IGNITE is a program of the Autism Society of North Carolina, with founding support from the Evernham Family-Racing for a Reason Foundation. Summer 2015 • Volume 2, Issue 3
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
Participating in the Community Means More than Just Fun By Stacy Hultgren, IGNITE Director How exciting it is to graduate from high school alongside all your friends and begin a new life of your own choosing! Some graduates will establish new friends and interests while away at college and meet up with old friends on weekends and breaks at home. Others are developing relationships and skills at their new jobs. They might have boyfriends or girlfriends, or even be getting married. Everyone is a little nervous at graduation time, but excitement is the overriding emotion. All these changes are what they were waiting for! But imagine having high-functioning autism or Asperger’s Syndrome. You might not have had friends in high school – you just had classmates, and now you won’t have daily contact with them. You aren’t going to college, and you haven’t had any positive response to job applications. You don’t work, so you have no money to go anywhere; maybe you don’t even drive a car. Imagine that even small changes in routines make you very anxious rather than excited. Imagine a future of living in the family home, with little hope of independence, and your parents are virtually your only human contacts. Unfortunately, you might remain isolated from the community around you for years, because that is a common outcome for young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. And contrary to what we might believe, people diagnosed with highfunctioning autism (without an intellectual disability) and Asperger’s Syndrome don’t fare any better than those who are more severely affected by autism. That’s the conclusion of a study published in 2011 that suggests that even individuals with normal intelligence and language abilities struggle to fit into society because of their social and communication problems. (SFARI: http://sfari.org/news-andopinion/news/2011/people-with-milder-forms-of-autism-struggle-as-adults, Deborah Rudacille, September 2011) This study also found that in the United States, young adults with high-functioning continued on page 2
“Participating in the Community Means More than Just Fun”, continued from page 1
depression and/or increased levels of anxiety, which only further highlights the need for more involvement in the community.
autism or Asperger’s Syndrome can struggle even more than those who are more affected by autism (i.e. with an intellectual disability). They are at least three times more likely to have no structured daytime activities, because fewer programs exist to support their needs. In fact, people described as highfunctioning are no more likely to marry or have a job than those with more disabling forms of autism, according to a Norwegian study published online in June in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Another study showed that 70 adults with Down syndrome enjoyed higher levels of independence and more social opportunities and received more services compared to 70 adults with autism.
Recreation opportunities can help alleviate the loneliness that comes with isolation. The catch is, most people like to spend leisure time with others, and people with high-functioning autism or Asperger’s Syndrome may not have others with whom to make plans. However, activities that are single participant can lead to conversations and shared interests with others as well as a feeling of belonging. These activities might include working out at a gym, paddleboarding, running, swimming at the Y, going to the movies, trivia nights at local pubs, or trading card games (i.e. Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh!) at comic-book stores (not the online games, since those don’t provide any real interaction). Special Olympics provides competitive sports experiences including swimming and sailing, which are highlighted elsewhere in this newsletter. When a person participates in something he or she enjoys, that is when friendships develop over shared interests.
Many factors are involved in the development of an isolated life, but an obvious one is the lack of a comfortable place to go or accepting friends with whom to go. This is one of the main functions of IGNITE: to provide a “judgement-free zone” where young adults can meet others with similar interests, struggles, and talents. While it is not always badly intentioned, adults with autism can experience judgement from others in most public places that range from quizzical looks, to misunderstanding language, to laughter behind their backs. Adults with autism are very much aware that they are “different” and don’t fit into societal norms. Tragically, this sense of difference can lead to
Employment, college, or volunteer opportunities are also important to develop relationships and build self-esteem, and plenty of volunteer opportunities are available to match any interest or skill level. The more involvement one has, the more one will grow and learn, and the more satisfying life will be. Adulthood is a long-term experience, and no one should spend it alone.
