Episode Five: Interview with Dr. Dannette Taylor, IEP Advocate and Consultant

WEBVTT
00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.000
Together we'll build a community.
00:00:02.160 --> 00:00:04.639
Please remember to subscribe to my channel.
00:00:04.879 --> 00:00:28.960
I have included links to several resources attached to this episode that include the Autism Self-Advocacy Network, the Drextel Autism Institute, in case you would like to learn the latest current statistics on autism, and the Department of Developmental Services Resource, which is an agency to apply for adult supports.
00:00:29.199 --> 00:00:34.799
We've also included a link to the Mass Ability Program.
00:00:35.119 --> 00:00:37.679
Thank you so much for joining our caregiving community.
00:00:37.840 --> 00:00:48.880
Please remember that you are doing the best you can, and we need to advocate for our adult children to safeguard the legislation we fought tooth and nail for.
00:01:23.680 --> 00:01:28.640
So I want to highlight a social justice framework that underpins this episode.
00:01:28.879 --> 00:01:31.120
And it's called DPAR.
00:01:31.519 --> 00:01:37.760
It's a framework that really helps social workers look at all aspects of social problems.
00:01:38.000 --> 00:01:46.879
And it stands for diversity, equity, inclusion, intersectionality, power, analysis, and anti-racism.
00:01:47.359 --> 00:01:49.840
It was created by Dr.
00:01:50.079 --> 00:01:51.439
Dyer and Dr.
00:01:51.599 --> 00:01:52.640
Gershua.
00:01:53.040 --> 00:02:01.840
So in this podcast series, each episode will be discussing an issue related to social work and social justice.
00:02:03.680 --> 00:02:06.239
In this episode, we meet Dr.
00:02:06.400 --> 00:02:11.840
Danette Taylor, who is a family advocate and consultant.
00:02:12.159 --> 00:02:15.599
She's serving families in 14 different states.
00:02:16.080 --> 00:02:19.759
Her information will be on the webpage.
00:02:22.319 --> 00:02:27.360
Thank you so much for agreeing to be on this podcast.
00:02:27.840 --> 00:02:38.080
It is for focusing on the service cliff when adults transition to adult services.
00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:51.280
And I wanted to get an expert opinion on you know what we should have done and what other listeners should do in their last couple of IEP meetings.
00:02:51.520 --> 00:02:53.919
Would you like to introduce yourself?
00:02:54.240 --> 00:02:54.960
Absolutely.
00:02:55.120 --> 00:02:55.680
Absolutely.
00:02:55.840 --> 00:02:57.520
Thank you so much for having me.
00:02:57.680 --> 00:02:58.800
So I am Dr.
00:02:58.960 --> 00:03:00.080
Danette Taylor.
00:03:00.319 --> 00:03:08.479
I am a family advocate and consultant serving families of children with various disabilities, but primarily autism.
00:03:08.560 --> 00:03:10.159
So thank you so much for having me.
00:03:10.319 --> 00:03:16.000
Um, just to give you a little bit of background about me, I spent 17 years in the public school system as a special educator.
00:03:16.159 --> 00:03:21.120
I was a semestiol education teacher, a special education administrator, an assistant principal.
00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:30.719
Um, so when you talk about that service clip, that's definitely near and dear to me because you know, once our babies leave us, we always wonder how things are gonna go.
00:03:30.800 --> 00:03:35.759
And oftentimes uh families are not prepared for what's next.
00:03:36.960 --> 00:03:39.280
Yeah, that is definitely true.
00:03:39.520 --> 00:03:43.680
I wanted to also let you know that I am an insider.
00:03:44.159 --> 00:03:53.599
I have two autistic adults um who are one is at home and one is near my mother.
00:03:53.919 --> 00:04:05.039
So she keeps, you know, an eye on him and I'm at home, and I really appreciate um your expertise.
00:04:05.199 --> 00:04:09.280
I've been following, following you on Instagram.
00:04:09.439 --> 00:04:15.120
You have a handle there, you're also on Facebook, and you also have a website.
00:04:15.280 --> 00:04:16.160
Do you want to?
00:04:16.560 --> 00:04:22.560
Would you be okay with your website being linked to this show?
00:04:23.839 --> 00:04:25.680
Absolutely, absolutely.
00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:33.120
You can find me at https colon backslash backslash drdennett taylor.com.
00:04:33.360 --> 00:04:34.480
I would love it.
00:04:34.720 --> 00:04:35.120
Dr.
00:04:35.759 --> 00:04:36.720
Nett Taylor.
00:04:36.959 --> 00:04:37.920
Oh my God.
00:04:38.319 --> 00:04:41.920
I was telling my I was telling my professor, Dr.
00:04:42.240 --> 00:04:46.480
O, that I'm meeting somebody that I really admire.
00:04:46.720 --> 00:04:52.240
So if I look awestruck and starstruck, it's because I've been following you.
00:04:52.560 --> 00:04:55.839
And I really appreciate uh you being here.
00:04:56.160 --> 00:04:56.560
Thank you.
00:04:56.800 --> 00:05:10.560
My background is that I've been a clinical social worker direct practice for 30 years, and I've been seeing an increase in the caregivers of autistic adults in my private practice.
00:05:10.800 --> 00:05:15.439
I see patients for counseling and support, and I do take insurance.
00:05:15.519 --> 00:05:17.759
I'm licensed in Massachusetts.
00:05:17.920 --> 00:05:23.279
And so I had to pick a topic, and I picked this.
00:05:23.680 --> 00:05:33.360
Um, so tell me a little bit about what do you think would be the best way about transitioning to adulthood for our kids?
00:05:33.680 --> 00:05:35.439
Oh, okay.
00:05:35.759 --> 00:05:37.199
So this is a good one.
00:05:37.360 --> 00:05:42.000
Obviously, all of our kids are different depending on where they lie on the spectrum.
00:05:42.079 --> 00:05:52.720
And even sometimes we're when they are considered to be in the same category, whether or not it's level one, level two, or level three, they're all different, right?
00:05:52.959 --> 00:05:53.199
Yeah.
