Mar 27, 2019
Spreading Awareness and Breaking Down Barriers
April is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Awareness Month. At Clairvoyant, we have been privileged to spend time over the last two years learning more about ASD from our customers and how we can use technology to help caregivers and care recipients achieve more peace of mind and independence. During this time, it seems there has been more positive movement in several different areas towards increasing awareness and breaking stigmas sometimes associated with persons on the spectrum.
We’re finding more conferences and education surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorder. A presentation that particularly resonated was one attended at a conference we attended in Texas, given by Dr. James Williams. While discussing the advantages of receiving early intervention for those who may show symptoms associated with being on the spectrum (https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-are-symptoms-autism), he also wove in his own personal narrative of a young man on the spectrum coming of age. He shared early life stories of his experience of being what he referred to as being a “quirky kid”, then went on to regale the packed room with dating stories. His comment, “I was getting tired of Chicken Caesar Salads” pretty well brought the room down with laughter, as it was so relatable – it easily could have been any of us in the audience, whether on the spectrum, or not.
We have learned that being on the spectrum can be very isolating, not only for the person with ASD, but also for their family caregivers. Unfortunately, many mandated supports and services expire when a child reaches age 21, which can create even more isolation. Some persons have more profound symptoms than others and require constant caregiving, whereas others can attend public schooling, eventually entering employment. For those who can and wish to attain as much independence as possible, more employment opportunities are becoming available, even for those on the spectrum who need a little extra oversight. Here’s one list of employers we found who might assist https://www.verywellhealth.com/top-autism-friendly-employers-4159784.
With regard to employment, I am reminded of a favorite customer who I will call Sam. Upon high school graduation, and through a community program, Sam received a scholarship to an accredited cooking school and became a certified pastry chef. His mother, a full-time working professional, is his primary caregiver, but his older brother has also assisted in Sam’s care, accompanying him to school, escorting him to work when Sam became employed. However, Sam’s brother, naturally, had his own career aspirations and accepted a position with a technology company. While Sam has attained a level of independence, he does require some oversight to ensure he completes his Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and is reminded where and when it is time to go to work. Remote monitoring technology, such as the Theora® Connect wristwatch-style wearable, coupled with the Theora Link™ smartphone app for caregivers – has created a virtual care team, in this case, both Sam’s mother and brother. This enables Sam to carry on with his career with more independence, less isolation, but with the unobtrusive oversight he needs. His care team continue to pursue their careers but with a more peace of mind that Sam is okay, they know where he is and they can contact him anytime. In fact, we have other customers whose children on the spectrum are not employed, but their families use the technology for the same reasons – to know their loved one’s status, where they are, and be able to contact them if necessary – just as if they were there.
We are very appreciative of our customers and the communities that support them, so for Autism Awareness Month, let’s create a sea of blue in support of breaking barriers, creating more awareness, decreasing isolation, while celebrating and respecting each other’s individuality.
For More Information
Support sites for caregivers:
https://www.actionbehavior.com/top-35-autism-blogs-in-2018/
Support sites for people on the spectrum: