# 'Agricultural specialisterne': rural employment revolution for those with Autism **URL:** \ **Category:** Lounge\ **Created:** [June 5, 2011, 5:40am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615 "2011-06-05T05:40:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 27
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 3:13am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/521 "2016-02-01T03:13:38Z")
The subject of recent posts has mainly been on Autism-related organisations and events in the state of Missouri. _Gateway Education & Therapy_ is a Union, Missouri-based nonprofit that provides services for children with special needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorders. _Gateway_, which started receiving funds from _Franklin County Area United Way_ a few years ago, provides services such as speech/language therapy, tutoring, behaviour therapy and life skills classes… > [@](#): > > Five-year-old Eli Homyk was quick to smile Friday afternoon as he ‘played’ games with his teacher, Dena Douglas, an ABA implementer, on the soft blue spring floor at Gateway Center for Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities… > “Eli, find red,” Douglas prompted him, as he dropped colored discs into a toy pig that would play music when he got it correct. At some points Douglas leaned in close to Eli to get his attention and make eye contact, which is part of the learning process for him. > Eli, like a growing number of children in Franklin County and across the country, has autism and is nonverbal, his mom, Stacey Homyk, said, but through ABA — Applied Behavior Analysis — classes, he’s making major strides forward. > …“[ABA has] helped him with social skills and with learning to wait, to be patient.” [she said.] > Other parents of children with special needs have noticed similar improvements with ABA classes, said Kim Helm, MS, CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist and executive director of Gateway Center for Autism, which is a division of Gateway Center for the Arts. > Since Gateway began offering ABA last summer, Helm has had to increase the number of classes from two days a week to five days just to accommodate the interest from local families. > ABA is one of a number of classes that Gateway offers specifically for children with special needs. > There also is Sensory Seekers, a class for children with high sensory needs combined with language differences, and Social Skills, a class for children with autism and other language differences that helps them learn how to interact with their typical developing peers. > As a speech-language pathologist, Helm has worked with children with special needs, predominantly autism, from the start of her career. > > …Children with these needs all benefit from early intervention, which is what led Helm earlier this year to create Gateway Center for Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities as a division of Gateway Center for the Arts, the nonprofit performing and visual arts center she founded several years ago. > She hopes the name will better help parents of children with special needs as they search for services and ideally having Gateway Center for Autism serve as ‘a point of entry’ for these families, a place where they can come for everything from assessments if they suspect their child has autism to classes for their child with special needs to support for the parents in terms of respite care and suggestions. > “Parents, when they hear autism . . . they don’t know what to do, and they are so overwhelmed,” said Helm. "There is a need in this county to have a point of entry for kids who are suspected (of having autism) or are on the spectrum. > “We can help them through this process.” > > …Helm began her career as a speech-language pathologist working in schools and hospitals in Springfield, but her interest in helping children with autism goes back to when she was in graduate school and took a class working with students who had autism. > “It became my passion,” said Helm, noting the more difficult the case, the better she liked the work. > After Helm and her family moved to [this area] in 2002, she began working for Missouri’s First Steps program for children birth to age 3 who were diagnosed with special needs and later she worked with the Franklin County Co-Op school …for students with special needs. > She began offering private speech therapy as people in town learned of her work, and that naturally led to her organizing classes for children with special needs. > “I had wanted to do classes for a long time,” said Helm. “These kids don’t have a lot of chances for recreational activities… and the parents wanted to give their kids something to do that was just theirs.” > She offered her first class, Sensory Seekers, in January 2008. The class is set up to help children with high sensory needs get that input and at the same time, improve language skills. > “When children have their sensory needs met, they become more open to language and social interactions,” Helm explained. > In this class, like many others at Gateway, students are paired with a ‘buddy,’ a trained teenage volunteer. The class also includes ‘typical developing’ children to increase social interactions and to serve as good role models for language skills, said Helm. > The following year, Helm added the Social Skills class in response to demand from students enrolled in her Sensory Seekers class. > “They were starting to go to school, and needed to learn social skills,” she said. > Last summer, Helm added the ABA classes mentioned earlier. > Helm described ABA as a way of teaching kids to learn. It’s useful for children who have developmental disabilities, as well as typical developing children who may have a behavior issue, she said. > > …Right now at Gateway Helm works with about 50 children with autism and about 25 children with other developmental disabilities. > > …With the establishment of Gateway Center for Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, Helm hopes to be a resource for more families, not just in terms of classes, but in helping them sort through the options. > Gateway already receives referrals from neurologists and some pediatricians, but Helm hopes to partner even more with local pediatricians. > She would like to see doctors doing a ‘quick check’ for autism during every child’s regular well visits at 12 and 18 months. There is a free nationally-developed checklist that is available, Helm noted. > “Our goal is not to tell parents ‘Don’t worry’ without giving them an avenue to calm their fears,” said Helm. > Typically a diagnosis of autism isn’t given until well after a child turns 2, because language development is part of the criteria, Helm explained, but in many cases the signs were there before the child turned 2. > “Most kids are saying their first words at 1,” she said. "If a child is not speaking by 2, that is not OK. They need to be assessed. > “We can do an assessment as early as 18 months,” said Helm, noting the goal is early intervention. > “If you hit it early with the right type of treatment, you will have a better outcome…” > > …Helm plans to add more classes to the Gateway curriculum. Which ones will be determined by the need, she said. > “Our program changes as the needs of our students changes,” Helm remarked… Here is a link to a _Franklin County Area United Way_ video from a couple of years ago which shows how one family with a child on the Autism Spectrum has been helped through _Gateway Education & Therapy_: [2014 Franklin County Area United Way Campaign Video](https://vimeo.com/100841190) (sources: [New Name, Same Mission, More to Offer - The Missourian: Features People](http://www.emissourian.com/features_people/feature_stories/article_679943db-c17c-5f58-81db-cfda5ab6b09b.html); [United Way Has $1,030,000 Goal for 2014 - The Missourian: Emissourian](http://www.emissourian.com/united-way-has-goal-for/article_371b0049-fc8e-51ec-a0be-3fe9a935bb42.html?mode=jqm)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 3:56am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/522 "2016-02-02T03:56:54Z")
The subject of recent posts has mainly been on Autism-related organisations and events in the state of Missouri. To the north, Iowa is home to the _Opportunity Village Children’s Autism Center_. Based in Clear Lake, Iowa, the non-profit offers hope to Iowa families with children on the Autism Spectrum. It provides early childhood intervention, support groups, educational programs, and expert guest speakers… > [@](#): > > When her child was diagnosed on the autism spectrum, Kristin Baade felt very alone. > > …Baade [was] smiling recently when [she] joined a group of parents and professionals on a tour of an autism center organizers say can serve as a model for another one in Fort Dodge. > > Founded in August 2013, Opportunity Village’s Children’s Autism Center in Clear Lake began with a simple family support program, providing education, information and support to parents, said Services Director Jim Aberg. > > Today the center has 10 staff, including two board-certified behavior analysts, and offers intensive one-on-one therapy, rooms of toys, activities and sensory items, and a resource library. > > The next phase of the plan, Aberg said, is to repeat the center’s success at a location in Fort Dodge. > > The center has a wide range of strategies for kids of all ages, because children with autism are all so different, said Dr. Jesse Logue. > > People think they know what autism looks like, but some on the spectrum defy expectations, Logue said. > > “If you know one kid with autism, you know one kid with autism,” he said. “We are not treating autism. We are treating an individual’s symptoms.” > > In fact, what was once considered three different disorders are now all classified as part of the autism spectrum, Logue said. > > Logue and his wife, Dr. Lauryn Toby, are the BCBAs for the center. > > People with autism …often have trouble with social, emotional and communication skills. Kids on the spectrum also may not play “pretend” games. > > The Clear Lake center is located in a former housing cottage owned by the Village. Now, every room serves a different function to help staff learn how best to help the kids who come to them. > > The two favorite rooms in the center are the ones with unique tactile and visual simulation. > > “Our kids absolutely love this,” Toby said as she showed off the sensory room complete with a hammock-like swing, trampoline, ball pit, and something she called a squeeze machine. > > “Kids with autism, they really have these sensory needs,” she said. “So a lot of them will communicate for swing, communicate for jump. … They can come in here to take a break and jump for 10 minutes. They like the pressure of the balls.” > > Another room has lighted, bubbling water tubes and glowing loose fiberoptics. > > Kids with autism often react differently to stimuli. Some can get overstimulated easily by the ordinary lights and sounds of daily life, while some are under-sensitive, and may ignore pain. Coming to the light room can be a great way to relax and try new stimuli. > > But kids aren’t brought there to calm them down if they act up, Logue said. > > “We