My son, Brad, travels several times a year to Boston to visit his father and has been doing this for three years now. Although Brad is an adult with autism, I feel comfortable allowing him to fly by himself, but more importantly, Brad feels OK with traveling unaccompanied. I wanted to share some “tips” that I have learned that others may find useful as well.
- The first is, of course, that the flight must be a non-stop. I know that it is often difficult to find non-stop flights these days, but I would not feel comfortable having Brad try to navigate an airport by himself. Perhaps someday, though.
- Next, I always go to the counter (not the gate) at the departure airport. I simply tell the airline employee that my child has a disability and that I will need to accompany him through security. At this point you will need to show your ID and you will be given a pass that allows you to pass through security with the other ticketed passengers.
- Once through the security line, but before passing through the metal detector, I make sure to tell Brad what he needs to do. By this time, the security agents are pretty aware that I am with a person that requires extra time. Once, Brad was asked to step into the “sniffing chamber” – I simply told Brad what to do and let the agent know that he was an adult with autism.
- The next crucial step is at the gate. I always take Brad’s ticket and speak with the gate agent. I let him/her know that my son is flying alone and has autism. I have never had anything but people try to be helpful. I request that the gate agent let the flight attendant’s know about my son’s special needs. They will put a note into the computer which the flight attendant’s can see when they print out their passenger list. One time Brad was upgraded to first class so he would have more room! In general, though, the gate agent will try to seat him in a row by himself. He has always been offered priority seating, so he can have more time to get settled in. On several occasions, the gate agent has escorted him down the jet way herself.
- I always make sure that Brad has snacks and something to keep him busy, such as a video game. He knows to ask the flight attendant if he needs anything.
Brad’s dad is able to meet Brad at the arrival gate by simply going to the airline counter and requesting a pass through security as he is meeting his child with a disability.
I really have found that the airline personnel go above and beyond to try to be helpful! Of course, I understand that Brad is higher functioning and that many people with autism would not be able to fly unaccompanied, but I hope perhaps I was able to pass on a thing or two that you didn’t know!
Mary Rosswurm
Executive Director of Little Star Center and parent of a young adult with autism
Indiana requires law enforcement and other “first responders” to complete one hour of autism specific training each year. While this amount of time is clearly not adequate, it does at least offer some information to officers, paramedics, EMTs and firemen about persons with autism. The Purdue University Police Department recently contacted Mary Rosswurm, Little Star’s Executive Director and inquired if Little Star could provide their department with a training on autism. As Mary has an adult son with autism, as well as serves on the Indiana Commission on Autism, which helped enact the First Responder Training, she was very eager to help. The training occurred in West Lafayette and was divided into two trainings of 16 officers. Police Sergeant Keene Red Elk specifically requested training by LSC, because the video recorded training they received the year prior was not interactive and did not address the many questions that the officers had about autism.
The training focused on identifying individuals with autism and general tips and strategies on how to assist them during emergencies and crisis situations. Teaching law enforcement to identify individuals with autism is difficult, as they have limited time to interact with the person and must assess the situation quickly. The training focused on the social, communication, behavioral and sensory issues commonly seen in people with autism. Within each of the areas we discussed possible situations requiring interaction with law enforcement. We also discussed supports and strategies that could be used to assist officers in dealing with the challenges that are typical to persons affect by autism.
The police officers had many questions about communicating with non-verbal individuals with autism. I demonstrated the Proloquo2go, which is an iPad communication application that is becoming increasingly popular amongst non-verbal persons with autism. Several of the learners at Little Star currently use these devices. Department personnel discussed possibly purchasing an iPad with Proloquo2go to facilitate communication with individuals with autism that are non-vocal. I discussed the limitations and extensive training needs for individuals to communicate with assistive devices. However, it does demonstrate the willingness and commitment of the Purdue University Police Department.
I presented examples of tragic situations in which interactions with police officers resulted in fatalities or injury. I reviewed the positional asphyxia risks of physical management with individuals with autism. In case, you are unaware, individuals with autism can have underdeveloped trunk muscles and can suffocate when pressure is applied to their chest. I was surprised some of the officers were not aware of the positional asphyxia risk.
One interesting area specific to the Purdue Police Department was addressing behavior exhibited by individuals with autism attending the University. The officers presented examples of behavior, based upon the presentation they now thought may have been exhibited by an individual with autism. We brainstormed possible ways to deal with these situations, should they arise again. This led to a discussion on how to best work with parents of newly enrolled students with autism. The police officers felt having the parent or caregiver visit the police station and provide essential information about their student would be a good practice. The information could be plugged into the 911 database and easily accessed if needed.
It was a pleasure to spend time with these officers. I look forward to working with them to help ensure that Purdue University is a safe and enjoyable environment for all its student body.
William “Tim” Courtney
Research and Training Director
Little Star Center, Inc.
About Tim:
Tim graduated with a Masters of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) in 2006 and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst that same year. He has worked as a behavior analyst since 2003 with different organizations across the United States. In addition to his work as a behavior analyst, Tim has been a co-instructor in the ABA department of FIT since 2007. His research interests includes functional assessment, medical and dental avoidance and escape behavior, verbal behavior, and dissemination of the science of Applied Behavior Analysis. Tim is currently working on his Ph.D. in Special Education at Purdue University.
