Press Release | Autism Foundation of Oklahoma

Apr 05

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Autism Foundation of Oklahoma Partners with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to Make 988 Mobile Crisis Units Sensory-Friendly

By Carley Dummitt News, Press Release No Comments

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Carley Dummitt, Marketing & Community Outreach Coordinator

Email: cdummitt@autismfoundationok.org

Phone: 727-366-0947

Autism Foundation of Oklahoma Partners with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to Make 988 Mobile Crisis Units Sensory-Friendly

[Oklahoma, City, OK] – The Autism Foundation of Oklahoma (AFO) is proud to announce its partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) to make their 988 mobile crisis units sensory-friendly. With help from a national grant, ODMHSAS has ordered 60 sensory kits for each mobile crisis unit in the state. Additionally, AFO will provide training and technical assistance to ensure that crisis responders are equipped to provide appropriate support for individuals on the autism spectrum.

Research indicates that autistic individuals without an intellectual disability are seven times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers, and those with an intellectual disability have double the risk. Most alarming, one in five females with autism and ADHD have attempted suicide at least once. These statistics, in conjunction with the CDC’s newest prevalence of 1 in 36 children in the U.S. being on the autism spectrum, demonstrate the need for tailored outreach and services for this population.

“By making their mobile crisis units sensory-friendly, ODMHSAS is taking an important step towards providing appropriate care for individuals on the autism spectrum during a mental health crisis. AFO is honored to support this effort and applauds Commission Carrie Slatton- Hodges for her forward thinking to improve mental health outcomes for individuals on the autism spectrum,” said Emily Scott, Executive Director of the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma.

Dr. Crystal Hernandez, ODMHSAS facility Executive Director and national autism expert, states, “Today is yet another moment marking the shift in how we address mental health for our autistic community with co-occurring conditions. I am incredibly proud of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services’ efforts, serving as a leader in integrating care for all needing mental health support and services. With alarming rates of suicide and mental health crisis, we must continue to step forward and serve.”

The Autism Foundation of Oklahoma’s mission is to improve the quality of life for Oklahomans with autism and their families. AFO’s programs provide education, advocacy, professional development, and individual and family support for Oklahoma’s autism community. To learn more, visit www.autismfoundationok.org.

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Mar 08

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The Autism Foundation of Oklahoma Provides Autism Training for CASA in Ada

By Carley Dummitt News, Press Release No Comments

Media Contact:

Carley Dummitt

Marketing & Community Outreach Coordinator

Autism Foundation of Oklahoma

Email: cdummitt@autismfoundationok.org

Phone: 727-366-0947

[Oklahoma City, OK] – The Autism Foundation of Oklahoma (AFO) is providing autism training for the 22nd Judicial District CASA in Ada, OK, on March 9^th.

During the training, CASA volunteers will learn about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including the latest research, common characteristics, interaction advice, and how to utilize AFO’s sensory kits.

“At CASA, the children we advocate for have experienced trauma and may have other conditions such as autism. Learning as much as possible about the issues these children may deal with can help educate us on how to advocate for them more effectively. It’s often difficult for a doctor to diagnose a child’s behavioral issues because trauma, such as PTSD, and autism symptoms often mimic each other or are interconnected. It takes a deeper awareness of autism, types of trauma, and what triggers behaviors for a CASA Volunteer to make sound recommendations to the Court and DHS.”

AFO’s mission is to improve the lives of Oklahomans with autism and their families. The nonprofit provides autism training to professionals of all types in Oklahoma, including healthcare providers, childcare workers, employers, and justice system professionals.

“We are thrilled to partner with CASA in Ada to provide this training,” said Chandee Kott, Public Health and Safety Program Director for AFO. “Our goal is to provide education, resources, and support for individuals and families affected by autism. This training is just one way we can positively impact our community.”

For more information about the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma, please visit www.autismoklahomaok.org.

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Jan 24

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The Autism Foundation of Oklahoma Is Now Autism Certified To Enhance Services for the Community

By Emily Scott News, Press Release No Comments

For Immediate Release
Media Contact Emily Scott, Executive Director, Autism Foundation of Oklahoma
Phone: 405.237.8390 | Email: escott@autismfoundationok.org

Oklahoma City, Okla. (January 24, 2023) The Autism Foundation of Oklahoma (AFO) has earned the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation, which is granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). The CAC credential requires staff to complete an autism-specific training and certification program through IBCCES to ensure the team’s ability to meet the everchanging needs of autistic individuals.

“Becoming an IBCCES Certified Autism Center™ means a great deal to our organization. It’s given us a firm foundation of useful knowledge in the field of ASD and increases our credibility in the community with the professional development courses we provide,” said Emily Scott, Executive Director, Autism Foundation of Oklahoma. “We’d like to thank our partners at the Oklahoma State Department of Health for their support in helping AFO obtain this certification.”

