Join Ekaterina for a conversation with Lindsay Martsolf, the President of Central PA Autism Community, to learn about various sides of the autism spectrum and what resources and support are available to parents of autistic kids.Â
Do you want to learn more about autism? Do you notice any signs of autism in your child, or has your child already been diagnosed? Join Ekaterina for a conversation with Lindsay Martsolf, the President of Central PA Autism Community (https://centralpaautism.weebly.com), to learn about various sides of the autism spectrum and what resources and support are available to parents of autistic kids.Did you know that kids with autism can get free or deeply discounted admissions to museums and zoos? Families can also receive up to 300 free diapers per month. What is the Special Ed Medical ACCESS and what services and expenses does it cover? What are the special sensory events and what is the transportation program that teaches kids to ride a bus or go through airport security?0:39 Intro1:00 What does it mean to be on the spectrum and what autism means to Lindsay as a speech therapist and a mom of an autistic child 2:43 Range of the spectrum, a child âdoesnât look like s/he has autismâ 3:36 Lindsayâs personal story, how hard it could be to get the right diagnosis, momâs intuition6:39 No matter how prepared you are, you will never forget hearing the news7:45 Helping other parents, keep fighting for your child8:43 The cost of testing, doctor visits â what is free in PA and what services are available at no cost10:25 What medical services the Special Education Medical ACCESS covers 12:28 Non-medical programs available to kids with autism such as discounted museum and zoo admissions and the Diaper Program 13:38 What is available in other states, why people are moving to PA14:38 Central PA Autism Community history and evolution and how it supports parents, children, and the community 18:50 The types of events Central PA Autism Community hosts20:56 Transportation program to teach autistic children to ride a bus, train, or go on a plane 22:17 Chuck E. Cheese sensory Sundays 22:50 Resources for parents to connect and help each other, encourage positivity 23:48 Regular life activities are hard for autistic kids â the âfinger scheduleâ for transitions 26:36 Training a child at a restaurant with consistent restaurant visits and repetition of steps 28:37 Dealing with criticism and judgment from people around you, including relatives. âMy kid is not being a brat.â 30:20 Autistic kids' superpowers; âA kid may not be able to have a conversation with me, but they can break into my phoneâ32:10 Dismantling autism stereotypes33:13 How can people get involved with Lindsayâs organization34:45 High school kids becoming advocates for autistic kids 35:32 Preventing bullying of autistic kids at school 36:02 What testing is available in the early childhood programs; the difference between the educational diagnosis and medical diagnosis 37:27 What a parent can do to provide all the help they can get 38:57 IEP accommodations in colleges39:10 Peer support for kids with autism, Best Buddies and Circle of Friends programs 41:49 Final thoughts
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