Category: Featured Headlines

Contributed by AAoM’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

September 22 Summer Fun Kayaking & Paddle Boarding September 23-25 2021 World Autism Conference and Gala September 24 Bluestone VOICES for Autism Golf Outing September 25 Disability Network Oakland &

Contributed by Joanna Lofton, Autism Alliance of Michigan Community Resource Specialist Independent living is much more than simply moving out of a parent’s/guardian’s home, going off to college or just

We are thrilled to have officially launched the Michigan Partnership for Equity and Opportunity (“MPEO”), a bipartisan coalition of civil rights, social justice, civic and business leaders working to promote educational equity for

“Henry William Stertz, III, age 5, of West Bloomfield, MI, passed away suddenly September 4th, 2021. Henry had just begun kindergarten at Keith Elementary School, and he was a student

Over the past few weeks, we have watched the Delta Variant with a close, cautious eye. We have engaged in numerous conversations and surveys with key stakeholders including staff, board

September 1 “Virtual” Music Therapy Event – Together Let’s Sing, Dance and Jam!! September 2  Parent Training, Education, and Support September 4 2021 Family Days presented by Autism Alliance of

Back to School Issue — Fall 2021 Join the Michigan Parent, Advocate & Attorney Coalition (MiPAAC) where we tackle the burning issues for families of students with disabilities. MiPAAC is

The SMART Goal method was developed in 1981 by George T. Dornan as a tool to create criteria to help improve the chances of success in accomplishing goals in the

Contributed by Barbara Brish, Psy, SP, NCSP, Education Specialist, AAoM Transitioning between schools, high school scheduling, annual IEP meetings, and informal brainstorming with school professionals are all potential opportunities to

Contributed by Jill Matson, MSN, RN, CPNPM Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism can look a lot alike, makingit difficult at times for parents and professionals to tell the difference

Contributed by Jill Matson, MSN, RN, CPNP, MiNavigator Clinical Specialist Approximately 1 in 59 children in the US have autism according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Over

Contributed by Jill Matson, CPNP, RN, Clinical Specialist & Navigator Manager The preschool years are when diagnostic criteria are the most ‘gray’ for practitioners and families. Delineating play, behavior, communication,

Contributed by Kelly Blakeslee, M.A., CRC, LLPC, Corporate Vocational Counselor Many job seekers often overlook the work that must be done before employment happens. At times, he/she may overlook not

Contributed by Barbara Brish, Psy, Sp, NCSP, Education Specialist A psychological assessment is outlined in the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education as part of the process to determine special

Our friend, mentor, special education advocate, and attorney, John Brower, Sr., passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 27, 2021.  He was surrounded by his family.  John was a loving husband,

Join us for a Virtual Book Club on Tuesday, July 20th co-hosted by Autism Alliance of Michigan and Marvelous Me Books. Meet Author Rylan Vogelzang and his mom Gwen as

Over this past year, we’ve made progress, but we still have a ways to go! We know that families and providers have been stretched to their limit as they try

Contributed by Upbound At Work While attending school, an individual with a disability receives the protections, modifications, and accommodations outlined in their Individual Education Plan (IEP) as required by the

Michigan Parent, Advocate & Attorney Coalition (MiPAAC) is a newly formed statewide group focused on student-centered advocacy. MiPAAC aims to educate families of children with special education needs on topics

Contributed by Autism Alliance of Michigan’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Gwen, Rylan’s mother, said that Rylan was adopted at 3 weeks old.  He was a typical baby, but once

Adapted from MDHHS-Spread Hope Not Covid FAQ In the five months since COVID-19 vaccines have become available, more than 4 million Michigan residents have been vaccinated — accounting for more

Lily AltavenaDetroit Free Press The Michigan Department of Education started using a new phrase last summer to describe the help schools could give students with disabilities who fell behind in

Contributed by MiABLE (Michigan Department of Treasury) Edward Lofton has big dreams — and they all include buying a Ford. “I have things now that I’m looking forward to and

Upbound at Work, a fully integrated program within the Autism Alliance of Michigan, leads and supports disability-employment initiatives throughout the State of Michigan. Contact Upbound at Work to receive additional

It’s April…Autism Awareness Month. This month has always been the busiest for AAoM, as we would normally be preparing for our annual gala. Like 2020, we decided to move the

Contributed by Sofia Case, a graduate from the School of Human Resources and Labor Relations at Michigan State University. Employees and applicants with hidden disabilities are often placed in the

Contributed by AAoM Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee To view our sources and learn more about these incredible pioneers of the Disability Rights Movement click here.

Autism Alliance of Michigan’s annual Navigating Autism Today Conference is going virtual on: Friday, March 19, 2021 | 9:00 AM – 3:45 PM Presented by Children’s Foundation, this conference brings

Direct Support Professionals (DSP) assist those who are most vulnerable in our society. They add to the quality of their lives in both large and small ways; with acts of

Contributed by AAoM’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee “I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by

Contributed by Amy Louise Liedel, Senior Director of Guest Operations, The Henry Ford

Traditional behavioral interventions focus on core deficits associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), despite the presence of health differences. In fact, children with ASD experience significant health differences beyond their

“Do you ever find yourself alone in a crowd of people?” Barbara Santiago writes in her book “My A.S.D: My Autism Sentiment Diary.” If your answer is yes, know that

This month we are excited to announce the launch of our Parent Skill Building Series. AAoM created simple, practical and easy to navigate webinars for parents and caregivers on a

Contributed by AAoM’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee During this year of uncertainty, the Autism Alliance of Michigan created the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee (DEI).  Part of our mission

Meegan Winters, MA Special Education, ASD, CI, ZA, CEO/Co-Founder Able Eyes (www.AbleEyes.org) Video Modeling/Virtual Tours If you are a parent, a caregiver, a teacher, or a relative of a person

Contributed by Chaunta Tsegaye, MSA – Insurance Specialist, AAoM What’s New in Insurance? On October 19, 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the state is investing more than $1 million

Job Accommodations Network (JAN):  https://askjan.org/index.cfm The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues.  JAN’s trusted consultants