Bonnie, Author at Grandparent Autism Network

Autism in the Workplace Survey

Take our survey and let your voice be heard! We are looking for young adults (16-30 years old) with Autism and/or their family members/caregivers/guardians to complete our survey.

The Thompson Policy Institute on Disability and Autism at Chapman University is interested in your opinions on the opportunities and services available for young adults with autism in the workplace.

Your responses will help us to better understand and advocate for policy changes to support young adults with autism transition into the workplace.

The survey should take approximately 10-20 minutes to complete. This survey is available in Spanish.

If you would like to receive a copy of the results, or if you have any questions, please email us at tpi@chapman.edu.

To take the survey:

1. Email tpi@chapman.edu– and let us know you would like to complete the

survey- we will send you the link OR

2.Visit this page to complete the survey:

https://chapmanu.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_bC5TkzyvVBizJzf

Please Complete by March 31st, 2016

Neuroscientists reverse autism symptoms

Turning on a gene later in life can restore typical behavior in mice.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office
February 17, 2016

Autism has diverse genetic causes, most of which are still unknown. About 1 percent of people with autism are missing a gene called Shank3, which is critical for brain development. Without this gene, individuals develop typical autism symptoms including repetitive behavior and avoidance of social interactions.

In a study of mice, MIT researchers have now shown that they can reverse some of those behavioral symptoms by turning the gene back on later in life, allowing the brain to properly rewire itself.

This suggests that even in the adult brain we have profound plasticity to some degree, says Guoping Feng, an MIT professor of brain and cognitive sciences. There is more and more evidence showing that some of the defects are indeed reversible, giving hope that we can develop treatment for autistic patients in the future.

Feng, who is the James W. and Patricia Poitras Professor of Neuroscience and a member of MITs McGovern Institute for Brain Research and the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at the Broad Institute, is the senior author of the study, which appears in the Feb. 17 issue of Nature. The papers lead authors are former MIT graduate student Yuan Mei and former Broad Institute visiting graduate student Patricia Monteiro, now at the University of Coimbra in Portugal.

Sexual Safety Issues for People with ASDâ€™s

The Grandparent Autism Network invites you to join us for this special presentation, “Sexual Safety Issues for people with ASD’s” to be held on Wednesday, February 24, 2016.

Grandparents, parents and adults ages 16 years and older are invited to attend. No children will be admitted. Come early to meet and network with other GAN members and to welcome families affected by autism in Orange County.

The presentation will begin at 6:00 p.m. and you will have an opportunity to ask questions from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Please plan to arrive before the presentation begins as we will be videotaping it.

EVENT DETAILS
Sexual Safety Issues for People with ASD’s
In dating relationships
At the workplace
In the community
Presented by Marlene Driscoll, MA, LMFT, who has worked with people impacted by ASDs for over 20 years. Marlene is the Clinical Director at Autism Partnership. She will discuss sexual matters that affect individuals with autism and their caregivers. Learn about common areas of difficulty, risk assessment, practices and guidelines related to sexual behavior.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016
5:00 p.m. Meet & Greet – Refreshments
6:00-8:00 p.m. Presentation, Q & A

Temple Beth Sholom -Social Hall
2625 N. Tustin Ave. Santa Ana, CA 92705

Free Admission – No RSVP Needed

Grandparent Autism Network and Project SEARCH

The Grandparent Autism Network (GAN) was instrumental in getting Project Search, an international job training program for people with disabilities, established at CHOC Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). GANs founder, Bonnie Gillman, and her late husband, Dr. Sherwin Gillman, supported a 5 year effort to initiate the program there. Tom Capizzi, the VP of HR, Dr. Nick Anas, the Medical Director of pediatric critical care and Dr. Maria Minon, Chief Medical Officer at CHOC were very supportive in establishing the program at CHOC.

The program will begin in April 2016. Ten adults with developmental disabilities will receive job training with the goal of either gaining employment for the participants at the hospital, or elsewhere, utilizing their newly acquired skills.

The Project Search program at CHOC will bring hope to the many families that have children with developmental disabilities being treated at CHOC. and it is a new way for CHOC to increase resources and support for the families in Orange County it serves.

Project Search is an international program that was initiated at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in 1996. Its primary objective is to secure competitive employment for people with disabilities. Learn more about this program which has grown to more than 300 sites world-wide by watching the video below.