By Anita Lesko, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Autism Advocate, Author

I am a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist for the past 27 years.  I’ve been working full time ever since graduating from Columbia University in 1988 with my Master’s in Nurse Anesthesia. I specialize in anesthesia for neurosurgery, organ transplants, and orthopedic joint replacements. Oh, yes, there’s something else I’d like you to know!  I’m autistic, and I didn’t even know this until I was fifty, yes, 50, when I “accidently” discovered it.  I knew my entire life that I was different and never fit in.  I knew that I had endless social obstacles, and a myriad of sensory issues that baffled me and often interfered with my daily life.  I never had any early intervention of any kind.  Nothing.  My mom was my best friend, my sole support system, and my life coach.  She enabled me to find my inner strength and accomplish all that I have done.  My career literally forced me to interact with people, which was my “therapy!”   I’ve done over 50,000 cases to date, and I’ve had over one million social interactions with operating room staff, patients, and families! I’m also an internationally published military aviation photojournalist, and have flown in military aircraft including an F-15 fighter jet!

I did all my anesthesia training in New York City at Columbia- Presbyterian Medical Center and Roosevelt/St.Luke’s.  For many years I worked in the mid-west at a trauma-transplant-burn center and was on the trauma/transplant team.  I also did anesthesia for burns.  I’m at my current job for over 17 years now, where my specialties include neuroanesthesia and anesthesia for orthopedic joint replacement.  I’m also proficient in spinal and epidural anesthesia, and arterial line placement.

All these 27 years I’ve been looking at the healthcare system through my autistic eyes.  It is a very different perspective from what everyone else sees.  I see all the things that cause me to become stressed out, experience numerous sensory violations, and discourage me from seeking health care for myself.  Unfortunately, this is all too common for others on the autism spectrum.  I hear endless stories from autistic individuals and parents of autistic children of their negative experiences regarding health care.  The main reason?  Lack of understanding of autism by healthcare providers and other staff within the facility.  Additionally, the endless sensory overload while navigating the healthcare system.  There are endless positive things about the healthcare profession, but to an autistic person, their perspective is quite different.  They often feel a lack of understanding from the health care providers.  They get overwhelmed from the sensory overload in waiting areas from bright lights, overcrowding of patients and family members, and loud noise from TV’s and multiple conversations.   By the time the nurse or physician is with them in an exam room, the autistic person is on the verge of a sensory meltdown.  Their ability to process what the doctor is saying is gone.  How can there be a positive outcome for the autistic patient?

While this all seems a daunting list, it is actually quite manageable to develop evidence-based protocols and standards of care.  Keeping up with state-of-the-art autism information is only one part of the process.  Educating healthcare professionals and ancillary staff about autism coupled with how to communicate with them is key to success.  Additionally, making simple accommodations to waiting areas, exam rooms, and actual interaction with the autistic patient will go a long way.

With every 1 in 68 children being diagnosed on the autism spectrum, the population of the autistic community is exploding.  Additionally, there are already millions of autistic adults around the world.  We cannot wait any longer.  This community deserves the best care possible just like everyone else.  I have made it my goal to revolutionize the healthcare profession to provide top rate care to all my autistic population.  By joining in this mission, other healthcare providers can demonstrate their commitment to care for their autistic patients.  They will raise their standards from their competitor’s, and additionally, reduce chances of litigation.

The list for who needs to receive autism training is quite long.  Based on the list from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, it is as follows, but not limited to:

Licensed Professionals

• Speech Language Pathologists
• Occupational Therapists
• Physicians
• Dentist
• BCBA and ABA Professionals
• Physical Therapists
• Psychologists
• Clinical Social Workers
• Licensed Professional Counselors
• RN Nurses
• Recreational Therapists

Education Professionals

• Special Education Teachers
• Special Education Directors
• School Psychologists
• Behavior Specialists
• School Counselors
• Classroom Teachers
• Principals
• School Nurses
• Administrators
• Clerical and Support Staff
• Paraprofessionals
• Higher Education

This extensive list indicates the vast number of professionals and ancillary staff that come in contact with autistic individuals.  There are even more than what’s listed.

In conclusion, it becomes obvious the great need to provide a standardized protocol of autism training, and also the need for someone like myself, an autistic healthcare professional, to bridge the gap between healthcare and the autistic population.  Everyone deserves the best care possible.

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Karen Jaggers, NCC, LPC, CAS

State/Country: Texas/, USA

School/ Organizations: University of Houston, MS/Mental Health Counselling – Capella University, CalSouthern University (PsyD Clinical Psychology candidate)

1) How has earning the Certified Autism Specialist been meaningful and satisfying?
I have been working with individuals on the autism spectrum for over fifteen years.  I have long advocated for a certification in autism that is well rounded and encompasses more than behavior.  Its great that now parents and professionals can search for an autism specialist who has met a strong vetting process.

2) How has the CAS credential affected your professional growth?
I believe adding the CAS credential to my other credentials is important because a large part of the individuals I work with as a psychotherapist are on the spectrum or families of these individuals.  By achieving the CAS designation, new clients can be assured that they are receiving information and advice from a professional with proven experience in autism.

3) How has your CAS credential been a benefit to your district/ organization/ or employer?
My partner Dr. Debra Stokan (child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist) and myself take pride in our many years of experience helping families with autism spectrum disorder.  This designation further assures them that we are striving at all times to remain at the top of our fields in serving the autism community.

4) How do you like to be recognized, acknowledged and rewarded for a job well done?
The reward that I get is seeing my clients become more successful as they work toward improving their social skills, behavior and personal independence skills.

5) What is your greatest challenge or roadblock?
My greatest challenge or roadblock is that there are so many families with autism, and that the numbers continue to explode.  My own son was diagnosed seventeen years ago and it was almost unheard of diagnosis.  Now its one of the more common diagnosis’ in young children today.

6) What makes you feel like a valuable contributor?
Seeing the progress that students have made is my greatest reward.  Its wonderful to be able to help families better understand their children and create plans to allow the individual to meet their greatest potential.

7) What do you enjoy most about your job?
I absolutely love my job.  What I enjoy most is knowing that even in the most difficult of cases I should be able to help this family and individual gain improvements that will affect their quality of life.

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Iuliia Sterpinska, Special Needs Teacher

State/Country: Ukraine, Europe

School/ Organizations: Pechersk School International

1) How has earning the Certified Autism Specialist been meaningful and satisfying?
Earning the Certified Autism Specialist opened the door to “another reality” for me whereI feel competent, meaningful and able to deal with any challenges .

2) How has the CAS credential affected your professional growth?
Thanks to the CAS credential I was able to find a job at Chadwick International School in South Korea and changed my position from Teacher Assistant to Special Education Needs Teacher.

3) How has your CAS credential been a benefit to your district/ organization/ or employer?
CAS credential helped me learn how to moderate the programs for the students with autism so they were able to participate effectively in mainstream classroom activities and take part in school social life. To be honest, there are no autism trainings in Ukraine at all. Lots of Ukrainian people don’t know what autism is at all, so I’m the first IBCCES-CAS certified   specialist in my country.

4) How do you like to be recognized, acknowledged and rewarded for a job well done?
To get positive feedback from parents, other teachers and administration.

5) What is your greatest challenge or roadblock?
Because of the absence of trainings in my country it was difficult for me to find good information about working with autistic and other disabled students. The second challenge was that English was my second language so in order to succeed with online training I had to learn lots of new specific terminology. But thank to IBCESS-CAS I succeed with all theses challenges.

6) What makes you feel like a valuable contributor?
My students reached great levels of success regardless of their academic, social and behavior life. The success was so noticeable that lots of teachers from our school came and told me about it. Verbal recognition from peers that acknowledges student growth is very rewarding too.

7) What do you enjoy most about your job?
SEN is my job, my passion and my lifestyle. Every day you come to school and see how successful your students are, how their lives are changing in a good way, knowing you can help even if they are struggling… This is the most enjoyable and satisfying part of my job.

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For many professionals in the educational fields, the countdown to summertime has been going on for months. As the students yearn to be outside the classrooms, so do the educators long for a respite. However, when the classrooms are all packed up sometimes that’s the best opportunity to get some more work done. During the school year, it is difficult if not impossible to keep up to date on the newest books or educational tools while still maintaining the day to day operations. The free time allowed during the summer months can offer valuable time to reflect on the past year, prepare for the upcoming school year, and work on improving their skills working with disability community.

Summertime is the perfect time to learn more about different aspects of the disability in order to be better prepared when the school year arrives in just a few short months. By learning new techniques and strategies in advance there is time to actively prepare for new situations in the upcoming school year. Perhaps there was a situation this past school year that was challenging for your or the students? Were there tools you think could have better helped address a difficulty a student faced? Some teachers at higher levels of education may want to become familiar with transition planning as well.

