IGNITE is a program of the Autism Society of North Carolina, with founding support from the Evernham Family-Racing for a Reason Foundation. Spring 2015 • Volume 2, Issue 2
IGNITE Members Learning to Think Like Adults! Many individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder are very bright, know a lot of facts, are honest and trustworthy, and are capable of being successful in many types of employment. We know that they can struggle with understanding social cues and nuances but can learn the appropriate social skills for the context of a specific work environment if someone is willing to take some time to instruct them in the workplace’s social expectations. Some individuals with autism may also struggle with critical thinking, those skills that enable a person to make decisions, solve problems, develop leadership and effective planning, see the “big picture,” take the perspectives of others, and become self-aware. Often, their exposure to situations in which they could develop such skills has been limited. We at IGNITE believe that individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome and high-functioning autism can learn critical-thinking skills through direct instruction and practice. We have started a new teaching series at IGNITE called “Thinking Like an Adult,” so that members can develop those skills that they need to improve in a safe, meaningful, supported, (and fun!) atmosphere. This class will continue for many months, and began with several segments about thinking and problem-solving. We will also be tackling topics such as personal responsibility, making a plan, stepping outside of your comfort zone, perspective-taking, motivation, and anxiety strategies. We will then add pre-vocational topics that will help the individuals use those learned skills to plan their career paths, locate resources, investigate local job opportunities, and practice common work-related skills such as asking for help and working with others. Finally, the class will focus on discreet skills such as writing an effective resume, role-playing interviews, and specific social skills for a workplace. Support for working members is currently offered in a group called “Workplace Discussions,” in which members can review scenarios that might be (or have been) problematic, ask questions, and receive suggestions and advice from each other. With practice and confidence, the IGNITE members will develop the skills they need on their way to becoming independent, self-sufficient, and successful members of their communities.
IGNITE is a unique ‘peer-to-peer’ community center for young adults with high-functioning autism (HFA) or Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) offering activities, skills training, and educational workshops that foster social, financial, educational, and employment independence for its members. More importantly, IGNITE offers a social environment where members can connect with others and experience a sense of community. For more information: Stacy Hultgren, IGNITE Director 704-897-8982 shultgren@autismsociety-nc.org www.ignite-davidson.org www.autismsociety-nc.org You can donate to IGNITE online or send a check made out to the Autism Society of North Carolina: IGNITE • 209 Delburg St., Suite 134 Davidson, NC 28036
Define Expectations for Employees with ASD We all know we learn as much from our mistakes as from our accomplishments. Individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome and highfunctioning autism, who are prone to avoiding activities with which they are not familiar, do not gain a wide array of experiences, positive or negative, upon which to build more sophisticated skills. Like all of us, they need those experiences to apply learning to different circumstances and contexts. For example, the demands of a workplace are very different from the demands of a school, which is the most prevalent learning environment that individuals have as children and is where most kids with autism learned contextual skills. Therefore, ideas about the demands of a workplace might be very difficult to understand for someone who has never visited workplaces or had any idea of what the jobs themselves entail. For instance, working in a group sometimes creates turmoil for children with autism in school situations, and although workplace groups are structured entirely differently, one might not know that without the experience of “different types of groups work differently together.” Some other expectations that are different from school include:
School
Workplace
Arriving
Sit quietly until an adult tells the group what to do and when to start working.
Get to work independently; greet co-workers briefly before beginning; self-start on individual work at the correct time; sometimes self-determine the workload and priorities.
Work day
If you need help, you raise your hand and an adult will come to your desk; you must ask permission to go to the bathroom; when you finish this assignment another will be given to you by the adult; assisting others with their work is not allowed; no talking is allowed while working; a set schedule exists for specific activities; the class moves as a group quietly in single file to other areas.
You might not be sitting at a desk or even in a single location; you might have to wear a uniform; you must self-pace to complete work on time or ask for more when you are done with a task; go to the bathroom independently; go on other errands (i.e. the storeroom for new supplies) without direction; pitch in and help others as needed; you might have to determine your own routines or suggest ways to complete work more efficiently; help should be sought privately with the appropriate person in charge; talking to co-workers is allowed when it doesn’t interfere with work; tasks can change from minute to minute dependent upon many factors.
Cafeteria
Lunchtime is assigned: file in, in single file; sit where assigned or with anyone who will sit by you; an adult supervises the room to avoid trouble or offer assistance; you must eat what is available or bring your own lunch.
Can sometimes eat at your desk or other locations in the building; can take a walk; might be able to eat anywhere in town that is nearby; can eat alone or with others of your choice; can skip lunch altogether as work demands or by choice; can use lunchtime for personal business.
Leaving
Wait for the bell; rush to your locker before the bus leaves.