00:05:53.360 --> 00:06:02.319
But there are some foundational skills, not only based on research, but also based on my experience as an educator, as well as my experience of a mom like you.
00:06:02.399 --> 00:06:06.560
I have a son that is on the spectrum who's now 25 years old.
00:06:07.439 --> 00:06:32.879
And so one of the biggest things that I have read, and forgive me if I can't quote the exact research right now, but it basically tells parents that the number one indicator of future independence are those basic daily living skills, being able to take care of your own hygiene, being able to, you know, identify what your needs and what your wants are at the very lowest level.
00:06:33.040 --> 00:06:40.079
And when they know how to do those things at the lowest level, no matter where they are, you get to build on that.
00:06:40.319 --> 00:06:43.360
But those foundational skills are necessary.
00:06:43.519 --> 00:06:51.680
And so my biggest advice to parents would be don't be afraid to let your child do things.
00:06:51.920 --> 00:06:54.480
It's okay if they make mistakes.
00:06:54.720 --> 00:06:56.639
It's okay if they don't get it right.
00:06:56.800 --> 00:07:00.560
It's okay if they have to do it over and over and over again.
00:07:00.800 --> 00:07:12.399
And the reason why I can say that with such conviction is because no matter how many times they try and try and try and try, it's going to get better at some point.
00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:14.480
Even if it's never perfect.
00:07:14.639 --> 00:07:22.240
Because some of our kids, depending on where they lie on the spectrum, things are never going to be the way we want it to be, maybe, or the way we envision it.
00:07:22.399 --> 00:07:25.839
But what we're going to see is progress along the way.
00:07:26.079 --> 00:07:30.639
And sometimes that progress is slow, sometimes not so much.
00:07:30.879 --> 00:07:47.199
But at the end of the day, we want to make sure that we're teaching them things in a very explicit and systematic way that they can learn so that we don't end up in a position where we're worried about every single thing, right?
00:07:47.360 --> 00:07:51.759
Because as a parent of a child with autism, we worry about the future so much.
00:07:51.839 --> 00:07:55.279
And our biggest thing is what is going to happen when we're not here?
00:07:55.519 --> 00:07:56.639
What's going to happen?
00:07:56.959 --> 00:08:03.439
And I know it's not just me because I I've spoken to so many families, so many parents, and everyone says the same thing.
00:08:03.600 --> 00:08:05.920
I'm afraid of what's going to happen in the future.
00:08:06.079 --> 00:08:06.319
Yeah.
00:08:06.480 --> 00:08:18.879
And a part of the reason why we're afraid of what's not going to happen what's going to happen in the future, and only a part of the reason is because we know we're not going to be there to take care of our children like we do, right?
00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:27.360
And since we're not going to be there, we worry about who's going to love them the way we love them, who's going to take care of them the way we take care of them.
00:08:27.519 --> 00:08:34.480
And the best thing that we can do for them is to help them be as independent as possible.
00:08:35.440 --> 00:08:42.320
And that word independence is very subjective because independence is not the same for everyone.
00:08:42.639 --> 00:08:47.440
Independence is for a level three baby, level three young adults.
00:08:47.759 --> 00:08:51.919
Independence might just be being able to feed yourself finger foods.
00:08:52.080 --> 00:08:52.960
But guess what?
00:08:53.120 --> 00:08:56.720
That's something that someone else doesn't have to do for your child.
00:08:57.600 --> 00:09:02.320
Or independence may be, you know, being able to ride a bike to a part-time job.
00:09:02.480 --> 00:09:03.919
I don't know, whatever it is.
00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:17.360
So the biggest thing that we really do have to do is help our children to get to be as independent as possible to help us reduce some of that fear that we have.
00:09:17.759 --> 00:09:29.679
And the more we release that control and that fear, the more our children will thrive and the better we'll feel about them growing up and being young adults.
00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:33.360
Yeah, I think that that's really excellent.
00:09:33.600 --> 00:09:42.000
I think with a lot of families, they are fearful for the future and what the future holds.
00:09:42.320 --> 00:09:51.279
And there's a concern because there's so many new adults transitioning to adulthood each year.
00:09:51.759 --> 00:09:54.639
The statistics are staggering.
00:09:55.039 --> 00:10:18.559
And um, and I talked to someone earlier, a parent of a 38-year-old, uh, earlier this morning, and she created a social network of carers or a social like a team, kind of like that kinship care we we hear about, you know, where we all kind of pigeon.
00:10:19.679 --> 00:10:26.399
Um, but I love your idea about independence, and I think that that is something that's so important.
00:10:27.039 --> 00:10:34.480
Um and also letting go letting go.
00:10:35.200 --> 00:10:42.320
I mean, if I think about that, that's the hardest thing for me.
00:10:42.960 --> 00:10:49.600
Um absolutely, absolutely, you know, like you said, letting go is so hard, right?
00:10:50.159 --> 00:10:54.480
Um, and oftentimes we're the barrier.
00:10:54.720 --> 00:10:57.840
We are the obstacle that's in the way.
00:10:58.320 --> 00:11:08.399
Um, we don't want them to feel pain, we don't want them to feel pressure, frustration, any of those negative emotions, we want to shield them from it, right?
00:11:08.639 --> 00:11:10.879
And immediately that's what we do as moms, right?
00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:12.480
We we want to protect our babies.
00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:13.120
Absolutely.
00:11:13.360 --> 00:11:25.200
But the reality is that for our kids, it's really important for us to give them certain experiences as early as possible.
00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:30.720
Because we know that they're gonna have a little bit of a learning curve.
00:11:30.799 --> 00:11:33.519
Things are gonna take longer for them to do.
00:11:33.840 --> 00:11:56.240
But we also have to create an environment where not only are we giving them those opportunities to demonstrate certain skills, but we are breaking down those skills in a way that they can make those small gains and see their own progress and see that they have the ability to do more.
00:11:56.960 --> 00:12:10.799
Um, sometimes the way in which we coddle our kids really puts them at a disadvantage because they often don't think that they can do it because, oh, mom doesn't let me do this.
