The documentary is, in part, a follow-up to the December 2008 “Easter Seals Living with Autism” study, conducted by Harris Interactive and  co-sponsored by MassMutual, that examined the hopes, fears and challenges of parents raising children with autism.

The top concerns of families living with autism, according to the study, include:

- Independence
- Financial well-being
- Quality of life
- Employment
- Housing needs
- Education
- Health
- The child’s longevity

“Autism: Coming of Age” first became available to public television stations in April of 2011. For those who missed the airing, Mass Mutual has received permission to give private screenings to groups and organizations of 25 people or more.

For information on how to request a viewing for your group or organization, click HERE.

Thumbnail image from The Health Journal.

The following video is a preview of “Autism: Coming of Age”.

Scott Williams/ Senior student Rep
www.thecollegeofcommunityliving.com

To see Scott’s own job story, click HERE

Thumbnail image from HERE

According to an article by Nancy Shute in US News & World Report, “Joe’s parents, Ray and Janet, of Louisburg, Kan., didn’t agree with the assessment of the school district in which they lived previously, which had said Joe would never be able to work or live independently. ‘I’m one who can easily get ticked off,’ says Ray. ‘That ticked me off. We saw more in Joe than that. We set out to prove to the school that he had capabilities.’ ”

Poppin Joe’s Kettle Korn was officially launched in April of 2005 with Joe as sole proprietor.

Through his experience with PJKK and with the support of his family, Joe has developed an excellent work ethic. His business continues to grow – you can find Poppin Joe’s Kettle Korn at Walmarts, fairs, car shows, etc. throughout the Kansas City area.

PJKK is also involved in charity fundraisers and supports troops in Iraq by shipping bags of kettle korn overseas.

To learn more about Poppin Joe’s Kettle Korn, or to find out how to have Poppin Joe’s Kettle Korn at your next event (in the Greater Kansas City area), click on the website HERE.

To find out more about developing a business plan for self-employment, view their webcast on the subject HERE and to read the complete article about Joe and his business in US News & World Report, click HERE.

photo from Poppin Joe’s Kettle Korn website

A guide written by Scott Standifer, clinical associate professor in the School of Health Professions at the University of Missouri, will help change that. The guide mainly addresses employment issues for people who have little or no communication skills, but “…what works for them should also be relevant for people with Asperger’s,” he said.

Standifer had previously helped write a guide called “The Handbook of Disabilities,” but realized it contained a lack of information on adults with autism spectrum disorders and their struggles in the workplace and so he wrote this one, “Adult Autism and Employment: A Guide for Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals.” It mainly provides information for vocational rehabilitation agencies.

“Ultimately, the goal is to help the folks with autism get jobs and live out in the community,” Standifer said. “These folks want to work, and it’s our job to help them achieve that.”

Read the original article here.

One Write, a company that supplies churches with customized envelopes, software and accounting forms, recently developed the Cyrano Communicator, a software application that works with the HP iPAQ Mobile Media Companion. With an embedded HP Photosmart camera, the user can take photos of objects and can even attach prerecorded phases to the photos.

One person benefiting from the Cyrano Communicator is Alyson Brown, 22. Although she doesn’t speak and only reads a few words, she works two mornings a week at a Lexington, Kentucky dental office and will soon be expanding her work week to four mornings.

Using Cyrano Communicator software, coworkers arrange on the screen photographs of Aly doing certain tasks in the order in which they need to be done. In turn, Aly takes photographs of things she wants to point out to her coworkers.

It was because of a suggestion by Ray Schmidt, vice president of One Write, that the Cyrano Communicator was developed. Ray’s son has autism and for years Schmidt had worked with him on the HP iPAQ Pocket PC. However, his son didn’t recognize many of the icons, so Schmidt had to replace them with photographs, a cumbersome task. He suggested One Write incorporate the features he needed into a simple-to-use product.

Now the product is helping Aly and others have more success at work and less dependence on their work coaches.

Find out more about the Cyrano Communicator…read the original article here.

John is 24 years old. He lives in Austin, Texas with his mom, dad, sister, brother, and dog. John finished high school in 2007 and now spends his time having fun and helping people. His favorite job is washing sheets because he gets paid. He also helps his mom around the house and in the community. For exercise, John likes to walk, bike ride, and roller skate. He also enjoys the computer, sports on TV, and movies. John is nonverbal but communicates pretty well by writing and typing.