Girl Explains Autism in Creative Way

Here is a great video where a little girl explains Autism in a very creative way.
Let us know your thoughts!
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Click here to watch it: http://www.wimp.com/explainsautism/

A Girl with Autism and Her "Broken Burger"

By now, many of you have read the viral story about a girl with autism and how a waitress and manager at Chili's Restaurant Chain fixed her broken burger. If you have not read the story, here it is, straight from the girl's older sister:

"I want to share the experience that my husband, 7 year old autistic sister and I had today at the Chili’s location in Midvale, UT. Arianna, my little sister, didn’t waste any time when our waitress, Lauren, greeted us at our table. Arianna promptly ordered her cheeseburger with pickles, french fries, and chocolate milk before Lauren could even take our drink order. Lauren smiled and told Arianna, “Okay! I’ll be right back with your chocolate milk!”. When we got our food I was wondering why Arianna wouldn’t touch her cheeseburger, but was going to town on her french fries. I asked her, “Arianna are you going to eat your cheeseburger?” She calmly said, “No, I don’t want it.” Cheeseburgers, or ‘Krabby Patties’ as we sometimes call them, are her FAVORITE! So this behavior was VERY strange. So I asked her, “Why don’t you want it?”. She replied, “It’s broken. I need another one thats fixed.” Then it dawned on me why she wasn’t eating it. It’s because it was cut in half. 

 

Being a child with autism, she has to have certain things in a particular order at all times. One slight change in her routine can change the course of the day instantly. When Lauren came back to check on us, I asked if we could order another cheeseburger and just add it to our check. She had a concerned look on her face so I explained that Arianna has autism, and that in her mind, because the cheeseburger was cut in half, she thinks its broken and can’t eat it. I told Lauren I knew it sounded silly, but if we could just order an additional one we will gladly pay for it because there was nothing wrong with the one that was originally brought out. Lauren was so sweet and just smiled and went along with Arianna, telling her “I brought you a broken cheeseburger?! You know what, I’ll have them cook you a new one!” I loved this because rather than just taking it from the table, she actually TOLD Arianna what she was doing. While this seems insignificant, by her telling Arianna what she was doing, we avoided a melt down. The manager, Bradley Cottermole, then came to our table, kneeled down, and said to Arianna, “I heard we gave you a broken cheeseburger! I am so sorry about that! We are making you a brand new one that isn’t broken, with pickles! I’ll bring you some french fries to munch on while you’re waiting, ok?” 

 

A couple of minutes later, Lauren arrived back at our table with cheeseburger #2. Arianna said, “OH FANK YOU! You fixded my cheeseburger!” When Lauren walked away, Arianna just sat there for a second and looked at her new burger. She looked like so deep in thought....just staring at it....then she let out a big ”OH I missed you!!” and started kissing the burger over and over again. I showed Lauren this picture and said, “I think we glorified the cheeseburger too much!” She busted up laughing, and asked if she could go show her manager. She came back a minute later and said she showed everyone in the back kitchen area too, and that it made them all laugh and smile. 

 

 I was so touched by this experience. Especially since I know people who have been asked to leave restaurants when their child with autism is being disruptive. I expected a few different things with this scenario based on past experiences, but I did NOT expect such kind and compassionate mannerisms from Lauren and Bradley. Everyone, from the hostess to the chef, played a role in what most people would think isn’t a big deal. But this entirely shaped how the rest of our day would go. I know...a cheeseburger cut in half literally could make or break our day. In this case thanks to the professionalism of the crew in Midvale, it made our day. And I’m sure Arianna brightened up at least one of the employees days with her silly little personality. Thank you."

 

I believe what this story teaches us is that it is essential to demonstrate kindness to everyone, even if it means having to go out of your way to do so.

 

 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4767574347510&set=o.106027143213&type=1&relevant_count=1

MTV's "World of Jenks"

MTV is putting the spotlight on what it is like to transition to adulthood as someone with disabilities. The documentary style show, "World of Jenks," is hosted and documented by Andrew Jenks who lives with three people, each for a year, and follows their journeys. Among those three people is Chad DenDanto, a man diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder, which is on the autism spectrum, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Jenks states that “We realized (at MTV) that we had an opportunity to humanize and destigmatize what it’s like to have autism. One in 88 American children have autism now. It’s something prevalent that could use more mainstream media attention.” We agree, Jenks, and we would like to thank you for allowing Chad's autism to no longer define him.

For the website of "World of Jenks, please visit:

http://www.mtv.com/shows/world_of_jenks/series.jhtml

America's Choice is Alexis Wineman, a Contestant with Autism

As we have been promoting all along, people with disabilities can do anything. Even win the prestigious title of "America's Choice" in the famed Miss America competition. Alexis Wineman, a beauty queen with autism, was chosen as the "America's Choice" this year.

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2013/01/15/beauty-queen-autism-history/17078/

"Through Autistic Eyes" Documentary

People without disabilities often wonder how a disability would impact their lives. Most don't understand what daily obstacles would look like or how to overcome them. There is a documentary called "Through Autistic Eyes" in which Christopher Smith, a man with autism, gives insight into how a life with autism would be.