00:12:10.960 --> 00:12:14.480
Um, mom doesn't allow me to do that, mom does this for me.
00:12:14.559 --> 00:12:20.320
So sometimes they start believing that they are not able to do things.
00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:28.879
And the reality is that our kids are often able to do more than what we anticipate they can do.
00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:30.000
Yes, I can't do that.
00:12:30.159 --> 00:12:33.279
And you know, I I can say this from experience.
00:12:33.519 --> 00:12:47.519
Um but one of the things that I know is that there are services out there before, you know, before they graduate, they had some services.
00:12:48.320 --> 00:13:01.200
And then when they graduate, we have to navigate the new adult system, and we've gotta make sure that we have some applications in place.
00:13:02.159 --> 00:13:06.559
Um, and do you want to talk a little bit about that?
00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:16.000
So, yeah, and if you don't mind, if I can just kind of go back a little bit and talk about the IUP before I come forward to the services, is that okay?
00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:25.759
So many of our families, you know, our kids are found eligible for an IUP, an individualized education program when they're younger, right?
00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:34.960
And so school districts, for the most part, they do a really good job of making sure that our kids receive speech services, occupational therapy services.
00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:46.080
And in some states, they even do a great job of providing things like recreational therapy, music therapy, counseling, not so much in Georgia, but in in other states, they really do a great job of that.
00:13:46.320 --> 00:13:54.960
And so many of our kids have a very good level of, I'm gonna call it wraparound support within the school system.
00:13:56.000 --> 00:14:06.559
Um however, as they matriculate grade through grade, you'll notice that services start to diminish.
00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:21.679
So we talked about that service cliff from a graduation standpoint, but if you're paying really close attention, that reduction of services actually starts to happen in the latter elementary years.
00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:22.879
It really does.
00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:34.559
And there is a study by Laxman, and I'll send it to you, and it really speaks to that that the service cliff falls differently for different individuals.
00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:35.519
Yeah.
00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:39.279
And and that you lose the services early on.
00:14:39.519 --> 00:14:40.159
Yeah.
00:14:41.919 --> 00:14:42.559
Yeah.
00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:56.720
And so what I've noticed, um, and and this is based on my experience as an educator as well as an advocate serving clients in 14 different states, and the majority of my clients have autism.
00:14:57.200 --> 00:15:07.519
And I've noticed that services start to be reduced, at least they recommend a reduction in services, somewhere around the latter part of elementary school.
00:15:07.679 --> 00:15:16.480
And you'll hear things like, well, they need to spend more time in class, or well, they need more time with their peers.
00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:18.399
And all of those things are true.
00:15:18.639 --> 00:15:19.919
All of those things are true.
00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:29.120
But the reality is that those related services are key to their uh functionality as an adult, to them functioning as an adult.
00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:40.639
And when you look at the grand scheme of things, you know, uh speech services two or three times a week for 30 minutes out of a six and a half, seven-hour school day, it's really not that much, or even OT.
00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:51.440
So you fast forward through middle school or junior high, and you get to right before they get to high school, they'll they'll tell you again, oh, we need to reduce services.
00:15:51.679 --> 00:15:58.960
Or they'll make the assumption that because progress hasn't been what they are used to, that services need to be reduced.
00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:08.399
And so now we're going through high school, and that's whether or not they, you know, a they age out at 22 or they just graduated at 18.
00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:17.360
We're in a place of all of the concerns that our children have and weaknesses have they have, they're not affixed.
00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:19.120
They're maybe fixed.
00:16:19.440 --> 00:16:24.879
Many of our kids have lifelong challenges that will need to be addressed.
00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:35.600
And, you know, some school districts do better than others of helping families gain access to supports within the community.
00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:38.720
But here's what happens for the most part.
00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:43.279
And this is whether or not you're given any direction or resources.
00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:48.080
Some school districts, they really don't give you much direction either, to be quite honest.
00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:48.960
They do not.
00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:50.480
They pat you on the back.
00:16:53.120 --> 00:16:53.519
Yes.
00:16:54.720 --> 00:17:03.279
And and their their idea of what happens after school and what they think happens after school is totally different.
00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:10.720
The reality what school staff thinks is completely different.
00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:19.839
They think that there is enough resources, and oh, just contact so-and-so, not realizing that that company has a waiting list of 3,000 kids on it.
00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:21.039
You know what I mean?
00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:23.839
So, so they send our kids out.
00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:33.359
Um, parents are ill-equipped with information and resources, and more importantly, the resources aren't as plentiful for adults.
00:17:33.920 --> 00:17:37.119
A lot of the resources are limited to a certain age.
00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:52.720
And once you hit either 18 or 21, now you have a hard time finding the speech services for adults or the OT for adults, though those related services for adults.
00:17:52.880 --> 00:17:56.559
Even even a counselor for adults is very difficult.
00:17:56.720 --> 00:18:07.839
I mean, I'm in a metro area, I'm in metro Atlanta, and even for my son, it's difficult to find a counselor therapist to support him simply because of his disability.
00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:17.359
And so school districts don't tell parents, and I think that they don't tell parents, truth be told, I think they don't tell parents because they don't know.
00:18:17.839 --> 00:18:26.240
They think it's just like the school setting here, oh, just reach out to you know this particular organization, Easter Seals or whomever, and they'll help you.
00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:28.400
But that's not the reality.
00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:35.839
And so our babies graduate and they're not getting services.
00:18:36.000 --> 00:19:01.680
And on top of not getting services, they don't have the proper funding for different programs oftentimes, because they don't know that, and I'll give you a prime example in Georgia, there's a waiting list for the now and comp waiver, which provides, you know, funding for your child to go to different programs, but there's a waiting list, and I have families that have been on that waiting list for over 10 years.
00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:08.799
And if you didn't get your kid on that list for 10 years ago, what do you think is going to happen when your child graduates?
00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:10.799
Yeah.
00:19:11.119 --> 00:19:28.160
So I just think that it's important that families know the earlier you start looking into the services, the better off you are because you have to know what your options are in your area, because every area is different.
