Finding safe ways to stretch
A common theme voiced from parents in our discussions centered around finding safe ways to stretch when transitioning into adulthood and increasing autonomy.
Listening vs. Hearing
As a Counselor at CA Human Services and an individual entering the field of social work, I have formed my career around listening. I am reminded of a client I worked
What can we start doing now?
What can we start doing now, at home to prepare our adolescent or young adult for independence? This is a question I am frequently asked by parents and supportive parties who have a neurodiverse adolescent or adult living at home.
Kitchen Skills and Independence
Often when we think of kitchen skills, we think of cooking. While cooking is an important tool for us to be able to meet our basic need of nourishment, there are many aspects of cooking and kitchen management that are often overlooked as the foundation of independence in the kitchen.
Evening at the Adult Programs Residence
Communication is a key skill needed to be independent. Sit in on an evening shift with a CA Adult Programs counselor as she integrates communication skill building into day-to-day with our residents in the Adult Programs house located in Richmond, VA.
My Brother, My Friend
“Family is not about blood. It is about who is willing to hold your hand when you need it most.” While reading this quote from Arjun Sathwara, I thought about how I was raised and the family I was brought up in. I’m not related to any of the people who raised me by any…
5 money saving tips for adults with autism
Just like neurotypical folks, adults with autism can struggle financially to meet their needs and goals. This is especially true as autistics are often under and unemployed. The following is a blog shared with CA by a regular contributor. She describes herself as an adult female with high functioning autism. We found this quite insightful and hope you will too! Here are her 5 money saving tips for adults with autism.
Challenge Accepted
As a kid, I always had a difficult time with challenges even before I was diagnosed with autism. . Challenges are all over the place and can come in various forms, from big to small. I often remember what my friend said, “Change is the only constant in this world”. I would soon face another challenge.
Autism: 6 ways to build self-esteem
Low self-esteem occurs across all genders, ages, income levels, and disABILITIES. Nuerodivergent adults with autism have a higher occurrence of struggling with self-worth than their neurotypical peers. CA Human Services works with neurodiverse Virginians – typically our clients are adults who have an autism spectrum disorder or similar diagnosis.
Uplifting Differently Abled Individuals
I’ve found that, in addition to being patient, validating my clients’ feelings really helps them better cope with those feelings and better control their reactions. This is a lesson that all of us could benefit from in our lives. When others’ reactions confound us, it may be more practical to
validate their feelings than to struggle to understand their behavior.