality”
My son was diagnosed with Autism at 5 years old. This was a very difficult time for him as well as for our family. I was in college, working full time, and raising 3 children. It was very difficult to manage my child’s behaviors, ensure his educational needs were being met, get him to all of the therapy appointments, assessments, doctor appointments, and other treatments necessary to ensure his success,…
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Disclaimer: The opinions and ideas expressed here are not necessarily those of Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago.