Autism Society San Diego

Did you know? Students with Autism can be especially vulnerable during safety drills and exercises as they are often challenged by oversensitivity to sensory disruption and changes in routine. Learn more: https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-safety-and-crisis/school-violence-resources/school-safety-drills-and-exercises-for-students-with-autism-spectrum-disorder-(asd)-tips-and-resources-for-educators

AUTISM SOCIETY SAN DIEGO NAMES SHAHRIAR AFSHAR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SAN DIEGO, CA – Following a national search, the Autism Society of San Diego has named local veteran public affairs, autism advocate and nonprofit leader, Shahriar Afshar its new executive director. Afshar will lead a local staff of five employees focused on connecting people to the Autism-related resources through education, advocacy, support, information referral, and community programming. He begins in his new role on August 19.

As a ‘Dadvocate’ parent of a teenage son with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Shahriar is uniquely positioned to understand the needs of the autism community. Prior to being named to this position, Afshar served 25 years with the City of San Diego and Port of San Diego in various leadership roles and five years with Verizon as one of the lead public agency reps in Southern California. He later launched The Afshar Group, a private equity and startup accelerator focused on building value, innovation and inclusion in AutismTec, eMobility Hubs and Political Media. Shahriar continues to be involved in several business and nonprofit advisory boards.

“Shahriar brings a deep sense of compassion, innovation, and servant leadership to our cause that’s hard to match. He is the transformational leader we need to take us to the next level so we may better serve the families of greater San Diego impacted by ASD,” said Joe Ireland, Autism Society San Diego board president.

In his prior work, Afshar worked with the Autism Society of America & Verizon to accelerate the adoption of wearable devices as a life & safety tool for ASD children. Shahriar continues to work with parent-entrepreneurs to bring transformative products and services to the marketplace while promoting autism startup innovation on his podcast at AutismSpa.com (Supporting Parents of Autism).

“Over the next six months, I look forward to engaging other nonprofit leaders, public agencies, and corporate partners to enhance the programs and services of the Autism Society and promote autism-friendly businesses & public facilities at every opportunity,” said Afshar. “The autism community is an internal part of our greater San Diego region, and we are dedicated to advancing awareness, acceptance, and the success of every person with ASD across our region.”

Ideas To Help With School Refusal
What helps your child with school refusal?
Gradually introduce school
Ask child’s therapist for ideas
Praise them when they go
Be encouraging
Positive talk about school
Be empathetic to their feelings
Talk to your child about fears
Develop a support system
Meet with school counselor
Help develop friendships

Happening Wednesday, August 28th!

On Wednesday, August 28th at 11 AM in the Community Room, we will be making coffee filter butterflies at our next Library for All meeting.

Library for All is a monthly arts and crafts program for adults with special needs. People of all abilities are welcome to participate.

No registration necessary. WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. Program dates and times subject to change.

Facebook groups can be great resources to make connections in the community!

Facebook Groups for Family Caregivers | Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego It can be difficult to navigate the challenges of raising a child with a disability. Sometimes parents and caregivers simply need a place to connect with other families who truly understand and can offer valuable advice or insight from their own personal experiences. Support groups don't always have...

URGENT ACTION ALERT! In ONE CLICK...contact legislators urging them to support AB 2423 in Sen Appropriations Committee tomorrow, August 15th. This bill will require the State to update rates for vital disability services every two years. People with disabilities, their families & the workforce deserve to live full and equitable lives! Let's put decades of underfunding behind us!

*****Take 2 minutes to ACT NOW: https://p2a.co/OMzmzdN

24 HOURS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Let's do this!

Each person experiences Autism differently, but key characteristics include differences in information processing, communication, sensory processing, emotional regulation and social behavior. While typically identified in childhood, people can be diagnosed with Autism at any point throughout the lifespan.

Enroll in the Foundations of Autism online course package to take a deeper look at Autistic characteristics and learn more about Autistic experiences.

training.autismsociety.org

FREE event from our friends at Casa de Mosaic - Storytime for Adults with ASD on Friday, August 16th, at 1:30 PM, at the College-Rolando Branch Library.

Check out these back-to-school tips to help prepare your Autistic loved one's transition from summer into the new school year with ease. https://www.marcus.org/autism-resources/autism-tips-and-resources/preparing-to-go-back-to-school

Some back to school tips from our friends at TASK

Autism and the College Experience - SPARK for Autism Many students struggle to adjust to the challenges of college, from difficult classes to dorm living. But for people on the autism spectrum, the transition can be more abrupt and dramatic.