00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:35.359
Some states do a better job of offering um more availability to services than others.
00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:42.400
There's some areas I have a client that's in Tennessee in a certain county, and she can't find anything.
00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:48.960
And I am done the research for her, and there's like virtually no one.
00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:54.319
So it's it's it's just important to start doing that research ahead of time.
00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:59.599
I'm glad that you said that because um it makes me think of that article.
00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:02.799
You're on we're on our own.
00:20:03.599 --> 00:20:08.880
It's a it's that the the parents are just they're totally on their own.
00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:21.039
And also there's financial hardship because our kiddos do need safety and support depending on what level they fall at for on their autism.
00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:33.599
And so it's maternal caregivers that take on, you know, the blessing as well as the burden of you know changing their hours.
00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:48.160
And I was shocked to read the research that there's 55% of mothers completely leave their jobs because they they need to.
00:20:48.400 --> 00:20:52.799
Um, yeah, so it just really amazes me.
00:20:53.119 --> 00:21:24.480
Um, so I think the earlier the better, but I I just I wanna be hopeful that there is something out there, and I think one of the things I wanted to ask you about, is there a a parental group that gets together to um provide some sort of activities for the kids, you know, like an autism society out there in Atlanta?
00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:26.240
Is there anything like that?
00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:30.799
So there are a couple of groups.
00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:49.440
There is Aaron's Hope for Friends, there is also Spectrum, a company called Spectrum, and they also have activities for young adults, and then there are some uh individuals that literally have put together opportunities.
00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:59.759
I am one of those individuals where it is led by my my son, he's 25, where he is putting together a monthly outing.
00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:13.440
Social outing for individuals with autism, various disabilities, and it can be whether or not you are just a you know a social introvert, you don't make friends easily.
00:22:13.680 --> 00:22:30.720
Where they get get together, they meet at a specific location, whether or not it's bowling, whether or not it's you know at the uh the batting range, any of those things like main event, a place for them to have a little bit of fun as a group.
00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:38.160
The only thing when you do, you know, private groups, you know, you have to know what kind of a group you're you're getting into.
00:22:38.640 --> 00:22:45.279
But I tell parents all the time, sometimes when you can't find it, tag your develop it.
00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:50.160
Because if you need it, I can guarantee someone else in your community needs it as well.
00:22:51.119 --> 00:22:53.039
Yeah, thank you so much.
00:22:53.440 --> 00:23:03.039
Yeah, did you want to say anything about what your son is doing or what what your experience as a caregiver is?
00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.799
You don't have to.
00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:06.480
Sure, sure.
00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.039
Sure.
00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:15.440
So you know my experience as a caregiver, I feel like it's very different.
00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:26.480
Because if you talk to me 20, 21 years ago, where we are today, I would have never guessed it in a million years.
00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:40.079
My son was nonverbal, he finally transitioned to like echo use of echolalia, somewhere around five, six, seven years old, limited language for the longest time, and he still struggles with language.
00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:46.079
Don't misunderstand that he still struggles with language, lots of pragmatic issues, right?
00:23:46.880 --> 00:23:57.119
Still struggling with being in a group and understanding those social cues and all of those things, but language is a lot more functional, okay?
00:23:57.279 --> 00:24:02.960
So he can identify his wants and needs for sure, he can advocate for himself, all of those things.
00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:20.880
As he was growing up, I really didn't think that based on what everyone was telling me, and I'm saying everyone, as in, you know, doctors and teachers and therapists, you know, what their thoughts were about his functioning as an adult.
00:24:21.200 --> 00:24:27.519
And they were pretty much preparing me to keep him at home or in a day program.
00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:32.000
That's essentially what they told me.
00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:40.000
And I'll be honest with you, Stacy, it's gotta be my faith because I'm like, Lord, come on, this can't be it.
00:24:40.640 --> 00:25:14.559
And so um we not only had the services within the school system, and I'm a huge proponent of this, but any parent that's listening, if you can do anything, anything at all, and your children's elders in that younger age range, do not solely rely on school supports, do not rely only on the school speech, only on school OT, only on school services, because the supports that your child receives in school is limited.
00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:27.519
And we spent 13 years, almost 13 years in outside speech, in outside speech, up until the point where she just had to tell me, hey, listen, we can't do anything else for him.
00:25:27.599 --> 00:25:32.640
He he knows all the rules, he has to apply it, and you know, it has to be generalized.
00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:44.799
And so we spent a lot of time, a lot of time role-playing at home, like I said, going to speech, OT, all of those things.
00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:51.599
And I just honestly, everything that they told me to do, I did.
00:25:52.160 --> 00:26:06.880
I hear families they go to speech and their child goes in for a session, and I am baffled because they're telling me that, oh, the SLP didn't give us any homework to do at home, they didn't tell us to do anything at home.
00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:09.599
You've got to do some work at home too.
00:26:09.839 --> 00:26:10.640
You have to.
00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:20.960
If you want your child to be in the best possible position later on in life, you've got to take that 15 minutes a day to work with them.
00:26:21.359 --> 00:26:26.319
You've got to incorporate those language skills into everything that you do at home.
00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:29.759
I don't care if your child even uses an AAC device.
00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:39.519
Like you need to be modeling with your child on that device or get a second device and using that verbal language along with that AAC device.
00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:44.799
But the work we put in now, it has to be intense.
00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:45.519
Yes.
00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:50.720
And I get it, as caregivers, it's hard for us because we're tired.
00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:52.000
We're tired.
00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:53.200
We're tired.
00:26:53.680 --> 00:27:05.359
But but the reality is that if we pace ourselves to support our kids along the way, we're gonna see them soar a whole lot further than they would have if we did not.
00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:14.480
And so, you know, my son now he has a full-time job.
00:27:15.119 --> 00:27:15.920
That's excellent.
00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:20.160
He works at a he works for a manufacturing company.
00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:23.519
It's it's one of those jobs that are rope.
00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.400
It's rope.
00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:27.920
So he's doing the same thing all day, every day.
