Taking Authority Over Autism

Do your part. Save a Life.

Sheletta chats with her friends at Steve Rummler's Hope Network about how folks in Washington County can help provide naloxone to people in need to prevent opioid overdose deaths. 

Housing help in St. Louis Park

 For families in St. Louis Park who need help upgrading their homes but can't afford it, Sheletta tells you about some funding you can tap into to get it done on the latest episode of her autism podcast.

What happens when they get older?

Now, 1 in 34 children in Minnesota has autism, and many school-based programs exist to help meet their needs. But at some point, they'll grow up. What happens when it's 1 in 34 elderly people on the spectrum? What's available for them then? One Minnesota-based organization, Hammer and N.E.R., has a new campaign and hopes to provide the long-term care many parents will be looking for in the future.

Employment help for people with autism

Sheletta chats with her friend Dee Torgerson from the Vocational Rehabilitation Office at Minnesota's Department of Employment and Economic Development about how the program helps people with autism prepare for, find and keep a job. https://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/disabilities/

Getting your autistic teen to work

As Sheletta's oldest autistic son, Brandon, gets to the age where he can find a job, her biggest challenge is getting him there. She called her friend Barbara Bursack, a mobility manager at GoWashingtonMN.com, to explore safe transportation options and training for him.

Getting your autistic kids active

Sheletta is so excited that her autistic kids are getting active in after school programs like theater and debate team. She's encouraging other parents to take a leap of faith and sign up their high functioning children on the spectrum for extra curricular activities. Up first: The Civics Bee!
www.ymcanorth.org/locations/center_for_youth_voice/programs/national_civics_bee

Mississippi doing better than Minnesota?

There are billboards popping up all over town that say Mississippi students have better reading test scores than children in Minnesota. What in the world? If Mississippi, known for being dead last in education every year, is better than us, what is that saying about our schools? Sheletta's talking to the brilliant brain behind these viral billboards and what conversation he hopes parents will spark with their schools and teachers, especially moms and dads of autistic kiddos. 

New merger means more services for neurodiverse college students

Sheletta chats with her friends at Dakota County Technical College and Inver Hills about the two college communities and their upcoming merger, and how it's a win-win situation for neurodivergent students on the latest episode of her autism podcast .**Please note** The merge between the colleges is still pending approval by the Higher Learning Commission and the Minnesota State Board of Trustees.

Put down that cigarette, pick up the telephone

Start the new year right by breaking some bad habits that you picked up during COVID like smoking. On this week's episode of Taking Authority over Autism, Sheletta shows you how to put down the cigarette and pick up the phone to call  Quit Partner at 1-800-QUIT-NOW. They have programs, medication and one-on-one coaching to help you break free from your nicotine addiction.  https://www.quitpartnermn.com/

Reliable supplemental transportation for your special needs student

Sheletta is trying to figure out how to get her 7th grader to theater camp and her 8th grader to debate practice while picking up her 5th grader from school all at the same time. Being a divorced parent of three kids with autism, she's got to be careful about how they get to their appointments and after-school activities. She was excited to find out about HopSkipDrive, a supplemental student transportation service that uses vetted CareDrivers to provide rides with just six hours notice.