Autism/Career

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Expert: - 4/11/2006


Question
My name is Zach. I am a 9th grader at Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana. I am doing a career unit, and am considering a career in Special Education, specializing in Autism/like syndromes. Where can I find more information about this career? I also need to do an interview with an expert, and if you are involved in this career, I would like to interview you via email, if you are interested in this. Thanks, Zach

Answer
Hi Zach,

I'm glad you are interested in a career in Special Education. I will put some links at the end of this for you so you can learn more about Autistic Spectrum Disorders.  However, most of them are not about the career, but about the disorder.

I recommend you interview a special Ed. teacher and/or talk to a University about the career path.

I consider myself an expert parent and I am a teacher, though not with Sp. Ed. credentials.  If interviewing me will help, I'm willing, just be sure you don't call me more of an "expert" than I am.  Deal?

Just send me a numbered list of questions (not too many) and I will respond with numbers so it all stays straight.

Best wishes,
Catherine

http://www.patientcenters.com/autism/news/resources.html

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/asperger/asperger.htm

http://www.autism.org/temple/meds.html

http://www.autism.org/

http://www.autismasperger.net/intro.htm

http://www.mentalhealth.com/

http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/95/23/13982#B14  About movement in infancy.

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Catherine Ridenour

Expertise

I can answer your questions about parenting your High Functioning Autisic or Asperger`s Syndrome child. In particular, questions about family life, discipline, siblings, finding resources, and working with (sometimes opposing) the educational system are welcome.

Experience

I am the parent of an Asperger's Syndrome child who is now 22 years old. She went undiagnosed for 14 years of her life, so I have done extensive reading and Internet research into the possible cause of her difficulties. Even a short 8 years ago, A.S. was practically unheard of by the public educational system.

We fumbled our way through her childhood and early adolescence without any effective outside support. In some ways, that may have been a blessing as we were focused on her abilities rather than a label for her disability. However, I can think of many times when knowing WHY would have been comforting.

Had we known very early on, some social skills interventions might have made her life in school easier. At this point, I like her for who she is so I do not regret how things have turned out. More importantly, she likes herself.

Education/Credentials
I have a Bachelor of Science in Education.

I have worked to educate myself about Autism in general and HFA/AS in particular.

NOTE:

Please note that I have no control over the "sponsored links" at the bottom of this page. I do not endorse these web sites or their products or opinions. Use your own best judgment in evaluating any claim made. As with all things, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

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