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Dear Readers,
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SUMMER NEWSLETTER
We were thrilled in July to visit our new first responder and law enforcement friends up in Lock Haven, PA as part of our PA Developmental Disability Council grant called "Disability is Not a Crime." EMT and advocate Ethan Puskas shared his lived experience and professional knowledge with a roomful of learners, all of whom had direct autism connections in their families, their employees, or themselves!
That personal experience, along with my discussion of brain differences and how to work with them, led to amazing conversations about: responding to people in crisis, handling real-life 911 calls, problem-solving for missing persons, and supporting people who experience multiple crises across the year.
A similar talk with the International Police Chaplain's Conference in Pittsburgh was very well-recieved, with people discussing situations of autistic people they have supported, feeling free to ask some more complicated questions. Another roomful of people showing up for our population gives us hope that society, at least in the helping professions, is developing itself to be more autism-informed.
Chris and Kelle continue to support people individually via email, phone, and text counseling as we continue to see about 250 help requests come in each month across multiple "channels." We are committed to being accessible, keeping materials in plain language, listening without being intrusive, and offering help in ways that best support diverse needs through an individualized, person-centered approach. Tammi's efforts to develop our online communications and community reach are remarkable and consistent, meaning we are doing our best linking folks to what they need.
Please keep an eye on our social media and emails for upcoming webinars and support groups - some online, and some in person. And please let us know how we can help you, either individually with resources and support, or with education for your worksite, school, or other group to increase understanding and improve supports for people of all ages and all stages who have autism diagnoses.
Thanks for staying connected with us!