Here is a link for a documentary clip:
http://videos.disabled-world.com/video/597/the-world-through-autistic-eyes

If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities, please visit:
http://empowertech.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=8&Itemid=65

Inspirational People that have Disabilities

As part of our continuation to help inspire equality, we continue to have posts about people with disabilities that have surpassed the expectations set upon them by others. Today’s post addresses the creator of Pokémon, Satoshi Tajiri. Mr. Tajiri is an example of someone who is on the high functioning end of the autism spectrum. One of the main influences for the video game, Pokémon, was Tajiri’s autistic fixation with bugs. Here is part of an article by Susan Moffitt of the website Autism Key about the man who created one of the most popular video game franchises in the world:
“Whenever I feel nostalgic about my sons’ early years, Pokémon is always a large part of those memories. I can still see my one son, a vision of yellow, dressed as Pikachu for Halloween, or the excitement in his and his brother’s eyes when they each dug a pack of Pokémon cards from the toe of their Christmas stockings. The cards provided some of their few happy playground experiences interacting with their neurotypical peers due to the fact that all children shared the universal language of Pokémon.

I recently discovered that like my sons, the creator of Pokémon is on the high functioning end of the autism spectrum. Long thought to have Asperger’s Syndrome, Mr. Satoshi Tajiri has confirmed this information, yet does not speak of his condition in public. This reclusive and eccentric man, who is known to work twenty-four hours at a time, spawned the gaming phenomenon that took the world by storm through his special interest in insects…

Once again, we discover that the world is a richer place because of the fascinating contributions made by individuals on the autism spectrum. The fact that Satoshi Tajiri, who was both socially and emotionally challenged by his disorder, could bring such joy to so many children is both heartwarming and inspiring.”

http://www.autismkey.com/pokeman-creator-draws-creativity-from-autism/

Technology and Autism

The increase of today's technology has improved AAC, or augmentative and alternative communication, tremendously. Assistive technology devices are now less expensive, more portable, and more efficient than ever.

Here is a great article on how technology (iPads specifically) can help children with autism:

http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/14/tech/gaming-gadgets/ipad-autism/index.html?hpt=hp_t2&fb_source=message

"Martha Herbert, a pediatric neurologist and neuroscientist at Massachusetts General Hospital of Harvard Medical School in Boston, said the iPad allows individuals to bypass many difficulties they have in communicating."

What’s in a definition? Everything when it comes to a diagnosis of autism.

By Guest Blogger Taryn Williams, Policy Advisor, Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor


A recent debate among mental health professionals, families and disability advocates is flaming passions about what it means to be an individual with autism. The American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (D.S.M.), the standard reference for mental health professionals, is in the process of being updated. The APA, which defines autism, is proposing a new and more restrictive criterion for the disorder. That process, and the potential for a narrowed definition, is pitting families and advocates against the experts who traditionally work with them.

During the period of public comment, experts and parents revealed high levels of concern about the new definition, including that some children may not exhibit all of the behavioral and social interaction deficits necessary to meet the new standards. The intensity of the debate is indicative of the level of emotion surrounding the need to ensure that every individual has access to the supports and services he or she need to become successful. Underlying these concerns are worries by parents that their children will not be deemed autistic, and therefore will be ineligible for the specific services that can help ensure future success. What this means: Parents may be forced to emphasize the functional limitations of their child’s particular behaviors in order to access services and supports.

While there has been an abundance of media coverage detailing the concerns of parents, numerous articles explaining the concerns of mental health professionals, few describing the implications to youth. Recently Temple Grandin shared her concerns about the “downside of Autism Awareness.” In an article published earlier this month on Salon.com, she says, “I visit people in [autism] meetings, and a 9-year-old will come up and want to talk about his autism. I’d rather talk about his science project. You get fixated on your favorite thing as a kid, and now kids are getting fixated on autism instead of dogs or medieval knights. I’d rather get them to fixate on that something that could give them a career.”

Further, what impacts might a continued focus on functional limitations have on the expectations that are so critical to later success? What message do we send to youth with autism when we are forced to focus not on what they can do, but on what they struggle to do?

Research conducted by the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth and its funder, the Office of Disability Employment Policy at the U.S. Department of Labor, suggests that there are a series of supports and services that all youth, including youth with disabilities such as those with autism, need in order to successfully transition. These supports, which include strong academic preparation; career and work based learning; youth development and leadership; connection to outside supports such as healthcare, transportation and housing; and family involvement, are the keys to the transition into adulthood for all youth.

In the past few decades, a number of strategies have been identified that enable individuals with disabilities to obtain and maintain competitive employment. One such strategy is customized employment, which pairs an individual’s strengths, skills and interests with an employers needs in the workplace.

As the debate rages on, I hope that the conversations broaden to include a focus – beyond the label – on what steps can be taken now to prepare youth for future self sufficiency no matter if they are on or off the spectrum.

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