13-year-old Autism Ambassador to visit Pope, White House

[proverbialwisdom]

Source: Diane Roberts, WUSA9

September 20, 2015


As the current Autism Ambassador in Montgomery County, 13-year-old Jake Edwards
will share a special message with the President and the Pope.
(Photo: WUSA9)

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (WUSA9) -- So many would love to meet with the Pope and this week a Maryland teen will get his chance.

As the current Autism Ambassador in Montgomery County, 13-year-old Jake Edwards will share a special message with the White House and the Pope. On Monday, Jake and 13 others will be honored as Champions of Change at the White House and on Wednesday, Jake will meet with the Pope.

Jake, who has autism, works with law enforcement to help them understand people who are different.

"There are many different forms of autism, if someone doesn't talk maybe it's because they can't. If someone doesn't look at you, maybe it's too painful for them," explained Jake.

Jake will meet the Pope on Wednesday to represent the Archdiocese of Washington's Special Needs Ministry, he says he will talk to the Pope about his blessings, how thankful he is.

Read more: http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/2015/09/20/13-year-old-autism-ambassador-to-visit-pope-white-house/72505458/

[proverbialwisdom]

1. Related DU thread from November 2014.

In particular, check out posts 39-41: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014947170

[RufusTFirefly]

2. A wonderful boy of roughly the same age opened my eyes and my heart to autism

He's a terrific kid with an even more terrific mom. Together they changed my life.

[proverbialwisdom]

4. Sounds like love. (nt)

[RufusTFirefly]

5. "It's the only thing. That there's much too little of." n/t

[proverbialwisdom]

3. The Intelligencer: Should you take your child with autism to papal weekend events?

http://www.theintell.com/tabs/papalvisit/should-you-take-your-child-with-autism-to-papal-weekend/article_08dec97c-5acd-11e5-aaaa-0f72fb652a9f.html



Should you take your child with autism to papal weekend events?

Posted: Monday, September 14, 2015 6:30 am
By Marion Callahan, Staff writer

Navigating long lines, packed trains and crowded streets can be stressful for anyone, but it is especially difficult for people with social and processing challenges such as autism.

Parents need to carefully consider how their autistic child has reacted to crowded and noisy situations in the past when considering whether to attend papal weekend events, according the autism specialists in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

More than a million people are expected to flock to Center City Philadelphia for a two-day visit by Pope Francis following the World Meeting of Families Sept. 22-25.

Devereux, a Philadelphia-based national nonprofit behavioral healthcare organization, has created an online book, called a "social story," to help children with autism spectrum disorder better understand and prepare for Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia Sept. 26-27.

“It’s a way to help children who don’t handle social experiences in such a large crowd,” said Devereux spokesperson Ariel Shore. “Since children may be over-stimulated with all the activities, it may be best for parents to prepare their children to properly adjust to these unfamiliar situations, including the large crowds and security checkpoints.”

The online story book -- “How to Prepare your Family” -- is available at devereux.org and will be hosted on the official World Meeting of Families 2015 website, http://www.worldmeeting2015.org/ .

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Adell Valasek, instructional supervisor of autism for the Burlington County Special Services School District, cautioned against bringing children who may not be able to cope with the crowds or long waits.

“I think you need to know your child well and know what they can handle and know what they can’t,” she said. “If it’s going to be very challenging for a student who can’t handle much noise, doesn’t handle being touched or waiting for long periods times, this might not be a good situation for them to be in.”

But for those who can handle such situation, she highly recommended becoming part of the “historic event.”

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[liberal_at_heart]

6. oh my god I never thought about what might happen if my autistic son were to be stopped by a cop.

I am so glad there are people out there educating the police about this. Thank you Jake Edwards.

[proverbialwisdom]

7. More.

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/09/28/pope-blesses-special-needs/20831/

Pope Blesses Kids With Special Needs

By MICHAELLE BOND, RITA GIORDANO AND KRISTIN HOLMES, THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER/TNS
September 28, 2015

PHILADELPHIA — Michael Keating, age 10, has had more than his share to bear.

Born prematurely, the Berks County boy has cerebral palsy. He can’t use his arms or legs. He suffers from seizures, and his brain cannot process what he sees or hears. He has intellectual disabilities. Last year, he had spinal fusion surgery, and in August, doctors replaced his hips. More surgeries are likely.

Yet for all that, Michael’s family says he knows joy. He loves music, he loves Shiloh, his black Lab. And he especially loves kisses, lots of kisses.

Saturday, Michael received a kiss, a gift, that by now has welled up tears around the world, a story told and retold:

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