WORKSHOPS
We are again planning an exciting lineup of workshops this year. We have
a number of confirmed speakers and topics. Other workshop possibilities
are being explored, and will be announced as they are confirmed.
Building Alliances
Phil Schwarz, Vice President, Asperger's Association of New England
This workshop will focus on constructive working relationships with
others -- "allies".
It will pose several relevant questions for discussion, including:
* What are the boundaries of our community? How do we identify
sympathetic
people outside the boundaries of our community?
* What does it mean to be an ally to the autistic self-advocacy movement?
To our community in general?
* How do we identify potential allies? How do we build productive
working
relationships with them?
Phil Schwarz has been a member of ANI since 1994, and has attended
all
Autreats since 1997. Phil is vice-president of the Asperger's
Association
of New England, and has served on its board of directors since 1996.
This
is Phil's second time as an Autreat workshop presenter.
Cousinhood: Who cares and other questions
Sola Shelly
This workshop is about the various functions of ANI, as an example of an
autistic-run organization. Some functions are within the AC community,
as a social, cultural and support group, where A stands for "autistic",
and C stands for "cousin". Some functions are advocacy-oriented, addressing
the relationship between AC people as a group, and the general society.
The premise of this workshop is that definitions and status of members
depend on context. The term Cousin was first coined in ANI to refer to
disabled non-autistic people having meaningful commonality with autistic
people. However, over time the term Cousin was used in ANI also for people
who had some autistic traits, but who were not fully autistic. There will
not be an attempt to define what autism is, or draw the line between autism-labels
and sub-clinical autism, but rather to describe various approaches to the
autism continuum, and list arguments for and against using them in the
medical, social-cultural and advocacy contexts, by looking at the relations
between issues of disability, labeling, advocacy, community and culture,
and by comparison with other visible and invisible disabilities. Clarifying
terms is important for setting advocacy goals, and for diffusing some of
the anxiety that people without formal labels, and even with formal labels,
may feel about belonging with the AC community.
Sola Shelly initially became involved with ANI as a parent, but
she soon became intensely interested in autistic community, and in the
meaning of belonging to a community. Sola's respect for the autonomy and
needs of autistic people involved her with issues of advocacy and disability
rights. For some period of time she served as a moderator for the Parents'
Auxiliary of ANI-L. Exploring her own place in this autistic community
led her to a long-term fixation on the concept of Cousinhood. Through participation
on ANI-L, attendance at ANI events, and personal contact with ACs, as well
as extensive review of AC writings on the subject, Sola has gained understanding
of the various meanings and implications of Cousinhood. Sola's careful,
thorough, rigorous examination of Cousinhood brought her to the conclusion,
a few years ago, that she was a Cousin. She later was formally diagnosed
with Asperger syndrome.
Designing Your Own Sensory Diet (And How to Make It Work)
Susan J. Golubock, M.Ed., OTR/L
Just as food is important in keeping our physical bodies going throughout
the day, sensory input is important to keeping our nervous systems functioning
at desired levels throughout the day. Sensory processing and modulation
challenges can drain our resources too quickly, leaving us starved and
hungry for input that will put our nervous system back to a functional
level. Discover your individual sensory profile. Identify sensory input
that fits your profile and can become staples in your "sensory diet". Learn
when to use what during your day to keep your nervous system functioning
a little better.
After years as an occupational therapist pursuing everything she could
on a personal and professional level about how the brain works, Sue
finally discovered what made her own brain so different. She was diagnosed
with PDD, then Asperger's in her 50's. Sue currently works as an OT for
The Center for Neurodevelopmental Studies (www.thechildrenscenteraz.com),
with children on
the autism spectrum. Her area of special interest has always been sensory
integration, to which she has added a master's degree in assistive
technology. Sue owes much of what she has accomplished to the support of
her husband of 35 years.
Organizing Domestic Space: Creating A Comfortable Home
Zosia Zaks
In this workshop, people on the autistic spectrum are offered concrete
suggestions and procedures for organizing their homes. Various issues surrounding
getting organized are also discussed, such as how to begin and how to feel
good about where we live. Participants are invited (but not required) to
make charts, diagrams, maps, and visual aids that will help the organizational
process.
Zosia has Asperger's Syndrome. She struggled to organize her
domestic
environment, but with the help of friends and much trial and error,
she has worked out practical ways to get and stay organized at home. Zosia
is an active member of the New York City Adult Asperger Syndrome Support
Group and speaks publicly on issues important to the autistic community.
This workshop was presented at the Asperger's Association of New England's
October 2002 conference, and at the Advocates for Individuals with High
Functioning Autism, Asperger's Syndrome and Other Pervasive Developmental
Disorders conference on Long Island in April 2003. She is also currently
writing a book about Asperger's Syndrome.
Social skills: An autistic assessment
Jim Sinclair
Social skills assessments for autistic people usually follow the approach
of comparing the autistic person's behavior with expectations of typical
behavior in NT society, and identifying any differences as deficits to
be remedied through social skills training. This workshop will define different
types of social skills, considering their implications for the autistic
person and for the people interacting with the autistic person. We will
look at ways to classify different social behaviors, and factors in distinguishing
between differences and deficits. A structured system
will be proposed for assessing social skills and making decisions about
social skills instruction, based on premises that are respectful of autistic
and non-autistic people.
Jim Sinclair is an autistic person and a counselor working with
AC
clients and consulting with families and schools. Jim does a lot of
work
with autistic and non-autistic people on learning to understand each
other
and developing skills for peaceful coexistence. Jim has been coordinator
of ANI since its founding in 1992, and has helped many autistic and
non-autistic ANI members untangle difficult interpersonal situations.
Spectrum/Non-Spectrum Intimate Relationships: A New Perspective On Making
It Work
Gena Daniels and Zosia Zaks
This workshop presents ways to bridge differences that may come up between
a partner on the autistic spectrum and one not on the spectrum in a way
that doesn't negate the autistic partner's experiences or strengths. Instead
of the standard focus on autistic short-comings and how the non-spectrum
partner can negotiate these problems or live without all the things an
autistic person can't give, the workshop
features creative compromises both partners can make that do not invalidate
either one's needs. Practical suggestions can enhance communication and
reduce frustration for both individuals. The workshop goes on to explore
autistic experiences of love and how autistic strengths can play an important
role in the relationship. For singles, alternative dating ideas and new
ways to navigate the complex process of finding a partner are also included.
Zosia Zaks has Asperger's Syndrome and is in a relationship with
Gena
Daniels, who is not on the spectrum. Their workshop on relationships
began taking shape when, while seeking out information for spectrum/non-spectrum
couples, Zosia and Gena found it difficult to find materials that emphasized
autistic strengths and that analyzed relationship behavior from an autistic
perspective. Zosia is an active member of the New York City Adult Asperger
Syndrome Support Group,
speaks publicly on issues important to the autistic community, and
is also currently writing a book about Asperger's Syndrome.
Gena Daniels is in a relationship with Zosia Zaks, who has Asperger's
Syndrome. They live together in New York City with their four cats. Gena
attends New York City Adult Asperger Syndrome Support Group meetings with
Zosia regularly, and has also worked with many children on the autistic
spectrum. For more information regarding interpersonal relationships with
people on the autistic spectrum, Gena may be contacted via email at dial8@newyorknet.net.
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