Enhancing Communities to Support Children with Autism

There are likely children with autism on your team, pursuing their hobbies, at your camp, attending your church, and participating in community events that you are leading. As discussed in Out and About: Preparing Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders to Participate in Their Communities, Hudson & Coffin created a Blueprint to give a framework for determining supports and creating consistency across leaders. Assisting community members in recognizing and building on the strengths of each individual, creating scenario-specific supports, and layering strategies gives the opportunity for individuals to participate, find their role, and thrive in the community.

Do you work in the medical or healthcare field?

You may have seen an increased number of children with autism in your hospital or practice. They often have more frequent and more specialized appointments. And because they are children, they may also come in for a broken arm or needing their tonsils removed. Gaining insight and understanding characteristics, discussing how to provide procedural information, and implementing coping strategies allows you to develop a more robust approach to providing high-quality, timely, and safe care. Want to increase your understanding and learn about strategies? You can find more details in Prescription for Success: Supporting Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Medical Environment.