don’t want to inadvertently teach the kids that by having problem behavior you get to come to a room like this,” he said. “So we try to get in a scheduled cycle of breaks.” > > “Or teach a child to ask for this,” Toby said. “If they appropriately say ‘I want to use the light room,’ …we’ll take you right in.” > > Kids usually start in a room with ordinary toys. Not only does it help them get comfortable, this lets staff see what the child is interested in, Logue said. Then the toy can be used as an incentive later. > > The therapy happens in a very plain room, where there are no distractions for children to grab. > > …Staff bring toys on a cart, and put them away in a closet. Children learn pretty quickly that toys will come back at a set time for breaks. > > …Toby and Logue are trained in Applied Behavior Analysis treatment. When Logue worked for the National Autism Center, he helped with a national standards project that analyzed all the research on autism to find which treatments were effective and which weren’t. > > “ABA is the gold standard for treatment,” he said. "It’s breaking down behaviors into their basic components, and then teaching them stepwise. > > “For example shoe-tying. We will break down every step of shoe-tying, then we will teach every one of those steps until they have mastered it. Then we collect data to inform our decisions. Have they mastered this skill? Are they ready to move on to the next skill? Or if they’re getting stuck at a certain place, what can we modify about the environment or the way we are teaching them to make sure they’re acquiring this skill?” > > Not everyone needs one-on-one treatment, Logue said. Some who come to the center only need one session a week, while some can use three. There are also higher-functioning, older students who come in for a social group, to practice social cues. > > Part of the center’s goal is to tailor every child’s treatment to their needs. > > Everything in the treatment is data-based, Toby said, which means they have to keep records and show what is working. The kids are tested throughout treatment to chart how they grow. > > “It’s the accountability factor,” Logue said. “We don’t want to make decisions based on ‘I think they’re doing better’. We have data to show they’re doing better.” > > Learning to communicate may help stop unwanted behaviors. > > …“We work very early on communication,” he said. “We’re trying to teach these kids to sit for extended periods of time, and then ask for a break when it’s appropriate. Because we’d rather have you ask for a break than have to use behavior to get the same break.” > > Communication is huge - many of the kids who come in are nonverbal, Toby said. > > If they don’t talk, Toby said kids can learn to communicate other ways, by pushing a button or using an app on a computer tablet or using picture cards. > > “We always pair it with language. When they hit the button and it says ‘phone please,’ ‘Great job asking for the phone’ or something like that,” she said. “A lot of those kids you will start to see as they develop, they get more and more words out.” > > Seeing ABA treatment in this part of the state is rare, said Baade. > > Not only does she have a child on the spectrum, Baade is also a community support team leader with Opportunity Village in Fort Dodge. > > “I was reading any book I could about autism. ABA was talked about a lot, but it was always like - not in the Midwest, it’s not going to happen. It’s something unattainable,” Baade said. > > In fact, there is real a shortage of autism diagnostic and behavioral intervention services of all kinds in Iowa, said Rachell Swanson-Holm, family navigator coordinator with Child Health Specialty Clinics. > > That’s why Aberg wants to follow the model that worked in Clear Lake to build more centers around the region, starting with Fort Dodge. > > “I made a commitment,” said Aberg. “I said whatever we develop here, I want to be able to reproduce in other communities.” > > Aberg said parents and professionals in the Fort Dodge community have asked for the center. > > “We had our first meeting Sept. 21 at the public library,” Aberg said. “We had a good representation of the community. It was pretty resounding that, ‘Yes, we want to have you down here.’” > > It would start with family support services, gradually growing to more intense treatment. > > The center may also benefit from telehealth offered through the Clear Lake center. > > Aberg hopes to have a family support position hired for Fort Dodge in February or March, though the timeline is still pretty rough. > > …The goal in founding the center was to provide hope for parents who may feel overwhelmed, Aberg said. > > …“Just having that wraparound support” is vital, Baade said. “You feel very isolated and alone when you have a child - I feel like anyways - on the spectrum.” > > Toby said she’s seen great success. > > “Language development is amazing to see over time,” Toby said. "If you’re there for day one, when a kid comes in the very first time who maybe is tantruming for the entire session and has no way of communicating to you what they want. Then sometimes in as little as a month, I walk into a session and this child is sitting in a chair pushing a button to ask for a snack. > > “In a short amount of time you gave that child a voice. … And you see how happy the child is.” Here is a link to photos of a Tee-ball event at _Opportunity Village Children’s Autism Center_ from about 18 months ago: [https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.970384486361357.1073741841.660042607395548&type=3](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.970384486361357.1073741841.660042607395548&type=3) (source: [Autism Center is planned for Fort Dodge - MessengerNews.net | News, Sports, Jobs, Community Info. - The Messenger](http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/593225/Autism-Center-is-planned-for-Fort-Dodge.html?nav=5010)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 4:25am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/523 "2016-02-03T04:25:09Z")
The subject of yesterday’s post was _Opportunity Village Children’s Autism Center_, a Clear Lake, Iowa-based non-profit that offers hope to Iowa families with children on the Autism Spectrum. The Center provides early childhood intervention, support groups, educational programs, and expert guest speakers. The _Autism Society of Iowa_ is a West Des Moines, Iowa-based nonprofit that provides advocacy, support and information to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, their families, professionals, and communities throughout the state of Iowa. The nonprofit’s mission is to assist families and professionals working with those on the Autism Spectrum… > [@](#): > > Tonya Rehmeyer is bringing a statewide campaign to Creston. > > …local families, friends and supporters will take part in the first annual Autism Society of Iowa’s statewide Autism Awareness 5k Run/Walk. The 5k is aimed at bringing awareness and support to individuals affected by autism. > > …Rehmeyer knows all too well the impact autism has on a family. > > As the mother of 5-year-old Kahne, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2 1/2, Rehmeyer said the experience has been exhausting and rewarding at the same time. > > For Rehmeyer, her mission is to educate others about autism. > > “The biggest challenge is getting people to understand,” said Rehmeyer. “It (the 5k) is about getting the awareness out…” > > …Once Kahne was diagnosed, Rehmeyer and her husband Daniel were able to work with local resources to help him. > > “He goes to a special education class,” Rehmeyer said. “He’s gaining a few more words every day. He makes more eye contact now. He’s very affectionate. Like hugs and kisses and has very few melt downs.” > > Rehmeyer said she and her husband try to use the same techniques on Kahne at home that are used by his teachers in the classroom for “repetition and reinforcement.” > > “Daniel has been my rock through all this,” said Rehmeyer. “He is learning, as well. It has been a learning process for both of us.” > > Rehmeyer said her older son Drake, who is in first grade, is very understanding of Kahne. > > …“I always tell people, there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” said Rehmeyer. “It might not always seem bright, but the littlest things make it just glow.” > > Rehmeyer recalled the time Kahne called her “mom” for the first time. > > “He was 4,” said Rehmeyer. “He didn’t just say the word, he looked at me and said it. Knowing me as mom, it was like the whole world had been lifted from my shoulders. It’s the little things like that, which are incredible.” > > The Rehmeyers have set goals for Kahne, who is making great progress. > > “We just had to rewrite his goals because he’s already met and bypassed the goals we had set for him,” said Rehmeyer. > > Rehmeyer said Kahne played “patty cake” for the first time last year. > > “Just getting him to imitate was a huge milestone,” said Rehmeyer. > > She said the experience has taught her patience. > > “It’s not in the mom’s manual, let me tell you” she said. > > …With the help of Michelle Hicks from Creston’s Area Education Agency (AEA), Rehmeyer was able to bring the 5k to Creston. > > Registrations are now being accepted for the Autism Society of Iowa ‘s inaugural statewide Autism Awareness 5k Run/Walk. > > …Everyone is welcome to walk at no cost. > > …The fundraiser will include a raffle of a mini trampoline and indoor/outdoor water table donated by Walmart, sale of autism awareness magnets and keychains… Here is a link to photos of the _Autism Society of Iowa_’s ‘Splash for Autism’ from about 18 months ago: [https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.630941753662142.1073741829.288709574552030&type=3](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.630941753662142.1073741829.288709574552030&type=3) (source: [Registrations now open for inaugural 5K | CrestonNews.com](http://www.crestonnews.com/2013/04/03/registrations-now-open-for-inaugural-5k/aslyqb7/?page=1)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 1:34am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/524 "2016-02-04T01:34:47Z")
