Life After High School – Isaac's Autism in the Wild

#137 | Tracks to Success by Skils’ kin

By isaac-autism-in-the-wild | February 24, 2023

Saturday, March 11

9am -1pm | Open House

4004 E Boone Ave. Spokane, WA 99202

Are you or someone you know living with a disability?

Are you confused about employment options, benefits, or finances?

Attend this event for answers! We will have on-site solutions from:

DDA and DVR Case Managers (Service sign-up and Q&A)
Mary McDirmid of Special Abilities Network (ABLE accounts and financial planning)
Community Work Incentive Counselors (how work will impact benefits)
Skils’kin Staff (job opportunities, resume building, and post-graduation concerns)

visit this link to learn more and register!

https://bit.ly/3ZqZOwP

Also, referenced in this podcast is Deb Skalabrin and her amazing online group called Parenting Beyond Defiance. Go check them out at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3095960987308432

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#135 | Caleb Turns 15 Years Old

By isaac-autism-in-the-wild | February 5, 2023

Usually, Caleb counts down the days leading up to his birthday with excitment. This year, he woke up on his 15th birthday with debilitating anxiety about the prospect of getting one year closer to adulthood. In this podcast, Caleb talks about his anxieties related to all the elements of becoming an adult and strategies we can utilize to overcome some of his stressors.

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#128 | Self-Advocate Laine Anderson: Williams Syndrome Acceptance Month

By isaac-autism-in-the-wild | May 8, 2022

May is Williams Syndrome Acceptance Month. Joining me for this episode of Isaac’s Autism in the Wild podcast is self-advocate Laine Anderson who shares with me her journey as a young woman living with Williams Syndrome. We chatted about her early years along with some of the medical challenges associated with Williams Syndrome.

Show Notes:

https://williams-syndrome.org/

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#116 | Self-Advocate John Lemus

By isaac-autism-in-the-wild | November 24, 2021

In this episode, Holly sits with well known Spokane self-advocate, John Lemus to learn more about his childhood, teen years, and adult life on the autism spectrum. He shares about profound lessons he has learned, and even opens up about his experiences dating.

References within podcast:

Anger Management at Fulcrum Institute: www.fulcrumdispute.com/angermanagement.jsp

Dating Apps to consider:

Hinge

Hiki for individuals on the autism spectrum

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#115 | The Arc of Spokane

By isaac-autism-in-the-wild | November 8, 2021

In this episode of ISAAC’S Autism in the Wild Holly is joined by the Executive Director of the Arc of Spokane, Sima Thorpe. Sima is here to tell us all about The Arc of Spokane and introduces us to two of her most recent hires, Jennifer and Maria. Together this group discusses the different programs available to families in our area and how we plan to work together to help meet the needs of the developmentally disabled populations in Spokane and extending into our rural areas.

The Arc of Spokane:

Questions on resources and services:

advocacy@arc-spokane.org

For Spokane Parent to Parent Resources:

Maria Jennings

mjennings@arc-spokane.org

509-789-8797

Facebook: Parent to Parent of Spokane County | Facebook

For Pend Orielle and Stevens County Parent to Parent Resources:

Micaela Herman

mherman@arc-spokane.org

509-789-8782

Parent to Parent of Stevens and Pend Oreille Counties | Facebook

Sexual Abuse Prevention Training

Jim Lane

jlane@arc-spokane.org

509-789-8325

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#113 Self-Advocate RoundTable–LIVE!

By isaac-autism-in-the-wild | October 25, 2021

On this very special episode of ISAAC’S Autism in the Wild Podcast we are joined by two of our favorite self-advocates, Tracey Cohen & John Lemus. Tracey is an author of three books, two about autism and one about her passion for running. We had featured Tracey in an episode earlier this year and were so excited to meet her in person when she came to Spokane to visit at the end of the summer. While Tracey was visiting we introduced her to John Lemus, a Spokane based disabilities professional who advocates for the disability community through his various positions in local and state leadership.

Please take a listen and excuse the background noise as we are recording LIVE on the stage at Pitotti Coffee as we discuss several topics regarding advocacy.

References:

Full Spectrum Agency for Autistic Adults

https://fullspectrumasd.org/

Author, Autism Advocate

http://www.growingupautistic.com/tracey.html

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Episode #111 Soar Behavioral

By isaac-autism-in-the-wild | September 27, 2021

In this episode of ISAAC’S Autism in the Wild Podcast Holly was joined by Jim Matthews, Executive Director of SOAR Behavior Services. SOAR is a prominent ABA provider in Spokane with locations across the state of Washington, in Idaho, and Nevada. We discuss how SOAR was founded and the services they provide. We also delve into issues concerning wait lists, staff turnover, and the politics involved in home vs school ABA settings.

About Jim Matthews

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Jim Matthews holds four Bachelor’s degrees from the University of California, Irvine and two Masters degrees in Educational Psychology and School Psychology from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA. Jim is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP). Throughout his two decades of working in ABA, he has worked with thousands of children and families both in schools and in private practice. Jim lives in Spokane WA. Professionally, Jim has dedicated his life to helping all people with disabilities. He is deeply passionate about helping people who are most in need during the time when they most need it. He feels strongly that ABA can confer meaningful lifelong skills that both enrich and enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

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Episode #109 | Autism & Siblings -Tyler’s Story

By isaac-autism-in-the-wild | August 30, 2021

This week on ISAAC’S Autism in the Wild our host Holly is joined by another VERY special guest, her son Tyler. Tyler is 17 years old and was the only child in the family to have spent time with Isaac as they were only 11 months apart in age.

Tyler is an aggressive advocate for those with autism and other special needs. He is very close to his brother Caleb and acts as a mentor to him which, as a 17 year old young man, comes with its pros and cons 🙂 We joke, but you will hear throughout this episode, what a passionate and kind young man Tyler is.

We discuss Tyler’s early memories of Isaac, how the ISAAC Foundation has impacted him throughout the years, and the struggles that he has experienced. Take a listen, we are sure you will be inspired by some of the charismatic gems of wisdom Tyler shares in-between the curse words.

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Episode #105 | Executive Function Q&A with Becky Gardner

By isaac-autism-in-the-wild | August 5, 2021

In this episode of ISAAC’S Autism in the Wild we are joined again by our friend Becky Gardner of “A Life of My Own” Executive Function Coaching. Several parents have also joined us to ask her questions about executive function as it relates to their own children. Listen in and learn along with our parents, some strategies to help launch our children successfully!

Becky Gardner, Becky@alifeofmyown.com www.alifeofmyown.com
(425) 484-0773

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Episode #104 | Housing Options for Adults

By isaac-autism-in-the-wild | July 19, 2021

In this episode we are joined by Desiree Kameka Galloway of The Autism Housing Network. Holly had first learned of their work as well as the Madison House Autism Foundation a few years back while attending a conference about “Life After High School.” Holly was so impressed with Desiree’s presentation and has used their site as a reference to our families for years. The ISAAC Foundation has been receiving more and more calls from parents regarding concerns for long term living situations for their adult children in recent years so we reached out to Desiree to see if she could explain some of the housing options that exist and what the Autism Housing Network can do to help families as they determine the long term plans for their loved ones.

Contact Info: