The Autism Advocate

Autism

Communication: An Important Autism Life Skill

Chantal Sicile-Kira on July 29, 2018

Imagine what it must be like to be unable to communicate clearly your wants and needs; this is something most people on the autism spectrum deal with on a regular basis. 

Imagine what it must be like to be unable to communicate clearly your wants and needs; this is something most people on the autism spectrum deal with on a regular basis. 

Autism

Autism Life Skills: What Do We Need to Teach?

Chantal Sicile-Kira on July 19, 2018

As we considered how to best prepare Jeremy for the adult life he envisioned while he was still in high school, I wondered what we could have have done differently.

As we considered how to best prepare Jeremy for the adult life he envisioned while he was still in high school, I wondered what we could have have done differently.

Autism

Bad Animals: A Father’s Accidental Education in Autism

Chantal Sicile-Kira on June 16, 2018

This memoir written from a dad's perspective is truthful, sardonically funny love as well as self-depreciating humor

This memoir written from a dad's perspective is truthful, sardonically funny love as well as self-depreciating humor

Know someone suffering from a concussion or MTBI? Learn about neuroplasticity by reading "The Ghost In My Brain."

Autism

Autism Employment: The Importance of Mentors

Chantal Sicile-Kira on November 17, 2016

If your child appears to have skills or a real interest in a specific area, someone who works in that field can help the child realize the application of his interests.

If your child appears to have skills or a real interest in a specific area, someone who works in that field can help the child realize the application of his interests.

Autism

Teens With Autism: Looking at Strengths for Employment

Chantal Sicile-Kira on August 2, 2016

Are you thinking about your teen with autism and possible employment? Consider his interests, strengths, and obsessions.

Are you thinking about your teen with autism and possible employment? Consider his interests, strengths, and obsessions.

Career

Preparing Teens With Autism for Work: Self Employment

Chantal Sicile-Kira on May 18, 2016

Looking at self-employment as an option sometimes leads to an actual job. The process of discovering a person’s strengths and weaknesses can lead to traditional employment.

Looking at self-employment as an option sometimes leads to an actual job. The process of discovering a person’s strengths and weaknesses can lead to traditional employment.

Autism

Preparing the Teen With Autism - What Do Employers Look For?

Chantal Sicile-Kira on February 16, 2016

Instead of focusing on the skills your child or student does not have, look at the top ten attributes employers search for. Your child or student probably has a few of those.

Instead of focusing on the skills your child or student does not have, look at the top ten attributes employers search for. Your child or student probably has a few of those.

Autism

What Can We Do to Prepare Youths with Autism for Employment?

Chantal Sicile-Kira on February 5, 2016

Preparing a child or student with autism for life as a productive adult? Planning ahead and teaching life skills needed for employment are two important steps.

Preparing a child or student with autism for life as a productive adult? Planning ahead and teaching life skills needed for employment are two important steps.

Spirituality

Autism and Religion: Finding a Spiritual Home

Chantal Sicile-Kira on December 16, 2015

When you have a child with autism, finding a place of worship that is inclusive can be difficult. For my son, Jeremy, it was not easy, but there is happy ending to our story.

When you have a child with autism, finding a place of worship that is inclusive can be difficult. For my son, Jeremy, it was not easy, but there is happy ending to our story.

Autism

Divorce Cases Involving Children With Autism

Chantal Sicile-Kira on May 31, 2015

How can family court counselors and custody evaluators make assessments in divorce cases that include children with autism if they are not knowledgeable about ASD?

How can family court counselors and custody evaluators make assessments in divorce cases that include children with autism if they are not knowledgeable about ASD?

Autism

Envisioning the Future for Your Child with Autism

Chantal Sicile-Kira on February 25, 2015

When envisioning the future of your child as an adult – any child – it’s important to focus on the strengths that are apparent. And as the parent of a child with autism, it’s even more important. The strengths your child has will help him overcome his deficits, perhaps even become a way for your child to be employed as an adult, or be motivated to learn new skills.