A huge thank you to entrepreneur Mark Klein for the shoutout in his recent TED Talk! We truly appreciate the support!!

The backbone of your business—your loved ones | Mark Klein | TEDxSanDiego This talk highlights the indispensable role of "Silent Architects" in the success of entrepreneurs, emphasizing their support and sacrifices often overlooked...

The transition and unknowns of college-life can be overwhelming for students with Autism. Check out this resource from the Autism Society to help navigate this transition with confidence. https://autismsociety.org/navigating-college-life-with-confidence-a-resource-for-autistic-students/?hilite=college

Colin Farrell Starts Foundation in Honor of Son with Angelman Syndrome as He Opens Up About Their Life (Exclusive) Colin Farrell is launching a foundation in honor of his 20-year-old son who has Angelman syndrome. The actor opens up to PEOPLE about their life together, saying he thinks his son James is "magic."

🌟 Join Us for Our Upcoming Webinar: ABLE to Save with CalABLE! 🌟

📅 Date & Time: August 14, 2024, at 2:00 PM (Pacific Time, US and Canada)

💻Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dbrDroUhQkui6I5FcApd3g #/registration

🔍 Description: We are excited to announce our upcoming webinar, ABLE to Save with CalABLE, where we will explore crucial aspects of financial literacy with CalABLE. This webinar will cover:
- CalABLE Basics
- Saving and Investing with CalABLE
- Financial Literacy

Detalles del Seminario Web:
Capaz de Ahorrar
14 Agosto de 2024
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM PT

En este seminario web exploraremos:
- Fundamentos Básicos de CalABLE
- Ahorrando e Invirtiendo con CalABLE
- Educación Financiera

"Empathy with children during a meltdown is not rewarding behavior. It's meeting a need: the need for connection and understanding." Credit: Rebecca Eanes.

Note: This quote could apply to people of any age.

Happening August 25th!!

"In situations where people are unable to effectively communicate the cause of their distress, it’s amazing how easy it is to miss something as obvious as a broken bone. If it is hard to notice a broken bone, imagine how easy it is to miss something such as a headache or heartburn?"

Autism, Aggression, Self-Injury: Medical Insights & Best Practices Sometimes people try to get attention by doing things that look like aggression, but they are really saying, “I have a problem, I need help.”

California State Council on Developmental Disabilities is hosting a series of back to school special education training meetings beginning August 5th!

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From Educated by Nature

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Image:: A Homemade Education

“By portraying a close group of neurodivergent and neurotypical friends, CARL THE COLLECTOR models how all of us can be helpful, supportive and appreciative of each other’s ways of thinking,” said Sara DeWitt, Senior Vice President and General Manager, PBS KIDS. “We are thrilled to introduce Carl, his friends, and his amazing collections to young audiences and help them build the social skills they will need as they make friends and engage in their communities.”

CARL THE COLLECTOR follows the everyday adventures of Carl, a warm-hearted autistic raccoon who enjoys collecting things and loves his friends and family in Fuzzytown. Carl pays extraordinarily close attention to detail and comes up with unique ideas that others might not consider. These traits have helped him amass his extensive collections—from autographs and bottle caps to fake mustaches, pet rocks, sweaters, and virtually everything in between—which can come in handy for solving problems around the neighborhood with his friends.

CARL THE COLLECTOR, PBS KIDS’ First Series Centering on an Autistic Main Character, Premieres Nov 14 carl the collector

The Autism Society is excited to announce the launch of its new Training and Resource Center, a platform offering online training courses and high-impact resources tailored to support the diverse needs of the Autism community.

To celebrate, the Autism Society is offering a coupon to those who enroll in the first course package, Foundations of Autism. Use coupon code Launch10 at checkout to receive $10 off the price of registration, offer expires August 13, 2024.

Visit the Autism Society Training and Resource Center at www.training.autismsociety.org to get connected and register for our Foundations of Autism course package today.

HBO's Max Brings Back Kids' Show Featuring Characters With Disabilities New episodes of a groundbreaking children's show centering on characters who all have various disabilities are heading to television.

Please visit us at the South County SELPA Special Education Resource Fair tomorrow, Thursday, July 31st!

The countdown has commenced for the Special Education Resource Fair, with only 17 days left. Remember to mark your calendars for this upcoming event. With more than 20 vendors already registered, it promises to be an enriching experience.