NEW Intake! ASD Parent Training & Support Series 2012 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor

The next intake of the ASD Parent Training & Support Series starts in February, 2012 here in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. We will only be able to take 6 families for this intake. For more information, please click HERE.

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Parent Testimonial about the ASD Parent Training & Support Series

Dear Intan:

I am not much of a writer, but I will just tell you in my own words how I feel for the past 2 months. I would prefer my name not be revealed here, a bit shy. However, I definitely can take phone calls from other parents.

When I first joined this parent training programme 2 months ago, I had already passed the stage of denial and depression, and was very hopeful about going all out to help my son.

As I learned more, I was amazed that so much can be done! I feel like I am slowly reaching out to him and we have more interaction. More interaction goes hand-in-hand with more learning. In the past, it had been difficult for him to learn effectively. Even the more basic skills like natural eye contact (referencing), or responding to me calling his name was difficult, which is very common for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

I will not deny that all the progress so far needed (and still needs) lots of hard work, I have to say the ANDI Initiative parent training programme is providing a means for me to go into his world and engage him in various activities and subsequently promote learning .

There is a tangible improvement in terms of my son's imitation skills and speech. I understand that to catch up in those delays in developmental milestones is a long process, and sometimes could take years rather than these few months. A more important achievement that I notice in him is his willingness to learn, and his involvement with more variety of play, and occasionally his pleasure when engaging in proper activities.

Last but not least, I have to say this wouldn't be possible without you, Intan. Thank you so much.


Regards,

(Parent of 3-year-old, Kuala Lumpur, currently in ASD Parent Training 2011 Intake 2)

For more info on this parent training programme, click HERE. For more Parent Testimonials, click HERE.

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Sponsorship Opportunity

Hello everyone:

ANDI Initiative is offering to provide a 50% sponsorship for 3 parents (of children on the autism spectrum) to attend the following event.

Autism Workshop

Date: Tuesday, 6th September, 2011

Venue: Medical Academies of Malaysia, 210 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 KL.

Registration Fee: RM200

Organised by Child Development Centre, UKMMC, and Chapter of Child Neurology and Developmental Paediatrics, Malaysian Society of Neurosciences.

Speakers include: Prof Catherine Lord, PhD (USA), who has been integral in the development of ASD assessment tools such as the ADOS and ADI-R.

In return, ANDI Initiative would appreciate it if each sponsored parent would write 4 book reviews of their favourite autism-related books, as a service to other parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The reviews will be shared on the ANDI Initiative blog and Facebook page.

To request sponsorship, or for a pdf copy of the event brochure, please respond by EMAIL ONLY to ANDI.Initiative@gmail.com.

(photo above is from a previous event)

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Angels Come in Many Forms...

...to borrow a saying by some of my friends.

I'm overwhelmed to receive this gift to ANDI Initiative from Brenda Smith Myles, Ph.D and Autism Asperger Publishing Company (with many thanks to Judy Endow, MSW, for the hook-up).

Truly Angels!

After I process them, these 42 titles (yes, forty-two!!) will be listed in this blog, our Facebook page, and available for loan to parents of children with special needs.

Happy Reading!

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Unique Voices of those on the Autism Spectrum

If We Listen (and Read), We May Just Learn Something...

Not every person with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) grows up to be an accomplished speaker or author. But then, come on, not even the neurotypical (non-autistic) population have too many eloquent and insightful "representatives" right?

However, we are fortunate when ASD adults like Judy Endow, Temple Grandin, Sean Barron, Donna Williams, Stephen Shore, Wendy Lawson, James Williams (and many more) choose to give up their privacy. The rest of us gain from their INSIGHTS and their UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE.

It changes the way we view, raise, or teach those on the spectrum. It helps us treat those around us with dignity, respect, compassion, and many times, AWE.

Click HERE for several of the books by authors, speakers, advisors, consultants, educators who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder. These are available for loan from ANDI Initiative.

(Also here's a shout-out to Dr Stephen Shore himself, who - as I write this - is in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia speaking at the conference there!)

Judy Endow (left) in April 2011, at the ASW Autism Conference, WI, USA.

Empower Yourself