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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or autism is a developmental disability considered the result of a neurological condition affecting brain function, development, and social interactions. Children and adults with autism find it difficult or impossible to relate to others in a meaningful way and may show restrictive and/or repetitive patterns of behavior or body movements. While great strides are being made, there is no known cause, or a known singular effective treatment for autism. Five developmental disorders fall under the Autism Spectrum Disorder umbrella and are defined by challenges in three areas: social skills, communication, and behaviors and/or interests.
Autistic Disorder - involves moderate to severe impairments in communication, socialization, and behavior. Asperger's Syndrome - have no delays in language skills, but often struggle with social skills and restrictive and repetitive behavior. Rett Syndrome - diagnosed primarily in females; characterized by repetitive, meaningless movements, or gestures Childhood Disintegrative Disorder - involves a significant regression in skills that have previously been acquired Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) - includes children that do not fully meet the criteria for the other specific disorders
WHY EASTER SEALS & AUTISM?
Easter Seals was founded upon guiding principles to serve children with disabilities and their families. More than a generation ago, Easter Seals was front and center during the polio epidemic, working tirelessly to help children and adults with polio gain independence through medical rehabilitation.
Over the last 20 years, Easter Seals has seen a dramatic increase in the number of people with autism, both through its services developed specifically for people with autism and through services that include children and adults with autism among other service recipients.
Today Easter Seals has identified the 560,000 individuals diagnosed with ASD as national initiative and service delivery priority. Because of our commitment to this population, Easter Seals is the country’s leading provider of services for people with autism. HOW DO OUR PROGRAMS HELP INDIVIDUALS WITH ASD & THEIR FAMILIES?Adult Day Training
Our adult day training program provides relevant personal, social, therapeutic, and work skill training to adults with disabilities, including those with autism, and their families through community and center-based resources. The activities are designed to advance individual independence and expand participants’ life choices at work, home, school, and in the community. Easter Seals Southwest Florida has developed a unique art program for participants in their Adult Day Training program. Many of the adults with autism demonstrate extraordinary creativity and this program is inspirational in helping the artists develop their talents and abilities. Project Rainbow
For more than a quarter of a century, Project Rainbow has provided a vital resource to families in the community who are raising one or more children who are medically fragile, chronically ill or diagnosed with a disability; including those with autism. Respite care workers serve these families with home-based respite care, drop-off respite, and case management support. Children from birth to age 17 are eligible. Project Rainbow will supervise all of the minors in the home when they provide the respite care, not just the child with special needs. Project Rainbow provides temporary relief for families or caregivers by providing safe environments where kids get time to be kids and parents/caregivers get time to themselves VIP Academy: An alternative high school program for teens and young adults
Combining workforce training with education, this stimulating and interactive program known as the Vocational Introduction and Preparation Academy, is available to Manatee County students between 14-22 years of age with disabilities, including autism. Taking a prevocational approach to academics, the VIP academy helps students transition to adulthood and prepare for the workforce through small, intimate learning environments and opportunities to be a productive member of their community. Children’s Therapy Services
Our highly-skilled professionals offer quality services to children with autism and their families from birth through age 17, with an emphasis on children ages five and under. Therapies include speech/language, occupational, physical, and developmental/early intervention therapy. Therapy is delivered in either a child’s natural setting in our state-of-the-art Children’s Therapy Center. Our multi-disciplinary approach engages families in the therapeutic journey for each child. Because we offer all of these therapy services in one center, our therapists can collaborate with each other to maximize functional outcomes for each child.
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