00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:30.240
He does what's called registration.
00:27:30.400 --> 00:27:38.319
So he basically scans the barcode, puts certain things in the computer, what it is, I don't know.
00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:42.160
And then he puts it in a box and sends it on down, right?
00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:44.400
And this works for him, right?
00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:48.640
It's it's structured, it's the same thing every single day.
00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:54.559
He knows the expectations, and he does it the same way every single time.
00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:57.759
And so that has worked out very well for him.
00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:59.920
It didn't always work out.
00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:08.400
He's had another job experience where that was a nightmare, but I also knew that we had to find the right fit for him.
00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:18.640
I think that all of our kids have or at least should have an opportunity to do something after high school.
00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:21.759
I don't care how severe your child is.
00:28:21.839 --> 00:28:31.200
I mean, unless it's just a point where they can't do anything at all in terms of, you know, being functional outside of the home, they should volunteering.
00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:39.680
I don't care if they are the greeter at Sunday service in the morning when everyone's coming in for church and they're holding up the sign in my church.
00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:45.599
We have some of the other people holding up a sign that says smile and they're greeting us on the way in on Sunday morning.
00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:47.200
Oh, that's so beautiful.
00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:51.119
You know, yes, yes.
00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:56.960
We we we have to give them opportunities to do things, and sometimes it works out.
00:28:57.279 --> 00:28:58.559
This is the big takeaway.
00:28:58.799 --> 00:29:02.160
Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't.
00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:15.119
We have to find the right fit for our kids because we are their voice and we know what their strengths and weaknesses are, and being honest about what their strengths and weaknesses are, you know.
00:29:15.839 --> 00:29:23.359
Um, one of the services that are common across the country is vocational rehabilitation.
00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:28.480
And after high school, on that service cliff, like, okay, what what do we do now?
00:29:28.720 --> 00:29:29.119
Exactly.
00:29:29.599 --> 00:29:38.319
Um, we went to vocational rehabilitation and they, you know, they did some assessments and they gave some opportunities.
00:29:38.400 --> 00:29:43.920
I'm gonna call it that, but none of them were a good fit for my son, not alone, none of them.
00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:53.440
So we have to know our kids to make sure that they get the opportunities that work best for them, and so that we can see them thriving and happy.
00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:57.359
I'm really glad that you talked about vocational rehab.
00:29:57.759 --> 00:30:06.000
My my kid here doesn't feel confident enough getting a job right now.
00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:08.640
So they're in school.
00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:26.000
And before I started the doctoral program, we had a soap company at the local mill, Aunt Stacy Soaps, and and we both ran this, you know, mom-kid deal.
00:30:26.160 --> 00:30:27.440
It was really cute.
00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:40.880
And I I I suspect that we may go back to it or we may not, but the anxiety, you know, the the co-occurring mental health diagnoses are really significant.
00:30:41.200 --> 00:30:44.400
In fact, the statistics are surprising.
00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:51.839
75% of our kiddos do have a co-occurring anxiety or a depression.
00:30:52.079 --> 00:31:00.240
And I find it really interesting, just mind-blowing, how the neurology is so different for everyone.
00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:09.839
And I I just I love the fact that you know you're so positive about really having parents do programs with their kids.
00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:17.440
Because I've always said that I feel that that's the best, the best thing just for their well-being and their mental health.
00:31:17.599 --> 00:31:24.720
And anyway, so vocational rehab is something that is available.
00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:29.039
You, you know, you fill out an application, you go through the program.
00:31:29.119 --> 00:31:41.119
It may not be perfect, but I think also parents have to take that responsibility of co-creating a life together, you know, co-creating a life together.
00:31:41.200 --> 00:31:47.279
Because it's not really, it's not really like independence, independence.
00:31:47.519 --> 00:32:06.640
It's it's that it's that ethics of care model, you know, it's that interdependency and the relationship and doing things together, which I find is a big leap for parents because I think that they think, oh, well, my my child should be more independent.
00:32:07.119 --> 00:32:08.960
But it's I think it's not like that.
00:32:09.119 --> 00:32:12.720
I think it's like we're creating this amazing life together.
00:32:12.960 --> 00:32:17.440
We have this, I don't know, just anyway, yeah.
00:32:18.640 --> 00:32:20.160
I totally agree with you.
00:32:20.319 --> 00:32:21.759
I totally agree with you.
00:32:22.079 --> 00:32:25.519
And our our kids are so amazing.
00:32:25.759 --> 00:32:40.400
And if we can tap into what it is that's going to work well for them, and like you say, co-create what it is that you want for their future, it's just better for them.
00:32:40.559 --> 00:32:42.880
It's just absolutely better for them.
00:32:43.119 --> 00:32:59.119
And also to piggyback off of what you said, you know, about having some of those mental health challenges that come along as well, that's another place where, you know, resources are also very slim.
00:32:59.359 --> 00:33:23.519
And that's one of the reasons why I think, and this is just my personal opinion, not based on research, but I think that that's one of the reasons why it is so important for us to, as early as we possibly can, allow our kids to, you know, thump their toes, make mistakes, and be confident in the fact that I'm okay with moving forward, even if things are not perfect.
00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:30.400
You know, we have to teach them, we have to teach them that one, it's okay to fail, right?
00:33:30.880 --> 00:33:34.240
Um, many of our kids struggle with that whole perfectionism.
00:33:34.319 --> 00:33:36.319
It everything has to be perfect.
00:33:36.480 --> 00:33:44.960
Um, but it's okay to fail, and it's okay that I don't know how to do everything and I know how to ask for help.
00:33:45.680 --> 00:34:02.640
I just think that that those three skills at an early age is just paramount to to your future, you know, and then also, like you said, creating an environment where you know you guys can work together.
00:34:02.880 --> 00:34:10.239
And one of the ways that you do that is by giving your child some autonomy as early as possible.
00:34:10.320 --> 00:34:16.400
You give them the responsibility and say, hey, you know, this takes four steps for us to complete.
00:34:16.639 --> 00:34:23.760
But I just want you to do, you know, part step one, and you break it down to the most simplest form.
