We are just hours away from Autism Awareness Month. A month full of events, celebrations and opportunities to learn more about autism. This year, F.A.C.T. has teamed up with the Los Angeles Public Library to demonstrate our support for autism awareness. GAP Voice (our young adult public speakers) will be touring various libraries and hosting workshops. They will guide you through interactive presentations and discussion, you will hear insights about autism and get tips on how you can help individuals with autism feel…
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Linda Andron-Ostrow, Executive Director I spent a really incredible weekend with 800 therapists learning the importance of play creativity and mindfulness for the brain. We threw beach balls around the room and blew imaginary bubbles. We learned how to listen to each others sentences so that we could start a new sentence with the last letter of the last word. And we learned how to jump for joy. I realized how little time we make in our own lives…
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By Kharlo and David, GAP Students Five Students went on a special outing to the Los Angeles Contemporary Art Fair on January 30th 2015 located at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica. We saw artist’s work from all over the world. We talked to many galleries about their artist’s work they represented. We dressed very sleek for the occasion and fit right in the scene. Some of our favorite works and artist were represented by ACME Gallery of Los Angeles.…
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Martin, GAP Parent Our children, although they are young adults, have a long way to go to be more independent (By the way, this is also true of the college students I teach). The GAP is devoted to giving them those skills that contribute to their becoming adults who can make their own way (of course, with help). Every day they are at GAP they are learning and reinforcing what they need for the longer run. We owe it to…
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Linda Andron-Ostrow, Executive Director A riddle. When is spending every dime that you have a way to save for the future? As California moves to implement its Self-Determination Law this strange axiom will become a mantra. Self-Determination simply means that persons with a disability receiving services from the regional center, will have a large range of choice to design programs and services that they mesh with the goals that are developed in their person-centered plans and implemented by their individual…
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Linda Andron-Ostrow, Executive Director I’d like to introduce to you F.A.C.T. boardmember Fran Goldfarb – my colleague and dear friend. Soon Fran will term out of her position as board member. Please take a moment to read her story joining the FACT community. Take it easy, but take it ~Woodie guthrie It is with very mixed feelings that we bid farewell to retiring board member, Fran Goldfarb. Fran has been with the agency from its birth. Fran was the Family…
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Mikal Britt, Behaviorist for 10+ years I heard a saying recently – “the only way to get out of your head is to get into your body”. This is one of those ideas that can be applied to anyone. But I find that it works especially well for those on the spectrum. Sometimes the mind can get stuck on a thought or a movie quote. The more the thought loops and spins, it’s like a snowball rolling down a hill,…
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A donation to FACT can go a long way. It can help to sponsor young adults in our transitional program, it can help a little girl attend social skills sessions, it can even help a family get the therapy they need to make 2015 their best year yet. But in a rough economy, you may feel that donating is not in the picture… or is it!? We have 5 ways for you to give to FACT without you spending a…
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Linda Andron-Ostrow, CEO Normally, I’d like to share with you a positive holiday message to wrap up the year. However, this year, I have learned about an unfortunate story of isolation and autism. When you read about Neli, it is my hope that you will share my utter concern and will join the Autistic Self Advocacy Network action to support him. I will also share with you the story of Carly, who is an excellent example of breaking through isolation. I…
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Mikal Britt, Behaviorist for 10+ years This Thanksgiving season, I want to focus on ways we can be thankful for autism, which although a challenging condition at times, is also a wonderful and fascinating part of our world. So I am thankful that autism exists. I am thankful that we have different people in this world; that we are not all the same. I am thankful for brains that operate differently, in interesting and puzzling ways. I am thankful for…
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