April Is for Autism Awareness

Not enough recognition is given to those with disabilities, but April 2 was Autism Awareness Day and the spotlight shifted.

AbilityFirst is one of many organizations located in Long Beach that is dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities. The programs AbilityFirst provides are suited and geared for both children and adults.

“At AbilityFirst we give our participants the opportunity to try anything they want,” Senior Director of Programs April Stover said via email.

Taking into account the times the public is in, participants are for the most part participating in programs and classes over zoom. Participants and staff are not only limited to zoom, they are also uploading Youtube videos, engaging in penpals, and conversing over Facetime or regular phone calls.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been hard to adjust to programs online but staff and participants have gotten used to it. Eventually, they were able to do one on one in person programs with participants in their own front or backyards.

This organization has all types of programs that participants can choose from. It depends on the individual and what their needs and interests are. This can range from swimming classes to cooking classes to ceramics and to fitness classes.

“I believe the most challenging part is giving our participants a variety of choices,” said Stover via email. “So they can expand their skills and interests in fun and creative ways.”

Along with fun and creative activities, AbilityFirst offers programs that cater to life skills. These skills range from money management to laundry to cleaning and self-care.

In regards to Autism Awareness Day, AbilityFirst celebrated by having their usual zoom lessons and there they discussed autism. The group got to celebrate the many successes their organization has come across.

They also posted to their social media about Autism Awareness Day to help educate people and use the chance to share some of their success stories.

At first, AbilityFirst can sound like a behavioral therapy program but there are no behavioral therapists that work for them. Behavioral therapy is used to reduce unwanted behaviors and promote desirable behaviors.

AbilityFirst is an organization that works more one on one and uses a hands on approach by focusing on the positive behaviors and the wants and needs of each individual.

For example, if an individual is interested in cooking then they would be in the cooking class. If an individual needs help with finances then they would be pointed in the direction of the money management program.

Through all the positivity and fun this organization has to offer they are still subjected to good days and bad days just like anybody else.

During these bad days, AbilityFirst’s staff first priority is to make sure the participant is safe. After they have assessed that they are, then they move on to what is bothering them. This leads into teaching the participant coping skills.

If the staff is unable to help or if the participant is not safe and in jeopardy then they will have to have families pick the participant from the program. However, the organization does rely on their Regional Center to make sure that families have the right tools for any type of situation that may occur.

Stover recalled a memorable moment that left her remembering why she is involved with this kind of work.

“The grandparents had called letting us know that because of our hard work with their grandson throughout the years they were able to have a family meal,” Stover said. “The celebration was his high school graduation and this is a life skill we taught that he practiced in the community.”

She remembered the organization working with the grandparents’ grandson to improve his independent living skills. The staff took him out into the community on a variety of outings to different restaurants to teach him to wait for the food, eat at a comfortable pace, and practice patience while others at the table were still eating.

AbilityFirst is focused on conveying the message that everyone deserves the same opportunities no matter what disability the individual may have.

The feeling of accomplishment, respect, and having opportunities doesn’t just pertain to a certain type of individual. Anybody is deserving of anything when they put in the work and given a chance.