At Last, a Home of Their Own

One of the few times I will give a shout out to our organization. This group home has been in the works for about a decade. I know the individuals who will be moving in and their families. It's so important and I can't wait to join them tomorrow for moving day.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- Every parent has mixed emotions about letting their baby leave home - but these Brooklyn moms and dads are feeling it big time.
With bittersweet joy, the parents will watch their six disabled adult children move into a home of their own in Midwood on Tuesday.
“It’s difficult for me to deal with the transition but I’m happy he will be living with people that he knows,” said Park Slope parent Ruth Ford whose son Maurice, 31, is among the six adults with Down Syndrome or Asperger’s Syndrome who will move into the two-story newly-renovated house on E. 52d St.
“They love each other and they care for each other,” said Ford.

33 Years Later, Living and Accepting Autism

Amazing what you can come across on the Internet. Here's an article about a New York resident whose son actually received services from YAI years ago and now has relocated with her family to the Philippines. We'll definitely have to reconnect with her. Lirio Sobreviñas Covey is a graduate of St. Theres’'as College, Quezon City and Manila, a New York resident for over 40 years, and currently Professor of Clinical Psychology and Senior Research Scientist at Columbia University in New York. She and several parents of and advocates for persons with autism have started the Association for Adults with Autism, Philippines (AAAP). The association, a non-profit corporation registered with the SEC, will develop and operate "A Special Place," a residential program for adults with autism.

When my firstborn was not quite four months old, his first nanny had delighted me with the comment, "You have a precocious son." And so it was that Billy became a source of family pride with his growing social, physical and mental prowess.
So imagine what a shocking blow it was when several years later, Dr. Isabelle Rapin, a noted neurologist in New York, gently told me that our second son Mikey, then 3, had what she termed "a brain disorder" and would likely need supervision throughout his life.
This very general diagnosis followed an earlier labeling of my child that should have been unnerving, but was not at the time. Looking back, I was probably refusing to acknowledge the observation of family and friends, and the doctors' eventual findings.

An Historic Day in Jordan

One of the most exciting days not only in Jordan but also in New York City, for the staff of the YAI Network. Yes, this is one of those times where I get to toot our own horn. It couldn't have happened without the support of High Royal Highness Prince Ra'ad bin Zeid, the staff of the Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities, and the USAID.

AMMAN, Jordan -- HRH Prince Raad, president of the Higher Council for Affairs of Persons with Disabilities (HCD), on Wednesday inaugurated two group homes for 12 citizens with intellectual disabilities in Zuhom, Karak.
The homes, which were modelled to suit their residents’ needs, are the first of such developments at the national and regional levels, according to an HCD statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times.
"To provide our citizens with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to live independently is an historic national and regional milestone," Prince Raad said at the inauguration ceremony, noting that this realisation "has long been a personal dream of mine.".
He added that the project is a living example of social responsibility and sound planning between the HCD, the Ministry of Social Development and the YAI Network, noted that the determination of those executing the project made his dream a reality.
Minister of Social Development Salwa Damen, together with representatives from the YAI Network and USAID, which financed the project through the Ministry of Planning and International Co-operation, also attended the inauguration ceremony, the statement said.

Adults with Autism Give Back to Community

OK, it's one of those times, where we are proud of this piece which Cheryl Wills of New York 1 News did -- highlighting how the YAI Network is helping adults with autism.

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Eileen Nesselt never thought she'd see her 32-year-old autistic son Robert packing bags and stocking shelves at a local food pantry.
"The biggest fear I think any parent has with a child that's in this position is, 'What will happen to him when something happens to me?' I don't have that fear anymore," says Eileen Nesselt.
Her fears are gone because her son is part of the Young Adult Institute (YAI) Day Services program, where autistic adults volunteer at the Salvation Army's pantry program and bag food for people in need.

High School Team To Swim For Good Cause

OK, this is totally self-promotional, but we are so thrilled that a local high school swim team is going to be raising funds for the YAI Network.

CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. -- The Horace Greeley boys varsity swim team is all about giving back to the community.
On March 9, the Quakers will host a swim-a-thon from 5 to 6 p.m. at SUNY Purchase in an effort to help raise money for the YAI Network.
YAI was established in 1957 and serves more than 20,000 people with disabilities, as well as their families, through more than 450 programs and services.
At this year's swim-a-thon, the team is hoping to raise about $5,000 for YAI.
The boys varsity team will not be alone in its efforts.
The boys have extended an invitation to the girls varsity swim team to help increase their chances of meeting their goal, and also to gain more sponsors.
Meg Kaplan, coach of the Greeley boys swim team, has worked with YAI for the past 21 years, and the team wanted to show its appreciation for everything she has done.

YAI Network Addresses Rise In Autism Among Latinos

With the CDC's recent report on the increase in autism, one of the alarming statistics was the dramatic rise in the diagnosis among Latino children. Dr. Charles Cartwright, Director of the YAI Autism Center, and Dr. Brigida Hernandez, Director of Research for the YAI Network, were guests on WABC-TV's "Tiempo" on Sunday. The interview is broken into two parts - here is part two.