The subject of recent posts has mainly been on Autism-related organisations and events in the state of Missouri. The _Adam Morgan Foundation_ is a St. Peters, Missouri-based nonprofit whose mission is to provide resources, equipment and interventions to families raising children with Autism Spectrum Disorders at little to no cost. The _AM Foundation_ was founded eight years ago by Rachel Morgan, who has also written a children’s book, ‘Building Forever Friendship: Strategies to Help Your Friend with Autism or Other Special Needs at School’, which addresses scenarios that children may encounter at school when interacting with peers who have special needs… > [@](#): > > Thirty-five members of the Rockwood Swim Club Association (RSCA) participated in the Adam Morgan (AM) Fun Run, a fundraiser for families raising children with autism. > > Kelley Morrison, assistant national group coach led the RSCA group, which included swimmers, coaches and parents. > > “The AM Fun Run was a great event for our club to become involved with,” said Morrison. > > "Rachel Morgan, Adam Morgan’s mother, organized an incredible race, with prizes, food, and entertainment afterward. > > The run was not only fun, but also for a great cause. > > The swimmers and parents were both motivated and supportive. > > I am extremely proud of our swimmers, as they did an amazing job of representing Rockwood Swim Club" > > She said they plan to participate in more 5K and 10K races in the future. > > The 2nd annual AM twilight 5K and 10K races were held along the banks of the Missouri River in St. Charles… > > The foundation’s 2nd annual golf outing will be held June 12 at Innsbrook Golf Resort. > > The group also provides summer camps… Here is a link to photos, from over four years ago, of Kathy Fowler’s free Creative Movement Classes offered to children with Autism and their typical peers for the 3-6 year old group through the _Adam Morgan Foundation_: [https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.220632017980702.55051.117485291628709&type=3](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.220632017980702.55051.117485291628709&type=3) (sources: [Lindenwood University - LU Alumna Pens Children](http://www.lindenwood.edu/news/2014/1112.html); [Whiz Kids: Rockwood Swimmers Help Charities | Patch](http://patch.com/missouri/eureka-wildwood/whiz-kids-rockwood-swimmers-help-charities)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 3:55am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/525 "2016-02-05T03:55:48Z")
The subject of recent posts has mainly been on Autism-related organisations and events in the state of Missouri. _Giant Steps of St. Louis_ is a Maplewood, Missouri-based nonprofit whose mission is to empower children with Autism Spectrum Disorders to participate fully in all aspects of life, including home, community and education. Beginning as the project of a group of parents with young Autistic children who sought to offer both a tailored education and secure care under the same roof, _Giant Steps of St. Louis_ serves Missouri and Illinois students from the age of 3… > [@](#): > > A second-grade boy plays with building blocks, puts together puzzles and practices counting. When he gets home from school, his mother gets a full report on how he spent his day, but not from her son. Nick is nonverbal. > > Nick is one of about 30 students who attend Giant Steps of St. Louis, a therapeutic school for children with differing degrees of autism. The school also offers a six-week day camp that serves more than 70 children each summer. > > …Students at Giant Steps enroll when a typical school setting proves to be a poor fit. A common characteristic of autistic children is Sensory Processing Disorder, a neurological syndrome that affects the ability to filter and prioritize the constant stream of information gathered by the senses. Thus the sights and sounds of the average school can be overwhelming, and many school districts do not have the means to offer the necessary accommodations to these students. > > That’s where Giant Steps enters the picture. With a 1:1 student to teacher ratio, each child gets the assistance and attention they need and deserve. > > “We treat each child as an individual,” said Nora Kelleher, director of development at Giant Steps. > > “If you can create a program that meets the individual child’s sensory needs, you can see an amazing transformation happen. Our teachers and therapists are masters at figuring out what will enable each student to make progress.” > > And Kelleher said they have indeed adapted to some unusual circumstances, such as a young man who felt calm and focused only while balancing on an object. After quickly realizing that he could not continue balancing on the backs of chairs while he learned, Giant Steps provided a safe piece of climbing equipment that he carried with him to academic and therapy sessions until he was ready to sit at a table. > > Besides offering an alternative educational environment, Giant Steps provides speech and occupational therapy, music therapy, adapted physical education and art programs, group academic classes, and assistance with vocational skills so that students can later be placed in available jobs in their communities. > > “The right kind of intervention early on will do wonders for children’s ability to be independent and lead fulfilling lives,” Kelleher said. > > With the Old Newsboys Day grant it received, Giant Steps has been able to purchase new equipment to enhance its curriculum. This enables the program to draw out individual students’ interests in order to get them more engaged in learning. > > Nick’s mother discussed the transformation she saw in her son after switching him from a large public school to Giant Steps. Her 7-year-old used to dread going to school, and now she said he runs to the bus. > > …“The teachers there are phenomenally patient and just really understand our kiddos.” [she said] > > Nick’s mother also wanted to emphasize her appreciation for the support of the St. Louis community. Giant Steps will host several fundraisers throughout the year, including a trivia night in February and a 20th anniversary gala in April. > > “I don’t want him anywhere else,” Nick’s mother said. “I know he’s safe and loved and cared for, and he’s making progress every day.” Here is a link to photos of ‘Team Giant Steps’ at the last ‘St. Louis Walk Now for Autism Speaks’ at Forest Park from a few months ago: [Autism Speaks Walk on October 10th. | Giant Steps of St. Louis](http://giantstepsstl.org/autism-speaks-walk-on-october-10th/) (source: [Giant Steps offers specialized school for children with autism](http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/old-newsboys-day/news/giant-steps-offers-specialized-school-for-children-with-autism/article_fc74960b-a2f2-53e0-a482-45bec0f70e34.html)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 2:49am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/526 "2016-02-06T02:49:58Z")
The subject of recent posts has mainly been on Autism-related organisations and events in the state of Missouri. To the east, _Easter Seals - Central Illinois_ is a Peoria, Illinois-based nonprofit that provides services to help children and adults with disabilities and/or special needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, as well as support to their families. ‘Walk with Me’, along with other fundraisers, helps _Easter Seals_ offset the cost of its services… > [@](#): > > For most parents, hearing your 3-year-old say ‘Shut up, Dad!’ would be a problem. For Illinois State student Andrew Beaty and his wife, Karen, that’s progress. > > Titus, their son with autism, also has apraxia of speech, a motor speech disorder. He couldn’t speak, leading to epic meltdowns over the simplest needs, like thirst. > > Now, after working with speech therapists at Easter Seals of Central Illinois in Bloomington, Titus is starting to piece together words. That means fewer meltdowns — and the occasional ‘Shut up, Dad.’ > > “At Easter Seals they’ve given words to my son,” Karen said. “That’s huge.” > > Titus is one of many success stories in progress at Easter Seals, which is hosting its annual Walk with Me: A Walk with Champions awareness and fundraising event Saturday, July 25… Along with the Beatys, our Illinois State family’s support of the event includes honorary chairs President Larry Dietz and Marlene Dietz. > > …It’s a worthy investment, says Marlene Dietz, who’s spent many hours at Easter Seals in recent months, learning about families like the Beatys to become Walk with Me’s big cheerleader. > > On a recent weekday afternoon, Marlene sat in on a speech therapy session for a 5-year-old girl on the autism spectrum who has a sensory processing disorder. She watched as a therapist provided 1-on-1 attention to the girl, using an array of tools — from board games to goofy glasses — to hone her articulation. > > “I’ve just met so many wonderful parents and amazing children and therapists,” Marlene said. “The therapists are so patient and creative in the ways they get the children to respond to whatever it is they’re doing.” > > It’s a personal cause for the Dietz family. Larry’s brother was diagnosed with polio when they were children, and Larry and Marlene’s own daughter went through speech therapy as a kid. They’ve participated in Walk with Me every year since Larry has worked at Illinois State, as part of Gannon Bates’ team. > > Now, Larry and Marlene are using their personal connection to help others understand what Easter Seals provides the community, said Gina Mandros '07, community president at Easter Seals of Central Illinois. > > “They’re both very compelling individuals—kind and compassionate,” Mandros said. “Having them share our message and tell our story is invaluable to being able to raise that awareness about Easter Seals and our kids.” > > …While tangible services like the Autism Diagnostic Clinic have been helpful, Karen says that the understanding she receives from Easter Seals staff is equally valuable. > > “They make me feel like what I’m saying isn’t stupid,” Karen said. “I’ll tell them I don’t understand why my son is doing something, and their response is, ‘OK, it makes sense because of this and this and this.’” > The Beatys will be participating in Walk with Me for the first time this year… Here is a link to photos of an _Easter Seals - Central Illinois_’ ‘Special Evening of Play’ a few months ago at the _Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum_: [https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1012688225420262.1073741858.134754253213668&type=3](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1012688225420262.1073741858.134754253213668&type=3) (source: [Redbird family rallies around Easter Seals for Hancock event - News - Illinois State](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/2015/07/redbird-family-rallies-around-easter-seals-for-hancock-event/)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2016, 2:02am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/527 "2016-02-07T02:02:11Z")