00:34:23.920 --> 00:34:29.760
Let them get that win out of it, let them feel what it's like to win as well, that confidence.
00:34:30.079 --> 00:34:37.840
And they're gonna be willing and wanting to, you know, do something, create something, even if it's not outside of the home, it can be in the home.
00:34:37.920 --> 00:34:39.199
There's so many young people.
00:34:39.280 --> 00:34:47.519
Um I'm I see them on on you know social media, they're doing things at home, they're creating things at home and they're loving it.
00:34:47.760 --> 00:34:48.719
They're loving it.
00:34:48.960 --> 00:35:07.840
And I think that that's so important too, because the way in which we look at life right now post-COVID is that there is a lot of industry within the home and some of the fabulous things that they're doing.
00:35:08.079 --> 00:35:11.039
So it's really important to look at their strengths.
00:35:11.280 --> 00:35:13.760
I love the strengths perspective, Dr.
00:35:13.920 --> 00:35:14.559
Siegelman.
00:35:14.800 --> 00:35:29.440
He he developed this strength-based approach, really looking at what is it that your child really loves, what what resonates with them, how can you really lift that up?
00:35:29.760 --> 00:35:38.159
Because oftentimes their activities, their interests look a little bit different than maybe you and I.
00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:50.159
And so we want to just say, oh, this is great, you know, and and lift that up and and really elevate that because those are things that they're doing, industry.
00:35:50.320 --> 00:35:56.400
Even building a Lego set is something I think that's tremendous.
00:35:56.719 --> 00:36:05.840
But there is that piece, you know, of, you know, I want to buy something, so I I need to take your card, mom, you know.
00:36:05.920 --> 00:36:08.079
So that that's a thing too.
00:36:08.400 --> 00:36:17.920
Financially, it's very difficult, I think, for mothers right right now to make ends meet and to work outside of the house.
00:36:18.079 --> 00:36:28.800
A lot of people are working inside of the house, which I love, and they're really creating a space, even if it's a messy space, it's a happy space.
00:36:28.880 --> 00:36:37.199
And I think that that's one of the most important things is to have a happy and wonderfully messy, happy family.
00:36:37.360 --> 00:36:43.920
Because what we're creating is not perfection in terms of their behavior.
00:36:44.159 --> 00:36:48.639
We're creating moments of emotion.
00:36:49.360 --> 00:36:53.119
And I I thought about the connection.
00:36:53.760 --> 00:37:13.679
I I worked at a hospital 27 years, and a lot of times people had memory issues, and you wanted to focus on just creating happy moments of time and not really saying, well, you didn't do that right, or you forgot again, or that sort of thing.
00:37:13.840 --> 00:37:18.719
So it's really about lifting, lifting them up, really.
00:37:19.039 --> 00:37:23.360
It's really about just joy, you know, trying to be joyous.
00:37:23.599 --> 00:37:25.840
I know that's really difficult to do.
00:37:26.079 --> 00:37:28.880
I I do know that it's difficult to do.
00:37:29.599 --> 00:37:34.639
As parents, like I can see perfectionism in myself.
00:37:34.800 --> 00:37:41.599
I can see my my neurodiversity, my ADD, or whatever it is that I have.
00:37:42.159 --> 00:37:49.679
And a lot of times, you know, I want them to succeed, but I also want them to be happy.
00:37:49.760 --> 00:37:50.880
So wouldn't it be happy?
00:37:51.199 --> 00:38:00.000
Wouldn't it be better if they were just like happy and we made brownies and, you know, and we were just loving on each other instead of like, well, you didn't do that right.
00:38:00.159 --> 00:38:01.519
You didn't do that right.
00:38:01.840 --> 00:38:06.400
So anyway, that's kind of, you know, the situation.
00:38:06.800 --> 00:38:20.079
And it's also important for providers, for mental health providers to learn how to connect with somebody who's neurodiverse and be very affirming of that.
00:38:20.239 --> 00:38:31.760
There's programs here that specialize in diversity, equity, and inclusion, and working with complex and diverse populations.
00:38:32.079 --> 00:38:37.039
There's a um, I believe it's at Boston Medical Center.
00:38:37.119 --> 00:38:44.639
They have a center where people can learn online how to be the best kind of provider.
00:38:44.960 --> 00:38:52.719
Primary care physicians need to know that autism doesn't end, you know, uh at childhood.
00:38:52.880 --> 00:38:53.199
That's right.
00:38:53.360 --> 00:38:55.840
It's a lifelong situation.
00:38:56.159 --> 00:39:04.880
So I do think it's so important for mental health providers to be cool, calm and collected and cozy.
00:39:04.960 --> 00:39:06.880
That's my four C's.
00:39:07.199 --> 00:39:09.119
Cool, calm, collected, and cozy.
00:39:09.599 --> 00:39:24.000
And, you know, oftentimes, I mean, the the thing that really brought me to this obviously is my lived experience, but also there are so many more maternal caregivers seeking mental health care.
00:39:24.880 --> 00:39:36.480
And I calculated it's about 50 to 65% of my population now that I see for counseling is a caregiver for an autistic adult.
00:39:36.719 --> 00:39:45.039
So I think that that just kind of gives that argument that we need to learn kind of a new way of being in the world.
00:39:45.360 --> 00:39:58.960
And I'm so glad that you mentioned about the IEP meeting, because the last IEP meeting is not the time, I think, to be planning for what could happen.
00:39:59.199 --> 00:40:09.440
But the problem is, is that there are so many intersecting identities of caregivers right now, right?
00:40:09.920 --> 00:40:25.920
You know, Kimberly Crenshaw's intersectionality, thinking about, you know, what are some of the compounding issues that they experience, and also what are the what are the compounding oppressions that they experience.
00:40:26.159 --> 00:40:39.920
I read an article where a mother changed her way of talking on the telephone to a provider to make sure that she didn't sound a certain way so that they would call her back.
00:40:40.719 --> 00:40:42.159
And that is true.
00:40:42.480 --> 00:40:42.960
Yes.
