What is the philosophy of Spectrum Help Coaching Services for Individuals with Autism?
At Spectrum Help Coaching Services, we believe that:
Everyone deserves respect.
Every life has value.
Everyone has the ability to live a life of meaning and purpose.
Everyone can reach their full potential with effective support tailored to their needs.
SHCS is passionate about helping young adults with autism and executive functioning challenges transform their hopes for the future into the life of their dreams.
SHCS is honored to join each of these individuals in their journey in accomplishing their goals.
How Does Spectrum Help Coaching Services Support Its clients?
SHCS uses a person-centered approach when creating support plans for our clients. We help each one envision the life that they want by focusing on their preferences in work, school, residential options, and community engagement and assist them in transforming their vision into a reality.
SHCS believes that understanding leads to acceptance, and, for our clients to find true happiness, they must be accepted for who they truly are. To facilitate this, SHCS offers autism awareness training to potential employers, support staff, and community organizations prior to our client being hired or employing the services of the organization, caregiver, or service provider.
SHCS believes that increasing autism awareness within our client's circle of support and community will help the person be understood, supported, and accepted for their authentic self.
What is the current situation for adults with autism after they leave high school?
Adults with autism have multiple challenges after leaving high school. Some attend college but few graduate. In the United States, upwards of 80% of all adults with autism are unemployed or underemployed. They typically make 30% less than their neurotypical peers and have the highest unemployment rate of any disability category. This is true for all individuals with autism regardless of race, culture, socio economic status, and functioning level.
50,000 students with autism exit high school each year, and there is a scarcity of support services for this population. Without these supports, adults with autism will continue to experience challenges in completing post-secondary education, securing meaningful employment, and positively engaging in their communities. Many live below the poverty line, most will depend on SSI and other forms of government assistance for their entire lives.
Due to their challenges in successfully transitioning after high school, many adults with autism depend on their parents for emotional and financial support. This places an enormous burden on these caregivers who worry what will happen to their child when they are no longer able.
SHCS was created to address the unmet needs of individuals in employment readiness and essential life skills. SHCS believes that these very capable young men and women have the ability to live productive and successful lives. SHCS also exists to give parents hope that their child will become a valued and self-sufficient member of their community.
Does Spectrum Help Coaching Service Provide Support for Parents?
Parents play an essential role in their child's success. This is especially true for the parents of children with learning and developmental differences. They must locate appropriate services for their child, drive their child to therapy and doctor's appointments, and attend yearly IEP meetings. But the dynamic between parent and child shifts when their child transitions to adulthood.
Usually starting in middle school, typically-developing teenagers start emotionally separating from their parents and towards their peer group as they mature. This also happens for young adults with autism, though it can happen later in life due to their developmental delays.
Parents also experience a change in the family dynamic as their child enters adulthood. It can be difficult for a parent to let their teenage or adult child make their own decisions, especially if their child lacks a supportive social circle or displays poor decision-making abilities. Sometimes the relationship between parent and child becomes combative, and the parent is at a loss of what to do.
SHCS does not provide therapy and we are not licensed therapists, but we can help guide parents to better understand the shift in their role as parent of a young adult with autism. SHCS can help parents "learn to let go" as their child develops good decision-making habits and becomes self-sufficient.
The Power of Words: Challenge vs Disability
The word disability means "a physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities."
The word challenge means "something that by its nature requires effort."
SHCS believes that when we label a person as having a disability, we view that person in terms of what he or she can't do. When we label a person as having a challenge, it views the person in terms of what they can't do yet.
Words are powerful. How a person describes him or herself has a huge impact on their self image. Positive words are uplifting. Negative words have the opposite effect.
SHCS helps our clients transform anything hindering their progress into an opportunity for growth. SHCS supports our clients in viewing themselves in positive terms and helps them envision a future based on the goals they want to accomplish.
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