Dear caregivers and family members,

While this site is designed with the target audience of your friends and family members on the autism spectrum, we also have a message for you in this time: You play an important role in keeping your loved ones’/one’s safety and skill development. We want to be as helpful as we can to you during this pandemic.

We know what it is like to have a friend or family member on the autism spectrum. That is why we are here. Our Board of Directors is comprised solely of parents of kids, teens, and adults on the spectrum. We will be the first to tell you: not all lessons and resources and therapies have been helpful to us and our families. Everyone is different and not all resources apply to all individuals. As the saying goes, “If you’ve met one person on the autism spectrum, congratulations; you’ve met one person on the autism spectrum.”

However, the “Stay Safe and Self Advocate” project has a lot to offer and we want to encourage you to give it a close look.

We have all seen new websites and books before that offer information and resources for the caregivers of individuals on the autism spectrum, but we believe that this project is truly breaking new ground and offering value on multiple levels. For instance, we want to start emphasizing what healthcare professionals can do to accommodate the unique communication challenges facing autistic individuals in a health crisis. See more HERE.

Why is this site different? Why is this project different?

In addition to being particularly relevant due to the current pandemic, this site has some noteworthy features that can reward repeated visits for yourself, and, hopefully, your loves one(s).

  • We presume competence. The writing and videos on this site is designed for intelligent people who may happen to be on the autism spectrum or have been diagnosed with another developmental disability and are seeking to protect themselves from COVID-19 or sharpen their self-advocacy skills during this pandemic. We took every measure to speak and write with respect for our audience and not “talk down” to our readers, listeners, or viewers.

  • We address people on the spectrum directly. This site is not about people on the autism spectrum; this site is for people on the autism spectrum.

  • We use  Behavior Skills Training Model. You will notice that each page in the four main content strains of this website use a sequential formatting of information: Introduction, Review, Practice, Reflection. This is based on a behavior skills training model. This evidence based model teaches a person what to do — that is, what behaviors to engage in under a particular circumstance. It allows for practice within the program so that the person can become fluent with the skill. This is a well-researched and highly regarded methodology for skill development.

  • This material may have value to YOU, the caregiver. While you may not be on the autism spectrum yourself, the skills modeled on this page regarding safety and health-related self advocacy can apply to everyone, especially as we face an overtaxed healthcare system that sadly has less margins for accommodation of patients.

  • This addresses the COVID pandemic from multiple angles. While you and your loves one(s), may have a decent grasp on the nature of COVID-19, how it spreads, and what the risk factors are, how are you dealing with feelings of dread, isolation, or depression that have characterized the lives of so many during this time? How are you dealing with seeking healthcare solutions for other, non-COVID-related chronic or emergent health concerns during this time?

  • This content is relevant to people across the lifespan and across the spectrum. While many autism-related free information sites have been focused on children, the “Stay Safe and Self Advocate” content can be relevant across the autism spectrum. In fact, the content skews toward teenagers, young adults, and adults. As children are necessarily accompanied by adults during medical and therapeutic sessions, it is suggested that caregivers accompany children reviewing these skills.

  • We focus on today. And tomorrow. The skills outlined here on “Stay Safe and Self Advocate” can help during the pandemic, but can also position you and your loved one(s) for a lifetime of advocating for what you need for your mental and physical health and wellness.

If you are looking to connect with other Nebraskans who are part of the autism community, check out autismnebraska.org to be part of our free, accessible events that meet regularly through Zoom.

If you have been part of our community for a while, THANK YOU for being here. If you are new to the autism community, we welcome you. Together, we can create a Nebraska that is an even more inclusive state, where autism is accommodated, celebrated, and understood by all members of our society.

Thank you,

The Board of Directors
Autism Society of Nebraska