Category: Autism

Get to know MICC's Autism Committee

4/27/2021

The Autism Committee serves as a resource to all MICC staff, participants, and families. The Committee networks with professionals in the autism community to provide up-to-date training to program staff focused on evidence-based practices and current research regarding autism.

The Committee currently consists of five MICC staff including: Nicole Hafermann, Community Program Advisor, Greg Burton, College Program Advisor, Gretchen Griggs, Social Engagement Supervisor, Carley Matsumoto, Evaluation Program Manager, and Becky Waege, Employment Support Specialist, who has led as Committee Chair since 2018.

MICC Autism Committee

The Committee organizes monthly trainings for all MICC staff August through April based on suggestions from program staff to continue developing their skills and understanding of how to best support students based on best practices and experts from the community. Some training topics this year included:

ASD Evidenced-Based Practices and COVID-19,
Sensory Differences and ASD,
ASD and Cultural Sensitivity, and
Developmental Perspective on Sexuality.

Additionally, the Autism Committee was responsible for our incredible conversation with Dr. Temple Grandin (click here to read more about our takeaways from our meeting).

Over the past two years, an average of 80% of respondents to our year end evaluation indicated that they had used some form of evidenced-based practice in their work as a result of our trainings. The Autism Committee will continue to look to MICC staff and participants to identify training needs that will have a meaningful impact on our community.

The Autism Committee members are an invaluable resource to ensure MICC is able to provide participants in all programs positive and appropriate learning opportunities and experiences that will support in their independence.

Questions about training, interested in resources or have suggestions on training topics? Email autismcommittee@miccommunity.org.

Minnesota Independence College & Community is a 501(c)3 nonprofit vocational and life skills training program for young adults with learning differences and autism spectrum disorders. Since our founding in 1996, MICC has remained dedicated to helping our students make successful transitions towards independent living and self sufficiency. MICC is proud to be recognized as one of the Top Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune.

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5 Takeaways from MICC's Zoom Q&A with Dr. Temple Grandin

12/18/2020

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Dr. Temple Grandin, a prominent author and speaker on both autism and animal behavior, joined Minnesota Independence College and Community (MICC) virtually on December 9th, 2020 for a personal Q&A with participants and staff. Over 80 members of the MICC community attended the virtual event organized and hosted by MICC’s Autism Committee.

Born in 1947, Dr. Grandin grew up without the services individuals with autism have today. She didn’t speak until the age of three and half and wasn’t formally diagnosed with autism until her 40’s. Despite these challenges, she has never let her diagnosis slow her down.

Dr. Grandin is well-known for many accomplishments, including numerous contributions to the livestock industry, authoring more than twenty books, presenting a TedTalk called, “The world needs all kinds of minds” that has over five million views, and an Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning HBO movie about her life, Temple Grandin. She has made TIME Magazine’s annual “TIME 100” list in 2010 in the Heroes category and is a member of the National Women’s Hall of Fame. Currently, Dr. Grandin is an Animal Sciences professor at Colorado State University.

Dr. Grandin covered many topics in the Zoom meeting with College Program students, Community Program participants as well as MICC staff and board members, such as her accomplishments as an author and inventor, being a woman in a male dominated industry, the struggles and triumphs of having autism, the importance of working hard, and shared great advice from participants’ insightful questions. While the Q&A was scheduled for one-hour, Dr. Grandin graciously stayed on for an additional 45 minutes to continue to answer each and every question from participants.

Here are the five takeaways from our time with Dr. Grandin.

Transcriptions of each video clip are included in the video description.

1. Learn what your strengths are and make them work for you.

Dr. Grandin identifies three kinds of minds: visual thinkers, pattern or visual-spatial thinkers, and word thinkers. With each question participants asked, she suggested learning what type of thinker they might be in order to guide them to what types of things they may be interested in or good at doing.

2. Work is important.

Multiple times in the virtual meeting, Dr. Grandin shared how important learning how to work and getting a job is from a young age. There may be tools someone needs to utilize to work effectively or someone may need more training.

3. Get on a schedule (especially during COVID).

Even when motivation is tough, Dr. Grandin stressed the importance of keeping busy, having things to do, and sticking to routines and schedules.

4. Ask for help when you need it.

Dr. Grandin shares a couple of examples of times where she had to ask for help because she didn’t know how to do something.

5. Get exposed to different activities.

By trying new things, you’ll find activities you enjoy, make new friends, and learn what you’re good at which may lead you to a job or career path.

Dr. Grandin’s talk was an inspiration for us all, encouraging everyone to find their passion, work hard, and celebrate their unique gifts. On behalf of the entire MICC community of participants, staff, and board members, we extend a sincere thank you to Dr. Temple Grandin for sharing her well-earned wisdom with all of us. To have her as a role model in the autism community for participants to look up to and for neurotypical individuals to learn from is truly invaluable.

Becky Waege, Member of MICC's Autism Committee and Employment Services Specialist