The matter of what exactly goes on in the mind of a dog is a tricky one, and until recently much of the research on canine intelligence has been met with large doses of skepticism. But over the last several years a growing body of evidence, culled from small scientific studies of dogs’ abilities to do things like detect cancer or seizures, solve complex problems (complex for a dog, anyway), and learn language suggests that they may know more than we thought they did.

At the risk of sounding unsophisticated, I have to ask: who cares why our service dogs help us? I’m just grateful they do! And I’m sure Michelle O’Neil, the author of a blog at Bark Magazine, feels the same way. O’Neil’s daughter Riley has autism, and the Bark blog follows the two of them as they train with Jingle, Riley’s new autism service dog.

Day 3: Today we got into the meaty stuff. Behavior disruption! This is the whole point of having a service dog for Riley, to help her with the meltdowns. Eventually, hopefully, Jingle will be able to redirect Riley before the escalation occurs. Today, a 4 Paws staff member indicated she would be role-playing a child crying (which sent Riley running from the room covering her ears before the scene even unfolded). The dogs are taught to nuzzle, to put their head in the child’s lap, or to go “over,” which means putting their whole body across the child’s lap for deep pressure.

Watch Riley meeting Jingle on YouTube and tell me if you think Jingle does her work because she’s smart, or because she’s obedient. And … do you think it matters?

This was a special night for Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin, as we were publicly announcing our merger with Waukesha Training Center. I was so grateful Maurice spoke after I did. Everyone knows there’s no topping Maurice’s inspiring personal story.

Maurice has autism, and when he was a child the system very often considered institutionalizing children with his symptoms. In his speech, Maurice shared his life and a tale of his personal strength, devoted family and the help of Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago. Today Maurice is a college graduate, and I actually heard a gasp of surprise from the audience as Maurice shared the story of earning that degree. When Maurice’s talk drew to a close, the audience gave him a standing ovation.

Maurice’s personal story spoke to one aspect of our merger, bringing together an array of services:

• Early intervention
• Work services
• Case management
• Adult day and recreation

Families seeking help, hope and answers will find resources and support at Easter Seals. Maurice’s story also speaks to the need for a continuum of services across the lifespan, to give people with all types of disabilities more opportunities for inclusion, access to services, careers and most importantly, choices in their futures!

Thanks, Maurice, for coming to Milwaukee! We want to bring you back to share your story with our work services participants so they can start dreaming of their futures too.

I warned against assuming people with autism all have the same special interest. A good example: Lars Perner.

Dr. Perner is an assistant professor of clinical marketing at University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business. He also happens to be a person with autism. Perner keeps a personal blog called Delightful Reflections, and often shares that his special interest in consumer behavior has contributed to his professional success.

Dr. Perner has a free audio lecture too. You might want to check it out — we can all learn a lot more about “special interests” by getting a personal perspective from an expert: an individual with autism.

ABA at Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin
by Paul Messling

Several months ago I received a forwarded email from my former graduate school advisor at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. He thought a job opening at Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin might be right up my alley. After reading the posting for Autism Services Manager, I printed it out and left it for my wife to read. Her response, scrawled in bold letters across the top of the page, was WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Not being one to argue, my resume went out shortly after that.

Upon reflection, I guess I had already been waiting over eight years for this opportunity. After completing my undergraduate degree in psychology, I finally found direction in 2001 when I began working for a local autism services provider. After receiving a Masters Degree in behavior analysis, I got my Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) credentials in 2005.

The minute I arrived for my interview at Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin I really felt the kind of pioneering spirit I was looking for. The opportunity to build a new program based upon Easter Seals longstanding tradition of community service left me in awe.

So where does this leave us now? Fortunately in Wisconsin we have a state-funded program that provides some resources for autism treatment. Marketing strategies and materials are being developed, referral sources are being sought out, grants ideas are being developed for teaching materials, and we are preparing to hire our first therapists in the near future. Once that occurs our program will focus on the Verbal Behavior Approach to ABA and errorless teaching with a special emphasis on therapist and caregiver training using video feedback.

I am very grateful to have this opportunity with Easter Seals. In a brief period I’ve already seen this organization’s unwavering commitment to helping individuals with disabilities. I look forward to translating that sentiment into services for children on the autism spectrum in Wisconsin, so each family we meet leaves better for the experience.

