Celebrate Autism Acceptance Month with us!
April is Autism Acceptance Month! Kim Sinclair, parent and executive director of the Autism Society of Los Angeles, says, “Acceptance is the mindset that provides inclusion. You can be aware of autism, but whether you take the next step and accept it, and include those individuals in the education setting and the workplace setting — that’s what makes the difference, and that’s where as a society we need to be shifting our focus.” And that is exactly why so many advocates and the organizations that champion and support people with autism are moving away from the term “autism awareness” to “autism acceptance.”
Check out our article How We’re Celebrating Autism Acceptance Month for some concrete ideas as to how we can support kids and adults with autism — and make a difference changing the way society supports autistic individuals too.
Looking for a deeper dive into how autism is diagnosed, commonly recommended therapies, or how to handle co-occurring conditions? We’re always reviewing our autism series to make sure it has the up-to-date information about testing, funding, and more.
Getting school involved: If your child has autism, make sure their IEP puts accommodations, services, and other supports in place to help your child get the most out of their education. Our article covers some commonly recommended accommodations, plus services you may not have thought of, like recreational therapy and group APE. Read School Supports and IEP & 504 Accommodations for Autism→
Is autism different in girls? As Dr. Abha Gupta tells us, “Because of expectations of cultural gender roles, girls try to mask their social challenges. While symptoms may seem less obvious, they may be exhausted internally trying to continually fit in and understand social situations. They may seem less impaired, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need support.” Read what to do if an autism diagnosis is overlooked or misdiagnosed, common supports that girls with autism need, the effects of masking, and more in our article Autism in Girls →
Undivided’s Roadmap for Parents: Autism. Need help enrolling in public benefits, accessing educational support through an IEP, finding therapies and building your child’s care team, and more? Our downloadable PDF will help you get organized with tools and resources to make sure your child with autism has the supports and services in place that they need to thrive. Download your free autism roadmap here!
One parent told their Navigator, “Thank you so much for all of this information. So far, I’ve ordered some books about autism for us to read as a family. I think this has helped me see how empowered we can all be with acceptance and understanding.”
Office Hours with Lisa Concoff Kronbeck
On Wednesday, May 1, 12:00-1:00 p.m. PT, Public Benefits Specialist Lisa Concoff Kronbeck will be available for Undivided Office Hours, where she’ll answer questions about getting our kids what they need from Medi-Cal, Regional Center, and other government programs. Bi-weekly Office Hours are virtual Q&A sessions with experts that are open to Undivided members only, so if you’d like to attend, sign up here to begin your free Kickstart!
- What advice have you seen about nutrition for your kid with autism? How about these commonly heard myths? Watch on YouTube→
- Not every child with a medical diagnosis of autism qualifies to receive autism services from their school. Learn more from Dr. Sarah Pelangka on Instagram→
- What social-recreational activities do you love for your TEEN with autism? Join the discussion in our private Facebook group→
- What do disability rights mean for our kids? Check out our video “The ADA: for Kids, by Kids” on LinkedIn→
