autism – Autism Connection of Pennsylvania

Child Health Association of Sewickley Grant: Spelling

We are glad to share that Autism Connection of Pennsylvania has been granted the opportunity to further our mission of being a lifeline and hub for families and adults in the autism community. With heartfelt gratitude, we announce that we have been awarded a grant of $10,000 by the Child Health Association of Sewickley.

We believe in leaving no member of our community behind. Our organization is disability-led, with a passionate team that includes three autistic board members, and 33% of our staff is autistic. We serve people and families from infancy through older adulthood, with a goal that
everyone receives the support, information, and advocacy they deserve.

This grant is a testament to our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. With these funds, we will embark on a project aimed at supporting people who are nonspeaking or minimally verbal, hoping to help them communicate their needs and wants—often for the first time.

Here’s a glimpse of what this project entails.

Project Goals

Link families who have had success with spelling to access academic, social, and healthcare needs
Engage families in dialogue with newcomers for whom traditional speech and language services are not sufficient
Emphasize the concept of presuming understanding on the part of nonspeaking autistic young people and promote literacy from a young age
Educate caregivers about autism brain differences that affect spoken communication
Encourage families to explore new communication methods with support from experienced practitioners

Measurement of Success:

Number of new families introduced to spelling for accessing various needs
Number of families using spelling with some success
Engagement of professionals in training sessions
Distribution of spelling boards at no cost
Involvement of families, teachers, and therapists in implementing spelling

This project aligns with our core values of inclusivity, accessibility, and support. We are dedicated to making a tangible difference in the lives of nonspeaking autistic people and their families, ensuring that communication barriers do not hinder their access to healthcare, education, and social engagement. Together, we can break down barriers and create a more inclusive world for people with autism who need access to communication.

Thank you for being a part of our journey.

Understanding The Connection Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Cerebral Palsy

April is a time when we come together to recognize the diverse experiences of people living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families, and we encourage the momentum to continue throughout the year. Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts with others, and experiences the world around them. As we delve into the intricacies of autism, it’s essential to understand its relationship with other conditions, such as cerebral palsy.

The Intersection of Autism and Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of neurological disorders that affect movement, posture, and muscle coordination. While CP primarily impacts motor function, it can also co-occur with other developmental conditions, including autism. Research suggests that approximately 6% to 15% of individuals with CP also have a diagnosis of autism, highlighting the overlapping nature of these conditions.

The co-occurrence of autism and cerebral palsy presents unique challenges for each person and their families. Understanding the relationship between these conditions is crucial for providing comprehensive care and support. While the exact mechanisms underlying their co-occurrence are not fully understood, a couple factors may contribute to their association:

Common Risk Factors – Both autism and cerebral palsy have shared risk factors, including genetic predisposition, prenatal complications, and environmental influences.

Neurological Differences – Research suggests that disruptions in brain development may contribute to the development of both conditions. Structural and functional abnormalities in the brain can manifest as diverse symptoms associated with autism and cerebral palsy.

Navigating Dual Diagnoses

Receiving dual diagnoses of autism and cerebral palsy can be overwhelming for individuals and their families. It’s essential to access comprehensive support services and resources to address the unique needs associated with each condition. Here are some steps to navigate this journey:

Seek Multidisciplinary Care — Collaborate with a team of healthcare professionals, including pediatricians, neurologists, developmental specialists, and therapists, to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your child’s needs.
Access Early Intervention Services — Early intervention is critical for optimizing outcomes for children with autism and cerebral palsy. Explore early intervention programs that offer therapeutic interventions, educational support, and family-centered services.
Connect with Support Networks — Joining support groups and connecting with other families facing similar challenges can provide invaluable emotional support, practical advice, and shared experiences. Organizations like Autism Connection of PA offer resources and community networks.

Autism Connection of Pennsylvania thanks Jennifer LaRocco, Editor & Coordinator at Cerebral Palsy Guidance, for sharing her expertise through this insightful guest blog post. Jennifer’s contribution sheds light on the intricate relationship between autism spectrum disorder and cerebral palsy. As we commemorate April’s focus on autism, let’s keep the momentum going throughout the year. Thank you, Jennifer, for your dedication to raising awareness and fostering understanding in our community.

