Putting the Puzzle Pieces
Together
I have a particular interest
in
helping individuals with special needs make successful life transitions.
I am experienced in working with adolescents and adults with Asperger
syndrome, attention deficit disorder, and issues related to learning,
medical, or physical disabilities.
I work with my clients to help them better understand
their strengths as well as the areas in which they face challenges.
My clients learn self-soothing techniques and develop strategies
for problem solving and tools for improved social communication.
With clients’ consent, I often have family meetings to promote
mutual understanding of family dynamics which leads to reduced conflicts
at home.
I consult with high school special education teams and
college disability services staff regarding developing school programs
and support services for special needs students.
As appropriate, I also make referrals to and
collaborate with physicians, job coaches, social communication groups,
government agencies, and any other resources that can help my clients
reach their academic, vocational, or independent living goals.
Brochure (front) Brochure (inside)
Alice Litter
as Special Needs Consultant
“As
a special education administrator in a K-12 public school
district, I am often called upon to assist parents of special needs
students in post-high school planning for their youngsters. In recent
years, there have been an increasing number of students with Asperger's
or high-functioning autism for whom this sort of planning is required.
Their issues are quite different from those of other special education
students. On a number of occasions, I have consulted with Alice Litter
regarding how best to meet their needs--academic, social/emotional, and
vocational-- as they leave the public school system. With her
combination of social work and legal expertise, and her sensitivity to
the unique issues these youngsters face, she is a powerful resource on
these topics.”
Sue Miller
Administrator
of Special Education,
East Williston School District, NY
What is Asperger Syndrome?
Asperger syndrome is a
neurodevelopmental disorder that is currently estimated to affect 1 in
250 people. Individuals with AS are bright and capable in many ways, but
they are socially awkward and experience significant
difficulties coping with change, even small changes in their daily
routines.
People
with Asperger’s have trouble reading social cues – voice intonation,
facial expressions, gestures, etc – and experience difficulty adjusting
to social interaction. These skills are so automatic
for most of us that it is hard for families, teacher, and employers to
understand why the AS individual often feels overwhelmed.
Other
closely related autism spectrum disorders include HFA (High-Functioning
Autism), PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise
Specified) and NLD or NVLD (Nonverbal Learning Disorder) continued….
Click here for more
information from the Asperger’s Association of New England.
Know Your Rights!
Sending your
child off to college can be an anxious time for many parents. But for
parents of children with a mental illness or learning disability, the
transition is especially challenging. One worry is that parents of adult
children have no legal standing in their medical care.
Click here for information from the Office for
Civil Rights regarding