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8195
SIBLING EMPOWERMENT: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY THROUGH AUTISM
Friday, July 10, 2015: 2:30 PM-3:45 PM
Room Number: 201 (Colorado Convention Center)
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Hear from 18-year-old Jason Cherry the realities as a sibling living with autism. Jason will identify the gifts of autism as they have molded him to be a driven young man today. As a professional racecar driver, Jason is committed to educating others of the outcomes of autism on siblings.
At 18-years-old, Jason Cherry presents as an old soul. Recognizing that the challenges of his childhood molded him to be the driven advocate he is today, Jason uses his professional autoracing platform to promote autism awareness most specifically focussed on the siblings in the Motorsports Industry. Jason uniquely understands the autism family from the sibling perspective. He will speak openly to difficulties he personally faced growing up with his older brother on the spectrum. He will discuss the fears and frustrations of his early years. He will identify the experiences and interventions that directly impacted his cognitive abilities. Lastly, he will provide eloquent insights to parents struggling to know how their neurotypical children really feel.
Near the end of the session, he will be joined by his brother, Matthew Cherry. At 23, Matthew currently lives independently as defined by his abilities in a group home. Employed full-time and engaged, Matthew will portray the humor that is behind autism and open the attendees' eyes to the amazing transformation that happens to our families and children on the spectrum through the journey called "living with autism".
Learning Objectives:
- Illustrate the drive in a young man who is turning his experiences with his brother into a life journey advocating for autism in the motorsports industry
- Recognize the emotional impact on the siblings and discuss best strategies guided by an 18-year old who has been through a difficult journey with his 23-year old brother on the spectrum
- Discuss ways to empower your own children with a drive to lead by tapping into their personal experiences in the family living with autism
Content Area: Family and Sibling Support
Presenters:
Jason Cherry
Professional Racecar Driver
Jason Cherry Racing
Jason Cherry is an 18-year-old professional racecar driver. He races the Pirelli World Challenge Series. He is studying in Marketing and Business at the University of Maryland. He is the sibling of a 23-year-old on the autism spectrum and the son of Cathy Purple Cherry, Purposeful Architecture.
Melissa Olive, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Executive Director
Applied Behavioral Strategies LLC
Dr. Olive has published 30 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on communication intervention and challenging behavior. Dr. Olive also has a strong interest in family issues. Since 1993, she has cared for and advocated on behalf of her brother, Mac, an adult with autism and intellectual disability.
Sandra Tucker
Executive Director
Sibling Tree
Sandra Tucker is the sibling of an individual with autism, as well as the founder of Sibling Tree. She is an advocate for all siblings of individuals with developmental disabilities and has created support groups for siblings of all ages.
Matthew Cherry
Born in Russia, Matthew Cherry was adopted at the age of 3. Matthew graduated from the Benedictine School in Ridgely, MD at the age of 21. Prior to Benedictine, he attended Hannah More School in Reisterstown, MD and St. Elizabeth School in Baltimore, MD. Now aged 23, Matthew is engaged, lives semi-independently with three other young males and staff, and works full-time at Langdon Green Farms. Matthew enjoys FaceTiming with his family, cracking his bull whip, and loves Indiana Jones, James Bond and everything Beatles.
David Francis Tucker
David Francis Tucker has autism but doesn’t let that define him. He lets his actions define him. He constantly seeks to improve himself by learning more about who he is in more ways than just learning about his autism, and he encourages others to do the same as well.