hey, i would really like to help children with autism. I don't want to raise money, I want to work with them directly. any suggestions?
also, if you have autism or have a child, sibling, or friend with it, what would you like to be done? i would love any comments!
btw I'm a 16 year old female
2007-08-25 16:45:35 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
ps. im not looking into this for a career or college major (at least not yet).
i actually want to be a writer/director or maybe a psychologist.
i just want to volunteer =)
2007-08-25 16:57:29 · update #1
Talk to your school counselor. They can suggest ways you can look into degrees that would allow you to do this as a career. They might also be able to give you people to contact for volunteering with handicapped children. A lot of schools keep lists of volunteer activities because many school scholarships require community service time.
2007-08-25 16:54:21 · answer #1 · answered by Dreams 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I started volunteering with children with autism at your age!
In every county there is at least one public school program for the children. You could talk to the school principal about volunteering there, just to get experience with the kids, at first, if you'd like.
Otherwise, check into your nearest Autism Support Group in your locality. Contact the leader/parents & tell them you want to help. If you have babysitting experience, often that's the biggest help. Sometimes, it's really hard for the parents to get away for the evening, because they can't find a reliable babysitter for their child with autism, who may act oddly, or do unpredictable behaviors, or bite, or not obey consistently.
Another thing would be to become a "visiting buddy" of an older girl, your own age, perhaps from your high school, with Asperger's Syndrome. She may be in the regular program, but be shy, or isolated, or rejected as "odd", and have no friends. She may be likely to not know how to initiate conversations, or to talk about her one interest (whatever that is) to the exclusion of any other topic. Being a friend to her one evening after school, sharing in her interest, and introducing her to some of your interests, may be a wonderful way you can help someone, before she goes off to college or her future!
Thanks for your interest!!
2007-08-26 00:02:22 · answer #2 · answered by embroidery fan 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A good place to start gaining knowledge and hands on experience is in an after-school program that serves kids with disabilities. Check with your local parks and recreation or school system to find out if they offer such a program. You will be surprised to find how many programs need good workers!! If they won't hire you or don't have positions available, try and volunteer!! Volunteering will help you determine if you really want to work with the disabled population or not.
As far as college majors go, there are SO many that can be used with the disabled population. I chose Recreation Therapy/Therapeutic Recreation and I love it! There is also Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Adapted Physical Education, Speech Therapy, Special Education Teacher/aide, Behavior Specialist (Psychology Degree) and many more!!
2007-08-25 23:53:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Stay in school. and pick a college well known for it's medical school. Then pick and study any courses related to Autism. For now you might try your local Child Advocacy Center, or call a local parents support group for autistic children, and ask if you can attend their meetings to learn about how they deal with this condition. Autism has many levels and after you learn more about them you might know how to better serve the child's and Parent's needs. Wish you luck!
2007-08-26 00:14:46 · answer #4 · answered by eudaemon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have local autism help groups in area's all over the country, just give them a call I'm sure they would love to have you help with fund raisers or come in for play therapy. Bless your heart Good Luck
2007-08-25 23:51:20 · answer #5 · answered by Tiana 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i have a brother with autism. i think its great that you want to help! im sure there is an autism society wherever you live, maybe you could find out some info through them? or you could find out about autistic children at the elementary schools? if your really interested, you could start some kind of group that wants to do it with you.
2007-08-26 00:00:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are programs (jobs) which you can get paid for going to their homes and work and play with them. It's a few hours per week and confidentitally is a MUST.
Call your local healthcare facility
2007-08-29 22:58:07 · answer #7 · answered by Making a difference 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/TheOpenDoorForsupport/
2007-08-25 23:52:20 · answer #8 · answered by LACY LYNN 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