AFO currently offers public safety resources to autistic individuals, including Project: Safe Stop event that allows drivers and passengers to practice safe interactions with police. They also provide free self-identification driver and passenger visors and wallet cards and a Resource Coordinator on staff who answers phone calls and emails Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

“It is an honor to partner with the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma to enhance their commitment to the autistic community with new tools, resources, and training,” said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman. “Our certification program will help the team enhance their knowledge and specialized services to better support the clients they serve daily.”

For more than 20 years, IBCCES has been a leader in cognitive disorder training and certification for healthcare, education, public safety, travel, and corporate professionals around the globe. IBCCES programs include evidence-based content as well as the perspectives of autistic individuals, alongside other resources, ongoing support, and renewal requirements to ensure there is continued learning and a lasting
impact.

IBCCES also created CertifiedAutismCenter.com, as a free online resource for families that lists certified locations and professionals. Each organization listed on the site has met Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) requirements.

About Autism Foundation of Oklahoma
The role of the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma (AFO) is to improve the lives of Oklahomans with autism and their families across the lifespan. AFO’s programs focus on Advocacy, Early Childhood, Justice System Reform, Public Health & Safety, and Workforce Development.

About IBCCES
Committed to providing The Global Standard For Training and Certification in The Field of Cognitive Disorders – IBCCES provides a series of certifications that empower professionals to be leaders in their field and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. These programs are recognized around the world as the leading benchmark for training and certification in the areas of autism and other cognitive disorders.

See more at https://ibcces.org/blog/2022/12/13/afo.

Nov 21

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Autism Foundation of Oklahoma Offers Gift Giving Guide for the Holiday Season

By Emily Scott Autism, Holidays, News, Parenting, Press Release No Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Autism Foundation of Oklahoma

November 22, 2022

Autism Foundation of Oklahoma Offers Gift Giving Guide for the Holiday Season

The Autism Foundation of Oklahoma (AFO) has partnered with local retailers to offer holiday gift suggestions for those with loved ones that have autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities.

From toddlers to teenagers, AFO’s first-ever gift-giving guide includes sensory-friendly and educational items available at Oklahoma City retailers The Learning Tree and Blue7. The guide also provides information about the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum’s Cowboy Kids Club. The museum recently became the first certified autism center in Oklahoma through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), a certification AFO also recently received.

Emily Hayes, Early Childhood Project Coordinator of the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma, comments, “Finding the perfect gift for loved ones can be challenging. Here at the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma, we want to help support and guide families to find gifts that can be both functional and fun. The items in our gift guide can help promote motor skills, sensory integration skills, social skills, language skills, and daily living skills while also being a fun, innovative item for the gift receiver.

The guide’s categories include sensory-friendly items, gifts to encourage movement, cognitive stimulation, and daily living support. Specialists specifically selected gifts found in this guide to promote unique skills. Depending upon age, gifts might emphasize sensory integration exploration, gross motor development, teaching cause and effect, hand-eye coordination, spatial reasoning, strengthening fine motor skills, tactile exploration and support of speech, color recognition, math, and language activities.

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About Autism Foundation of Oklahoma

Media Contact

Emily Hayes, Project Coordinator

ehayes@autismfoundationok.org / (918)527-7722

PRINT THE GUIDE HERE

Jul 13

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Autism Foundation of Oklahoma Awarded Grant to Develop Autism Training for Justice System Professionals

By Emily Scott News, Press Release No Comments

The Autism Foundation of Oklahoma (AFO) was awarded a grant by the Oklahoma Bar Foundation (OBF) to develop training, resources, and expert guidance for Oklahoma’s justice system professionals. AFO’s goal is to assist professionals in better recognizing, understanding, and helping citizens with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Oklahoma’s court system.

The U.S. Department of Justice reports that individuals with disabilities, including autism, are five times more likely to be incarcerated than those without disabilities. Although researchers agree that most individuals with ASD are law-abiding citizens who are more likely to be victims of crimes than to commit them, they are still seven times more likely to intersect with the criminal justice system than individuals without ASD. AFO recognizes that judicial professionals may struggle with how to best identify and interact with autistic clients or citizens in the courtroom.

“The court’s understanding of ASD can make an enormous difference in various juvenile, family, criminal, and other court cases. Legal professionals need access to ASD education, resources, and advocates with autism knowledge and experience to better service and protect this vulnerable population,” says AFO’s Executive Director, Emily Scott.

“The training funded by the OBF will enable lawyers and judges to better understand and interact with individuals on the autism spectrum who need legal representation and appear in court. It will positively impact both the quality of services rendered and case outcomes as these individuals experience our justice system,” says OBF’s Executive Director, Renee DeMoss.