The subject of recent posts has mainly been on Autism-related organisations and events in the state of Missouri. _Community Link_ is a Breese, Illinois-based non-profit whose vision is to see people with developmental disabilities and other difficulties, live and participate in a community that values their presence and contributions. _Community Link_’s First Step Early Learning and Family Support Program includes Early Intervention, which is a state funded program of services for children with developmental delays or disabilities, and Early Head Start, which is a federally funded program of prenatal services and children’s home-based services… > [@](#): > > It’s lunchtime at the Lenzini household, and 3-year-old Ben is ready and doing his happy dance. > His mother, Contessa, sets down the plate in front of him. > “Blue square!” Ben says, pointing to the plate. > “Green,” he says, pointing to his fork. > “Red,” he chimes again, this time pointing to the ketchup. > Lunchtime wraps up, and Ben grabs some blocks, carefully matching each according to color. > “He does this with everything,” Contessa says with a smile. “He knows all his shapes, colors, and alphabet and can count up to 14.” > Had someone told Contessa her little boy would be gleefully naming everything in sight today, she would’ve thought it impossible. Ben has autism, and it wasn’t until about six months ago that he even started talking. > At 20 months, Ben was nonverbal, made no eye contact, and had angry and sometimes violent behaviors. Contessa was recognizing these behaviors as signs of autism, but everyone that she turned to told her “he is a typical 2-year-old.” > With no family support, and feeling like everyone was against her, Contessa began to think there was no hope for her son. Unwilling to give up, she came looking for answers and help for her son at United Way supported Community Link. Just as Contessa suspected, Ben was diagnosed with autism, and with the help of Community Link’s First Step Early Head Start Learning and Family Support Program, she is more determined than ever to make sure her son succeeds and lives a normal life. > Through the program, which provides early, continuous, intensive, and comprehensive child development and family support services, Ben was able to receive the therapy he needed, and at the age of 3 1/2 years, he has improved majorly in all aspects of development. > Things that were once a daily reality for the family are now becoming a distant memory. Ben used to just throw books, but now loves to read. Before, he would simply giggle when you said his name, but he is now able to identify himself. He was unsure of how to play with other children …but now is lovable toward everyone and even has a few best friends. > First Step’s Parent Educator/Health Services Assistant, Rachel Poettker, met Ben when he joined the program and recalls the struggles they first encountered. > Ben was a challenge when it came to patience and focusing on an activity, which meant “many activities were done at the pace Ben wanted to do them,” Rachel said. > But with the help of Contessa, Rachel used a lot of creativity when planning activities. They used flashcards, music, books, role playing and even puppets. > Because of the support and guidance First Step provided, Ben knows that play is a way for him to learn and grow. …[Ben] is getting much better with using his words and signs. Ben can say two to three word sentences, asks for help to resolve problems and is finally saying ‘mommy.’ His vocabulary has exploded. > For a typical 3 1/2-year-old, most of these are developmentally appropriate, but for a child with autism, these are daily challenges that can only be achieved with the patient guidance of family, Early Head Start staff and therapists. > > …Without United Way support, this outcome may not have been possible. United Way funding enables the First Step program to maintain services families rely on for information, support, and guidance to ensure children, like Ben, reach their full potential… Here is a link to photos of the First Step Early Learning and Family Support Programs’ annual outing from a couple of years ago at _Country Kids Pumpkin Patch_ in Hoyleton, Illinois: [https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.554730604600909.1073741844.206882929385680&type=3](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.554730604600909.1073741844.206882929385680&type=3) (source: [Ben’s Story](http://www.stl.unitedway.org/2014/12/bens-story/)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 4:08am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/528 "2016-02-08T04:08:16Z")
The subject of yesterday’s post was _Community Link_, a Breese, Illinois-based non-profit whose vision is to see people with developmental disabilities and other difficulties, live and participate in a community that values their presence and contributions. _Community Link_’s First Step Early Learning and Family Support Program includes Early Intervention, which is a state funded program of services for children with developmental delays or disabilities, and Early Head Start, which is a federally funded program of prenatal services and children’s home-based services. Staying in the Metro-East region of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area, the _Alton School District_’s Early Childhood Center, located in Godfrey, Illinois, is funded entirely from grants… > [@](#): > > A simple, gentle music exercise program used in the Alton and Granite City school districts is helping kids calm down and focus in school and at home. “MeMoves” is a DVD that provides music and demonstrations of geometric arm movements. It was created by the mother of an autistic child who researched the role of music and movement on the brain. But teachers find it works for children of all abilities. > Mindy Radcliff of the Alton District’s Early Childhood Education Center in Godfrey conducted a research project with her preschool classes. She found a 71 percent decrease in “off task” behavior. > “I saw that my children had more attention. They were able to attain attention during story time or finger play which is their academics or puzzles or writing.” Radcliff believes the simple motions help prepare the kids to focus on learning. > The DVD music presents soothing sounds and the video shows children and adults slowly drawing shapes in the air. Children in Radcliff’s classroom imitate the movements of those on screen. The short, two to three minute, session is used at the beginning of the day and sometimes after a recess. > Brian Dowd, an assistive technology specialist for several area school districts, works with special needs children and their teachers. He brought the MeMoves program to Alton to test it out when the Wisconsin firm Thinking Moves began to distribute it in January 2010. > “We put it into a kindergarten classroom. Kids coming off the bus were wild and crazy. After five minutes they were calm, calm, focused, ready to get going on their day so it was really exciting to see that happen in the class,” Dowd said. > The program is being used in ten to 15 different classrooms in grades preschool through middle school. > MeMoves can also be used at home to calm children and help them approach a stressful experience like going to a doctor or even bedtime. > Meghan Wooldridge, an Alton district parent believes the program is helping her son, Gus who is autistic. The district began early intervention programming with Gus at age two and a half when he was not speaking. The district added the MeMoves program to his class when he was four and still not verbal. > She began to see a marked change in his behavior. " It just makes him feel good; I think it keeps him settled. It makes him happy. He likes to concentrate on the movement I think," she explained. Gus has been using MeMoves for about 18 months. He is now speaking and is in a normal classroom. “He still gets speech therapy, but he can communicate and people can understand most of what he says.” > Radcliff noted some children become overly excited or tend to move a lot which hurts their concentration in class on even simple tasks. But the MeMoves program “enables them to calm themselves and to focus.”… Here is a link to a video on the MeMoves program: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6wDQmHlXxU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6wDQmHlXxU) (source: [Alton School Uses New Autism Teaching Technique | FOX2now.com](http://fox2now.com/2012/05/10/alton-school-uses-new-autism-teaching-technique/)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2016, 5:45am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/529 "2016-02-09T05:45:54Z")
The subject of the last post was _Community Link_, a Breese, Illinois-based non-profit whose vision is to see people with developmental disabilities and other difficulties, live and participate in a community that values their presence and contributions. _Community Link_’s First Step Early Learning and Family Support Program includes Early Intervention, which is a state funded program of services for children with developmental delays or disabilities, and Early Head Start, which is a federally funded program of prenatal services and children’s home-based services. To the southeast, the _Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders_ (_CASD_), located on the campus of _Southern Illinois University_ in Carbondale, Illinois, is a partner of the nonprofit _TAP_ (_The Autism Program_). _TAP_ is helps develop services for children with Autism in Illinois. _CASD_ is the home for research and evaluation related to creating and disseminating knowledge about Autism Spectrum Disorders… > [@](#): > > Ben Harsy, 5, plays with a dinosaur on a chair in his family’s living room in their house in Du Quoin. > > As his mother, Crystal, sits on the edge of the footstool in front of her son, Ben continues to concentrate on his dinosaur, immersed in his own world. > > At 12 months old, Ben said his first word, “bye-bye.” He would look at a person and even wave. His vocabulary expanded to “ma-ma” and “dad,” but somewhere between 15 and 18 months, development stopped. Ben would no longer make eye contact with anyone except his parents and his grandmother, and even that was a struggle. > > When taken out in public, he wouldn’t smile. Though he was a happy child at home, when in public, people would remark on his somber demeanor. His mother didn’t understand why Ben seemed to be pulling away from the world. > > “You could almost start to feel this emotional disconnect,” Crystal said. > > When he turned 2, Ben was most content on his own; unlike a typical child his age, he wasn’t getting into things or causing trouble. He never seemed to seek interaction. When playing with toys, instead of imitating the sounds of cars or racing them around the house, he would line them up in a row. > > Crystal said that any time she would suspect there was something wrong, Ben would seem to be fine. However, the red flags piled up until the Harsys could no longer deny them, especially since his speech hadn’t developed past a few words. > > “The hardest part is when you’re doing the research, wondering what it could be,” said Brice, Ben’s father. > > They began early intervention speech therapy, but no one mentioned autism until Ben was almost 3 years old and visited [CASD]. The Harsys took Ben to a developmental pediatrician in Indianapolis, where he was diagnosed as autistic. > > “I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say it’s second to losing your child in death,” Crystal said of the change in Ben from the first year of his life to the third. > > “It was like his soul was taken away from us and we fight every day to bring him back.” > > …In Southern Illinois, the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders is the only option for treatment outside of limited services available in schools or traveling to St. Louis or another metropolitan area. > > “We are the place that provides assessment of children with autism, we get the call from the mother or we get the referral from the physician or other service providers,” [said Dr. Anthony Cuvo, a professor of behavior analysis and therapy at SIUC and the director of the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders.] > > They also provide a variety of intervention or therapy services, as well as teaching, research and serving as a resource for area schools. If they’re lucky, they get the kids at 2 or 3 years old, where early intervention is critical. > > After a semester of individual therapy, where staff will get to know the children, their strengths and areas that need work, the children will then be taught basic skills, working one on one and with a group, the goal being full inclusion in a classroom setting. > > “We’re just lucky to be in the vicinity of a treatment service facility,” Crystal said. “These are services that aren’t even close to being widely available.” > > Ben was originally diagnosed in the moderate range. He had very limited communication skills, some sensory issues, some repetitive behaviors and a limited capacity for social interaction. > > “His communication and social interaction have seen the greatest strides,” Crystal said. "Both of those areas still have the furthest to go. He’s learned to greet people, make eye contact and speak first. > > “He’s learned to play with kids his own age, appropriately. Before, he just wanted to stay in his own world. He was very content, happy, a loving child - but he did not care to interact with the rest of the world.” > > …The Harsys believe they did everything new parents were supposed to do; read books on care, took Ben to the doctor and followed every instruction carefully. > > “When you start to notice something isn’t going right, you feel like you’ve failed somewhere as a parent,” Crystal said. “We still don’t know why, so we still wonder what we might have done to make it different.” > > …“They should be initially concerned about any developmental delay,” Cuvo said. > > Anomalies parents might notice in motor behavior, language acquisition and social behavior might not be related to autism, but should be brought to the attention of a pediatrician. > > “The American Academy of Pediatrics recently came out with a recommendation that children be specifically screened for autism, that this should be part of ‘well baby’ checks at 18 months and 24 months, that they be screened for autism in addition to the normal developmental screening,” Cuvo said. > > …For the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Dr. Cuvo would like to see more space and resources to be able to treat more children. However, in a larger sense, the parents need to be empowered. > > “What we need is for parents to have the resources so that they can shop for or obtain the kinds of services they need for their children,” he said. > > There may be few resources available for parents in Southern Illinois, but if they had insurance coverage or other resources, it would stimulate the demand for professionals and services. > > Cuvo sees hope for the future in the bills being passed by state legislatures requiring insurance companies to cover treatment for autism. > > “One of the things we know is that the parents of children with autism are an extraordinarily strong group,” he said. "They’re extraordinarily good advocates for their children. They can become very vocal. > > “Good things are happening nationally in terms of autism and I think that the insurance and funding will follow.” > > Ben has only been in treatment a short time. At this point, in a casual setting, one would never guess he is autistic. > > “I can look back and say it was only two years ago he didn’t speak at all,” Crystal said. “Now he’s kind of like every other typical kid. When you want him to be quiet, he doesn’t.” > > The Harsys worry about Ben’s future as any other parent would about their child. They’re optimistic because of the growing awareness of autism… Here is a link to a video on the _Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders_ (_CASD_) at _Southern Illinois University_: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJFInqP10W8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJFInqP10W8) (source: [Pulling away from the world: The struggle with autism | News | thesouthern.com](http://thesouthern.com/news/pulling-away-from-the-world-the-struggle-with-autism/article_a7ac3a9d-d24d-5d0b-a72f-ba235e605eb9.html)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 2:44am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/530 "2016-02-10T02:44:06Z")
The subject of the last post was _Community Link_, a Breese, Illinois-based non-profit whose vision is to see people with developmental disabilities and other difficulties, live and participate in a community that values their presence and contributions. _Community Link_’s First Step Early Learning and Family Support Program includes Early Intervention, which is a state funded program of services for children with developmental delays or disabilities, and Early Head Start, which is a federally funded program of prenatal services and children’s home-based services. Staying in the St. Louis metropolitan area, _ADAPT4Autism_ is a Belleville, Illinois-based nonprofit that provides services and programs for children and families affected by Autism. _ADAPT4Autism_ (Autism Demands Adaptive Pro-social Training) was founded about six years ago by Chris Gibson, an educator of children with Autism. Numerous programs have been developed, including summer and winter day camps for children 5 years of age and older, all aimed at improving the overall quality of life for those on the Autism Spectrum… > [@](#): > > Standing in front of 32 children with autism, Chris Gibson patiently gives instructions for their field trip to Purina Farms in Gray Summit. Gibson calls the children her “kiddos.” > “Our big challenge is when we’re in a big group like this,” said Gibson. “The noise level can be really intense and some of them and some of them have sensory needs, so they’re overstimulated easily, so the biggest challenge is keeping everybody focused on the activities around them.” > As predicted, one of the campers had to go outside to calm down from too much noise and stimulation near the dairy cows. > “He’s not a real verbal kiddo, so he can’t say to us ‘it’s hurting my ears, it’s too loud’, so he shows us by covering up and hitting at us. We’ll take him for a walk, get a drink, relax him, and then he’ll be able to come back and participate some more,” said Gibson. > You might think the autism instructor for Belleville District 118 would need some time off during the summer. > “Some days are tough,” said Gibson. “It’s not always easy, but it’s not only great for the child but it’s great respite for the families at home. You can’t just call a babysitter and say ‘Hey, can you come over?’ These are tough kids. You need somebody who’s trained to handle that sort of behavior.” > Gibson recognized several years ago, there were few summer activities for children with autism in Belleville and southwestern Illinois communities, so she started a summer camp in her back yard. > “Two summers in a row it would be the end of the school year and parents would call me and say 'what can we do this summer? Are there any camps around that we can participate in?” said Gibson. > For the past four years, Gibson has watched her ADAPT4Autism summer camp grow from 10 to 40 children, like Nathan Little. > “I don’t have full-fledged autism,” said Little. “In fact I have something called Asperger’s Syndrome, which sounds like something you shouldn’t say on TV. It’s basically a place that can help me with my quirks.” > > …It costs $250 per child for six weeks of summer camp. It’s a challenge to pay her staff, yet keep the camp affordable. > “My goal is to keep the program as cheap as possible for the families because we already know that if you have a child on the autism spectrum, the cost to raise that child is six times greater than the cost to raise a typically developing child,” said Gibson. “We to this point haven’t had to say no. We figure it out. We call different businesses, we call neighbors, we call whoever we think we can call to say ‘hey we have a kiddo, they want to participate in the camp. Can you help us out?’” > Despite shaking the money tree to keep the camp affordable, and despite bruises from biting and hitting, said this is what she is meant to do. > “I don’t know why this is my gift. but I truly believe that this is my gift, to serve children with autism.”… Here is a link to photos of an _ADAPT4Autism_ summer day camp from four-and-a-half years ago: [https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.255825671096245.73454.203667729645373&type=3](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.255825671096245.73454.203667729645373&type=3) (source: [Belleville autism educator: “I truly believe this is my gift”](http://www.ksdk.com/story/news/local/2014/07/15/chris-gibson-autism-teacher-belleville/12702085/)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 3:16am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/531 "2016-02-11T03:16:34Z")
The subject of the recent posts has mainly been on Autism-related events and organisations in the St. Louis metropolitan area. To the southeast, the _Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders_ (_CASD_), located on the campus of _Southern Illinois University_ in Carbondale, Illinois, is a partner of the nonprofit _TAP_ (The Autism Program). _TAP_ helps develop services for children with Autism in Illinois. _CASD_ has been providing exemplary services to children and their families in the greater southern Illinois region for over a decade… > [@](#): > > Organizers of an annual fundraiser supporting Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders are hoping to raise $10,000 this year… > > Vanessa Cravens of Herrin said the event, which she and her sister first organized in 2006, has raised about $25,000 in three years, but this year, they’re aiming for a record-breaking income. > > “It went over really well the first year we did it,” she said. “We were really shocked. Each year, we want it to be bigger and big-ger.” > > Craven’s 8-year-old daughter has a mild case of autism and has received services from the center since 2004. She sees this fund-raiser as a way to give back to an organizer she says has given much to her family. > > Anthony Cuvo, director of the center, said the support of families and parents is critical to the organization’s continued success, especially in times of financial uncertainty. > > “It really shows their appreciation for what we’re doing for the children,” he said… > > The center does assessments, diagnosis, consultations to schools, training to parents and therapy for children and their families, in addition to serving as a learning environment and internship location for graduate students, Cuvo said. Here is a link to photos of some _CASD_ activities from the summer of six years ago: [https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.165905328651.119962.160714798651&type=3](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.165905328651.119962.160714798651&type=3) (source: [Autism benefit organizers hope to bring in $10,000 | Local News | thesouthern.com](http://thesouthern.com/news/local/autism-benefit-organizers-hope-to-bring-in/article_482a0cfc-5666-11df-91c2-001cc4c002e0.html)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 4:14am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/532 "2016-02-12T04:14:37Z")
