A Note From the Founder
Welcome to the first Madison House Autism Foundation newsletter. We hope this newsletter is helpful to you or to people you know. We will try to keep our newsletters brief with some touching or informative material that you may like to know about. For more in depth assistance in gathering information we refer you to our website, which can help you gain information on this part of our population, who now that their high school experience is over, are facing huge challenges. We may give you links to gather information, share stories of people’s ups and downs; we will highlight projects across the country that may be helpful if replicated in your community. We hope to have you be an active part of this important national initiative of problem solving.
JaLynn Prince
President and Co-founder MHAF
A Father’s Message on Behalf of his Autistic Son to the Class of 2012
On a picture-perfect, blue-sky day in May, Dr. Gregory A. Prince, co-founder of Madison House Autism Foundation, delivered a commencement message to the Rockville High School class of 2012 in Montgomery County. Madison, his son, who is on the autism spectrum and the inspiration behind Madison House Autism Foundation, is part of that class. At 22-years-old, Madison’s high school experience comes to an end this year and like hundreds of thousands of others who age out of school programs when they reach adulthood, he faces a different reality.
Dr. Prince described the reality of the global workplace: Most students are about to walk onto a playing field where the competition includes hundreds of millions of workers in other countries with similar skills, but with wages often below two dollars an hour. Unless students get jobs in a field that cannot be outsourced overseas, prosperity will depend upon the ability to combine technology with creativity. And this applies to all jobs, not merely those in science, technology, engineering and math. The ability to prosper in the workplace will depend largely upon technology skills.
Secondly and perhaps more poignantly, Dr. Prince delivered a message on behalf of Madison and his peers to the Class of 2012. He explained how their futures may be bright or they may be dark, but in either case the outcome is largely within an individual’s own control. Not so for Madison and the group that he represents: those with intellectual disabilities. Madison is autistic, and is part of a mushrooming population throughout the world whose increase in numbers has thus far baffled scientists, physicians, parents, educators and lawmakers. More than one percent of all babies now born in this country will have some form of autism, and we do not know why. Most of them will never be able to live independently, and their success in life—and, to a large extent, our success as a humane society—will depend on the help that they receive from the community.
Thus, the challenge to all graduates is two-fold. First, master the technology that will enable each student to excel and compete in a global economy. And second, bring along those with special needs. The first challenge is inward; the second is outward. Become skilled in the art of what has come to be called the Platinum Rule: “Do unto others as they would have you do unto them.” That’s win-win.
Madison House Autism Foundation Highlights Brent Wood, Grandfather and Father
Last April, MHAF staff had the privilege of touring the construction of the Clear Horizons Academy’s state-of-the-art facility on a ten-acre campus in Orem, UT. Our truly delightful and tenacious tour guide, co-founder Brent Woods, proudly pointed out features of the cutting-edge and autism-friendly building design.
Brent and his family became aware of the limited resources available for children with autism when his young grandchild was diagnosed with the disorder. Together, he and his family founded Clear Horizons Academy in 2005 to increase the educational and treatment opportunities for autistic children living in Utah.
Since that time, the organization has grown exponentially. The completion of this new campus will allow Clear Horizons to quadruple the number of children and families served by program and include high-school-aged children with programs tailored to their unique needs. Most remarkable, last November, the lot where the vibrant building now stands was empty. MHAF attributes the speedy building to grandfather and father Brent Woods and his no-nonsense attitude.
Mr. Woods is a man with a sense of duty, family and a mission. In addition to having practiced corporate law, Mr. Wood founded several successful businesses over the years. A devoted husband and father, he has been married to Kathryn since 1972. They have four children and ten foster children. Mr. Wood sets an example to all by bring these life-changing services to families in need. For all that he does, Madison House Autism Foundation salutes Brent Wood this Fathers Day.
For more information about Clear Horizons Academy, please visit http://www.clearhorizonsacademy.org/involved.html.
Here are Some Ways YOU Can Make a Difference
- Spread the Word! Send the MHAF link to all those you know who are affected by autism and encourage them to contact us. Like Madison House Autism Foundation on FaceBook.
- Send your ideas! Let MHAF know if you know of promising ideas and emerging models so MHAF can promote them.
- Help collect stories – encourage the millions of adults with autism, parents and those impacted by autism to share their stories, challenges, fears, and joys.
- Volunteer to assist with research initiatives and data-gathering needs.
- Be a job coach – most individuals with autism have unique talents and can be valuable employees as long as they have an advocate and basic support.
- Be a role model of understanding toward those on the spectrum who find it hard to communicate. There is no cure for autism – there is only understanding.
- Support the drive for a National Conversation.
- Disseminate handouts about autism awareness.
- Include the topic of challenges faced by adults with autism and their families in neighborhood and community meetings.
- Offer respite to a family who has a member on the spectrum.
- Invite a MHAF representative to speak at your community, corporate, or educational event.
© 2012 Madison House Autism Foundation l 9610 Medical Center Drive, Suite 100 Rockville, MD 20850 l (301) 850-9020 l TERMS
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