Spring Fever! T he first few months at my apartment have been well, but this winter hasn't had the kindest weather. Ittakes us back to how it was several years ago opposed to the last few years when it has been warm. As I am writing this article, I am excited to report that the… Continue reading Union Station Weekly; Volume 6, Issue 4; February 26, 2021
Month: February 2021
The Importance of Activity, especially in Autistics.
As predicted from yesterday’s post, it warmed up today in Southwestern Pennsylvania, more than expected. We experienced highs in the sixties and as I am writing this post in the early evening, a cold front has crossed the area and we are for now in the fifties. Having good skies as I mentioned yesterday helps with boosting mood as well as having clear ground to look at. It is certainly helping my mood; however, I am too realizing the need to be active as an matter of life or death.
Institutions Serving Those With IDD Get New COVID-19 Guidance
by Michelle Diament | February 25, 2021 Susan Osborn, photographed in May 2020, sits on a bench in Union Point Park in New Bern, N.C., with her son Noah's service dog, Saxby, and her son's favorite toy. At the time, Noah, a 17-year-old with autism and other developmental disabilities, lived in an intermediate care facility. Because… Continue reading Institutions Serving Those With IDD Get New COVID-19 Guidance
Wellness Wednesday: Spring on The Horizon
Along with bettering my nutrition and reducing my sugary beverage intake, I am making the prerogative to be more active at the day program by volunteering to do activities that require me to be away from the computer or in a sedentary position.
Federal Autism Committee Remains Defunct
A federal committee charged with guiding the nation’s priorities on autism remains in disarray nearly a year and a half after Congress reauthorized it.
Concentrating On COVID: The Vaccine
Likely you turn on the TV today and you hear about “the vaccine”. Like the many other orders and guidance from our leaders around the world and the United States, distribution is being done in a varied amount of methods, especially the latter. Furthermore, when you break it down by states, distribution plans are left up to either the state, county or other local governing board. This makes it very complicated and typically doesn’t have the same vaccination hierarchy.
Adulting: True Independence
Being independent comes with a great deal of responsibility. Independence is not easy for many autistics, however the earlier you instill independence skills in your autistics, the better. They may not be suited for independence, but at least giving those skills a try is crucial in determining that transition from situations that they will have to leave, should the carer no longer have the voice to advocate for their autistic.
Union Station Weekly: Volume 6, Issue 7; March 19, 2021
It has been a year this week since we members were kept at home and the Clubhouse was physically closed due to the new Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and we all were told it would be two weeks, maybe longer. Two weeks, Clubhouse members and Scott met for virtually until eventually other staff were called back from furlough and eventually we returned to the facility to where we are still open physically today (along with PPE and distancing).
Without Creature Comforts
This winter has been one for the books not only in here in Southwestern Pennsylvania, but across the United States as well as across the pond. For us here we have had weather that I haven’t experienced in almost a decade, at least of continuous pattern, add a National Health Emergency, and that tops the feeling of isolation even more. As I am writing this post, I feel with the citizens of Texas right now, as I do know what it is like to experience many winter events. Yes, I know you are not used to it and your government does not have the equipment necessary for restoring services. I too have at times been without life’s essentials
Wellness Wednesday: Flipping the Coin
Well, another week has come by and it has been seriously a week of highs and lows. From experiencing a near meltdown about having to walk long distances in the local supercenter, to actually making changes to better my health and adapt portion control and seeing some weight come off, I am hoping that I am finally seeing the turn of the coin to the realization point that I cannot eat whatever I want just because I have the freedom to do so.
Inclusive Apartment Complex Offers Opportunity For Independence
A 40-unit apartment complex developed by The Arc of the Farmington Valley includes 10 units for adults with intellectual disabilities. (Mark Mirko/The Hartford Courant/TNS) by Don Stacom, Hartford Courant/TNS | February 15, 2021 HARTFORD, Conn. — For nearly 20 young people with developmental disabilities, the new Bear Woods apartments in Canton offer their first chance to… Continue reading Inclusive Apartment Complex Offers Opportunity For Independence
Virtual Training May Help Young People With Autism Land Jobs
by Shaun Heasley | February 16, 2021 Practicing job interview skills using a virtual simulator could significantly increase the odds that young adults with autism find employment, new research suggests. In a study looking at people on the spectrum ages 16 to 26, researchers found that individuals who participated in a virtual employment training program were much more… Continue reading Virtual Training May Help Young People With Autism Land Jobs
How A Dancer On The Spectrum Landed A Spot In The Super Bowl Halftime Show
by Gabrielle Calise, Tampa Bay Times/TNS | February 12, 2021 TAMPA, Fla. — When people see Joshua Felder bust a move, they usually assume that he’s taken dance classes. Despite never being formally trained, the 23-year-old Tampa native can freestyle just like his heroes: Michael Jackson, Usher and Chris Brown. Over 96 million people watched… Continue reading How A Dancer On The Spectrum Landed A Spot In The Super Bowl Halftime Show
Concentrating On COVID: Advances
Today, marks 11 months of the United States classifying COVID-19 as a National Emergency. It has been a trying time for several of the world’s population, including autistics who abruptly and for many times several months have had their daily routines, something we thrive in be uprooted and a long sense of unknown. Then came the summer and fall that wasn’t really fun for many. Lastly, we have had a severe winter across much of the United States that has made many of us have increased cabin fever due to the necessity of staying indoors.
Adulting: Growing and Experiencing Food Opportunities
Incorporating new foods into one’s diet may not be the easiest for both the one caring for the autistic person and the autistic person nor the autistic person themselves. We as autistics carry great worry if we will like it or not and we are totally afraid of whether it will make us institute our gag reflexes if we don’t like it.
How Imagine Dragons’ “Dancing In the Dark” got me through the COVID-19 Lockdown
It is what got me through, more so with "Dancing In the Dark", mainly by it being so minimalistic and low-key because it is what I needed to mellow out to the start of the day. Again there were other songs that got me ready, but not like any other.
Not Because I Want To, But Because I Have To
. Related to that is the necessary to sometimes for autistics to take a break and recharge our batteries. Sometimes we just have had a full palate of a day whether that is at the day program or working a job that consumes a great deal of our energy because of our sensory overload, attention to detail, the working of our keen minds, whatever it may be.
Wellness Wednesday: Sleep is necessary to Autistic Wellbeing
Sleep. Its one of the most common know ill effects of the autistic brain. Many autistics struggle with It continually through life. To find that perfect balance of sleep and liveliness is key and crucial to living. For many autistics sleep deprivation happens quite routinely mainly because we cannot get our information loaded brains to stop working after being in action for a lengthy period of time, or it just doesn’t have the ability to cease operations and shut down in the way a neurotypical person’s brain operates.
Doctors Overwhelmingly Harbor Negative Views Of Those With Disabilities, Study Finds
by Michelle Diament | February 8, 2021 The vast majority of doctors across the nation believe that people with significant disabilities have worse quality of life than others, according to a first-of-its-kind study. Researchers surveyed 714 physicians practicing in various specialties and locations on their feelings about patients with disabilities. More than 82% reported that such… Continue reading Doctors Overwhelmingly Harbor Negative Views Of Those With Disabilities, Study Finds
Concentrating On COVID: It’s Effecting Everyone
I have found out that I am certainly not the only one experiencing these symptoms. Also, to be included is the autistic, neurodiverse and neurotypical individuals that are suffering because of the prolonged effects of being under the siege of a pandemic.
Dustin's Dynasty 