Team Members (from L to R): Top Row - Mike Ryan, Casey Moore, Taylor Barker and Dwayne McCoy. Bottom Row - Lisa Steward, Kasey Philpott, Adrian Bramlage and Amanda Ryan. (Not Shown - Tim Courtney, Ebony Jackson and Joshua Bateson.
Little Star Center Carmel headed out to the Monon Center starting in October to play some co-ed volleyball against some average (let’s be honest – above average) competition! Although LSC’s regular season ended with a 1 – 7 record, tournament play showed that LSC had really stepped up their game! Winning three games in tournament brought them to Game 13 where they just barely came up short. There were 18 games in the tournament.
LSC is looking forward to playing in other Carmel Parks and Recreation co-ed sports!
Dr. Beadle, D.D.S. telling the kids a story about healthy teeth!
Dr. Kevin Beadle, D.D.S. of Carmel Pediatric Dentistry visited the kids of Little Star Center to teach proper brushing habits and how to keep their teeth healthy.
Using a story like “Bucky Beaver and the Good Food Forest,” Dr. Kevin was able to emphasize good oral hygiene, prevention and good nutrition when it comes to taking care of your teeth.
Some of the Little Star Center kiddos brushing teeth
CARMEL PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY is tailored toward a child/parent friendly environment: Infants, children adolescents and special needs. They have a state-of-the-art facility located just minutes away from Little Star Center Carmel at 12188-A North Meridian Street.
Mary Rosswurm - Executive Director, Little Star Center, Dana Renay - Executive Director, Autism Society of Indiana
Saturday, August 20th, 2011
Zionsville, Indiana
A great crowd came out to support the Autism Society of Indiana and their 2011 Excellence Awards. Little Star Center was there to receive the Excellence in Direct Care Award, an award for providers who demostrate excellence in direct care services to infants, toddlers, children, youth and adults with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) through their work in medical, therapeutic, recreational and other settings using innovative and scientifically supported best practices in partnership with families and other professionals.
Little Star Center Staff
This was the first time a center received the award, not an individual. The nominations came from our great families, friends and civic leaders.
Thank you so much for your support. We are honored to receive this award and will continue providing these services we were awarded for.
See Award Presentation Here
Kasey Philpott - LSC Speech Therapist, Lisa Steward - LSC Clinical Director, Patty Reed - AAI Co-President and Donna Simerly - AAI Co-President.
Answers for Autism, an all volunteer organization founded by parents of children with autism located in Fishers, recently presented a check to Little Star Center for $1,500. This grant will help provide iPads for the center.
About AAI:
Our mission is to increase and broaden public knowledge and awareness of the behaviors, social issues and emotional needs of individuals on the autism spectrum so that all individuals can participate in and contribute to our community without fear of bias or loss of individuality.
Thank you AAI for helping Little Star provide the best services possible.
Lisa and Kasey trying to cash the check!
A Little Star learner uses an iPad
Press Release – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amanda Ryan
Community Outreach & Marketing Director
317.249.2242 | amandar@littlestarcenter.org
Little Star Center to Receive Excellence in Direct Care Award
Autism Society of Indiana to Hold 2011 Excellence Awards
CARMEL, IN, July 26, 2011 – Little Star Center, a non-profit center for children with autism, will receive Autism Society of Indiana’s (ASI) Excellence in Direct Care Award. The award is for providers who demonstrate excellence in direct care services to infant, toddlers, children, youth, and adults with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) through their work in medical, educational, therapeutic, recreational or other settings using innovative and scientifically supported best practices in partnership with families and other professionals.
Little Star received nominations from parents, civic leaders and community members.
“We are so honored to receive this award and be recognized by the ASI. It is even more meaningful to be the first center to ever win this award,” says Mary Rosswurm, Executive Director of Little Star Center.
Based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Little Star provides an atmosphere where children, therapists and families can interact, support each other and receive on-going training so that each child can reach their full potential at home and in a variety of settings outside of therapy. After decades of research, the United States Surgeon General has endorsed intensive behavioral intervention for individuals with autism as the treatment of choice. Over 50 years of research documents the efficacy of ABA in reducing inappropriate behavior and increasing communication and learning.
The 2011 Excellence Awards will be held on Saturday, August 20th, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Tim and Kim Earnest in Zionsville. For more information and to buy tickets for the event, please visit www.inautism.org for more information.
About Little Star Center
Little Star Center was founded in 2002 and was the first center in the state of Indiana to serve children with autism. Little Star has two locations, in Carmel and Lafayette. Little Star is a truly unique and special place for children and families living with autism. Little Star allows families to have the best of both worlds – the intense one-on-one personalized therapy that used to only be available in a home program and the community feel of a center based program that allows children with autism access to peers, materials and a beautiful facility. Families are an integral part of their child’s programming along with Little Star’s staff of professionals. Little Star prides itself on having a “family first” philosophy. For more information please call 317.249.2242 or visit us on the web at www.littlestarcenter.org.
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