Self-Determination,+Empowerment+&+Youth+Leadership

= ONLINE RESOURCES FOCUSED ON SELF-DETERMINATION, EMPOWERMENT & YOUTH LEADERSHIP FOR TRANSITIONING YOUTH WITH ASD. STUDENTS MAY ALSO IDENTIFY A SPECIFIC SITE LED BY YOUTH/ADULTS WITH ASD USING SOCIAL MEDIA, WHICH DEMONSTRATES THESE SKILLS. =

I find it so interesting that there is a martial arts program out there specifically designed for youth who are autistic. To me, this really pulls together mind AND body to give these individuals confidence and strength. I feel like sometimes, especially in academia, we can forget the role that physical training can play in a healthy sense of self. || 1) The History of Disability; 2) Disability History and Awareness Month; 3) Parents Developing Self-Determination in Their Youth; 4) Students Determined to Take Control of Their Education and Their Lives; 5) Teachers as Implementers; and, 6) Time to Reflect. ||
 * ==**TITLE OF RESOURCE**== || ==**SPONSORING ORGANIZATION(S)**== || ==**DESCRIPTION/PROGRAM COMPONENTS**== ||
 * The Autism Empowerment (AE) Program || Elite Training Center: Family Martial Arts and Fitness located in Fayetteville, NC || The A.E. program seeks to empower youth with autism using historically tested methods of physical conditioning and self -awareness with modern techniques for social skill development and self-regulation.
 * Life After IEPs – It’s Your Child’s Future || This site is not connected to any organization. It was created by Mary Mazzoni, Master of Education Degree in Developmental Disabilities from University of New Hampshire. She has taken many post graduate courses, and she is a Certified Special Education Teacher. || Transition resources and support, including resources for self advocacy & leadership training for youth. ||
 * I'm Determined || Virginia Dept of Education I'm Determined Project || This website is a resource for students who want to learn about self-determination and goal setting. There are short videos that show goal setting sessions with students. This resource also discusses IEPs and including students in their own educational planning. By being involved in this process, they own the process and are more invested in obtaining success. This site also serves as a resource for parents and teachers to get a quick view of students in a goal setting environment. There are also 6 informational modules as follows:
 * Extreme Sports Camp: An Athletic Experience for Autism || Non-profit organization, that runs without state funding. || This website provides a creative and innovative approach to empower and teach self-determination by providing opportunities to gain these skills through extreme sports. They have winter and summer camps where they accept individuals with ASD of varying ages. There is a fee for this camp, but ultimately they strive to provide opportunities to motivate and empower individuals with ASD through fun outdoor activities. ||
 * Summer Leadership Academy || Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) || ASAN is a non-profit organization founded and run by adults with autism.ASAN was created to provide support and services to individuals on the autism spectrum, while aiming to educate communities. ASAN offers a summer leadership camp, in which college students on the spectrum attend to learn ways that they can take leadership roles and make changes on their college campuses. Participants will learn community organizing, policy making, and activism skills to apply as leaders on their campuses. ||
 * Educational Technology || Edudemic || "Squag" is a social networking site aimed for tweens and teens on the autism spectrum. Their purpose is to provide a safe enviornment for their users to enjoy social networking and interact with peers. This website provides "How to" guides on using social media (i.e. Twitter, Facebook) and information on classroom tools/transitioning to college and other education advice. ||
 * Autism After 16 || Better Half Enterprises, LLC || //Autism After 16// is dedicated to providing information and analysis of adult autism issues, with the emphasis on analysis. There is a tab on the main website that lists videos on specific life skills topics such as how to make a specific meal, how to be romantic and how to choose the right frame for a picture. There is also information on housing, finances, health, community and arts. ||
 * William Stillman || Pennsylvania Autism Self Advocacy Coalition (PASAC) || Mr. Stillman is an Author who was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome. He speaks nationwide to families, caregivers, educators, and individuals with ASD. He helps people to learn advocacy skills. He speaks about living with ASD. ||
 * A New Leaf || What we do:
 * Personal & Employment Counselling & Coaching:** Brief, solution-focused therapy for clients (over 21). **Consultation:** For families & persons needing **support in community, educational, and employment settings** via collaborative and case management models, and to businesses & agencies to enhance **inclusive employment practices**. || counsel both neurotypical and neuroatypical adults in **changing life situations** that no longer bring them **quality of life.** Counseling is available **face-to-face** or by **telecounselling** (over the phone). Telecounselling is becoming more popular as people have busier schedules, live at a distance where services are limited or may not be able to readily access to transportation or may have a different ability that confines them to their homes. ||