When envisioning the future of your child as an adult – any child – it’s important to focus on the strengths that are apparent. And as the parent of a child with autism, it’s even more important. The strengths your child has will help him overcome his deficits, perhaps even become a way for your child to be employed as an adult, or be motivated to learn new skills.

Autism

Your Child With Autism: Life as an Adult & Planning Ahead

Chantal Sicile-Kira on February 9, 2015

Once your child starts is no longer eligible for school services under IDEA because he or she has graduated from high or aged out of school services (at age 22 in most states), there is nothing guaranteed for your adult child. Your adult child may be eligible for services, but that does not mean that he or she will receive services. Planning ahead is necessary.

Once your child starts is no longer eligible for school services under IDEA because he or she has graduated from high or aged out of school services (at age 22 in most states), there is nothing guaranteed for your adult child. Your adult child may be eligible for services, but that does not mean that he or she will receive services. Planning ahead is necessary.

Autism

Autism Adult Transition: My Son Moves Into His Own Place

Chantal Sicile-Kira on December 29, 2014

In September, Jeremy moved into his own place. For Jeremy who is autistic, who communicates by typing and has many sensori-motor challenges, moving meant more than just transferring to another living space.

In September, Jeremy moved into his own place. For Jeremy who is autistic, who communicates by typing and has many sensori-motor challenges, moving meant more than just transferring to another living space.

Autism

Preparing to Launch: Young Adult with Autism Leaves Home

Chantal Sicile-Kira on September 5, 2014

Jeremy, 25, has been wanting to leave home and live with a roommate for many years. Wanting to, and being ready to are not the same thing. Jeremy has autism, communicates by typing, and has sensory -visual -motor challenges that impede daily living. Jeremy finally launched on Monday, Labor Day. What did that feel like, people are asking, preparing to for this day?

Jeremy, 25, has been wanting to leave home and live with a roommate for many years. Wanting to, and being ready to are not the same thing. Jeremy has autism, communicates by typing, and has sensory -visual -motor challenges that impede daily living. Jeremy finally launched on Monday, Labor Day. What did that feel like, people are asking, preparing to for this day?

Many non-autistic people have a hard time realizing that being passionate (neurotypical translation: obsessive) and engaging in a topic of interest is that autistic child’s way of having fun.

Autism

Parents New to Autism: More First Steps to Take

Chantal Sicile-Kira on February 24, 2014

If your child is very young, you need to find out about early interventions in your area.

If your child is very young, you need to find out about early interventions in your area.

Autism

Newly Diagnosed Child With Autism? First Steps for Parents

Chantal Sicile-Kira on February 19, 2014

There's nothing like meeting people face to face and getting information about your local community.

There's nothing like meeting people face to face and getting information about your local community.

Autism

New to Autism? Where to Go for Information

Chantal Sicile-Kira on February 9, 2014

If you are new to autism, here are some recommended non-profit organizations to start empowering yourself with knowledge. Whether you are a parent or a professional new to the world of autism, it’s important to get information from valid sources.

If you are new to autism, here are some recommended non-profit organizations to start empowering yourself with knowledge. Whether you are a parent or a professional new to the world of autism, it’s important to get information from valid sources.

Autism

Advice for Parents of Newly Diagnosed Children with Autism

Chantal Sicile-Kira on February 2, 2014

Receiving a diagnosis of autism for your child now is easier than before, and there are many more treatments, therapies and strategies to consider. As well, there are many more sources of information to draw from,and parents need to use caution and learn how to discern factual information from marketing hype. Parents have to figure out what is best for their child.

Receiving a diagnosis of autism for your child now is easier than before, and there are many more treatments, therapies and strategies to consider. As well, there are many more sources of information to draw from,and parents need to use caution and learn how to discern factual information from marketing hype. Parents have to figure out what is best for their child.