Hello! My name is Heather and I am excited to share this amazing news with you! I am slated to go to Chandigarh, India in July 2019 for two weeks to spread the knowledge, strategies, and reasonings behind the evidence based therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). I have always wanted to go to India, Since I was about 23years old and began my spiritual journey to understand the different theologies of the world. I resonated with Buddhism and would adore being given an opportunity to visit, see, or tour temples or monasteries. The architecture in India looks beautiful and I very much enjoy Indian Food. The culture seems just beautiful to me. And now to be able to marry them together, it's an unbelievable opportunity! My background with ASD includes working with highly At-Risk students from 5-11 (K-5) who were removed from their home schools because of their aggressive behavior problems. These are children that, were it not for our program, would inevitably have gone to residential treatment hospitals or privatized behavior institutes. These children suffered from an ACE (Aversive Childhood Experience) Score of 9-10 (highest possible being 10) This score is determined by answering a series of questions relating to: molestation, family member imprisonment, neglect, physical abuse, and others. These Children suffered from a broad range of Mental Illnesses and were an extreme danger to themselves and others. In our program Academics were Secondary. These children had to learn and trust that school or more importantly that there are adults that can provide a safe space for them. That they don’t have to be on edge or protect themselves – as they have always had to do because those adults that were supposed to didn’t. I have also had the pleasure of working with our Early Childhood program (3-5) to serve our students that have an IEP (Individual Education Plan) stating a need for direct intervention services from our Autism Team. December 2017 I earned my Registered Behavior Technician Certification and will renew that each year. I am well informed on appropriate interventions for Sensory Processing Disorder and different Language Intervention strategies for nonverbal individuals with ASD and other comorbid disabilities. (ADD/ADHD, OCD, Traumatic Brain Injury, Intellectual Disability Disorder) I’ve had experience with Therapeutic Recreation Programs that allow people with ASD and other disabilities to have a Recreation program operated by people that know ABA and are appropriately hired for a fast pace high patience job position. I’ve used ABA in the home with a more play-based behavior intervention program vs. the academic within the schools. The Global Autism Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to spreading the knowledge of ABA to Teachers & Caregivers that serve people with Autism in countries that are lacking fundamental resources to achieve successful implementation or even the understanding of how to apply ABA in their communities to help those on the Autism Spectrum achieve their full potential and become a contributing member of their community. I first heard about the Global Autism Project when I discovered the Open University online based out of Wales. I’ve been devouring information on all topics that interest me. ASD is not only relevant to my career but most importantly to my intrinsic passion to help those that cannot advocate for themselves. I’ve always wanted to travel the world, but I’ve also wanted to leave some sort of knowledge behind and to feel like I have made a difference. I have tried the material motivation for life or career path and I was miserable. When I realized that I could combine these two passions it was invigorating! I am hoping to gain a new perspective on the reality of how the world lives with Autism. Specifically, I am interested in getting out of my bubble and gaining an appreciation for all the opportunities my country is so fortunate to have. While I know this logically, it will be more striking to be able to help someone whose need is dire, and options are nil. I am excited to get the opportunity to understand another culture and how ASD is coped with, managed, or treated as a part of that culture. I am very interested in learning from other people who have a vast amount of experience and knowledge on ABA that I can gain incredible insight on new strategies, ideas, and therapies. The work that the Global Autism Project is doing is so extremely important in the acceptance and proper therapies for our children with Autism. The goal is for a sister site of GAP to become self sustaining. Sustainability is important so that once the supports are removed, the program can function on its own. And not only that but thrive and grow. If a program cannot sustain without staff, financial, or physical support they will not be successful and will not be able to provide these most necessary services for their communities. Sustainability also provides continuing community support as well as job opportunities for able bodied workers. Sustainability provides the preservation of knowledge. Once a program is sustainable this information can be taught to others, allowing the strategies of ABA to reach hundreds of miles away. This leads to more schools, more teachers, more jobs, and more opportunities for people with ASD to live a happy and full life. I hope you will support me on this incredible journey of a lifetime to change the world! Share my page with anyone you know and let's get this done :) Thank you very much. I truly appreciate the gifts I've been given in this life. I hope to be able to pay it forward with this (and maybe other) trip(s) to educate others.