00:40:43.199 --> 00:40:52.960
And so it's so important for us to kind of to recognize that there are just so many, you know, issues that are that are going on there.
00:40:53.360 --> 00:41:07.519
But any, anyhow, I just think that the other part is that I think providers need to allow family members or the autistic adult to come onto the screen.
00:41:07.760 --> 00:41:18.000
So many times in counseling, you know, the providers say, I'm sorry, I can't talk to you right now because your autistic child came into the room and is talking.
00:41:18.239 --> 00:41:21.199
No, just enjoy that conversation.
00:41:21.599 --> 00:41:21.840
Yeah.
00:41:22.000 --> 00:41:22.559
Anyway.
00:41:22.719 --> 00:41:29.679
So I'm sorry about the mental health issues in Georgia, but I do think it's the same here in Massachusetts.
00:41:29.760 --> 00:41:33.760
It's very difficult to get an appointment with anyone.
00:41:33.920 --> 00:41:39.280
But I do think that it's important to just be connected with other parents.
00:41:39.599 --> 00:41:40.239
Yeah.
00:41:41.039 --> 00:41:48.079
And I think the connection with other parents also helps us with our own mental health, right?
00:41:48.800 --> 00:41:53.280
The worst thing is to be on this journey with all its ups and downs.
00:41:53.360 --> 00:41:57.280
And, you know, definitely beautiful parts of our lives.
00:41:57.360 --> 00:42:02.960
But the reality is that there are parts of our lives that we're like, oh Lord, you know, do I really have to experience this?
00:42:03.199 --> 00:42:03.519
Right.
00:42:03.920 --> 00:42:12.639
But being a part of a community, I think is huge because oftentimes we feel like no one else understands us.
00:42:12.800 --> 00:42:15.440
We sit on this island all by ourselves.
00:42:15.679 --> 00:42:17.440
Family doesn't understand.
00:42:17.599 --> 00:42:30.320
I mean, even when I was married, my husband at the time and I, we didn't see even eye to eye about how things should go with our autistic child.
00:42:30.639 --> 00:42:39.599
So finding a community of like-minded parents, and it may not be in your city, they may not even be in your state, quite frankly.
00:42:39.920 --> 00:42:48.800
But there are communities on social media where you can really tap into and know that you are not alone.
00:42:49.039 --> 00:42:50.559
You're not by yourself.
00:42:50.800 --> 00:42:56.400
No matter how unique your situation is, there's someone else out there going through the same thing.
00:42:56.639 --> 00:43:09.599
And it's not that we want people to tell us what to do, but just knowing that someone else may who they may be a little bit farther along the line than you are, that may be able to give you some support, right?
00:43:09.760 --> 00:43:10.079
Exactly.
00:43:10.320 --> 00:43:14.079
And you never know what types of relationships form out of those things.
00:43:14.159 --> 00:43:21.199
So I think that is important that we we don't discount those other communities that are not, you know, traditional in a sense.
00:43:21.440 --> 00:43:22.239
Exactly.
00:43:22.559 --> 00:43:39.920
One of the things that I am so excited about is that my son, who's in your neck of the woods, he works at a job and he likes it, and he's going to college, you know, and he's collecting books.
00:43:40.159 --> 00:43:49.599
So I hear he collected like 88 books and took them home because they were free, you know, and he's reading them.
00:43:49.840 --> 00:43:59.840
And and also my mother has a little garden, you know, and he goes over and he works in her garden with her.
00:44:00.159 --> 00:44:02.320
So that's okay, yeah.
00:44:02.639 --> 00:44:09.440
But she did not understand, she did not understand, and he was adamant.
00:44:09.599 --> 00:44:12.800
I'm gonna go live near my grandmother.
00:44:12.960 --> 00:44:15.119
And I'm like, okay, okay.
00:44:15.440 --> 00:44:17.920
And it was a shock to her.
00:44:18.320 --> 00:44:22.880
And I just I can't wait to get her on this podcast.
00:44:23.039 --> 00:44:27.599
But I definitely can see that the flourishing really resonated with me.
00:44:27.760 --> 00:44:34.960
This idea that yeah, it's hard, but you know, you could build like this really amazing life.
00:44:35.199 --> 00:44:42.960
And nobody outside of the home needs to really understand, you know, what you all love doing.
00:44:43.199 --> 00:44:58.079
You know, it it it's we're so, I don't know, we're like so, oh, I I've gotta look a certain way and I've gotta dress a certain way, and I have to present and, you know, and and it's like, you know what?
00:44:58.400 --> 00:45:01.440
No, you just have to live your life.
00:45:01.760 --> 00:45:08.800
And that's you know, that's what I like about COVID is well, I mean, you know, COVID is over.
00:45:08.880 --> 00:45:15.679
Right, you know, but for some of us mothers who are at home, it it is not.
00:45:15.920 --> 00:45:16.559
Yeah.
00:45:16.800 --> 00:45:24.159
So I just wanted to thank you so much for the blessing of being able to talk to you.
00:45:24.400 --> 00:45:30.960
You are a hero in my eyes because you're on point with everything that you do.
00:45:31.199 --> 00:45:41.519
I think that you know, it would be a benefit to have families reach out to you to get the support that they need in terms of the IEPs.
00:45:41.840 --> 00:45:45.280
I do believe that you're uh an expert on that.
00:45:45.519 --> 00:45:55.519
So I really, I really encourage any listeners to go to the the webpage and you know check out, you know, what you can provide.
00:45:55.760 --> 00:46:04.000
I also understand that you're giving, I just wanted to give you a shout out that I believe you're taking you're giving a course soon.
00:46:04.239 --> 00:46:07.199
Are you giving a class or a course?
00:46:08.239 --> 00:46:08.800
I do.
00:46:08.960 --> 00:46:13.679
I give some live, I do some recorded, mostly live.
00:46:14.000 --> 00:46:17.039
I do parent education on IEPs.
00:46:17.679 --> 00:46:20.320
I also do parent coaching.
