Family Network on Disabilites Q&A with B.R.I.D.G.E.S.
Throughout the school year, Luke Wilson from Family Network on Disabilities (FND) hosted several workshops for the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students. The workshops the class attended virtually were: Internet Safety and Nuts & Bolts of Self-Determination. Both sessions were very engaging, but in the Nuts & Bolts workshop, the students asked lots of great questions about self-advocacy and self -determination. This sparked Luke to have his son, Dion (25 years old) who has a disability and is successfully living independently, do a question-and-answer session with the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students so that the class can learn about how Dion got to the point where he is and what challenges he had to overcome.
Dion spoke from the heart as he shared his experiences throughout middle and high school and how he was able to get through many obstacles growing up with a disability. He recommended finding one teacher that you felt comfortable with to help you through your transition into your post-secondary journey.
As the conversation went on, many of the students wanted to know how Dion was able to get through the moments he struggled through. Dion said he took one day at a time. With each challenge, he correlated it to something he liked doing and was able to break it down to be more manageable.
Dion also discussed the importance of budgeting your money. His story about his first experience shopping alone was humorous. Dion decided to spend his money on all different kinds of sweets, and realized afterwards that it was not such a good idea because he didn’t have anything else to eat. The class thought this was funny, but at the same time was extremely eye opening to them. Now, with the help of a life coach, Dion explained that he is making better choices when he goes shopping. He takes several things into consideration such as: calories, cholesterol, and price before purchasing any items.
The students asked Dion many questions throughout the workshop, and Dion was able to answer them with honest responses and great advice. This workshop allowed the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students to utilize as well as learn more about Resources, Growth, Empowerment and Social Skills!
We are very grateful for Luke and his son, Dion, for participating in the invaluable workshop for the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students. We look forward to seeing Luke and Dion again at another CBI!
Highlighting Our College Mentors Program!
The HDS College Mentors Program strives to identify the peripheral needs of students living with Autism Spectrum Disorder or related disabilities, who are seeking a College Degree and are living at a University or College Campus. The Program focuses on the guidance and supports needed by the students to achieve success in each of their academic fields.
The Program helps students meet these needs by addressing the social and emotional challenges that interfere with academic learning and creating viable daily activities that mitigate those circumstances and help these individuals build strong interpersonal skills. It further explores the contributions these students can make to become the catalyst of change needed in our society to adapt to differences in learning styles, career structures, and social relationships.
Peer collaboration is one of the most valuable tools available to ease the learning process and navigate social demands. The opportunities for growth via conduits that team up students with ASD with typical students who are of the same age group (who share similar experiences and challenges), and who have different skill sets and ideas is hugely beneficial to this population. All involved benefit significantly from these experiences and grow exponentially in their problem-solving abilities.
The College Mentors Program is both facilitated by the Foundation or can be structured in the form of a grant if the organization has a formal program in place.
Highlighting Our S.A.P. Program!
The HDS Foundation Social Activities Program (S.A.P.) is a customized, social and life-skills program designed to enhance the lives of young adults who are attending a college or university, living in the dorms or partially independent housing. The program aims to fill the gap caused by being away from home, difficulty with peer relationships, limited life skills, and at times just feeling lonely and not being able to engage in the important social aspects and relationship(s) building. SAP is like the BRIDGES program in that it provides similar opportunities for these students, but at a college/university level.
SAP is structured with the collaboration of individuals who have a background in this type of mentoring program and have access to the college student population it aims to assist. Various activities are structured around college life, including creating study hours, tutoring, cleaning, laundry, joining clubs, learning to drive, joining exercise and health-related groups, and planning weekend events are just a few of the kinds of activities that the SAP Program supports via a Grant. Utilizing various successful strategies, collaborating with the students and their families, and the community at large, SAP opportunities will no doubt provide a positive, growth experience for this group of students who are at a critical stage of transition.
SAP also focuses on skill building in the areas of housing and related daily activities such as cooking, gardening, house handy work, problem solving, community activities and how to access them.
Get the Door, It’s Domino’s!
Get the Door. It’s Domino’s!
Last week’s Community Based Instruction (CBI) included ordering lunch from delicious Dominos. In preparation for this CBI, the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students attended a “drive by” at the high school to pick up their own individual Domino’s Gift Card. By having this gift card, all students would have the opportunity to practice their budgeting skills while also learning how to place an online order. To simplify this process, Facilitators Kathy Gorman-Gard and Donna Mansolillo reviewed in class the steps of the online ordering process so students would know what to expect.
Pizza Day could not come soon enough for the students! On the day of the CBI, the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students were put to the test and independently ordered their lunch online through the Domino’s website. Did you know that Domino’s delivers not only pizza, but pasta, chicken wings, salads and desserts? As they added their items in their cart, students made sure that their total stayed within their $20 budget. Students followed the instructions on how to check out which included choosing the correct restaurant location, adding their address for delivery, and lastly instructing the delivery person on where to drop off the food. After placing their orders, students patiently waited for their lunch to arrive.
All of the students received their orders and were happy to enjoy a tasty meal. Catherine was sure to remark how delicious her marble brownie tasted!
Throughout the past year, online ordering has become more popular; therefore, the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program has incorporated this life skill on how to successfully order online. It is important the students have these experiences as they prepare their transition into independent living.
There were many lessons learned from this CBI. The first lesson was that even though you practice something, it does not always work out the way you planned. The second lesson was patience. Several students had drivers with many orders which prolonged the delivery time.
The HDS Foundation is proud of our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students as they continue to practice their life skills of Budgeting, Independence, Growth, Empowerment and Social Skills. Stay tuned this week as the students meet with Luke Wilson from FND to continue discussing about Self-Advocacy and Self-Determination!
Highlighting Our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program
The HDS Foundation supports many programs to help teens and young adults on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) transition to their post-secondary journey. The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program is a school-based social and community life skills activities class designed to meet the needs of ASD High School Students in Miami-Dade and Broward County.
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. program is structured in the form of a grant and encourages High School ESE Departments to create school-based programs that provide opportunities year-round for Social, Independence, Community and Personal Development to teens who have Developmental Disabilities. The recipients of the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Grant can accomplish this by incorporating various community based-field trips to local businesses who provide potential future employment, life skills development initiatives such as establishing bank accounts, shopping opportunities, and learning about transportation options.
Social skills also play a key component to the BRIDGES Program. Students are encouraged during the school year to participate in Homecoming, Football Games, Prom, and many other social activities.
The Grant is structured as an annual application, available by mid to late January of each year. Schools must submit the grant request by June 15th, and the Foundation will award it by July 15th. The Grant maximum is $5,000 per school year; it is disbursed with part of the funds awarded at the student level. This process creates an exclusive learning opportunity for shopping, eating out, etc. which are vital to the budgeting component of the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program.
To apply for the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. GRANT, please visit our website at:
https://www.hdsfoundation.org/program-a-building-bridges-at-the-bay/
For more information, please contact Liz Falk, HDS Foundation, Program Manager at liz@hdsfoundation.org or call-954-217-9597, ext. 260.
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