Issue 12

Hello, Beyond the Label Family! 👋

We're back with another exciting edition of the Beyond the Label Newsletter, and you won't want to miss it! 🌈

Starting the Process

The first step was speaking to Emma’s pediatrician, who agreed an evaluation was prudent and referred us to a reputable child psychology clinic. After submitting intake paperwork, we were placed on a waiting list for an appointment, which ultimately took five months to secure. The intervening period involved a lot of documentation—tracking Emma’s behavioral patterns and providing it to the specialist conducting her evaluation.

The Assessment Procedure

Emma’s autism assessment spanned two days and included the following components:

• Parent interview detailing developmental history

• Analysis of behavior/social interactions

• Speech, language, and communication testing

• Cognitive assessments

• Sensory profile and responses

• Standardized autism diagnostic questionnaire

It was wonderful to watch Emma interact with the clinicians who had creative techniques to keep her engaged. The team worked together reviewing Emma’s results across these areas to form a holistic perspective.

Receiving the Diagnosis

When we returned to review Emma’s results, we received an official medical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While Dan and I expected this outcome, having the specialists validate and categorize her challenges were still emotional. However, they provided excellent recommendations for interventions including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and customized teaching strategies catered to Emma’s learning style. We left feeling well-equipped as parents now with a “user guide” to interpret Emma’s unique behaviors communication secured Emma access to critical supportive services. needs. The diagnosis also helped secure Emma access to critical supportive services covered by insurance or the national health system including speech therapy and occupational therapy.

Embracing Our New Normal

Over a year later, an autism diagnosis greatly benefited our family. Services tailored to Emma’s needs have built essential skills helping her engage. We’ve connected with an incredible community of parents and advocates. Most importantly, it's allowed Dan and I to become the best possible caregivers for our wonderful daughter. Her beautiful personality shines through wonderfully when equipped with the right tools of support. Our new normal looks brighter every day.

Expanding Communication

For nonverbal or partially verbal students, communication devices and software are crucial for building expressive skills. These can range from picture symbol boards to advanced computerized tablets and voice output systems. Sarah shared an example of a 5-year-old boy with autism who struggled with speech. Using an app called TouchChat has helped him put together words and phrases to communicate choices, needs, and reactions to teachers and classmates.

Supporting Motor Skills

Fine and gross motor challenges can make tasks like writing, drawing, or navigating spaces difficult for some students. Styluses, grip aids, and sloping desks allow more control of motor movements. While wheelchairs, walkers, and adjustable desks promote mobility and participation. Sarah worked with a young girl with cerebral palsy who thrived using a commercial eye gaze system allowing her to direct a computer cursor just by moving her eyes.

Boosting Organization

Assistive tech like digital calendars, reminders, timers, and visual schedules help students manage time or externalize executive functioning like prioritizing steps or managing emotions. "This scaffolds their independence so they can participate in classroom activities with less prompting from teachers or aides," Sarah explained. Apps can also help with note-taking, reading comprehension, and assignment clarity.

Customizing Lessons

Specialized software and online platforms allow lessons to be presented using visual models better suited for visual, auditory, or kinetic learning styles. Videos, 3D images, graphic animations, and interactive modules boost multimodal teaching. Such differentiated instruction reaches more students by making content digestible.

Overall assistive technology presents diverse mediums for accessing education while building critical skills in areas like communication, cognition, and adaptive behavior. Occupational therapist guidance helps select appropriate tools that target support needs for impactful results.

Join the Beyond the Label movement and make a difference! Together, we can create a world that celebrates unique abilities and embraces diversity. 🌍

Preparing for Adulthood with a Disability

By Andrew Lewis & Christine Rodriguez

Embrace Self-Advocacy

Self-advocacy means understanding your rights and needs while being able to clearly articulate them. Start practicing in your teen years by joining support groups, learning to speak openly about strengths and weaknesses, and even role-playing asking for accommodations. "The more you assert yourself, the more people will listen," Andrew encourages.

Set Future-Oriented Goals

What does being an independent or fulfilled adult look like to you beyond any limitations? Using tools like vision boards, make goals tangible around things like higher education, careers, living situations, relationships, hobbies, and personal skills. Outline incremental steps towards milestones through a realistic lens. Revisit and revise regularly.

Develop Adaptive Living Skills

Work on building everyday skills - make meals, shop for necessities, try public transportation, and create schedules and routines that mimic adulthood. Christine says, "Even if I still need my parents to assist sometimes, knowing how to direct my own care makes me feel capable." Start small with what makes you comfortable but challenge yourself.

Understand Transition Resources

Research services in your area that support those with disabilities around employment, accessible housing, insurance, continuing education, assistive technologies, transportation, health, and wellness. Christine suggests, "Connect the dots early between your goals and local resources to smooth the transition process." Support coordinators can also help navigate options.

Though adulthood brings new complexities for those with disabilities, self-knowledge is power. Identify your needs then find and ask for necessary support. And surround yourself with communities that encourage you to take charge of your dreams.

Making Valentine’s Day Sensory-Friendly: Q&A with Autism Educator Amanda Bell

With Valentine’s Day parties fast approaching, many autistic students dread overwhelming decorations and stimuli during these events. We spoke with Amanda Bell, primary school teacher and autism specialist, about easy ways to make celebrations more sensory-inclusive.

Q: What are the most common sensory issues for autistic students around Valentine’s Day parties?

A: Bright flashy decorations, balloons popping, loud music, strong smells, big crowds, scent markers, and food dyes can all be sources of overstimulation. Transitions during the party can also be challenging for some students. The excitement and sugar intake tend to heighten reactions too.

Q: What’s your advice for toning down the stimuli?

A: Start by decluttering the environment - keep the decor simple with pastel colors versus neon. Substitute blowers for candles or stickers as party favors. Have calming spaces students can retreat to like a quiet side room with beanbags. Keep noise levels in check and provide fidget toys for sensory input needs. Consider having two shorter parties instead of one lengthy overwhelming event.

Q: Any go-to games or activities you recommend?

A: For younger kids, incorporate matching or sorting candy by color/shape. Play Simon Says tailored to different interests kids have. With older students, try fun communication games practicing kindness like writing anonymous compliments for classmates. Sensory bins with beads, water, and conversation heart words are great too!

Q: What about snacks and treats?

A: Validate dietary issues openly so kids with restrictions or allergies don't feel excluded. Offer healthy food alongside sweets - try fruit kabobs, veggie platters, and mini sandwiches. I let the birthday students help pick items they find fun and engaging. Simple cupcakes work better than heavily frosted cakes too.

Making events inclusive for all learning styles shows students compassion. Simple adjustments go a long way in helping those neurodiverse feel comfortable. That’s the first step to making joyful memories!

Ready to embark on this exciting journey with us? Explore our latest collection, and let's make a difference, one book at a time. 📖

Thank you for being a part of Beyond the Label! 🌟

Warm regards, Beyond the Label Team 📚🌟

PS: Stay tuned for more inspiring stories, updates, and resources in our next newsletter! 📬🎉