The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive
Use this site to access recordings and presentations from National Conferences
Autism Society records most keynote and concurrent sessions at their annual conferences. You can see and hear those recordings by purchasing full online access, or individual recordings.
3691 Socks Don’T Matter: Perspectives of a Family Living with the Spectrum
Friday, July 11, 2008: 3:30 PM-4:45 PM
Tampa 1 & 2 (Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center)
MP3
PDF Slides
Recorded Presentation
Handout
Registered attendees have free access, please select the button above for the file you would like to access.
Purchase Access
Autism Spectrum Disorders affect different family members in different ways. Each person has a unique perspective. This session offers an opportunity to hear from many different points of view- mom, dad, brothers with AS and HFA, and two siblings. Struggles, successes, fears and dreams will all be presented in an open, honest format.
When a child is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, the entire family is affected. Each parent has a different role and perspective. Dads and Moms tend to approach their role from very different points of view. Siblings must deal with their own issues- from time and attention to handling public situations that may be difficult. The child on the spectrum has to find their place in the family- and in the world. There are relationships with extended family, school and other communities as well to deal with. All this can lead to a lot of pressure on the family.
In this presentation, each member of the Blackwell family- mom, dad, siblings (brother and sister), brothers with AS and HFA - speak openly about their struggles, their concerns, their successes, their dreams and their relationships -both in the family and outside of it- and how they are affected by autism spectrum disorders.
Topics that will be discussed include:
-Balancing time for each family member
-Including therapy as part of everyday family life
-Serving as ‘’obstacle removers’’ for our children
-strategies for home, school and community involvement for the whole family
-sharing and validating feelings of ALL family members
-providing opportunities for individual growth and identity
-‘picking your battles’
Autism Spectrum Disorders affect different family members in different ways. Each person has a unique perspective. This session offers an opportunity to hear from many different points of view- mom, dad, brothers with AS and HFA, and two siblings. Struggles, successes, fears and dreams will all be presented in an open, honest –and often humorous- format.
In this presentation, each member of the Blackwell family- mom, dad, siblings (brother and sister), brothers with AS and HFA - speak openly about their struggles, their concerns, their successes, their dreams and their relationships -both in the family and outside of it- and how they are affected by autism spectrum disorders.
Topics that will be discussed include:
-Balancing time for each family member
-Including therapy as part of everyday family life
-Serving as ‘’obstacle removers’’ for our children
-strategies for home, school and community involvement for the whole family
-sharing and validating feelings of ALL family members
-providing opportunities for individual growth and identity
-‘picking your battles’
Autism Spectrum Disorders affect different family members in different ways. Each person has a unique perspective. This session offers an opportunity to hear from many different points of view- mom, dad, brothers with AS and HFA, and two siblings. Struggles, successes, fears and dreams will all be presented in an open, honest –and often humorous- format.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to understand how ASD affects different members of a family from differing points of view.
- Participants will learn strategies for maintaining closeness and family harmony in the face of the added challenge of autism in the family
Content Area: Family and Sibling Support
Presenters:
Jen Blackwell, B.S.
Parent
AutismNotes.com
Jen Blackwell earned her degree in education and taught students with severe emotional handicaps. Four children and two spectrum diagnoses later, she returned to work with special-needs children. Jen is co-founder of AutismNotes.com as well as co-moderator of the AutismNotes Forum. The Blackwells presented previously at both ASA and NATTAP conferences.
Eric K. Blackwell
Parent
AutismNotes.com
Eric Blackwell is father of four (two on the autism spectrum) and co-founder of AutismNotes.com, a no-cost online community dedicated to creating a positive place to exchange practical ideas as well as providing uplifting support for anyone affected by ASD. The Blackwells presented previously at ASA and NATTAP conferences.
Cameron Blackwell
Person on the Spectrum
AutismNotes.com
Cameron,17, is working towards an honors diploma. He was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome at age 8. Cam's special passion is band; he wants to major in music education after high school. He began speaking about AS by age 10, and has presented with his younger brother and family at NATTAP and ASA conferences.
Darren Craig Blackwell
Family Member
AutismNotes.com
Craig is entering 10th grade and is very involved in high school band as well as the local youth symphony. He is working towards becoming an Eagle Scout. He enjoys speaking about special education concerning life with two brothers with ASD.
Jamie Blackwell
Family Member
AutismNotes.com
Jamie, 14, is in 9th grade and plays the tuba . She enjoys presenting about topics in special education, especially about her two brothers with ASD. She has helped with schoolwide autism awareness programs. She loves to draw and enjoys spending time with her friends, family and pets.
Jordan Blackwell
Person on the Spectrum
AutismNotes.com
Jordan is a 7th-grader who was diagnosed with autism at 15 months. He loves fishing, video games and golf. Jordan has shared his story through speaking as well as publishing his perspective entitled "My Voice: My Life with Autism" in the AAPC newsletter.