00:46:20.480 --> 00:46:28.559
If parents have difficulty finding a job coach through vocational rehabilitation, I teach them how to be their child's job coach.
00:46:28.880 --> 00:46:38.400
I also provide them with steps for planning for the future, mostly not for families that are wealthy, but for families that are not wealthy.
00:46:38.559 --> 00:46:49.760
I teach them about able accounts, I teach them about places where they can do a do-it-yourself special needs trust and how to fund that through a life insurance policy.
00:46:49.920 --> 00:46:52.400
I teach them about those must-have forms.
00:46:52.639 --> 00:46:57.280
If you don't have guardianship over your child, but your child needs still need some support.
00:46:57.440 --> 00:47:00.960
You want to make sure you have things like power of returning and some of those other things.
00:47:01.039 --> 00:47:03.280
So I do, yes, I do some classes.
00:47:03.519 --> 00:47:04.480
That's great.
00:47:04.719 --> 00:47:11.360
One of the things that I would love to do is maybe have you back at some point in the future.
00:47:11.519 --> 00:47:17.519
And I want to respect your time and you know, thank you so much for being a part of this.
00:47:18.320 --> 00:47:24.159
After so, can I can I leak can I share one thing with your families before we please?
00:47:24.559 --> 00:47:24.880
Okay.
00:47:25.440 --> 00:47:39.679
So the one thing that I would like for every parent to know when your child is in school, your child is supposed to have a transition plan no later than the age of 16.
00:47:39.920 --> 00:47:40.239
Okay.
00:47:40.480 --> 00:47:45.360
Some states they start at 14, but no later than the age of 16.
00:47:46.480 --> 00:47:57.599
If your child is in high school, especially if they've hit like 15, 16 years old, that transition plan is way more important than the schools give it credit.
00:47:58.320 --> 00:48:11.039
But it's only that it's really important because that transition plan can help you create all of those things that you want your child to start learning.
00:48:12.480 --> 00:48:25.920
Don't go to an IAP meeting without having some ideas written down about where it is you see your child in the future and some possible steps to get them there.
00:48:26.079 --> 00:48:40.960
Even if you don't know the steps to get them there, have your ideas in your mind about what you want, where you want to see your child once they have graduated from high school, and let the school help you brainstorm those steps to get them there.
00:48:41.599 --> 00:48:56.480
Oftentimes that transition plan is just a bunch of random information that the case manager may just choose for the same four goals that they choose for every other child.
00:48:57.599 --> 00:49:03.039
So don't let your child's transition plan, those moments, those years be wasted.
00:49:03.760 --> 00:49:12.079
Think about where it is that you see your child and figure out okay, what steps do does my child need to take to get to this point?
00:49:13.199 --> 00:49:25.840
Even if you need help, Google it, ask Chat GPT whatever you've got to do, but make sure you think about what it is that you want them to do and make it a part of the transition plan.
00:49:26.000 --> 00:49:29.360
Remember that their IEP is not only for academics.
00:49:29.679 --> 00:49:33.199
They will tell you it's only for academics, but that is not true.
00:49:34.159 --> 00:49:40.960
IDEAN says it's supposed to take care of academics and anything functional as well.
00:49:41.599 --> 00:49:43.519
So functional is anything.
00:49:44.159 --> 00:49:44.800
Anything.
00:49:46.079 --> 00:49:49.599
So just remember to use that time in the transition plan.
00:49:49.920 --> 00:49:54.639
And also remember those resource fairs that most school districts have.
00:49:55.119 --> 00:50:04.559
Those resource fairs include people from the community, and they often have providers that serve young adults after.
00:50:04.800 --> 00:50:09.199
So don't think to yourself, I'll go to those when my child is older.
00:50:09.440 --> 00:50:10.719
You start going now.
00:50:11.039 --> 00:50:24.639
And even if your child is out of school, check those school district websites when they have those resource fares, go to them anyway, because they have information that you can possibly get access to to serve your child.
00:50:24.880 --> 00:50:26.320
Just wanted to share that.
00:50:26.639 --> 00:50:28.000
Thank you so much.
00:50:28.239 --> 00:50:29.440
I really appreciate it.
00:50:29.519 --> 00:50:36.400
We need to be positive and uplifting, and we really need to have a lot of hope and a vision.
00:50:36.480 --> 00:50:38.079
So thank you so much.
00:50:38.239 --> 00:50:39.199
Oh my goodness.
00:50:39.679 --> 00:50:40.400
Thank you so much.
00:50:41.199 --> 00:50:42.239
My pleasure.
00:50:42.639 --> 00:50:45.920
In this episode, we talked to Dr.
00:50:46.079 --> 00:50:58.320
Danette Taylor about transitioning to adulthood, and we learned about the IP, the need to start transition planning early.
00:50:58.559 --> 00:51:04.320
And we also learned how to really trust what you're doing as a parent.
00:51:04.639 --> 00:51:10.960
You are an expert, you know exactly what you need to focus on.
00:51:11.280 --> 00:51:20.880
And I don't believe that other family members really 100% understand what you're going through.
00:51:21.039 --> 00:51:22.960
So really trust in yourself.
00:51:23.280 --> 00:51:26.320
Love on your family, love on your child.
00:51:26.639 --> 00:51:31.920
Thank you for listening to Flourishing, Caregiving Autistic Adults Podcast.
00:51:32.159 --> 00:51:34.239
Together, we'll build a community.
00:51:34.400 --> 00:51:36.800
Please remember to subscribe to my channel.
00:51:37.039 --> 00:52:01.280
I have included links to several resources attached to this episode that include the Autism Self-Advocacy Network, the Drextel Autism Institute, in case you would like to learn the latest current statistics on autism, and the Department of Developmental Services Resource, which is an agency to apply for adult supports.
00:52:01.599 --> 00:52:07.199
We've also included a link to the Mass Ability Program.
00:52:07.519 --> 00:52:10.159
Thank you so much for joining our caregiving community.
00:52:10.239 --> 00:52:35.119
Please remember that you are doing the best you can, and we need to advocate for our adult children to safeguard the legislation we fought tooth and nail for the first time.