There is no bell; don’t leave until your work is done or when it is appropriate; you might have to use a time card or complete next weeks’ time schedule
Assisting an adult with autism to understand the different expectations might be as simple as writing down the expectations in the workplace, including the daily schedule, supervisor expectations, social expectations and how to get along with co-workers, whom to ask for what type of help, timelines, where to park, etc. Sometimes just having those everyday expectations defined is all a person with autism needs to become an efficient, valuable employee. If the individual requires more assistance, people who can help include staff members from IGNITE or ASNC, the person’s job coach (if he or she has one), or a family member – all with the employee’s permission, of course. If you are a business owner who has an employee with known autism, or even someone with some social naivetés that get in the way of performance, please take the time and effort to see whether there is a simple solution before giving up on them. It is always good for business to keep dedicated, loyal, responsible employees – they are worth the effort! PG 2– IGNITE NEWS • Spring 2015
IGNITE would like to thank the following businesses and organizations: Bailey Middle School Best Buy Blue j Beads Carlisle Companies Carolina Custom Installations Dale Earnhardt Jr. Foundation
IGNITE Members Speak at Conference The Autism Society of North Carolina’s annual statewide conference took place in Charlotte on March 27-28. The pivotal event, with its theme of Autism: Lifelong Learning, offered information and support for attendees about the needs of individuals with autism throughout their lifespans. As part of the conference, IGNITE members and staff participated in a panel discussion on the IGNITE program and the benefits for its adult members. There was a great deal of interest from the audience, including the question we were most prepared to hear: “How can we get an IGNITE near where my adult child lives?” Unfortunately, although IGNITE has been highly successful and an integral part of the lives of the members, it is not an easy or inexpensive program to develop. Funding is the biggest barrier, with an annual budget around $250,000. Nevertheless, the Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) is committed to continuing to examine ways IGNITE can expand to serve young adults in other areas of the state. NASCAR racing legend Ray Evernham also spoke about the importance of programs such as IGNITE for young adults with high-functioning autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, and why he and his entire family continue to be so supportive: their son, Ray J. The Evernham Family-Racing for a Reason Foundation provided the founding support to ASNC to develop IGNITE and continues to raise funds in support of IGNITE. As Ray put it, “The biggest thing that IGNITE offers is quality of life. And everybody deserves that.”
Davidson College FUEL Sports Management Furniture Row Ingersoll Rand Kilpatrick Townsend, Attorney at Law Leon Levine Foundation Levelor Window Fashions Martin Truex Jr. Foundation Medenhall Family Foundation MSC Industrial Direct Co, Inc. Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Our Town Cinemas RUSK Eating House at Davidson College Sherwin Williams
Fifth Third Bank Offers ‘Money Smart’! Fifth Third Bank, an IGNITE sponsor, graciously offered to present an eight-week curriculum to IGNITE members titled “Money Smart for Young Adults”! The class is such a fun way to learn the basics of money. With games including Stock Market Challenge, interactive tasks such as filling out deposit tickets, cartoons, and food, our members are learning how important banking is to independent adult life. Our deepest thanks to Fifth Third Bank staff for partnering with us to help our members learn and grow!
Summit Coffee Toast Catering TrueCraft Builders And, of course, we thank the Evernham Family-Racing for a Reason Foundation, without whom IGNITE would not be possible!
IGNITE NEWS • Spring 2015 – PG 3
Stand Up for Autism Fundraiser! May 8-9, 2015 • http://bit.ly/StandUpforAutism My Aloha Paddle and Surf, in partnership with three-time NASCAR champion crew chief Ray Evernham, will host Stand Up for Autism to benefit the IGNITE community center and the Autism Society of North Carolina on Lake Norman May 8-9 at Port City Club in Cornelius. The event will feature Elite and Recreational races, which are open to the general public. Limited paddleboard rentals will be available on a first-reserve basis, and paddleboard fitness will be demonstrated. The race is sanctioned by the World Paddle Association (WPA) and will be the first regional points race on Lake Norman. “After four years of promoting paddleboarding and introducing so many of our residents to the sport, it is so exciting to host a WPA race here in Lake Norman,” said Rob Bennett, event director and owner of My Aloha Paddle and Surf. “We are very excited to partner with Rob and his team at My Aloha Paddle and Surf to put on this great event,” said Evernham, who is a Lake Norman resident and paddleboard enthusiast. “The IGNITE community center is a very important project of mine, and events like this are what enable us to continue having such a profound effect on so many young adults on the autism spectrum in Davidson, NC.” Stand Up for Autism will begin Friday evening with a kick-off party from 6-9 p.m. at Port City Club with food, beverages, a silent auction, and music. The pre-race meeting will start at 8 a.m. with the WPA Region 6 sanctioned Elite and Recreational races to follow. The awards ceremony on the beach will begin at 11 a.m. and be followed by a luau featuring the Island Hula Girls along with island music, food, and fun activities for all ages.
To register to compete in the Elite and Recreation paddleboard races, visit
http://bit.ly/StandUpforAutism
To purchase tickets for the Friday kick-off party and Saturday’s luau, visit
http://bit.ly/SUPforAutismTickets
If you are interested in sponsoring the event or volunteering, please contact det@rayevernham.com. PG 4– IGNITE NEWS • Spring 2015