Please visit Jennifer’s page on the Cerebral Palsy Guidance website to learn more.

The Peaches and Cream Autism

Years ago, my autistic daughter participated in what they called a special needs sporting event. I was quietly cheering her on, and another parent asked, “What is she doing here? Helping?” I shook my head and explained that she, too, was playing as a child with a disability.

“What’s wrong with her?”

“Nothing is wrong with her. She just has autism.”

The other parent’s eyes glazed over as she remarked, “Not the real autism. She has the ‘peaches and cream’ autism.”

I gave no response.

This brief, somewhat painful interaction has stuck with me for more than a decade. First, the image of peaches and cream as it relates to levels of perceived heightened ability makes no sense. Second, the inner workings of the mind and body are generally difficult to observe because they are not overt. So those with the perceived simple “peaches and cream” autism seem to have no place. They are too visibly able to fit in with those who have overt disabilities, and too invisibly disabled to seamlessly connect with nondisabled peers.

Where do we land?

Unpacking the Peaches

Over the years, I’ve ruminated on the peaches and cream autism statement, and I have repeated the nonsensical phrase many times. Sometimes in an effort to try to figure it out; sometimes in an effort to gauge other’s understanding. Results were mixed.

My younger, non-autistic daughter, much like me, was trying to unpack the concept.

And she did, in a way that finally made sense. She being a mere 15 years old, made the revelation extraordinary.

“Maybe you have the peach fuzz autism too, Mom.”

“Peach fuzz?” I laughed. “It’s the ‘peaches and cream’ autism. And you are probably right.”

“Oh! I thought you were saying peach fuzz because it’s light and soft and hard to see.”

Light and soft and hard to see

Peach Fuzz

The way my mind works, I pictured a peach with its soft, fuzzy outer skin covering the fruit’s flesh. This led to an exploration and possible conclusion to the peaches and cream conundrum. And it makes sense in relation to autism and hidden differences.

The peach’s fuzzy exterior has puzzled experts, with no definitive explanation for its presence. However, one prevailing theory suggests that this textured coating serves as an additional safeguard for the delicate peel, which is susceptible to premature rot.

Peach fuzz exists even though it is difficult to detect, and it exists for good reason.

When I shared my findings with my daughters, the younger one sighed. “Peach fuzz on the face, I meant.”

We’re still looking into it.

Introduction to Autism

Getting any new diagnosis comes with the need to understand it. Learn the basics about autism, and get some take-home tips, from people who understand and have worked in this field for 20+ years.

We will explain the details about autism and how brain differences help shape personality, likes, dislikes, fears, eating, sleeping, the senses, and communication. Please come and ask your questions, meet others with similar concerns and learn what to do at home and in the community!

This is a free workshop, but registration is required.

Register Here

Pittsburgh Marathon 2023 Run for a Reason

Autism Connection of Pennsylvania is excited join the celebration of sthe 15th year of the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon in 2023! The Pittsburgh Marathon was held annually from 1985-2003, and following a five-year hiatus, the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon was relaunched in 2009 and debuted with a sold-out field. Show your support for Autism Connection at the 15th running of this awesome event this May!

Autism Connection’s Race Roster

Miniature Railroad & Village® Sensory Friendly Tours

Join expert Miniature Railroad educators on a special behind-the-scenes tour through one of the Carnegie Science Center’s most popular exhibits! All tours will occur outside of regular museum hours. Designed for visitors with sensory sensitivities and/or other disabilities, these tours are personalized and free of crowds and loud noises. Each tour date has a very limited number of spots available, to maintain a welcoming, low-stimuli environment.

Tickets for this opportunity are free, regardless of Membership status, but require advance reservations for all members of your party. This is an all-ages appropriate event. General admission to the museum is not included, but can be purchased separately for the Tours that occur before museum open. To register, please use the buttons below, call 412-237-3400 or email [email protected]

Spelling to Communicate (S2C) Virtual Workshop

Carole Policastro, D.Ed., shares information about Spelling to Communicate in this free workshop.