The subject of recent posts has mainly been on Autism-related events and organisations in the St. Louis metropolitan area. _Great Circle_ is a St. Louis, Missouri-based non-profit that is one of the most comprehensive providers of behavioural health services in Missouri, the Midwest and beyond. _Great Circle_’s ‘Autism Center for Excellence’ offers children with Autism and their families nationally accredited learning support, respite care and around-the-clock supervision when needed… > [@](#): > > World Autism Awareness Month kicked off April 2 with the Light It Up Blue celebration in which several landmarks around the world displayed blue lights to shine a light on autism awareness. > > Locally, awareness of autism is happening at Great Circle. In the fall of 2014, the organization opened a classroom at its school in St. James dedicated to teaching children with autism… > > “There were not many options in the area for children with autism to attend programs completely designed around their individual needs,” said Richard Hockersmith, director of education. > > “Great Circle has a very successful program in St. Louis and thought that area children and families would greatly benefit from a program much closer to home.” > > The program at St. James has grown to an enrollment of nine students. > > The program is evidence-based and serves grade levels from kindergarten… > > Facilities include a sensory room, a white room and a life skills room. > > Each classroom features smart boards and students use iPads. > > Students are referred to the program through their local school districts. > > The goals for students are to modify behaviors, improve communication skills and develop social skills that enable children to return to and function successfully in a less restrictive school environment. Here is a link to a _Great Circle_ public service announcement: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvobT13v3Gs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvobT13v3Gs) (source: [Great Circle program for students with autism meets local needs - News - The Rolla Daily News - Rolla, MO - Rolla, MO](http://www.therolladailynews.com/article/20150420/news/150429937)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2016, 2:07am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/533 "2016-02-13T02:07:49Z")
The subject of the recent posts has mainly been on Autism-related events and organisations in the St. Louis metropolitan area. To the east, _Easter Seals — Central Illinois_ is a Peoria, Illinois-based nonprofit that provides services to help children and adults with disabilities and/or special needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, as well as support to their families. ‘Walk with Me’, along with other fundraisers, helps _Easter Seals_ offset the cost of its services… > [@](#): > > For Amanda Stribling, taking care of her three young children can be a challenge. > Two have autism. Another has speech issues. > “It is really about learning how to balance their structures,” she said Saturday. > Stribling and Rilian, 7, Roran, 5, and Reese, 2, were among about 1,100 people who walked a mile at Walk With Me, an event to support Easter Seals… > “The research says that if you have one child with autism the chances of having another are higher,” said Stribling… > > …The event raised about $150,000 for the nonprofit group, which supports children and adults with disabilities and special needs. All of money will be used locally, [said Laura Schoon, manager of comprehensive marketing for Easter Seals Peoria/Bloomington.] > Finnegan Brucker, 2, of Lexington, is one of the children who has been helped. He was born 15 weeks premature and contracted meningitis when he was 6 months old. He lost hearing in his left ear and has had physical and developmental delays, said his mother, Christine Bruckner. > “He is looking very good. The goal is, by the time he’s 3, there should be significant improvement,” said the boy’s father, Ian Bruckner. > About 30 friends and family members supported Finnegan at the walk. > “We’re in a fortunate place where we can afford to help pay (medical bills), but we know there are a lot of people who can’t” he said. > “He is just one example of the many, many, many kids that need these services,” added Christine Bruckner. > Easter Seals serves about 1,600 children a year in Bloomington. > “The earlier we can identify a disability and the sooner we can get help, the greater the chances for success,” Schoon said. > “These kids have tenacity and determination. They don’t know how to quit,” Schoon said. “It’s important to recognize that these kids work so hard every day to reach milestones.” > The organization offers help for those with autism and cerebral palsy, including medical rehabilitation and programs for aquatics, camping and recreation. > Kris Andrews of Bloomington volunteered at the walk with members of Bloomington-Normal Sunrise Rotary Club. > “These kids are the future of our community and we want them to be strong and engaged,” Andrews said. Here is a link to photos of an _Easter Seals — Central Illinois_’ ‘Special Evening of Play’ from a couple of months ago at the _Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum_: [https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1012688225420262.1073741858.134754253213668&type=3](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1012688225420262.1073741858.134754253213668&type=3) (source: [Walk raises $150,000 for Easter Seals | Local News | pantagraph.com](http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/walk-raises-for-easter-seals/article_3205b938-9aec-5e8e-9df9-828e6f8ca25c.html)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2016, 3:21am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/534 "2016-02-13T03:21:30Z")
The subject of the last post was _Easter Seals — Central Illinois_, a Peoria, Illinois-based nonprofit that provides services to help children and adults with disabilities and/or special needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, as well as support to their families. ‘Walk with Me’, along with other fundraisers, helps _Easter Seals_ offset the cost of its services. The _Autism Society of Central Illinois_ is a Springfield, Illinois-based nonprofit that provides summer camp, recreational opportunities and support groups for children with Autism and their families. > [@](#): > > April 1 marks the start of Autism Awareness Month for 2014. During this month, I hope we can contemplate the perplexity of this condition and learn more about the needs of children, adolescents and adults with autism but also celebrate the courage and tenacity of the families raising autistic children. These are all things that mark the mission of the Autism Society Central Illinois 365 days of the year. As I prepared to write this column, I thought about what the past 25 years have been like for children with autism and their families in central Illinois. Early in my career as a developmental psychologist specializing in developmental disabilities at Cincinnati Center for Developmental Disorders, I didn’t encounter many autistic children. The incidence at that time was 1 in 10,000. In 1995, I began getting calls from families looking for help and guidance in caring for and educating their newly diagnosed autistic child. These families were frightened. There were almost no services available at the time. …In the past 15 years, we have seen state funding provided to programming for autistic children; however, that funding continues to decrease as the state has encountered financial difficulties. As school funding is decreased overall, teachers and administrators struggle to find ways to support and meet the needs of these children. The law says they have to, but their checkbooks are stretched thin. Today, families remain frustrated and scared. We still do not know what causes autism. We do not have agreement on the effectiveness of any particular treatment. We are not sure what the future holds for these children as they become adolescents and adults. …In the meantime, we need to provide as much support as we can for autistic children and their families. Support, programming and awareness frame the mission of the Autism Society of Central Illinois, which was founded in 2002 by a group of parents who were determined to make life better for the children and families of this area. To that end, the Society provides a summer camp and recreational and social activities for children with autism, along with support groups and grant opportunities, among other services, for their families. Volunteers (mostly parents of autistic children) are the backbone of this organization. As a not-for-profit, United Way agency, the Autism Society of Central Illinois is supported completely by donations and fundraising. On April 26, the Society will hold its annual Autism Walk and Family Fun Day to raise money for supporting those many and vital support services to struggling families of autistic children and adolescents. ?Take a Step for Autism? will be held at Springfield’s beautiful Southwind Park. Walk registration opens at 8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m. > > Children’s activities, musical performances, a magician’s show and other family activities are features of our Family Fun Day. We invite central Illinois to come out for a day of fun and fitness and to show support for our children and their families. Here is a link to photos: [Autism Society of Central Illinois Gallery | Autism Society of Central Illinois](http://autismcil.org/galleries/) (source: [Karen Kirkendall: You probably know someone with autism - News - The State Journal-Register - Springfield, IL](http://www.sj-r.com/article/20140329/NEWS/140329312)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2016, 12:39am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/535 "2016-02-14T00:39:16Z")
