Welcome

Valerie Paradiz, PhD, develops educational programs and curricula that support children and adults with autism spectrum conditions and other social, cognitive and sensory differences. She is the creator of Integrated Self-Advocacy ISA™, a curriculum and training series for educators and therapists who wish to support individuals with ASDs and related conditions in achieving greater ability in self-advocacy. Valerie's memoir, Elijah's Cup, is the compelling story of the author's experiences raising her autistic son, their involvement together in the advocacy community, and her own ultimate diagnosis with Asperger syndrome. Dr. Paradiz has been featured in the New York Times, Redbook Magazine, The Guardian and on National Public Radio. Read more...

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Latest Articles

Make Way for the Next Generation of Advocates!

LEAAD isn’t a peer-mentoring program; it’s much more than that. Erika Pumilia explains, “I think schools that have peer mentoring programs mostly do it to cover themselves. So that they can claim they provide social interaction” for kids on the autism spectrum. “But it’s almost like the kids are forced to do it, like they have no choice.” Continue..

• Written 471 days ago in Autism & Asperger's Syndrome

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Integrated Self-Advocacy ISA™

Integrated Self Advocacy helps us, as professionals and family members, to provide children and adults with ASD and other conditions with safe forums for self-discovery, structured learning activities and a cumulative understanding of the many facets of self-advocacy. More..

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ISA™ Tip of the Day

Self disclosure is a moment when you share information about your diagnosis with with others. Full disclosure means that you actually tell someone that you are autistic. Partial disclosure means that you share related information, but don't name your diagnosis outright. For example, you might choose to say that you are sensitive to loud noises in some situations, rather than fully disclose. It's good to know you have options.

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