AUTISM 2 AWESOME™ AUTISM 2 AWESOME™ A Father’s LoveA Father’s Love

Presented ByPresented ByKerry L. Brooks, MS, NCKerry L. Brooks, MS, NC

May 24, 2009May 24, 2009

Where There is LOVEWhere There is LOVE

There are MIRACLESThere are MIRACLES

INSTRUCTIONAL GOALINSTRUCTIONAL GOALTo share personal To share personal

experience, experience, knowledge, and knowledge, and demonstration in demonstration in designing an early designing an early intervention program intervention program that started our child that started our child fromfrom

AUTISM 2 AWESOME™AUTISM 2 AWESOME™

My Oprah’s Aha MomentMy Oprah’s Aha Moment

A Father’s LoveA Father’s Love

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERSAUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS• Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of

developmental disabilities caused by a problem developmental disabilities caused by a problem with the brain.with the brain.

• There is usually nothing about how a person with There is usually nothing about how a person with ASD looks that set them apart from other people, ASD looks that set them apart from other people, but they may communicate, interact, behave, and but they may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in ways that are different from most people.learn in ways that are different from most people.

• The thinking and learning abilities of people with The thinking and learning abilities of people with ASDs can vary – from gifted to severely ASDs can vary – from gifted to severely challenged.challenged.

• ASDs CON’T?ASDs CON’T?

• Autistic disorder is the most commonly known type Autistic disorder is the most commonly known type of ASD.of ASD.

• The others include, “pervasive developmental The others include, “pervasive developmental disorder – not otherwise specified” (PDD-NOS) and disorder – not otherwise specified” (PDD-NOS) and Asperger Syndrome.Asperger Syndrome.

• WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS OF ASDs?WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS OF ASDs?

• Social SkillsSocial Skills

• Emotional SkillsEmotional Skills

• Communication SkillsCommunication Skills

• They might repeat certain behaviors and might not They might repeat certain behaviors and might not want change in their daily activitieswant change in their daily activities

• WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS OF ASDs CON’t?WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS OF ASDs CON’t?

• The child avoid eye contact and want to be The child avoid eye contact and want to be alonealone

• The child might have trouble understanding The child might have trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about their other people’s feelings or talking about their own feelingown feeling

• The child might prefer not to be held or cuddled The child might prefer not to be held or cuddled or might cuddle only when they want toor might cuddle only when they want to

• The child might appear to be unaware when The child might appear to be unaware when other people talk to them but respond to other other people talk to them but respond to other soundsound

• AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERAUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

• 1 IN 94 BOYS IS ON THE AUSTIM SPECTRUM1 IN 94 BOYS IS ON THE AUSTIM SPECTRUM

• 67 CHILDREN ARE DIAGNOSED PER DAY67 CHILDREN ARE DIAGNOSED PER DAY

• A NEW CASE IS DIAGNOSED ALMOST EVERY A NEW CASE IS DIAGNOSED ALMOST EVERY 20 MINUTES20 MINUTES

• AUTISM IS THE FASTEST- GROWING SERIOUS AUTISM IS THE FASTEST- GROWING SERIOUS DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY IN THE U.SDEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY IN THE U.S

• AUTISM COST THE NATION OVER $90 BILLION AUTISM COST THE NATION OVER $90 BILLION PER YEAR, A FIGURE EXPECTED TO DOUBLE PER YEAR, A FIGURE EXPECTED TO DOUBLE IN THE NEXT DECADEIN THE NEXT DECADE

Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it it became a became a butterflybutterfly

ProverbProverb

A2A is an early intervention health and A2A is an early intervention health and wellness guide created to improve the wellness guide created to improve the well-being of children and families well-being of children and families challenged with autism.challenged with autism.

What is Autism 2 Awesome: A Father’s What is Autism 2 Awesome: A Father’s LoveLove

Developed by a father to:Developed by a father to:

Educate Educate

EmpowerEmpower

Inspire Inspire

SupportSupport

UNIQUEUNIQUE

Autism 2 Awesome is:Autism 2 Awesome is:

• What is the best therapy for your What is the best therapy for your child?child?

• Parents Parents

• CaregiversCaregivers

Seven Steps for Father’sSeven Steps for Father’s• Show your LOVEShow your LOVE

• Keep a JournalKeep a Journal

• Attitude of BeliefAttitude of Belief

• Commitment & ConsistencyCommitment & Consistency

• ImaginationImagination

• 50 Hugs & 50 Kisses50 Hugs & 50 Kisses

• Never, Never, Never, give upNever, Never, Never, give up

Be First 2 RespondBe First 2 RespondEarly intervention is keyEarly intervention is key

Parents usually first to notice signsParents usually first to notice signs

Be prepared for a crisisBe prepared for a crisis

First Responders RolesFirst Responders Roles

What Can Mothers Do 2 Help Fathers What Can Mothers Do 2 Help Fathers

• Mothers you are the Mothers you are the BESTBEST

• CommunicationCommunication

• Educate the fathers about autismEducate the fathers about autism

• Recognize how men cope emotionally Recognize how men cope emotionally

• Let them know that Let them know that Fathers Fathers do do mattermatter

I have no complaints, all that which is before me are I have no complaints, all that which is before me are simply opportunities to create simply opportunities to create miracles……………..K.L.Brooksmiracles……………..K.L.Brooks

WHERE THERE IS LOVE WHERE THERE IS LOVE THERE ARE MIRACLESTHERE ARE MIRACLES

ANY QUESTIONS?ANY QUESTIONS?