The subject of yesterday’s post was _Easter Seals — Central Illinois_, a Peoria, Illinois-based nonprofit that provides services to help children and adults with disabilities and/or special needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, as well as support to their families. ‘Walk with Me’, along with other fundraisers, helps _Easter Seals_ offset the cost of its services. _Central Illinois Autism Therapeutic Services_ is a Charleston, Illinois-based non-profit that provides a summer camp, educational programs, after-school programs and daycare. The organisation began as a summer camp for children with Autism then started providing other activities… > [@](#): > > A new venture, “Bright Minds School and Day Camp,” for children with autism plans to open this month in the former Cornerstone Academy on Illinois Route 16 between Charleston and Mattoon. > The school is the brainchild of Vivian Skelley and her husband, Terry, of Charleston. Mrs. Skelley is a behavior intervention specialist who works with children with autism [from the age of 3.] > “The other hat I wear is early intervention, where I work with children under age 3 who are developmentally delayed,” she said. > > Skelley has been working in the state-funded early intervention program for 11 years and has noticed that more is needed for the children who turn 3 and age out of the program. > “At 3, they no longer got my services,” she said. “The kids with autism might be progressing really well, but that door was shut to them at 3, because the state no longer provided that service.” > Skelley found that unacceptable, so she and her husband started Central Illinois Autism Therapeutic Services, a not-for-profit 501(c) organization serving children …in Coles, Douglas, Shelby and Effingham counties. > They found a building to house the school and day camp… > > …Summer camp is held from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. five days a week for kids with autism and other special needs. The hours are designed to help working moms, Skelley said… > For now, summer camp activities include community-based and social activities. “That’s a deficit these kids have. They have a problem with social skills and communication,” Skelley said. > They also have play groups twice a week, which is not only good for the children, but provides some respite for parents. > “When school starts in the fall, we’ll have a preschool and an after-school program, as well. It will still be the same population,” she said. “It will be like day care, but they will also get a preschool curriculum. We’ll be certified by the state board of education.” > Currently, Skelley, who is the program director, said there is also a center director and board of directors. > “That’s all until we start hiring teachers, and we can’t hire teachers until we know how many students we’ll have. Our goal is a ratio of six to one.” > The school also will continue to use student volunteers from Eastern Illinois University, many of them from the communication disorders department. > Megan McQueen of Charleston said her son, Conner, 4, attends camp three days a week. > The play groups Conner attends also provide valued down time for his parents > > “It helps me find my identity,” said McQueen, who is a full-time student, taking classes online. “It actually gives my husband and me a chance just to spend some time together - something we’ve not had in a very long time.” > McQueen said Conner was diagnosed with autism when he was 2. > “But, we were pretty sure what was happening before that,” she said. "He paces, he’ll fixate on certain things, light attracts his interest, and he’ll crawl under tables and look at the angles. > “He also spins things. If you give him a puzzle piece, he’ll spin it in his hand.” > “He had no speech,” McQueen said, “so we started speech therapy and he’s doing great with it now. He also had developmental therapy. There are a lot of milestones kids reach on the autism journey.” > Skelley said a center-based program has always been the goal for CIATS… > > …“You never outgrow autism,” McQueen said. "Conner’s always going to have what I call little tics, but we think he’s high functioning, so I’m trying not to be overly concerned about his future. > “He’s not going to be like everybody else; he’s going to be who he is, and I’m OK with that.” Here is a link to photos of ‘Ocean-themed activities’ from a couple of years ago at _Bright Minds Educational Programs & Day Camp_: [https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.468596626562339.1073741826.117904261631579&type=3](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.468596626562339.1073741826.117904261631579&type=3) (source: [Bright Minds: New day camp offers services to children with autism | Lifestyles | jg-tc.com](http://jg-tc.com/lifestyles/bright-minds-new-day-camp-offers-services-to-children-with/article_16fa7d10-93af-11e0-ade8-001cc4c002e0.html)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 10:25am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/536 "2016-02-15T10:25:55Z")
The subject of recent posts has mainly been on Autism-related events and organisations in the state of Illinois. The _Champaign Urbana Autism Network_ is Each year, friends and families gather in Hessel Park to participate in the nonprofit’s annual Autism Walk, an event that helps to raise Autism awareness within the C-U community… > [@](#): > > Michael may not be able to speak directly to you, but he may want to shake your hand or reach out for a tickle. > > Michael Kelly, who was diagnosed with moderate to severe autism at the age of two, and his mother, Pam, of Brocton, Ill., were just two of about 800 people to attend the Champaign-Urbana Autism Network’s fourth annual Autism Walk at Hessel Park on Sunday. > > Participants made one lap around the park after registering and attending a resource, safety and fun fair. > > The fair featured a police SUV and ambulance, face painting, miniature horses and booths set up by local businesses informing participants of community resources that provide support to families affected by autism. > > There were also raffle baskets and special guest speakers including State Sen. Michael Frerichs, D-52, and Diane Ducey, broadcaster for 93.5 Connect-FM. > > Kelly said she decided to come to the walk to learn about community resources and to feel the accompanying sense of ‘camaraderie.’ > > She said she normally participates in autism walks in Indiana through another organization and wanted to try something new. > > “I wanted to learn of more (resources), and that’s another reason to be going on this walk today,” Kelly said. > > “(And) meeting new people and seeing what all is out there and just to show how proud we are of our son and his accomplishments.” Here is a link to photos from the 5th annual Autism Walk a few years ago: [https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10151640259592090&type=1](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10151640259592090&type=1) (source: [Issuu](https://issuu.com/thedailyillini/docs/di04162012)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 10:47am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/537 "2016-02-15T10:47:28Z")
The subject of recent posts has mainly been on Autism-related events and organisations in the state of Illinois. > [@](#): > > Despite a growing number of individuals being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), there are few resources for treatment. Karla Doepke, associate professor of psychology, has consequently made it her mission to treat children with ASD and train students to work with those affected by the disease. > > …“Treatment is intensive,” Doepke said. “One of the difficulties with being able to provide treatment is that it takes a lot of resources. Until recently, few services were reimbursable by insurance. The structure of the state also does not make it beneficial for practitioners to provide services.” > > Doepke is painfully aware of the treatment dilemmas that families face. She recalls a mother of an autistic child who was directed to Doepke while searching for someone to treat her son. Knowing how time consuming autism treatment is, Doepke was reluctant to take on the task without the necessary resources. Yet the mother insisted, and after numerous pleas, Doepke agreed to begin treating the child. Within a few weeks she was treating two other children. And the number continued to grow. > > The need was so great that in 2001, Doepke directed the establishment of The Autism Place (TAP) at Illinois State University. Though initially staffed only by Doepke and three students, a grant received in 2004 from The Autism Program allowed Doepke to hire two graduate students to assist with treatment. In time more grants and a growing need justified a move to a larger facility with a larger staff. > > Today Doepke and a regular team of eight graduate clinicians, 10 graduate students, 15 psychology students, and 30 undergraduate clinicians serve 85 children and families each week. > > “It makes a lot of sense to offer treatment at a university because there are a lot of educational benefits of working with kids with autism,” Doepke said. “Students studying psychology, special education, nursing, and speech and language pathology all receive an educational benefit from working with the children. And it provides a major benefit to the community.” > > Children at TAP are evaluated for levels of communication, socialization, and independent functioning. A program is developed to take them from where they are to the next level. That next level can vary greatly from individual to individual. Treatment can take place at the clinic or at the child’s home, based on family needs, making it necessary for clinicians to adapt to each child. > > “Students are excited at the beginning, but very quickly feel inadequate,” Doepke said. “They quickly gain the skills to work with the children and then they love it. It is a whole new experience for most.” > > Sandy Clark agrees. A fourth year graduate student, she first experienced working with autistic children at TAP. > > “It has been a good experience,” Clark said… > > Now with four years of experience at TAP, Clark has come to love working with the children. The job has transitioned from one of stress to fun. > > TAP Graduate Clinician Coordinator Tom Mulderink also loves the work he does. He has been charged with administrative tasks such as scheduling, training graduate clinicians, intakes and assignments, and consultation outside of the clinic in homes and schools. > > ?Being able to train people and send them out to use that knowledge creates a wider reach,? Mulderink said. He also relishes the opportunity to play with the children, bonding over action figures and shared interests such as Star Wars. > > But the work isn’t always easy. > > “One of the more difficult things is helping parents deal with Autism,” Mulderink said. “It requires a lot of empathy because I don’t have the same experience. We work with the children for a few hours a week, but the parents are with them all of the time.” > > Families consequently have a great appreciation for the help they received through TAP. As a training site for students, families are not charged for treatment sessions. Receiving a service not widely available eases a burden on families. TAP coordinates with schools and other agencies… to make sure the services offered complement rather than duplicate or compete. > > Knowing the value of TAP, parents and families now work to provide financial support through Friends of TAP. The group raised funds so that even if grants and private funds that keep TAP open became unavailable, services can continue. Their work funded summer 2012 sessions and continues to enhance TAP. > > The support of groups such as Friends of TAP and partnerships with other organizations in the community ensures that Doepke and her team can focus on what matters most?the children. > > “Children with autism will surprise you,” Doepke said. “They can make great progress. As much as we help them learn, they help us learn. I don’t think there is a day that goes by that we don’t learn something from them. I was reluctant to dive into autism service because it is so intensive. But it is the most fun thing I get to do. It makes my job at ISU exactly the way I would want it to be.” Here is a link to a a video on the program: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyjiCvG0aXM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyjiCvG0aXM) (source: [The Autism Place: An Invaluable Service - News - Illinois State](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/2013/07/the-autism-place-an-invaluable-service/)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 1:59am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/538 "2016-02-16T01:59:50Z")
