In 2018, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City created an innovative musical, designed just for children with autism and their families. Up and Away was a sold-out event in which each child became part of the story and journeyed through the set with actors trained on the sensitivities and challenges of […]
Recreation
Adjusting to the New Normal
ADJUSTING TO THE NEW NORMAL Like everyone else, the team at Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement (PSAE) had to respond rapidly to the forced shut down due to the COVID-19 crisis – and they did, achieving a smooth transfer to remote learning for each intern and resuming the program’s regular schedule, five days a week. While […]
“There’s No Place Like Home”
Courtesy of The Arc By Brad Walker, V.P., Community Living Supports A recent, national report by The Arc confirmed that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including those with autism, prefer to live in community-based settings. Community living, according to the report, is not only more cost effective, it also leads to positive outcomes in […]
Banding Together
Banding Together, a Night of Too Many Stars grantee, offers music therapy to hundreds of individuals with autism and developmental disabilities each year in San Diego County, California. Everyone gets a chance to play in these music sessions, while also learning skills such as expressing emotions, connecting with others, and socializing. What’s more, there are […]
The AAP’s Latest Recommendations on ASD: Our Takeaways
By Patricia Wright, Ph.D., MPH, and SVP Program Development The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently issued an updated clinical report on autism, its first in twelve years. The recommendations in “Identification, Evaluation and Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders” were notable for promoting early diagnosis and intervention and greater attention to adolescence and […]
There May Be An App For That
https://nextforautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/id-check-v2-600×338.jpg A guest blog by The Arc of Northern Virginia, a Night of Too Many Stars Grantee Every parent worries about their children’s safety, especially when the children are out in public. But parents of young adults with autism can live with heightened levels of concern. A casual excursion can easily turn into a traumatic […]
Making a Difference is the First Step
Brad Walker, VP of Community Living Supports, trains and consults with staff at NEXT for NEIGHBORS, our community living program currently in development. The program will employ the Professional Family Teaching Model, which emphasizes family-style living in a supportive, teaching environment for adults with autism. To honor National Caregivers Month, Brad celebrates two, exemplary professional […]
2019 Year End Review
Read about our 2019 work and accomplishments in our Year End Review!
Making the Arts Accessible to All
https://nextforautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Arts-Ed-Resize-300×300.png Museum outings are popular family affairs — meaningful activities that everyone can enjoy which are also educational. One challenge? The sensory stimuli can be overwhelming to some children, and even more so for some children with autism. Now, three museums across the country are doing something about it. Educators from the Kansas Children’s Discovery […]
The Case for Meaningful Work
https://nextforautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Copy-of-The-Case-for-Meaningful-Work-600×428.png by John Bryson, M.S.E, Sr. Manager, Corporate Employment Consulting, NEXT for AUTISM I’m often asked why I work in disability employment helping young people with autism and other disabilities prepare for and find meaningful work. My answer is always the same. I’m motivated by a case that lit a fire in me. Its senselessness […]
The Women of PSAE Get to Work!
https://nextforautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Screen-Shot-2019-09-03-at-4.49.42-PM-600×399.png By: Alison Bush, M.S., BCBA Meet Shannon. She’s one of two women who graduated in 2019 from our Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement internship and employment program or PSAE. Shannon was driven to land a meaningful job after the hard work that she’d put into the training program, and she did. She’s thrilled to be […]
Embracing the Amazing
On a recent afternoon, representatives from Queens Public School 219 brightened our day with an uplifting story about their school’s campaign to celebrate diverse abilities, “Embracing the Amazing.” The K-8 school in Flushing, Queens enrolls 700 students, twenty-seven percent of whom are on the autism spectrum. During the month-long celebration, children in the lower school […]
What’s New With Our Favorite Dads?
https://nextforautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ed-kevin-leo-2-600×358.jpg Three years ago on Father’s Day, we introduced our readers to Ed Tournu and Kevin Donohue, two Long Island dads who had adopted a boy with autism. Though they had only intended to foster 13 year-old Leo at the time, until a permanent home could be found, the dads fell in love with Leo […]
Autism Interns Gain Real World Experience While Raising Awareness
On a recent spring day, Shannon and Jack, two interns from the Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement employment training program, were spotted at an information table, greeting passersby on NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital’s Westchester campus. They wanted to raise awareness about their program and the importance of work for people with autism. With the high rate of unemployment […]
A Happy Mother-Daughter Partnership
Mothers and daughters have connected over food for generations, but that wasn’t the reason that Arlene Maidman took her daughter, Julia, to cooking lessons four years ago. Family friends had gifted the lessons to Julia for her sweet 16, and Arlene just went along. But what she saw in Julia that afternoon changed both of […]
The Light In All Of Us
https://nextforautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Satya-and-Son-e1556742652157.jpg Satya, jewelry designer and the owner of Satya Jewelry, approached NEXT for AUTISM to partner on the launch of The Beautiful You Collection, which she had designed to honor the individuality and gifts of those on the autism spectrum. Satya is committed to celebrating our community and has pledged to donate a portion of […]
Open Yourself to a World of Possibility
https://nextforautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Pic1.jpg This remarkable 16-year-old high-school student, Shreya Suneja, became involved with autism causes when her younger cousin was diagnosed. She shares her story with us, hoping to inspire other young people towards greater acceptance of individuals with autism. Walking through the hallways of my high school, one thing has become very clear to me: we […]
Thinking Forward – April 2, 2019
We entered 2019 redoubling our efforts not only to build excellent model programs for people with autism and their families, but also to better define ourselves as an organization. I’d like to share some of our evolving insights with you, as they are our guide to moving forward. We Reimagine Autism Services. NEXT for AUTISM […]
The Coming Care Crisis as Kids With Autism Grow Up
The personal challenges and systemic barriers faced by adults with autism and their families are, indeed, as profound as outlined in The Atlantic article below. Life for adults with autism can be devoid of opportunity and hope. For parents, navigating a confusing system of support and facing an uncertain future are sources of unrelenting anguish, […]
2018 A Year of Empowerment
We empowered people with autism to thrive at work, at home, and in our communities with new programs and services. READ OUR ANNUAL REVIEW HERE
Video: What’s Next for Autism?