Additionally, AFO is creating a free justice resource collection for their website that will include on-demand videos, social stories, and a network of advocates to assist the courts with understanding the communication, social, and behavioral characteristics of ASD.

The first five trainings will be held at Workflow Commons (916 NW 6th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73106) on the following dates:
o July 26; 10am-12pm
o August 23; 10am-12pm
o September 20; 10am-12pm
o October 25; 10am-12pm
o November 15; 10am-12pm

For registration information, contact AFO Project Coordinator Leah Harris at lharris@autismfoundationok.org.

About Autism Foundation of Oklahoma
The Autism Foundation of Oklahoma’s mission is to improve the quality of life for Oklahomans with autism and their families. AFO’s programs provide education, advocacy, professional development, and individual and family support for Oklahoma’s autism community. To learn more, visit www.autismfoundationok.org.

Media Contact
Leah Harris, Project Coordinator
lharris@autismfoundationok.org
1+(405) 237-8390

Jul 05

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Autism Foundation of Oklahoma Receives a $100,000 grant from the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma

By Emily Scott News, Press Release No Comments

The Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma (MCFOK) has awarded $100,000 to the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma (AFO) for its Early Childhood and Public Safety programs. This generous gift will help AFO provide autism education and resources to childcare providers, law enforcement professionals, and emergency first responders throughout Oklahoma.

“In the last two years, AFO staff and volunteers have developed autism education for numerous professionals, including child care workers, law enforcement agents, and emergency first responders. Thanks to this significant gift from MCFOK, AFO will now be able to obtain the resources we need to launch these trainings statewide.”

“Not all persons on the autism spectrum can effectively communicate with first responders,” said John Logan, Executive Director of MCFOK. “We hope this grant will provide first responders, educators, and childcare professionals with additional tools to assist them in communicating with and responding to the needs of the autism community.”

The Autism Foundation of Oklahoma is a 501c3 nonprofit that aims to improve the lives of Oklahomans with autism and their families across the lifespan. AFO specializes in providing education, resources, and program support for early childhood development, workforce development, public safety, and criminal justice reform initiatives. For additional information, visit www.AutismFoundationOK.org.

Jun 09

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Autism Foundation of Oklahoma to Host Sensory-Friendly Vaccine Clinics

By Emily Scott Healthcare, Press Release No Comments

The Autism Foundation of Oklahoma (AFO) has partnered with the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) to provide sensory-friendly vaccine clinics to Oklahoma residents with autism or other disabilities and their caregivers. The COVID-19 vaccine will be available for children as young as five years old, as well as other adult and childhood vaccines upon request.

The following five clinics are scheduled for the summer of 2022:

June 23- Woodward County Health Department

June 28th- Oklahoma City-County Health Department

July 15th- Comanche County Health Department in Lawton

July 22nd- FUNdamentals Therapy in Ardmore in partnership with the Carter County Health Department

July 28th- Crossover Health Services in partnership with the Tulsa County Health Department

Prior to each event, clinic staff will receive sensory kits and specialized training for autism and other disabilities sponsored by a grant awarded to AFO from OSDH. Patients will also receive gift bags containing resources and helpful items for families to use with their children when visiting other new and possibly stressful places in their communities.

“We look forward to hosting five statewide sensory-friendly vaccine clinics this summer and appreciate the support of the Oklahoma State Health Department. AFO’s clinics are designed to help individuals and family members feel more comfortable in a local health care setting that is both educated and equipped to accommodate special needs,” says AFO’s Health Equity Project Coordinator Chandee Kott.

Children that are a part of the CDC’s Vaccines For Children (VFC) program are also eligible to receive their back-to-school immunizations. To learn more about this initiative, visit autismfoundationok.org/covid-19-resources.

Image courtesy of CDC.gov.

Media Contact:
Chandee Kott, Health Equity Project Coordinator
Email: ckott@autismfoundationok.org,
Phone: 1+(210)287-7522

Mar 04

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Autism Foundation of Oklahoma Awarded Grant to Develop Autism Training for Employers

By Emily Scott Press Release No Comments

The Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma (DDCO) has awarded the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma (AFO) a grant to support its mission to increase employment opportunities for individuals with autism and other disabilities. AFO hopes to reach all four quadrants of the state of Oklahoma within the first three years of the project, effectively including and accommodating individuals with autism in recruitment, hiring, and employment retention.

AFO will develop, implement, and market a 4-part training series to raise awareness of neurodiversity and effective management practices for participating employers. The training will be certificate-based and include membership into a network of trained employers for future candidates to consider.

