Suggested Reading
Population One: Autism, Adversity, and the Will to Succeed
This collection of personal essays, by 18-year-old Tyler McNamer from Gig Harbor, Wash., explores the author’s life with autism.
Tyler says, “Having a mind that views the world differently is a new experience for everyone. Autistic people are here for some reason. Let’s see if you can find that reason.”
$19.95, available at www.populationone.com
Autism Guidebook for Washington State
This 142-page comprehensive guide was created by the Governor’s Autism Task Force. It includes information on medical aspects, instructional programs, community transitions, community autism awareness training, future life planning, and more.
Free download at here.doh.wa.gov/materials/autism-guidebook
Suggested Organizations
Autism Society of Washington
ASW works to provide education and advocacy, and mobilizes local chapters to create safe and inclusive communities for individuals with autism. Find local chapters of this organization across the state.
Autism Speaks
A 10-year-old national organization connecting families with information, resources and opportunities for supporting a client with autism nationwide – the Washington office is in Seattle.
Alyssa Burnett Center – Seattle Children’s Hospital
For young adults 18 and up with ASD, the center offers classes, activities, and ways to join the community, helping to bridge the transition between childhood and independent adulthood.
Adult Autism Clinic – University of Washington
Designed for adults with ASD and their families, this clinic helps with medication, mental health assessment, screening, care management support and aids in locating resources.
Interactive Autism Network
Individuals with ASD and their family members can use this network to volunteer to participate in ASD research.
Caregiver Tips
Record how you communicate so respite providers can learn from your expertise.
For parent providers, nobody can communicate as well as you do with your child with autism. But recording how you communicate, ways you respond to a meltdown, and common scheduled events can help you skill share with other caregivers.
Tip via Autism Guidebook for Washington State.
Use a visual calendar in your home to prep the individual with autism for upcoming activities.
Many providers suggest using a clipboard, velcro, or magnet icons that can be moved around for the upcoming day or week ahead. Parent Provider Sherri Klennert says her son, Jeremy, can then pick and choose what activities he wants to do by removing icons. This also helps their family prevent meltdowns from unexpected events.
Suggested Apps
This versatile app has a built-in visual calendar, a “waiting” timer, and a feelings board to assist in expressing emotions. The app includes a library of images but can also be customized.
An Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app, MyTalk allows users to customize a board of images that play recorded sounds when touched. You can personalize the boards with your own images and recordings.
Cause and Effect Sensory Light Box
Light Box uses abstract animation and sound to introduce basic touch skills and awareness, but the app is appropriate for any age group. Twenty-four different scenes range from loud and energetic to calm and immersive.
Also in This Series:
Part 1: Kyle’s Story
How chemical sensitivities set the Adams family on journey to find a pain-free life.
Part 3: Tim’s Story
Managing for fits, Tim and Denese find ways to communicate before an outburst.
Part 2: Jeremy’s Story
The Klennerts find ways to communicate beyond the spoken word.
