Connecting People to Resources: An Information and Resource Fair for Autism Spectrum Disorders

Just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, in San Rafael, on the campus of Dominican University, an 11 year old boy with Autism put on his volunteer badge and with a little support from a volunteer from Wells Fargo Bank walked from vendor to vendor (50 of them) introducing himself and requesting their business cards.

Jacob had his own business card collection but on this day he was collecting an additional card for a special drawing. With an occasional reminder to make eye contact before greeting someone, extending his handshake and saying thank you after receiving someone’s card, Jacob connected to over 100 people in the room.

Then with the same spirit, of Johnny Carson greeting his guests, Jacob announced the 4 door prize winners and raised both his hands over his head verbally cheering them for their success at winning the door prize.

Then there were the half a dozen teens from Autistry Studios, a non profit helping teens and young adults with HFA and Asperger become successfully independent by leveraging their interests and talent, eagerly explaining their artistic and creative constructions to the fair’s attendees. They were so eager to explain how they planned, designed and created these detailed miniatures in their workshop.

Finally there was Julia, an 11 year old student with Asperger, who gladly wore her volunteer badge and helped out in the child care room, playing with younger ASD children, whose parents or grandparents were attending one of the workshops offered that day.

Ten workshops, attended by a total of 123 participants, (parents, grandparents, teachers and colleges students) provided solutions to many core challenges facing children, teens and adults with ASD; sleeping issues, sensory problems, bio medical, the IEP process, special needs trusts and long term financial planning, preparing teens to work and playing.

To top that off students from Sonoma State University and Dominican University attended workshops and volunteered in fair activities. How perfect that our FUTURE teachers, therapists, administrators and parents were already learning about effective interventions for ASD.

The event was a success for so many and I am proud to have played a role in creating, developing and implementing such a beneficial event. The greatest gifts were the smiles on Jacob and Julia’s face, as they placed their volunteer badges around their necks and felt part of the community and the delight in the eyes of their moms.

by Karen Kaplan, Fair Director