“Finding meaningful employment after high school is a major source of concern for families across the state. More than half of young adults with autism remain unemployed and unenrolled in higher education two years after high school, which is a lower rate than young adults in all other disability categories. By increasing employer knowledge of autism and other related disabilities, AFO seeks to decrease the number of neurodiverse adults who are unemployed or under-employed in our state,” says Emily Scott, AFO Executive Director.

“The Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma believes in the vision of this project as it pushes us closer to our mission of advancing communities where everyone has the opportunity to live, learn, work, and play where they choose. Employment is one of the most significant ways to improve an individual’s quality of life. It enables individuals to contribute to society through meaningful connections and economic sufficiency. DDCO is proud to partner with AFO in this effort,” states Jen Randle, DDCO Executive Director.

Additionally, AFO will develop a plan and infrastructure to provide ongoing support to employers who complete the training series, including requests for workplace accommodations assistance, sensitivity training, and navigating unique employee situations.

NOTE: The public is being asked to help AFO with a needs-based assessment for this project. These surveys should take you no longer than 5-10 minutes (each) to complete and AFO sincerely appreciates your participation.

Survey for individuals, family members, and caregivers: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/employingtheneurodiverse

Survey for employers: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LPXXMPB

For questions or more information, contact Leah Harris, Project Coordinator, at LHarris@AutismFoundationOK.org.

Jan 25

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Autism Foundation of Oklahoma Launches Sensory Kits for First Responders

By Dave Smith Mental Health, Press Release No Comments

With support from local and national partners, the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma (AFO) now offers sensory kits for first responders, businesses, and community organizations to better serve Oklahomans on the autism spectrum.

Research shows that sensory kits can effectively increase critical communication and comfort for individuals with autism and other special needs in new and high-stress situations. AFO’s sensory kits contain a weighted lap pad, noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, picture communication cards, activity books, a notepad and pen, and several handheld fidgets for all ages.

AFO recently received several grants totaling $6,500 from Walmart stores in Norman, Moore, Mustang, and Newcastle. Executive Director Emily Scott credits Brandan Branum, General Manager of store #7294 in Norman, for helping AFO turn an idea into reality, “Brandan played a pivotal role in helping AFO get our sensory kits out into the community. I called his store last summer to request a single product donation, and he did us one better by sharing our story with his colleagues.”

Branum had one small request of AFO when the kits were ready, “I asked whether our store’s local police department could receive a kit. Many of our customers have a loved one with autism. I have a child on the spectrum, and my wife is an autism therapist. Anything we can do to help our local first responders better assist those with special needs is a good thing,” said Branum.

“After months of navigating supply chain issues and shipment delays, it was a great feeling to finally call Brandan back and invite him to help us donate kits to Norman Police,” said Scott. “We wanted him to see in-person what he helped kick-start.”

“We are grateful for the generosity of our community partners like the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma and Walmart. These sensory kits provide an additional resource for our officers when they contact individuals with autism or other special needs. Resources such as these are crucial for helping all individuals in need during an emergency or high-stress situation and the steps that follow. We hope to be able to expand the program and increase the number of kits in patrol vehicles and interview rooms moving forward to ensure an inclusive experience.” – Chief Kevin Foster

In addition to Walmart, AFO has received gifts from Baker Speech Clinic, the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma, MUDD Printing, and the St. Louis Cardinals for this project. The sensory sits are available for purchase on AFO’s website.

Nov 22

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The Autism Foundation of Oklahoma Receives Support from the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma

By Emily Scott Press Release No Comments

The Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma (MCFOK) has generously awarded $25,000 to the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma (AFO) to help educate and provide autism resources to law enforcement professionals. This significant gift will help AFO provide professional development opportunities, interactive community events, and sensory kits for first responders.

A recent study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders found that 1 in 5 young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will be stopped and questioned by police before the age 21. Young people with autism and a serious psychiatric condition are nine times more likely to have an encounter with law enforcement. Other common contact scenarios may involve elopement, abuse or neglect, and accusations of suspicious behavior.

“We are incredibly grateful to MCFOK for supporting our efforts to keep autistic Oklahomans safe in their communities,” said Emily Scott, Executive Director of AFO. “This gift will provide law enforcement agencies with critical information and resources to improve outcomes at the scene of an emergency or mental health crisis.”

“Not all persons in the autism spectrum can effectively communicate with first responders,” said John Logan, Executive Director. “We hope this grant will provide first responders with additional tools to assist them communicating with and responding to the needs of the autism community.”

The Autism Foundation of Oklahoma is a 501c3 nonprofit with a mission to improve the lives of Oklahomans with autism and their families across the lifespan. AFO specializes in providing education, resources, and program support for early childhood development, workforce development, public safety, and criminal justice reform initiatives.

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