Although people may think beach reading choices should be light, there are many different book options about various aspects of disability you can read at a leisurely pace. There are many autobiographies of people with various disabilities available at most book stores or online. By learning about disabilities straight from the people who have lived these lives, it is supporting their messages and learning what supports work directly from those who have benefited from supports. There are also books written by educators for educator about universal design for learning or other teaching styles. The premised behind universal design for learning is to teach students in different ways depending on how they learn best. As an educator, you have probably seen the supports used to help students with disabilities also be effectively used by students without disabilities.

In this interconnected age, many people have turned to blogs to discuss their triumphs and tribulations. There are blogs run by parents, educators, professionals, and self advocates who all discuss similar issues with different perspectives. Some of these blog entries are hosted on websites to make navigating between topics or authors easy to do. Once you begin looking up blogs, often you will find similar ones endorsed by the writer and can lead you to discover this whole online disability community.

One of the greatest advancements we have had to the disability field in the past few years is the diversity and accessibility of applications (apps). Before, there were very few applications to serve the disability population and they were pricy or difficult to use. Now, there are apps for hundreds of different purposes and many able to be used right on a call phone. This allows teachers and students to have specific tools right at the tip of their fingers. With how many different apps there are on the different platforms, it can take time to find ones specifically addressing a need you may have in your classroom.

The slow pace of summer also allows you the chance to become a student again by taking opportunities to increase your knowledge in a classroom setting. There are many online programs, such as the Certified Autism Specialist, which can both teach you new skills and increase your professional appeal. Many large organizations offer free or low priced webinars on specific topics lead by professionals in the field. Most offer certificates of completion however some also offer Graduate Credits or CEUs which your teaching program may require you to obtain. Becoming a student again also allows educators the opportunity to explore new topics under the leadership of other professionals in the field. If you have ever been interested in some topics such as music therapy, summer months are perfect to explore these different avenues.

There are many national and local disability conferences which operate during the summer months as the target audience, educators and professionals, have the time off. These conferences range from one day to multi-day events with many different speakers. The amount of information you will obtain at these events is mind-blowing and everyone should bring a notebook to take notes as you’ll be processing all the information long after you leave the conference. Many conferences also have a vendor area where you can meet and explore different products or local companies which you may find beneficial in your practice. These events are also wonderful places to network and meet with other peers in your community who are doing similar work. There are so many useful strategies, techniques, and supports to be shared with each other at these events.

Summer is also the perfect time to begin establishing reusable worksheets or other material for your classroom settings. Visual schedules take time and energy to construct, especially if they are being made for multiple children. Support for children with disabilities can also be beneficial to those without disabilities. By creating material for all children to use to support themselves in the classroom, it doesn’t single any one student out and may help those children who have not yet received formal diagnosis. Doing some of these tasks ahead of time can prevent educators from being overwhelmed the week before school goes back in session as they rush to complete things.

Overall, there are many different ways educators can use the summer months to get a jump on the next school year. Exploring different supports, learning new skills through courses or conferences, and reading about different disabilities are just a few of the many ways. Everyone’s teaching style is different and as such, it’s important to find tools or teaching methods that compliment your techniques. Make sure you reach out to those people in your departments who may have suggestions on local resources or opportunities specific for you. Most importantly, don’t forget to relax and try to enjoy your summer months.

Links to Great Summer Resources:

Education World

Do2Learn

TeacherVision

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Shaneé Howell, MSW, CAS, ITFS

State/Country: North Carolina, USA

School/ Organizations: Applied Family Services – NC

1) How has earning the Certified Autism Specialist been meaningful and satisfying?
Earning the CAS credential has been extremely meaningful because of what it allows me to do for my clients. Because of the continuing education coursework that I have completed I have been able to guide families in the process of having their child evaluated, as well as being able to provide families with new tools learned in my continued studies.

2) How has the CAS credential affected your professional growth?
The CAS credential has given validity to my passion of working with individuals with Autism, and has allowed for me to grow, and even to have new positions created where I can best use my skill set.

3) How has your CAS credential been a benefit to your district/ organization/ or employer?
This credential has allowed for me to provide training to both parents and professionals who may not have been able to receive services otherwise.

4) How do you like to be recognized, acknowledged and rewarded for a job well done?
I feel most proud of my work when a family that I’ve been working with gets excited about progress and can see their own growth through all of the work we’ve done as a team. Their heartfelt “Thank-you” makes all of the hard work worth it!

5) What is your greatest challenge or roadblock?
My greatest challenge is in pulling professionals together to work as a team. I’ve found that if the professionals can check in with one another and ensure that each of the goals they are working on coincide with the others the child and family is much more successful!
6) What makes you feel like a valuable contributor?
I feel most like a valuable contributor when my advice is sought out, from both parents and professionals. Knowing that they find my knowledge helpful to them makes me feel valued.

