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IGNITE is a unique peer-to-peer community center for young
adults with high-functioning autism (HFA) or Aspergers
Syndrome (AS) offering activities, skills training, and
educational workshops that foster social, financial, educational,
and
employment independence for its members. More importantly,
IGNITE offers a social environment where members can connect
with others and
experience a sense of community.
For more information:
Stacy Hultgren, IGNITE Director704-897-8982
[email protected]
www.autismsociety-nc.org
You can donate to IGNITE online or send a check made out to the
Autism Society of North Carolina:
IGNITE 209 Delburg St., Suite 134Davidson, NC 28036
IGNITE is a program of the Autism Society of North Carolina,
with founding support from the Evernham Family-Racing for a Reason
Foundation.
Fall 2015 Volume 2, Issue 4
IGNITE Member Pursues Career in HVACI always liked fixing things
and figuring things out, says IGNITE member Andrew Writesel. Andy
moved a year ago to the Charlotte area from Ohio, where he
struggled to identify a career beyond working part-time at a Kroger
grocery store. He had decided when he arrived in Charlotte that
heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) might just be a
good avenue for him to pursue toward a career. In his first few
months as an IGNITE member, Andy concentrated on learning the
social skills surrounding adult life and obtaining employment. When
he felt he was ready, he and his mother contacted Charlotte Works
(www.charlotteworks.com) to see whether Andy qualified for training
programs and a scholarship. Charlotte Works referred him to the
Urban League (www.urbanleaguecc.org) for training in HVAC.
Andy took so naturally to HVAC systems that he says, The
training wasnt hard; I didnt even notice I was putting my mind to
it. After three months of intensive training, he tested for and
received his universal certification in HVAC, which enables him to
work on both commercial and residential systems. Andy is now
looking for an entry-level position with an HVAC company in the
Charlotte area, wrote a resume and a cover letter, and is
practicing interviewing skills in IGNITEs Thinking Like an Adult
class to add to his new technical skills in preparation for
starting his career.
Andy has come a long way since his move to Charlotte just a year
ago. Please join IGNITE staff in congratulating Andy for his
achievement and wish him luck in his new career! We at IGNITE are
so very proud of his accomplishments.
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IGNITE Reports Success!IGNITE works very hard to teach members
how to think like adults and to gain the social skills they will
need to succeed at work and in the community. We are so proud that
the results of recent surveys and assessments show that the members
are learning, and more importantly, are able to apply what they
have learned outside of IGNITE.
There are two parts to learning. First, we gather and memorize
information. Second, we use the information we have memorized and
put it into practice. People with Autism Spectrum Disorder tend to
do the memorizing part quite well, but the second step, called
generalization is more complicated. Generalization requires us to
apply information learned in one set of circumstances to another
context. For example, students might learn in geometry how to
determine the area of a square, but can they use that lesson to
calculate the cost of carpeting? Do they recognize that the formula
of width x height can be used to measure the room? If one can
calculate the area of a shape only on a paper worksheet, the
learning is of no value. People with autism can struggle with
generalization because they are such concrete thinkers and applying
learning can be very conceptual. Therefore, IGNITE strives to help
members always apply critical thinking as well as social and other
skills.
PG 2 IGNITE NEWS Fall 2015
IGNITE staff have also developed a specific assessment so that
progress can be measured and recorded yearly in the following
targeted areas:
Health/Safety
Leisure/Recreation
Self-Determination/Self-Advocacy
Social/Relationships
Life Planning/Career/Future
Home/Independent Living
Problem-Solving
Community/Finance/Transportation
Conclusions based upon assessment results include:
The more often members come, the more progress they make.
Progress rate is affected by innate ability, desire to change or
move on, and continued participation.
Generalization accompanies members progress in learned skills,
which is very gratifying to see.
Developing friendships is a very successful component of
IGNITE.
We at IGNITE are very proud of all the hard work our members put
into learning the skills and of their dedication to meeting their
own independence and employment goals!
The Amazing History and Future of Autism
NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of
Neurodiversity, a recently released book by Steve Silberman,
recounts in interesting vignettes and historical research the
journey of people with autism and their families toward awareness,
treatment, education, and acceptance. Few people, even those in the
autism community, will already know some of the historical context
contained here; such as Hans Aspergers brave attempts to save the
lives of his patients from Nazi exportation to the death camps in
World War II. It is a great read, is very well-written, and has a
positive message about respect for neurodiverse people and the need
for lifelong services rather than a narrow focus on a cure. You can
also hear Steve Silbermans interview on NPR Fresh Air by going
online to
http://www.npr.org/books/authors/436743360/steve-silberman.
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IGNITE NEWS Fall 2015 PG 3
100% made new friends The average number of friends jumped from
six before participation in IGNITE to 17 after.
100%better prepared
for workafter attending the 2014
employment group.
100%improved ability
to solve everyday problems
100% now help cook at homereported the parents of children that
attend
the cooking and health group.
100% improved responsibility at home, reported the parents of
children who attend both
the cooking group and the Thinking Like an Adult class.
100% tried new thingsand said they were more comfortable trying
new things since joining IGNITE.
100%THINKING LIKE AN ADULT CLASS
Believe that it will help them in life
94%improved
self-confidence
All but one responding member reported learning helpful social
skills. (That member is new.)
Prior to their children attending IGNITE, 41% of parents
reported that their children did not consider it important to work.
But 100% of responding parents report that
their children consider it important after attending IGNITE.
IGNITEs Surveys/AssessmentsIGNITE surveys both members and their
parents annually about their impressions of IGNITEs impact on their
lives. This years surveys provided the following results (based on
those that responded):
Annual Open House & preview showing!Star Wars: Episode VII -
The Force AwakensThursday, Dec. 17Our Town Cinemas 227 Griffith
Street, Davidson, NC 28036
Tickets: $20 includes one popcorn & one drink
Buy your tickets today! Jennifer Frey at 704-894-9678 x1615 or
[email protected]
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PG 4 IGNITE NEWS Fall 2015