The subject of the recent posts has mainly been on Autism-related events and organisations in the state of Illinois. The _Autism Society of McLean County_ is a Bloomington, Illinois-based non-profit whose mission is too educate and support families with children with autism in McLean County and the surrounding areas. ‎McLean County’s _Unit 5 School_ _District_ offers an Autism Camp for children from pre-kindergarten level, where they enjoy swimming, cooking, visits into the community and other activities… > [@](#): > > …In 1997, autism was added as a federal category for special education, and over the last 10 to 12 years, people have become much more familiar with it. A decade ago, [Illinois State University] offered the first graduate class on autism and resources are available for parents, teachers and the community through ISU’s Autism Spectrum Institute and the state-funded The Autism Project (TAP)… > > That, and individual school resources often are cited as reasons people with autistic children move to the area. > “I believe this is due to the work we have done to truly provide for students with autism in our district. It actually has drawn families here because they want their children with autism to be in Unit 5,” said Michelle Lamboley, Unit 5’s director of special education. > > …In the 10 years that Laura Dickenson has taught at the camp, she said the goals have been the same — to help students work on their social and language skills, and introduce them to leisure activities. > “About 90 percent of these students wouldn’t choose (community outings or active leisure activities) unless they were put in a position to do so,” she said. “They would pick something more predictable like computer games.” > Going out where the weather, people and situations aren’t predictable could cause them social anxiety, but the experiences with teachers and support staff help them build skills and confidence, she said. > > Jacquie Mace, a founder and board member of the Autism Society of McLean County, has seen how her son …has benefited from autism camp and other services in the community. > “He’s definitely learned more appropriate social skills, community and life skills, like how to use money,” she said. > When her son was first diagnosed at age 3, there were few resources in the community, but the number has grown considerably since then. > Mace passes her experience on. > Cindy Abbott of Carlock attributed much of her son’s quality of life to help they have received from Mace and the autism society, ISU and the camp. > “Without that, he probably wouldn’t be talking,” she said of her son, Ryan, 7, who didn’t begin speaking until he was 4. The Eureka second grader still gets help with sensory …issues but does well in school… Here is a link to photos of last year’s _Autism Society of McLean County_ Run/Walk at Tipton Park from a few months ago: [https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153642123548166.1073741835.283889848165&type=3](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153642123548166.1073741835.283889848165&type=3) (source: [Students, parents benefit from autism camp | Local Education | pantagraph.com](http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/education/students-parents-benefit-from-autism-camp/article_c90cf89c-c258-11e1-a4de-001a4bcf887a.html)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 4:38am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/539 "2016-02-17T04:38:35Z")
The subject of the recent posts has mainly been on Autism-related events and organisations in the state of Illinois. _Bright Star Equestrian Center_ is a Petersburg, Illinois-based non-profit that offers horsemanship and riding lessons to children with disabilities, specialising in Autism Spectrum Disorders. The non-profit’s instructors focus on improving self confidence and self esteem and believe that every child has a unique gift… > [@](#): > > A newly established not-for-profit organization in Petersburg that offers horsemanship and riding lessons to people with cognitive and physical disabilities needs volunteers to help with lessons. > > Bright Star Equestrian Centre… offers therapeutic horsemanship plus horsemanship/riding lessons to people with various disabilities, including autism… > > Bright Star Equestrian Centre is a collaborative effort that includes Dana and Paul Ingle plus Trisha Nichols. > > The Ingles own the organization’s barn. > > “Paul built the barn for his wife, Dana. She always had horses, and she boarded her horses. It was always her dream to have a quarter horse and have him at her own place,” said Nichols, the organization’s administrative services director. > > “They built the barn with the anticipation that it was going to belong to Dana.” > > During the barn’s construction, Dana thought about sharing the facility. > > “I’ve been friends with Paul for a number of years. I’m also a nurse, so I had called him and said I had heard that they were going to be offering therapy, which actually turned out was not the case,” Nichols said. > > However, Nichols asked about bringing her then 10-year-old son, Ellis Warren, to the location to introduce him to a horse. Warren, who has Asperger’s syndrome, loved his experience meeting a horse. > > “We got in the car to come home, and he said, ‘You know, Mom. It’s the weirdest thing. I never felt like this before, but that horse gets me. He understands me. He knows my thinking,’” said Nichols… > > Nichols contacted Dana to pitch the idea of a therapeutic equestrian center. > > “If my son is 10 years old and he feels understood for the first time, what about the other children who’ve never felt understood?” Nichols said. > > Bright Star Equestrian Centre promotes the idea that therapeutic horsemanship encourages improvements in cognition, coordination, digestion, following directions, independence, interactions with peers, posture, range of motion, self-esteem and more. > > Ceci Maloney is Bright Star’s therapy instructor. Maloney is certified with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship. > > Volunteers are needed for lessons. The spring lesson schedule will start April 26 and 27. > > Bright Star’s therapy sessions are its main focus, but it also offers lessons for the general public on the weeks therapy sessions aren’t held. > > “We’re working on getting our credentials to become a U.S. Pony Club center. It’s for girls and boys,” Nichols said… Here is a link to a video on _Bright Star Equestrian Centre_: [Bright Star Equestrian Centre](https://vimeo.com/100264811) (source: [Group needs volunteers to help with equestrian lessons - News - The State Journal-Register - Springfield, IL](http://www.sj-r.com/article/20140321/news/140329805/?Start=1)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2016, 4:19am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/540 "2016-02-18T04:19:41Z")
The subject of the recent posts has mainly been on Autism-related events and organisations in the state of Illinois. _Project Linus_ is a nonprofit whose national headquarters is located in Bloomington, Illinois. The nonprofit makes blankets for children who are ill, have suffered trauma or are otherwise in need of loving care… > [@](#): > > The Champaign County Farm Bureau auditorium was alive with the whirr of sewing machines on Friday, as members of the Mahomet unit of the Home and Community Education group banded together with Mahomet 4-H’ers to create unique blankets for local children with autism. > At tables around the perimeter of the room, volunteers leaned over sewing machines, feeding lengths of cotton under the presser foot with the tips of their fingers. Elsewhere, women measured and cut colorful fabric and strips of Velcro, or pinned the layers together. > In between answering questions from volunteers, organizer Elizabeth Michael showed off the finished product. Each lap-sized blanket is made of cotton and divided into six “pockets” with a Velcro closure along two edges. A folded twin-size sheet is placed in each pocket to add weight, and the finished product is about 24 pounds. > HCE members meet several times a year to work on the blankets. > “We found out there’s quite a need” for weighted blankets, Michael said, noting that this was the first time that local 4-H’ers have gotten involved with the project. > Linda Tortorelli, coordinator of The Autism Project at the University of Illinois, said that weighted blankets can benefit kids who have trouble with sensory processing, helping them fall asleep quicker and reducing restlessness. > “We see some children who like that deep pressure become calmer and more focused,” she said. > HCE donates the finished blankets to The Autism Project and the Champaign-Urbana Autism Network, which give them away in drawings. They also set up a table at the Autism Walk event in the spring. > Tortorelli said that The Autism Project raffles off the donated blankets several times a year, and that they’re “super-popular.” They’re starting to affix labels to the blankets in order to get more organized feedback from users. > But Michael and her fellow volunteers have already gotten positive feedback about how the blankets have helped children… > > Tortorelli said that the blankets are also useful in the classroom. Spread across the knees, they encourage students to remain calm and seated. > Michael works with the Central Illinois chapter of Project Linus… > She said that the group welcomes donations of flat bed sheets to use in the blankets. Any size will work (they cut down full-size sheets to fit) and gently used sheets are fine. Donations can be dropped off at the University of Illinois Extension office on Country Fair Drive in Champaign. > “We’ll use any flat sheet,” Michael said… > > The group also accepts donations of materials: cotton fabric sized 36 by 42-45 inches in “kid-friendly” prints or solids, as well as sew-on Velcro fastening. > Michael said that each workday usually produces six to eight finished blankets. She estimated that the group has made over 30 of the blankets over the past several years. > “We’re really grateful in the autism community for those weighted blankets,” Tortorelli said. > And local volunteers are glad to use their skills to bring comfort to others. > “We’ll do anything we can to help the children,” Michael said. Here is a link to photos from the 5th ‘Annual Champaign-Urbana Autism Network Walk’ from a few years ago, which included weighted blanket donations and raffle: [https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10151640259592090&type=1](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10151640259592090&type=1) (source: [Crafting comfort for kids | Mahomet Citizen](http://www.mcitizen.com/news/people/2012-07-27/crafting-comfort-kids.html)) [Previous page](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615.md?page=26) [Next page](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615.md?page=28)