7) What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love that I get to have a positive impact not only in a child’s life but in their family dynamic as well. Giving children and parents the skill set to grow to a place where they not only function, but enjoy being around one another, is what motivates me to continue this work!

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Ezra Lockhart, M.Hlth.Sc.(D.D.), MCSE, CDC I, CAS, Behavior Therapist

State/Country: Anchorage, Alaska, USA

School/ Organizations: Catholic Social Services – Alaska

1) How has earning the Certified Autism Specialist been meaningful and satisfying?

I am proud to be the first practitioner in Alaska to earn the Certified Autism Specialist credential.  Earning this internationally recognized credential provides those that I serve reassurances regarding my expertise in the field of autism support. I consider myself a global citizen and have studied in both the United States of America and Australia. Locating and obtaining board certification at the international level was important to me. Towards that aim, I found IBCCES and their autism credentialing track. For these reasons I find my CAS credential meaningful and satisfying.

2) How has the CAS credential affected your professional growth?

I initially earned the Autism Certificate credential while working towards completing a master’s degree at the University of Sydney in Australia. After completing and publishing a dissertation on the topic of computer-based social and emotional skills training for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), I upgraded to the Certified Autism Specialist credential. Since earning my Certified Autism Specialist I have been accepted into a doctoral program to continue my research focusing on the ASD population.

3) How has your CAS credential been a benefit to your district/ organization/ or employer?

Catholic Social Services, Family Disability Services is able with confidence to connect me with their client population to address specific acute and chronic issues. Mentioning that the agency has a CAS onboard helps to encourage parents and guardians that those in their care will be supported to the upmost professional standard by a highly qualified practitioner.

4) How do you like to be recognized, acknowledged and rewarded for a job well done?

Receiving accolades of any kind is something I personally and professional appreciate. For my contribution to the autism community I received the Man of Excellence Award in 2013 from AHAINA Multicultural Center and the Seawolf Student Leader Award from the University of Alaska Anchorage, Student Life & Leadership. In 2015 I was presented an original painting from the Michael Tolleson Savant Art Center in Kent, Washington. The painting “Epiphany” was created by Michael Tolleson, an autistic savant. Creating a positive lasting impact to no matter the size to this community is my passion and career goal.

5) What is your greatest challenge or roadblock?

The greatest challenge I have seen in my 12 years delivering direct support is the ever constant changes in federal and state regulations governing Medicaid. I have witnessed how this drastically impacts from year-to-year access to and continuation of services for individuals who desperately need support. Working for a Medicaid provider agency I have seen across the board client support hour reductions that frankly break my heart as I understand how this will impact the quality of life and skill development for the clients I serve.

6) What makes you feel like a valuable contributor?

When working with clients one-on-one the constant feedback I get from their actions, achievements, and accomplishments makes me acutely aware of how valuable my contribution is to their overall success. Even when clients are struggling to achieve their goals the fact that they continue to try signifies for me the value of my practice.

7) What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy seeing change in the clients I serve regardless of how incremental that change may be. My reward is in their success. It is rewarding to know that I have the opportunity to impact clients in such a way that will have for them lifelong positive effects.

The post Featured Certified Autism Specialist: Ezra Lockhart appeared first on Certified Autism Specialist.

December 9, 2015, VIENNA – Melanie Trojan is the first in Austria to complete a training and certification program resulting in the designation of having her Autism Certificate by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). With the rate of autism diagnosis rapidly increasing worldwide, the need for credentialed and licensed autism-related service providers continues to grow every year.  According to the World Health Organization there is an estimated global prevalence of autism at 2 to 6 in 1000.

Receiving the Autism Certificate establishes Melanie Trojan as a top-level treatment provider for individuals with autism. Completing the program requires extensive, ongoing training, successful completion of an autism competency examination and approval by an international panel comprised of researchers, speakers and advocates in the field representing universities and organizations around the globe.  

“It’s really good to know, that somewhere others are as passionate as I am, because sometimes we have to overcome barricades to support people with Autism,” Trojan said. “I am honored to be the first Autism Certificant® in Austria, and I look forward to using and spreading the knowledge and experience I acquired through the certification process.”