What’s Next for Autism? Meet Tamar, a recent graduate of our employment training program, as she embarks on a hopeful start at her first job. Laura Slatkin and Ilene Lainer provide impassioned interviews on NEXT for AUTISM’s vision for programs that support young adults like Tamar. Dr. Jeremy Veenstra-Vanderweele of the Center for Autism and […]
PS-AE: 9 Interns, 9 Graduates, 9 Jobs
Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement Graduation 2018! As the 2019 class of employment training interns begins this fall at Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement, we thought everyone would enjoy this video of the previous year’s graduation. Note the pride as these graduates share their accomplishments. We, too, are proud. 9 Interns, 9 Graduates, 9 Jobs. Here’s to […]
Living Away but Staying Close
How To Stay In Touch With A Sibling With Autism From Afar Andrea Bennett, OTD, OTR/L, Manager of Program Development at NEXT for AUTISM, shares tips from her experience as a sib. For any sibling, leaving home for college, work, or a new life can be a challenging adjustment that is layered with emotions. This […]
Come Power Pedal With Elisabeth!
The 2nd Annual NEXT for AUTISM Power Pedal event taking place this April 29th is a special gathering of friends and loved ones from diverse corners of our community. Teachers, coaches, therapists, doctors, lawyers, colleagues, aunts, siblings and even young people on the autism spectrum have committed to the one-hour, indoor ride. All are helping to raise […]
Game On, Big Easy!
Golf may not be what first comes to mind when thinking about therapeutic interventions for young people with autism, but as taught by the Els Center of Excellence at the Els for Autism Foundation in Florida, it has turned out to be a winning choice. The Els for Autism Foundation, started by South African world […]
The NEXTGen Board Visits the BOOST! After School Program
In an effort to gain a deeper understanding of NYCA’s work, our NEXT Gen board of directors recently spent time with children and teen mentors at the Jewish Community Center Manhattan’s BOOST! After School Program, one of NYCA’s first and banner initiatives. Ilene Lainer, NYCA’s President, and Allison Kleinman, Director of the Jack and Shirley Silver […]
Celebrating Community Connections
Only a few weeks left in April! NYCA is celebrating people on the autism spectrum and the communities that embrace them. Join us by sharing our posts and your own stories using #NYCACommunityConnections
Celebrating Community Connections
NYCA is celebrating individuals on the autism spectrum and the communities that embrace them. What activities do you enjoy doing with your friend, family or community member on the autism spectrum? Comment and use hastag #NYCACommunityConnections
Celebrating Community Connections
NYCA continues to celebrate people on the autism spectrum and the communities that embrace them. Comment and tell us what you’ve learned from a friend, family or community member on the autism spectrum using hashtag #NYCACommunityConnections
Father’s Day, Venturing Into the Deep End
By: Steven Kantor Typical greeting card sentiments just don’t capture the joys and disappointments of being a father of a child with autism. My youngest son Ari, now 18, was diagnosed with autism at 23 months. I dream of designing a greeting cards line for families with autism. Something like: “Happy Father’s Day! I know […]
Theatre Development Fund- Night of Too Many Stars Grantee Spotlight
Grantee Spotlight: Theatre Development Fund New York, NY Since 2011, Theatre Development Fund (TDF) has been sharing the magic of Broadway with children and adults with autism and their families through their Autism Theatre Initiative (ATI). According to Lisa Carling, Director of TDF Accessibility Programs, “As we talked to parents, special education teachers and psychologists, […]
Staying Active with Autism
By: Guest Blogger Steven Becker, Vice President, Health & Wellness Services, Jewish Community Centers of North America Recipient of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition 2014 PCFSN Community Leadership Award Everyone knows that childhood obesity rates are at an all time high. Not everyone is aware that those numbers are significantly higher for children […]
BOOST! After School Program at the JCC Manhattan
10 Years, 10 Triumphs Triumph 5: NYCA Planted the Seeds for Inclusion and Programming with the JCC in Manhattan The creation of BOOST! is one of NYCA’s greatest triumphs in its 10-year history. As with all our collaborative programs, we researched best practices and found a terrific after-school program at Have Dreams in Park Ridge, Illinois. We […]
JCC & BOOST! Press Release
THE JCC IN MANHATTAN AND NEW YORK COLLABORATES FOR AUTISM CELEBRATE TEN YEARS OF INNOVATION Longstanding Partnership Has Generated New Opportunities for People on the Autism Spectrum NEW YORK, NY, July 16, 2013 — Over the past decade, the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan (JCC) has become a mission leader in the development of inclusion-oriented programs […]
