Welcome

Weekly at 7:30am - 2:30 pm

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8196526961

Meeting ID: 819 652 6961

With our community support, we are able to assist the individuals we serve, employees, their families, and our nearby communities. Come out and make a difference. Every 3rd Thursday we  host a Drive-Thru Drop off Donation Center from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm at 

10871 Central Ave, Ontario, Ca 91762

We are working hard at developing creative ways for our services. Our Programs are continuing to support our individuals and their families with alternate services which include dropping off activity supplies, driving- by to wave hello on special occasions,  exploring community resources, and preparing for your return. We also host electronic services via Zoom a full day and loaded with fun.

Earlier people with autism were treated stereotypical. Later people started getting more opportunities as therapies and technology advanced. I am one of the living example who can express my ideas through tying and spelling even being a non verbal. It was not at all easy at the beginning of my early childhood. I was born on June 23rd 1996. I met all my milestone development at the right age ( as told by my mom). Only thing that could not do is, talk. My parents noticed there is a delay in my speech, so they consulted my pediatrician, there I was diagnosed with autism spectrum when I was 3 years old.

During my early childhood years I was not at all into playing with friends or liked to go to any kid movies or theme parks. Popular places with too much crowd and noice bothered me a lot, it was like going into a Hard Rock Cafe with banging music. My Parents had no clue why I was behaving in a weird way. They read lot of books, attended autism conferences to gather information about my diagnosis so that they can help and understand me better. One of the major breakthrough that came in my life is RPM (Rapid Prompting Method). It all started when my parents met Soma Mukhopadhyay in early 2001 in one of the autism conference.

I was not at all into academics when I was very young. One of the most frustrating thing, I was not able to communicate or talk. Over the years I felt alone and people started talking about my drawbacks. That made me really mad and wanted to tell them I can express my feeling through a different mode of communication. I got my break through with Soma’s RPM. I have to tell this story of how I was able to learn and communicate.

When I was 2 -3 years old I used to recognize alphabets and numbers taught by my mother. I began to attend Soma’s sessions when she has her clinic in Burbank; that time I was 6-7years old in 2003. Our first session was so enchanting that made me perfectly to open up myself to her. Her sweet voice was so appealing to connect with her. The tearing of paper sound was so funny that made me focus on what she was talking about. She was the best teacher to teach me on age appropriate topics that fused interest and made me learn more subjects. Then at home my mom started the same thing, even though I did not have the same connection at the beginning with my mom, it took few months to connect and learn from her. It was not easy for me to generalize the communication with others like my teachers, therapists and aids. I was not able to work with them instantly. It’s not easy to link with people and learn because it’s hard to get comfortable with others. Over the time I got more comfortable with my teachers, aids and therapists. They started believing in me and my ability to learn. My parents put it in IEP to teach me age appropriate grade level curriculum. I was mainstreamed with an aide trained by mom to teach me using RPM. In high school I was mainstreamed in 5 subjects viz. algebra, economics, government, consumer math, and history. I was more interested in history because I like stories of past and how they help to mould our future. At the same time I got to know all about our ancestors. I graduated from high school in 2014 with a certificate instead of diploma. After high school I was enrolled in Adult transition program offered by the school district. I graduated from the adult program in 2018. I have now joined adult day program which I like very much. Even though I love to attend collage courses I cannot sit for a long time. I get very restless and loose my attention to be focused. So I have decided to study journalism through online courses.

Over the years I not only be able to have open ended conversation but also can type on the current affairs. I started my writing journey towards end of 2003, I started with short stories about a paragraph, today I am able to write travel journals, political views and about everything happening around me. One of the best thing happened to me is when I am in my teen years, I was able to contribute one of my article in our community yearly publication. Previously I did my article published in our South Asian support group “Jeena”. I got lot of appreciation and encouragement. Having published my first article in our community annual publication was one of my proud moments in my life. I have been contributing for couple more publications annually. I am a blogger today, tomorrow I will try my level best to be a journalist.

I have come across so many people who have inspired me, like my high school teacher Miss. Stevens, my aides and few of my therapists-one of them being the best speech therapist Darlene Hanson from Reach organization. All of them have guided me through right channels and this had an immense effect on me. I have to add my maternal uncle Guru and aunt Megha were also a big source of inspiration. Parents of our support group-Jeena SoCal are always there to encourage me and of course my friends with whom I always have fun. I will be a remiss if I don’t add the contribution of my parents who have supported nourished and encouraged me to work on to achieve my dream goal of becoming a free lance journalist. Some of journalists and reporters who inspires me are TV reports David Muir and George Stephanopolous. David started as small time reporter on ABC network, today he is the most famous world news anchor. Of course I still have a long way to go to accomplish my goal. I am working heard despite my mind and body coordination. I struggle to focus to finish any work. I need contestant prompting to be focused. Even though I am capable of doing some work independently I still need help to finish my day-to-day work. I am going to work on my dream goal of becoming a journalist.

There are so many resources available today. Making use of modern technology is the best way to communicate. I started with tearing paper, than to letter board, and now to iPad. Even though I can type on iPad; it is little hard for me to hit the right key on the keyboard because of low muscle tone. But I haven’t given up. I keep practicing though I feel comfortable spelling on the letter board.

People are differently abled, not just special needs but everybody living on this planet. Some are slow and some are fast. Everybody reach their goal at their own pace. I want to tell the future generations that follow your dream no matter what. Life is beautiful enjoy and be in constant journey to acquire the knowledge that the world is offering. Never give up the practice of spelling and typing so that world can here your voices through writing.

Here is the link of my blog. Your valuable comments and suggestions is appreciated.

 https://www.autismfunstories.wordpress.com 

-R.D & Family 

,Q) Can I participate in your remote services? A) Yes, you can. Simply contact your SC and we"ll take care of the rest.

Q) What can I donate? A) Toiletries, Cleaning products, paper goods, gifts cards, Canned foods, Fresh foods and masks.

Q) How will you keep my son safe during program with the virus still active?

A) Our programs have tailored a plan with the guidance of dss, cdc, dhs, and regional centers. We are taking all preventive measure to ensure the safety of all who attend.