In addition to completing the rigorous autism certification program, Trojan earned her bachelors in Logopedics-Phoniatrics-Audiology from Applied University Vienna, and is in process of completing her master’s degree while studying linguistics and ‘Child and Youth Care Studies’ at the University of Strathclyde. She was formally a Speech Language Pathologist at Hospital Hietzing with the Neurological Centre in Rosenhuegel and now owns a SLP practice in Vienna specializing on autism.

“We are very excited to appoint Ms. Trojan as the first IBCCES Autism Specialist through receiving her Autism Certificate in Austria,” said Myron Pincomb, Board Chairman of IBCCES, “Families and those with the diagnosis can now rest assured that they are receiving a pinnacle-level of services from specialists with knowledge and understanding of best practices and up-to-date treatment options. A third-party verification and internationally-recognized program of standards for autism professionals makes a huge impact on the quality of care.”

For press inquiries, contact Kristin Chambers at kristin@ibcces.org. For Certified Autism Specialist® program inquires, contact Melissa Draper at melissa@ibcces.org, on Skype at CASIBCCES, or on What’s App at Melissa Draper IBCCES. 

About IBCCES

In 2001, IBCCES (International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards) first established the industry standards for a Certified Autism Specialist. IBCCES leading standards are now used by organizations all over the world to ensure the highest quality of care and training for professionals in the field of Autism, with a goal to develop an army of highly trained and certified professionals who can improve the quality of life and education for individuals with Autism.

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Jacksonville, FL (Sept. 16, 2015) – The Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Center(JSHC) has earned its certification of autism care from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).  This designation means that at least 80% of the JSHC staff has undergone a rigorous training process that will assist in providing speech pathology and audiology services for those who have autism.  It is believed that the nonprofit is the first healthcare provider in North Florida to undergo this training for its staff.

“I’m extremely proud that our staff has stepped up to achieve this recognition,” said Mike Howland, President and CEO of Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Center.  “Communication is a critical challenge for many people with autism and that is where we can help.”

“I strongly believe that creating professional partnerships that help care for those with autism and other sensory processing disorders improves the quality of care,” said Michelle Killian, Director of IBCCES.  “Disparities in patient-provider communication lower patient self-efficacy and usage of preventive services. This training can help eliminate that.”IBCCES was formed in 2001 and is the leading credentialing organization for professionals in the field of autism.

A Certified Autism Center provides a patient-friendly environment that includes

•      no sensory overload
•      patients ushered to quiet rooms
•      treatment that is minimally disruptive to the patient
•      communication with family members regarding diagnosis and treatment
•      a focus on “yes” or “no” questions to patient
•      allowing patients to see and touch materials
•      a health care professional manner that is direct and factual

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a wide range of symptoms and impairment levels.  According to a 2010 study conducted by the Center for Disease Control, one in 68 children in the US have the disorder.  It is five times more common among boys than girls.

The Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Center was founded in 1949 by the Junior League of Jacksonville.  Today this nonprofit, located at 1128 N. Laura St., serves children, adults and seniors providing screenings, evaluations and treatments in the areas of speech pathology and audiology.  Most major insurances are accepted.  For more information visit shcjax.org or call 904-355-3403 to make an appointment.  Like Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Center on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/jaxspeechhearingcenter or follow on Twitter @JaxSpeechHear.

The post Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center Becomes First Certified Autism Center appeared first on Certified Autism Specialist.

As Myron Pincomb, the Board Chairman of IBCCES states, “The rapid increase in the diagnosis of Autism has created a huge shortage of professionals certified in the field.  School districts and healthcare organizations all over the country are seeking certified professionals to fill a back log of open positions”.

As the number of individuals diagnosed with Autism continues to increase each year, the amount of certified professionals who are trained and qualified to help them has fallen short.  With IBCCES releasing a list of over 10,000 new jobs for Certified Autism Specialists, educators, licensed professionals and healthcare workers can clearly see the potential for career advancement and the rapidly growing need for training and certification in the field of Autism.

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, “An additional 28,000 Speech Language Pathologists will be needed to fill the demand between now and 2020, a 23% increase in job openings.  Many of the patients serviced by these SLP’s will be children with Autism”.

MORE ABOUT IBCCES

IBCCES, The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, establishes industry standards and governs credentialing programs used by professionals in the fields of healthcare and education.

Since 2001, IBCCES has been establishing industry standards for Certified Autism Specialists and has inspired many industries around the world to take on their leading standards of care.  To learn more about how to become a Certified Autism Specialist, please visit IBCCES at www.ibcces.org. You can also call toll-free at 1-877-717-6543.

CONTACT

IBCCES (International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards)

1-877-717-6543

www.ibcces.org

info@ibcces.org

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