INSAR 2019: #Autism and Related Disorders in the Context of Humanitarian Emergencies

May 3, 2019January 31, 2022 by Shannon Des Roches Rosa

Shannon Rosa Senior Editor [Note: This report is based on @thinkingautism live-tweeted coverage, and as such may contain errors or omissions.] Report from the INSAR 2019 Special Interest Group (SIG) Autism and Related Disorders in the Context of Humanitarian Emergencies. SIG summary: “UN figures estimate 48 million children are impacted by humanitarian emergencies, including armed conflict and natural disasters. Within this population, children with autism and developmental disorders are extremely vulnerable to poor short and long term outcomes. There is increased awareness of the vulnerability of these children but limited research based knowledge on how to best address their needs. We aim to launch a platform for communication and collaboration between autism researchers and key stake holders in the humanitarian setting to address this gap.” First up was Doctors without Borders and SIG leader Ramzi Nasir, a developmental pediatrician who worked in conflict zones. He asked: Can we use remote consultations…

Disability

In Case of Emergency

August 15, 2012January 31, 2022 by Jen Myers

Jennifer Byde Myers jennyalice.com iEmergency+ application Create your own lock-screen with important information. I just got the paperwork from Jack’s school to set all of our records straight for the next school year. I know… already, summer is flying by. I scanned through the printed information I filled out from last year and got stopped at that emergency contact section again. It is a list that really defines the borders of my close-knit community. In an emergency, who can care for your child with special needs? Most of the time life goes along just swimmingly, but things happen; cars break down on the way to pick-up, I broke my leg once, we live in earthquake country. I have a collection of people that I know can take care of my child and keep him safe. It’s a short list, and I wouldn’t ask many on that list to even babysit…

Disability

Good Cop

July 11, 2011January 31, 2022 by Shannon Des Roches Rosa

Carol Greenburg aspieadvocate-ascd.blogspot.com I could have kicked myself for not getting the name of the wonderful New York City police officer who pulled me over the other night. I’m a safe driver for the most part, but Asperger’s sometimes interferes with my perceptions whether I’m standing still or navigating a dark road. It was rainy, I was distracted, and if I can’t even read body language … Well, I was as I so often am, stumped. Even at my best it’s sometimes unclear to me why people honk their horns at me, so when the cop driving behind me started waving his hands I didn’t know if wanted me to get out of his way or whether he was trying to pull me over. Turns out it was the latter. I know this because he used his loudspeaker to announce to all of SoHo that I was to put my car…