Roger lost his legs in a boating accident in 1975, and he took that personal tragedy and turned it into a career as an advocate for people with disabilities. He was a delegate for Easter Seals Michigan and served on Easter Seals Michigan’s Board of Directors. He was also an active member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, the Paralympics Games and the Michigan Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame.

Our blogger Matt McAlear met McCarville after the TV host came to Easter Seals Bay Area to interview them about their Early Intervention Autism Project. The show aired in twelve different markets this summer. Easter Seals Bay Area has been receiving calls, emails, kudos, and support ever since the show aired on PBS, and subsequentlyon YouTube. From Matt’s blog post :

Throughout the day, both on and off camera, Roger went beyond the typical interview questions. He made a genuine effort to connect with each of us individually. Roger kept us laughing all day, and he was a pleasure to work with. He was truly interested in the work we do and the individuals we serve everyday through the Early Intervention Autism Project.

Roger McCarville was truly one-of-a-kind. He will be missed.

Surfing star Clay Marzo is doing his part by educating his fellow surfers. Clay was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome a few years ago, and he has been informing the surfing community about disability ever since. Marzo’s participation in surfing contests gives his fellow surfers the opportunity to learn about autism from an expert – a person with autism.

Marzo took a break from contests and visibility for a while, but now he is back in the mix. In fact, Clay is one of the most celebrated surfers in the world. He just turned 20, and he’s already won a number of Hawaiian titles. He’s a mainstay on YouTube (a few of his clips have been watched more than 50,000 times) and a story about Clay Marzo in this month’s Outside Magazine describes his obsession with surfing.

While Clay has many of these deficits—he’s easily overwhelmed by other people and often struggles to express himself—he also demonstrates one of the distinguishing features of Asperger’s: an “encompassing preoccupation” with a narrow subject. Some children with the syndrome become obsessed with 19th-century trains or coffee makers or The Price Is Right. Others will memorize camera serial numbers, even if they show little interest in photography. Hans Asperger, the Viennese pediatrician who first identified the disorder in 1944, argued that such obsessiveness can be a prerequisite for important achievement, even if
it comes at a steep social cost: “It seems that for success in science or art, a dash of autism is essential,” Asperger wrote. “The necessary ingredient may be an ability to turn away from the everyday world … with all abilities canalized into the one specialty.”

Marzo won the Quiksilver Pro Puerto Escondido this summer, and his victory sends a very powerful message: Significant success in life is possible if you have autism.

The Early Intervention Autism Project was the recipient of a Safeway Empowerment grant last year. The grant allowed us to expand the program from beyond the pilot stage into communities across our service area. We were thrilled that A Wider World wanted to track our progress.

What was even more thrilling was to see the finished product — the PBS show recently aired in twelve different markets! Roger, the host of the show, is an individual with a physical disability. He dedicates his show to, in his own words, “giving hope to the challenged by showing them that there are others like them who have overcome obstacles and misconceptions in order to lead normal, fulfilling lives.”

Roger interviewed one of our Early Intervention staff, and he talked with a family receiving our services. He interviewed me for the piece too. Throughout the day, both on and off camera, Roger went beyond the typical interview questions. He made a genuine effort to connect with each of us individually.

Roger kept us laughing all day, and he was a pleasure to work with. He was truly interested in the work we do and the individuals we serve everyday through the Early Intervention Autism Project. We’ve received numerous calls and emails of inquiry, kudos, and support ever since the show aired on PBS, and subsequently on YouTube. Thanks to Roger and his team at A Wider World for their support of Easter Seals, Safeway and our work with the ASD population!

Google had a booth at the Autism Society of America conference last month so they could show off their free software program SketchUp. SketchUp was originally developed for users to create, modify and share 3D models. Turns out SketchUp helps folks with autism develop some skills, too. Check out this youtube video to see some of the autism SketchUp success stories.

On Tuesday I visited the Google Chicago office to brainstorm possibilities of how to reach out to people with autism and let more of them know about SketchUp. Google has heard the success stories from people with autism and is interested in spreading the word so others may benefit.

The Google office was exactly what I expected: incredibly hip surroundings, staff in flip-flops, even lava lamps in the reception area! What came shining through all this grooviness while speaking with the staff at Google during my visit is their desire to contribute back to their community. What a bonus to have such a well-known company take an interest in the world of autism.

