Tag: Clarissa Kripke

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Disability

Why Supported Decision Making Is a Better Choice Than Conservatorship

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Image © Falashad | Creative Commons   [image: Smiling white woman with crown braids hugging a person with an auburn ponytail.] Many families or guardians assume that when high-support autistic teenagers transition to adulthood, they automatically need to be legally conserved for their own protection. But that’s isn’t necessarily true. We spoke with UCSF’s Dr. Clarissa Kripke about why Supported Decision Making can be a better choice than pursuing conservatorship, and the many reasons why. —- Dr. Clarissa Kripke: When people with disabilities and their families start to think about transitioning from child to adult services, they are often encouraged to consider conservatorship.  Conservatorship is a legal process where a court appoints an individual or organization to make decisions for an adult. Courts do this after finding that the adult is unable to provide for his or her own needs for health, food, clothing, or shelter. They must be found unable…

Disability

Successful Community Living for People with Developmental Disabilities

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Clarissa Kripke, MD, FAAFP odpc.ucsf.edu In this important talk for anyone concerned about their, or their child’s, long-term living arrangements and supports, Dr. Clarissa Kripke explores progress made in community living for people with developmental disabilities. She explains how California’s Lanterman Act has been enormously successful by establishing an entitlement to community-based services and supports for people with developmental disabilities of all age, and how those services work. She also discusses specific successful cases, and clears up misconceptions about which housing models work best — both financially, and for quality of life. I’m the Mom of an Autistic teen. Of course I want what’s best for him. I want him to have opportunity, stability, care, and respect. After trying to learn everything I could, I realized that wanting what’s best, and knowing how to achieve it, are two different things. Fortunately, we live in California. The Lanterman Act was developed…

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Disability

When Autistic Kids and Teens Are Aggressive or Self-Injurious: Overview

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–> Shannon Des Roches Rosa Senior Editor, Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism Why do some autistic children and teens become self-injurious or aggressive? How can parents and caregivers help the kids in their care get through meltdowns safely, protect the kids themselves as well as family members, and anticipate and avoid future incidents? This was the topic of a recent workshop I moderated at Support for Families of Children With Disabilities, in San Francisco, with speakers Dr. Clarissa Kripke, Brent White, and Lindsey Anderson. The presenters covered a lot of material, which we’ll publish here in three parts: Overview (Shannon Des Roches Rosa) Medical and trauma-informed practices (Dr. Clarissa Kripke) Autistic professional and personal insights (Brent White and Lindsey Anderson) The workshop was well-attended (standing room only), engaged and productive. One of my favorite parts was that, after a short explanation of why “flappause,” or flapping one’s hands for applause,…

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Disability

Free Workshop in San Francisco: When Autistic Children Are Aggressive or Self-Injurious

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San Francisco Bay Area Locals: Please come to a free workshop at Support for Families of Children With Disabilities, in San Francisco, on Saturday, January 9th. When Autistic Children Are Aggressive or Self-Injurious: Best Support Practices Photo © Akuiliu, on Flickr [Image: Upset-looking East Asian child] Why do some autistic children and teens become self-injurious or aggressive? How can parents and caregivers help the kids in their care get through meltdowns safely, protect the kids themselves as well as family members, and anticipate and avoid future incidents? Come hear from parents, professionals, and autistic people themselves about best practices for understanding and supporting autistic people during these kinds of crises. There will be a Q&A after the presentations. Speakers include: Dr. Clarissa Kripke from UCSF, talking about overlooked medical and health triggers, as well as meltdown support strategies. Brent White and Lindsey Anderson from Berkeley’s Ala Costa Adult Transition Program,…