FREE NORTHEAST FLORIDA & SURROUNDING AREA’S ONLY MAGAZINE FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
FRIENDS WITH AUTISM ISSUE 1 • FEBRUARY 2018
| Magazine
5 Top Five Tips for New Autism Parents
Meet Your Villiage Hiring Programs Business Spotlight The Adventurs of Super Tanner
By Gadarine DeRoche
WE CONNECT THE COMMUNITY TO AUTISM
Autism diagnosis are on the rise, which means parents are facing challenges related to kids with autism for the first time every day. Luckily, we have many parents who are ready and willing to share what has worked for their family. With each issue of FWA Magazine, we bring you the top five tips from a local autism parent who has been in your shoes.Â
Meet Autism Mom Gadarine DeRoche BREATH
GRIEVE
READ
ACCEPT YOUR CHILD
You were just given
Many of
Reading about
Your child did not
a lot of information
the plans you had
autism and doing my
suddenly change. He or
to process. Maybe
about your child’s
own research has
she is the same child you
you suspected your
future are going to
helped me
have always known and
child is autistic or
change very quickly.
understand this new
loved. The sooner you
maybe this was
Your child is still the
world I am suddenly
accept this fact the
unexpected. In
child you had
a part of with my
sooner you will be able to
either case, take
before, but the
child.
understand your child and
some time to
image of how
Personally, I skipped
build a relationship. You
breathe and not
your child will grow
the grieving and
will also have to accept
panic before
up is probably
went straight to
that you and your child
you proceed.
unclear. It is okay to
researching and
will not do everything just
grieve for the loss of
reading just to have
like other families. Social
hopes and dreams
grief come up over
settings are more
that might not be
and over in the most
difficult. Your child is
feasible at least not
unexpected times.
more selective with
for a while.
FIND A VILLAGE Find your personal resources. Look to your friends and family to find out who is willing and able to help. Don’t be too surprised if this list is very small. Also, don't be surprised if people help, but not in the way you hoped or asked. It is impossible for them to know what is to be in your shoes. Next, there are resources in our community, but you have to know where to look. Do not hesitate to ask other parents that have already walked a mile in your shoes.
foods, people, and really everything else. Accepting this and finding the activities that work for you and your child is one of the keys to happier days.Do not feel like you are alone, know that there are thousands of us out there.
Jana Vaughn is a local autism mom who recently wrote a book with her ten year old son Tanner called: The Adventures of Super Tanner: Everyone has a Bubble
FWA Mag: What inspired you to write a book with your son?
FWA Mag: What inspired you to write a book with your son?
Kids and parents need a book with a character that shows them it’s ok to be quirky, and that there are other kids just like them, and how to deal with different situations. This book was written by a real mom who has a real son who has Aspergers. The main concept is from his point of view, and how he would handle a quirky situation. The book can easily reach children by looking at situations through their lens, and giving them the strategies they need to build a greater sense of commonality with their peers.
Kids and parents need a book with a character that shows them it’s ok to be quirky, and that there are other kids just like them, and how to deal with different situations. This book was written by a real mom who has a real son who has Aspergers. The main concept is from his point of view, and how he would handle a quirky situation. The book can easily reach children by looking at situations through their lens, and giving them the strategies they need to build a greater sense of commonality with their peers.
DRIVING PROGRESS
DELIVERING OUTCOMES Contact Us TOLL-FREE: 800.356.4049 General Information: support@invotherapies..com •
Autism is an “invisible� disability and as such it is important for families and people on the spectrum to feel more comfortable and welcome in public places. The Friends With Autism Community Resource Directory is here to connect families, people on the spectrum, and the community together. Businesses on this directory have a level of understanding and acceptance of autism. Please understand unless the business is a direct autism provider, the staff does not have extensive training in autism. However, they have an attitude of acceptance and a willingness to learn. In the future these businesses will be easily identifiable by the Friends With Autism identification branded logo displayed on their websites and business doors or windows. This directory is provided for informational purposes in the hope that families and individuals living in Northeast Florida and surrounding areas will more easily find providers, resources, and businesses to meet their individual needs. The inclusion of a particular provider or business is not an endorsement of that provider or business by Making Strides For Autism, Inc. Making Strides For Autism, Inc. reserves the right to refuse to include any organization, business, or group on the Friends With Autism Community Resource Directory.