Inclusion and more

Autism presents its own set of challenges for people who are diagnosed with autism. Below are stories of some of my closest friends who have autism:  Matt Resnik and I have been friends since he was a student at Chaparral High School. Matt and I connected and we participated in LibraryWorks at the Civic Center Library through the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center. To this day, one of the staff members, Brad, has a story that he shares that always makes me smile when I hear it: He recalls how Matt and I were on break and we started singing together.   This story makes me smile as it helps me remember this close friendship that Matt and I have as a result of participating in SARRC's programs and going to Chaparral together. Brad shared this story during my interview for First Place and I was reminded of how special me and Matt's friendship is.  Matt is a vibrant young man who owns his own biscotti business SMILE (Supporting Ma...

I have been moved out of my parents house for a few months now and I love it! When I first heard about the First Place Transition Academy at 29 Palms I was a mixture of emotions to move out of my parents house. I was excited to see what would come in terms of making new friendships, keeping my job at Christ Lutheran School and getting re connected with SARRC.  I was nervous to move out and have to learn new skills.  In the end, this transition has been bigger and harder for my parents then it has me. When I was offered a spot at 29 Palms, I knew the best was yet to come.  I knew I would make new friends, learn new skills, reconnect with SARRC staff who I had known before from participating in their programs like CommunityWorks and serving on their SARRC Peer Advisory Board at the SARRC Vocational and Life Skills Academy- all of this while I was a student at Chaparral High School and to be out of sight of my parents.   I was featured in SARRC's outreach magazine a f...

Dating can be daunting and overwhelming for those who have autism. Below are five things I want people to know 1. When a couple starts dating, they want support  When I started dating my boyfriend Adam, I remember I was so afraid of what people would think of the fact that I have autism and my boyfriend does not. I remember wondering if people would support our relationship or if there would be some eye raising going on behind the scenes.   Adam and I have grown so much with the support of our families, friends, co-workers and staff from SARRC. Students and staff alike from SARRC/First Place ask me how Adam and I are doing and I say we're in love! 2. PDA is not always Public Display of Affection (it's also private display of affection)  My main staff contact and mentor from SARRC Erin recently asked me what the challenging part of dating is and I told her it's all of the PDA shown. I have a hard time with kissing because I don't overly love to kiss. Over t...

As you might know, I have autism. As a person living with autism, I face many barriers including developing appropriate relationships with my peers, accepting criticism, adapting to change and being flexible. With those barriers, employment was overwhelming and I often wondered if I'd get a job. When I was about to finish up my placement in the Project SEARCH program, I begun to look for jobs. I inquired about the possibiltiy of working at Christ Lutheran School. I interviewed with Mrs. Ehlers, the then current principal, of the school to see about working there. After that interview, I was hired on to work as an aide at school in the preschool.  I realized how much I loved kids when I started working there.  I worked in the preschool classrooms and helped with aftercare. Recently, my job coach from First Place, asked me what I like about CLS. I said I grew up around the school as my sisters and cousins went there or go there. I attended school  holiday parties that were...

Today I had the chance to attend the groundbreaking for First Place Phoenix, a housing option for people with autism. During the groundbreaking, the students from 29 Palms, the beta site for First Place, were invited to share what home meant to them and my word was independent. Home means to be an opportunity to be independent and live away from my parents. Throughout the groundbreaking, I was inspired by the dream that Mrs. Denise Resnik has had over past several years which was to make First Place Phoenix a reality. It's truly inspirational to know there are people like Denise out there who want to change the world for people with autism. Several years, Denise founded the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center in Phoenix, AZ after her son Matt was diagnosed with autism. Recently, SARRC partnered with Denise's new non-profit First Place to launch the test site for the program at 29 Palms. The program kicked off at 9:30 and several First Place board members spoke. On...

Mrs. Donna Plumb has taught at Christ Lutheran School for several years and she taught my cousin Tommy Schmidt.  Mrs. Plumb has been teaching preschool/K-Prep for a couple years.  When I was hired last year at the school they placed me in Mrs. Plumb's class  and I immediately felt welcomed when I first walked into her class. Her and her students welcomed me with open arms and acceptance. In just  a few months, Mrs. Plumb helped me learn how to be more comfortable with her students and how to respectfully interact with their parents.  Mrs. Plumb quickly became a mentor teacher to me once my job coach transitioned away from helpful and through the mentorship I quickly learned new ways to interact with the students, how to take initiative in the classroom and how to take change like a champion.  Fast year to the 2016-17 school year, I was re-hired to work at Christ Lutheran School and once again I was put in Mrs. Plu...

Dear myself You are an amazing 22 year old with autism. You remember when the word autism came into your life 22 years old. It was a hard word to say as you wondered "Why me, God?" Why do I have to be different. Why can't I not have autism. Autism has helped you become the person you are today. Autism makes you a driven individual, an amazing friend, a hard working leader and a studious student. Autism gives you the ability to develop strong relationships with your peers who are your age.  Even though you see things as black-and-white and often times one-dimensional, you are special. Look at how far you've come since being diagnosed autism autism. You graduated from high school and you gave the graduation speech in front of over 6,000 people, you have an amazing boyfriend named Adam Pitts who cares about you and loves you so much and you recently moved out of your parents house and into the First Place Transition Academy. Since moving into First Place, you have r...