Key words/topics: Experiences of those on the autism spectrum & their loved ones, available resources and programs, social work training, advocacy, keeping up with research.

1. Rebecca Rothstein
Professor Ednie
MH 11
5/9/15
Autism Paper

2. As someone who plans to work with individuals on the Autism spectrum and their
families, I found the panel, hosted by Kingsborough Community College, to be a
wonderful learning experience from start to finish. The panelists spoke from the heart and
it was interesting to hear from the family members/caregivers as well as those who are on
the autism spectrum. In addition to their experiences, they discussed the resources that
are available for people on the spectrum. It’s incredibly important as a future social
worker and advocate it’s incredibly important to stay on top of available resources as well
as keeping up with the latest research. Beginning with the way that Dr.Woodroffe set the
stage for the event to the unique perspectives of the panelists was incredibly effective.
Their stories really helped me empathize and get into the minds of people with Autism
Spectrum Disorders and their families. This event was well organized and there wasn’t
much I would have done differently. I just hope there will be more programs like this one
to spread awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorders and other special needs.
The program included the experiences of the caregivers as well as those
diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Caroline, for example, talked about what it
was like twenty years ago to raise her son with very little support. She fought to get him
services and had to develop her own strategies for coping with stressful situations.
Caroline mentioned that crowds caused him to have meltdowns and one of her “tricks”
was that when she knew her son would be encountering a crowd, such as at a party, she
made sure to get there early before the event started. As long as he didn’t walk into a
setting with too many people he was fun. Caroline got very emotional when she talked
about the progress that he has made since his diagnoses when he was two years old. I
really admired her strength and I appreciated how difficult it must have been for her to
get services around the time that Aspergers hadn’t even been added to the DSM.
One of the most important lessons I learned was how to be an advocate for a
population that, as stated by one of the speakers, don’t always have a voice. When I
asked the question about advocacy for people in the spectrum, Dylan, one of the
panelists, told me not to underestimate people. At the end of the program, Dylan and I
had a conversation about how people that have Autism Spectrum Disorders tend to be
treated by helping professionals and others. He stated that many people with ASD aren’t
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3. encouraged to do things such as be creative or artistic.
Dylan was discouraged to play the guitar and paint by a number of people including
professionals. Dylan also felt very strongly about the importance of being self-sufficent
and he felt that many people with ASD were not encouraged to reach their maximum
potential. He really got me thinking about what its like to walk in his shoes and how it
must feel to be overlooked. I am a big advocate of strengths perspective, which is based
upon the idea that everyone has strengths and has inherent worth. I was so impressed by
Dylan and his commitment to advocacy as well. He felt a responsibility to speak for those
who could not do so on their own. Dylan was committed to making sure that no one went
through the bullying and abuse that he went through.
During our conversation, Dylan and I talked a lot about the resources that are
available for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Dylan recommended an app, in
which you press a picture and it will say the word for you. Until a few years ago, he was
a selective mute and he used this app to communicate his needs and feelings. The other
panelists were very informative and I learned about programs such as OASIS at Pace
University. The goal of the program is to help people with ASD graduate from college.
There are all kinds of supportive services from academic advisors to social coaches and
whatever accommodations they may need.
As I mentioned earlier, the panelists helped me by putting myself their shoes. I
would imagine that people on the autism spectrum are frustrated and overwhelmed a lot.
They interpret things differently from people that are neurotypical and it can’t be easy to
live in a world that you don’t always understand. Also, autism never travels alone. One of
the panelists, for example, spoke about what it was like to have a learning disability on
top of autism. He said it was just as painful to live with as the autism diagnosis. The other
common thread that all the panelists experienced was bullying. Israel discussed how he
was bullied on the school bus and called all kinds of horrible names. I cannot imagine
what is must be like to have issues on top of autism, but I can empathize with what they
are going through.
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4. The Access-Ability department and the speakers really took me inside the
experiences of people on the autism spectrum as well as their loved ones. The one thing I
wish they had done was to go over autism dos and don’ts at the beginning. Many people
with Autism Spectrum Disorders are sensitive to sound and it would have been a good
idea to tell the audience not to applaud. Peter Santiago did a wonderful job facilitating the
discussion and when the audience applauded, he noticed Dylan covering his ears and
rocking slightly back and forth. He made it a teachable moment by asking him to tell the
audience why he was doing that. Dylan explained that most people with autism have
sensory issues and his was sensitivity to sound. Also people with ASD generally don’t
like being touched, so don’t be offended if they don’t want to shake your hand.
The program beginning with Dr. Woodroffe’s opening remarks to the stories
shared by the panelists was informative and effective. The speakers were very candid
about their experiences and it was great to hear from those on the autism spectrum and
their loved ones. I found it particularly helpful to learn about the resources and programs
that are beneficial to this population. As I listened to all the speakers, I was able
empathize with their struggles and all that they’ve been through. Awareness is very
important, especially in social work. You cannot be a successful advocate if you do not
educate yourself about the issues your clients face and the things that affect their daily
lives. I learned a lot from this program and the information I gathered will help me
become a better advocate for people on the autism spectrum.
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