Education - Helping with autism

A gentle touch can feel reassuring, says Susan Wagner Colon '98, author of the Autism Resource Booklet, but to an individual with autism it can be uncomfortable, even painful.

"So," she says, "we have to understand that individuals with autism experience the world differently than we do."

The Autism Resource Booklet was created in response to the difficulties Colon herself encountered as a parent of a child with an autistic spectrum disorder. "I have been privileged to experience miracles in my life, two of which are my wonderful sons," she says, emphasizing that having a child with autism does not cause problems. The problems occur with getting the autistic child what he or she needs.

Despite the rising incidents of autism, many parents become frustrated trying to find resources for their child.

Colon says that Julia Robinson ’83, MS’00, a school psychologist at the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit and an adjunct instructor at Bucknell, was "an invaluable support" for the booklet, which includes "red flags" of autism, a flow chart of services in the five-county area, and lists of specialists, pediatricians, family support, and online resources.

"The criteria were people who were truly helping children with autism," Colon says of the booklet. It is intended for parents, caregivers, medical professionals, educators — "anyone who wants information for dealing with autism."

The divorce rate for couples with special needs children is 80 percent, Colon says, and there is little support for parents of autistic children. "They’re just given the diagnosis and then left to face it as best they can. I saw the tremendous need to advocate for children and individuals with autism, their families, and caregivers and the need to promote awareness and education about ASDs.

"I really want to dispel the myths of autism," she says.

She continues to facilitate roundtable discussions with Robinson for WKOK radio and last year hosted an Autism Awareness Event for parents, with children’s activities supervised by Bucknell students. The standing-room-only attendance emphasized the need in this area.

"It had such an impact on me that the next day my husband and I set up the website (www.autism-advocacy.org)," Colon says. "Who’s going to fight for these individuals? I want my son’s excellent progress for every child. They deserve early intervention, proper care, and more compassionate understanding from others. I truly believe that these individuals are unlimited in their potential to offer their gifts to the world."