April Extra Blog Post

It was so crazy to me finding out my cousin from Texas has autism. He was always different and in his own world but I never would've figured. My aunt just recently told me. She told me the symptoms and I knew then that his autism was severe.... It got to that point I figure because as a young kid they never put him in any early interventions or put much attention to him.The good thing is he is in a special program at school that helps him. He is struggling with social skills and cognitive skills. I've informed them of my information and now they are trying to see what better benefits him. I've also told them what they should do at home and what kind of environment they should provide as autistic caregivers now. Just the way they are affected by others at school they are also affected at home. It was just wow to find this out....

March Extra Blog Post INSPIRATION

My mentor Ariana Nasseri really inspires me to be more patient and understanding with kids, not just autistic children, but just kids. Her years at Calpoly really did her good and molded her into the person she is now. She gave me skills that could really help me later on whether it's speaking to the patient's parents or teaching children how to write. She makes me want to be more social because I tend to come off as awkward even with little kids. I have progressed a lot since the first time I have gone to mentorship and now I do way more hands on activities with Sergio and it's exciting. She also taught me how to project myself and explain myself better because I stutter a lot and get nervous in between words. I'm happy that not only is it fun working with little kids but I have learned plenty of life lessons as well! And how I want to raise my child. She gave me this opportunity to learn more and make the best version of myself as I can be. These experiences will help me in the long run in college and when I start a family.

Blog 18: Interview 4 Prep

1. When first meeting an autistic child, what obvious symptoms did you or would you notice?
2. Which techniques do you find more suitable to help an autistic child gain social skills?
3. In your own words, how would you describe the way autism disorder affects others
4. Do all autistic children act alike?
5. Are there other diseases that have the same symptoms as autism?
6. What is sensory integration therapy?
7. What are some tips for parenting kids with autism?
8. How can a parent make their home safe for an autistic child?
9. What is a great way to spread autism awareness?
10. How does a child develop autism?
11. How severe are behavior problems in people with autism?
12. How does Asperger's syndrome and autism differ?
13. How is early intervention more convenient for an autistic child than taking interventions later on as a teenager?
14. Is autism being diagnosed more commonly now or are people barely becoming aware of it now?
15. Can autistic children grow to be full functioning adults?
16. Since there is no cure, what medical advances are being made for autism?
17. Can an autistic child become a danger to others when trying to control their behavior?
18. Is it more difficult to cope with an autistic child that is an introvert or extrovert?
19. If diagnosed with autism as an adult, can it be more difficult to cope with?
20. Will a person with autism always need a therapist or family member helping them throughout their entire life?

Blog 17: Third Answer

• What is the best way to help a child with autism develop better social skills?
• A great way to help a child with autism is for the parents to become their own child's expert.
• 1) Simply sitting down with them and give them extra attention getting to know what they don't like and what they like. 2) Looking up research on which effective treatments can be done at home to help your child. 3) Make a calendar set up with goals and ways to help the child reach them.
• Stokes, Susan. "Effective Programming for Young Children with Autism (Ages 3-5)." Autism Papers-- Pg 1. Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2012. Web. 03 Oct. 2014.
• Being able to understand your child's perspective is very important. Since every child with autism is on a different spectrum level, you have to figure out which treatments work for them and which ones don't. Providing a warm environment and improving their cognitive skills is the best way.

Feb. Extra Blog Post

One of the articles that really caught my attention this month and surprised me was an article from Fox 4 News about a middle school boy with autism almost getting bullied to death. That really got to me, the fact that at such a young age kids bully others with disabilities. The 12 year old boy from Liberty Middle School was attacked by another boy because he asked him to move out of his seat. He was beaten till he blacked out. It's quite emotional how the parents describe the scene.... People should be more aware of children with disabilities and educate them about it. Whether a child has autism or not, bullying is never okay, but children should be aware of other kids that are different than they are. Therefore, they might have a different perspective and react differently than a normal child would.

 (a picture of Blake, 12 year old boy 

                                                                             bullied to death)

Blog 16: Answer 2

1. My EQ is: what is the best way to help a child with autism develop better social skills?
2. Through early interventions which the therapists and parents work together to reach the child's individual goals.
3. Family support is essential for the child to grow healthy and feel safe.
4.  -The parents are responsible for providing the child with the therapy and help they need if the child has a disability or developmental delay.
     -Parents cooperate with the therapist to help the child in any way.
     -Parents must accept and help their child with autism grow, learn, and fill them with love.
5. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/03/magazine/the-kids-who-beat-autism.html?_r=2
this supports my answer because it is a story of what the parents had to undergo and learn for the child with autism.
6. http://www.autistichoya.com/p/introduction-to-autism-faqs-of-autism.html
this also supports my answer because it has 15 sections and in one it explains how parents tie into their child's health.
7. Everyone needs family support in order to grow wiser and filled with love. Whether the child is autistic or not, they need their parents. That is the most important I believe.

Blog 15: independent component 2 approval

1) For 30 hours I plan on taking a calpoly class on psychology where I can see how the brain works and what triggers people to react a certain way, such as an autistic child. And what difference is their brain from a normal brain.
2) To show evidence I can show my homework or tests from the class.
3) This component will help me better understand what goes on in the brain and how or why people communicate and feel differently.