So I am on the bandwagon, reaching out about SketchUp. Download the SketchUp program for free and let us know what you think.

Last week Milwaukee Fox 6 TV featured an interview about our June 19 Walk With Me event.

The interview gave me an opportunity to spend some quality time with Stephanie Mayer and her son, Kyle. Kyle has autism, and he received a scholarship for inclusion in our P.L.A.Y. Project (Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters) last year.

We all had to wait over 30 minutes for the interview to begin, and Kyle was a pleasure to be with. He admitted he was a little nervous, and he held tight to his Buzz Light-Year and Woody toy for comfort. Eventually he cuddled next to his Mom and asked, “can I sit on your lap?”

Using cues from both P.L.A.Y. and new techniques from Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Stephanie encouraged his positive behavior. You would never know the struggles the family had with Kyle just a couple years ago. I knew, though — and I was truly amazed at Kyle’s progress.

A number of months ago, the family allowed our P.L.A.Y. Consultant Amanda Dobberstein to share a few videos of Kyle. The first session showed Kyle playing with three sets of objects in less than a two minute segment. Kyle had his back to his Mom and little sister during the entire period. Kyle’s mom kept asking questions, trying to engage Kyle, but he was pre-occupied. No interaction, no warmth — just sharing a room, not sharing an experience.

Now, a year later he is cuddled up next to Mom with his toys in his lap using his “big boy voice.” Of course, moments before we headed to the studio, Kyle asked his mom, “can I go to the bathroom?” Mom answered, “not right now, dear.” Kyle waits. Patiently.

Throughout the interview Kyle sits quietly, the bright lights of TV shining in his eyes. Stephanie tells the audience how the Easter Seals autism Web site helped her realize Kyle’s need for services. What a great feeling it is to know we were there when he needed us.

Later that night, Kyle had over 30 people walk on his team at our Walk with Me event in Milwaukee. One of those walkers was Amanda Dobberstein, Kyle’s original P.L.A.Y. consultant. He and his Mom told nearly 400 walkers about the progress Kyle has made and how grateful they are to Easter Seals for providing the scholarship.

This was a day when all the pieces came together — years of planning, fundraising that resulted in a caring staff providing services that change a life. Kyle may need only limited services when he moves on to first grade next Fall because of the work of Easter Seals early on.

On a personal note, my daughter Molly tagged along to the interview. There she was, off to the side, clad in her Walk with Me tie-died t-shirt, hearing about what an impact the agency Daddy works for makes in someone’s life. She thought it was “totally cool” to meet Kyle and see a TV station. Hearing her say that Kyle is a lot like her little brother Tommy was another life lesson I was glad she gained that morning. And you know what? I thought it was “totally cool” to be at that TV station with Kyle and his mom, too.

KXAN-TV here in Austin brought some sunshine to this cloudy outlook this week with a feature story about David Kennedy.

David is a very friendly young man of twenty-two years. He loves to listen to and play music on the keyboard, he likes talking to his friends and teachers in the community, and he enjoys meeting new people and helping them, especially while at his job. David also has autism.

From the KXAN-TV feature :

“I love going to work,” said David. “My job is awesome.”

He works at a South Austin H-E-B check-out line. It is a job he got with the help of a school program and one he has been able to maintain through a support system with Easter Seals Central Texas.

Easter Seals not only serves as a liaison between David and his employer but also as a search tool to help people like David find work.

Easter Seals Central Texas has been working for the past decade to aid adults with disabilities and other barriers gain employment skills and access opportunities to lead more independent lives. David has been working at the regional grocery store chain H-E-B for more than a year now. He proudly displays his “one-year badge” and is eagerly waiting to get his next badge in 2010. His mother, Barbara, is one of his greatest advocates and credits the support she has received at Easter Seals Central Texas for contributing to her son’s growing independence and sense of pride.

The Easter Seals Living with Autism Study results revealed that 76% of parents of children with autism are concerned about their children’s future employment. Finding employment for individuals with disabilities is always a challenge, but there is much we can each do to help open more doors to employment. Patronize companies known to hire individuals with disabilities. Tell employers how much you value their employees with disabilities. And if you are an employer, discover your nearest Workforce Development Program and learn how you can help support this very important and wonderful resource.

Read Julia McCollum’s biography.