Success Story! David Camilo Wins Multiple Special Olympics Ribbons Longtime IGNITE member David Camilo has participated in Special Olympics Lake Norman for the past 8 years. Recently, David won two gold and two silver swim medals at the Special Olympics State Games in Raleigh. He is quite a competitor, and his IGNITE friends are so proud of him for his accomplishment! “I first started with the swim team,” David says, “because I’ve always enjoyed leisure swimming since it helps calm my anxieties. It’s very therapeutic. It’s also a vigorous exercise, not to mention it’s a social experience with other athletes, coaches, and volunteers from the Lake Norman High School swim team.” The year after his involvement with the swim team, David also joined the sailing team. “I didn’t have a clue about it, but I thought it would be something different to try. Although it can be challenging to stay focused, as it turns out, I’ve gained confidence, camaraderie, and leadership skills. For me, it’s a great stress reliever being on the water on a sailboat with my Unified Partner chatting away. ... Speaking of which, Unified Partners consists of volunteers from the Lake Norman High School sailing team, college-level sailors, and from the Lake Norman Yacht Club, along with the best coaches ever!” He received a first-place gold medal at the Special Olympics Sailing Regatta in Charleston, SC, in June. Sailing has been such a great experience for David that he wanted to share the opportunity with a couple of his friends from IGNITE whom he thought would be a good fit for the team. Gabby Martin and Mike Hauck are now participating in sailing, and enjoying sharing a sport. For more information about Special Olympics and Unified Partners, go to http://sonc.net/lake-norman/. PG 2– IGNITE NEWS • Summer 2015
IGNITE would like to thank the following businesses and organizations: Bailey Middle School Best Buy Blue j Beads Carlisle Companies
Stand Up for Autism 2015 was a Blast! When Rob Bennett of My Aloha Paddle and Surf in Cornelius approached Ray Evernham about wanting to host a fundraiser for IGNITE, who knew what magic would result! In early May, more than 80 paddleboard racers, their families and friends, and other IGNITE supporters got together at Lake Norman for a weekend to remember. The event started with a cocktail kickoff party and live auction at Port City Club restaurant in Cornelius. The parent of an IGNITE member had the winning bid on a Richard Petty Driving Experience! Also auctioned were a fabulous paddleboard from My Aloha Paddle and Surf (with running lights for nighttime fish watching), a YOLO bicycle, a hot-air balloon ride, and many other items. It was a great evening, but just the beginning. The next morning, elite racers came from near and far to compete in the World Paddle Associationsanctioned races. Races were also held for recreational paddleboarders and children. Vendors, a luau complete with a roasted pig, and Hawaiian music with the Island Hula Girls topped off the beautiful day on Lake Norman! Proceeds of the two-day event will help IGNITE continue to serve young adults with highfunctioning autism or Asperger’s Syndrome in our location in Davidson. The Autism Society of North Carolina and IGNITE staff would like to thank everyone who came out in support. Our very special thanks go out to Rob Bennett and the My Aloha Paddle and Surf staff, Port City Club for the amazing food and Lake Norman setting, all of our sponsors, and of course, the Evernham family. We can’t wait till next year!
Photos courtesy of LKNFun.com
Carolina Custom Installations Dale Earnhardt Jr. Foundation 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. My Aloha Paddle and Surf Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Our Town Cinemas Port City Club RUSK Eating House at Davidson College Sherwin Williams Summit Coffee Toast Catering TrueCraft Builders Visit Lake Norman And, of course, we thank the Evernham Family-Racing for a Reason Foundation, without whom IGNITE would not be possible!
IGNITE NEWS • Summer 2015 – PG 3
Join us for a screening of the movie “Pixels” before it comes out in theaters! Proceeds to benefit IGNITE.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015 Our Town Cinemas
227 Griffith Street, Davidson, NC 28036 Tickets: $25 (by 07.21.15), $30 at the door Includes one soft drink & one popcorn
Buy your tickets today! http://bit.ly/IGNITE_Pixels
Save the Date! November 28, 2015
3rd Annual AmeriCarna LIVE to Benefit IGNITE
PG 4– IGNITE NEWS • Summer 2015