Ashley Papa, the relationships reporter on Fox News Radio interviewed me recently on the subject of dating someone who is supporting a person with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I ended up saying, basically, that people with spectrum challenges were people first, and you needed to respect their wants and desires.
Click the link above to listen to the whole interview.
I’m in LA today to appear on MichaeLA on HLN to talk about challenges that young adults with autism may have with employment and higher education, and about how we at Shrub Oak International School will help with those challenges.
My appearance is set for the second hour, around 1:15 pm in the Pacific time zone, about 4:15 pm in the Eastern time zone. If you get a chance, take a look. If not, when the show is over, I will post a link, if I get one, so you can see what I said at your leisure.
4/2/18 Update
Here’s the video of my appearance. She is a really nice woman, with a real interest in the subject. I really enjoyed myself. See what you think.
https://www.youtube.com/edit?video_id=0eH48XZGmGg&video_referrer=watch
Gil in Monterey, CA, at the COPAA Conference
My Mexican friends will sometimes use the curse, “May your life be filled with lawyers!” I have always laughed at that, but today I find myself at the annual conference of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates in Monterey, California, and I find my life filled with the most wonderful, giving, lawyers and advocates. They are the kind of hard-charging do-gooders who I love to spend time with, so a life filled with these good folks seems like a life well spent!
Petra Daitz, MS Ed., Admissions Coordinator, Shrub Oak International School
I feel really lucky to be representing Shrub Oak International School at this conference, along with my friend, Petra Daitz, as it is so easy to talk to folks about a program that will so wonderfully serve the group of students we are aiming to serve, adolescents and young adults in the 14-22 age range. When you have so much to offer, a 127 acre campus, an equestrian center, an organic farm, a pool, a transition program, a full range of clinical services and an innovative academic program, it is not a challenge to answer interested advocate’s questions.
I have been so pleased at the enthusiastic reception we have received from all of these very knowledgable people. Makes me fee like we’re on the right track, and reaffirms what I have always suspected: if you create the program that respects individuals, and supports people on their way to becoming their authentic selves, people will greet you with open arms. So, I send you a blessing: May your life be filled with hard working, caring lawyers and advocates like the people I have met here!
I love the blog and website, Affect Autism! I sat down with my good friend, and fierce developmental advocate, Daria Brown, while I was in Toronto at Oakwood Academy a couple of weeks ago, to do a podcast and interview for her influential blog. We talked about Shrub Oak International School, the school I am helping to found in Westchester County, New York. We ranged over a number of topics, but we focused in on how I plan to use what I have learned over many years of starting, running and consulting to schools to make Shrub Oak extraordinary. Specifically, we talked about how the fantastic 127 acre campus of Shrub Oak supports the sensory processing challenges of students, and avoids the problems that occur when classrooms are overcrowded and schools are loud and confusing.
Take a couple of minutes to listen to the interview, visit the Shrub Oak website, and then do a deep dive on Daria’s site, “Affect Autism.” I think you will find it worth the time you invest!
I am thrilled to announce that I am the Co-Head, and Clinical Director of a spectacular new school, Shrub Oak International School! It is a co-educational, boarding and day school located in the town of Shrub Oak in Westchester County, NY, on 127 acres of beautiful rolling fields and woods. For me, it is a dream come true!
I have traveled in this country and internationally over the last many years, and I have looked at all kinds of developmental programs for students with autism spectrum disorders, and I have seen what makes them work, and what makes them not work so well. I have noticed, again and again, that if all other things are equal, one of the factors that makes a program successful is ROOM, and lots of it! When a program does not have enough room, and students do not have access to nature, things do not go well. Shrub Oak has those things in abundance. Not that space is the only advantage, but if you don’t have space, if your students are crammed into small classrooms and you cannot get them outside to play in nature, you are in big trouble!
I am so excited to be able to take the beautiful campus, with it’s fields and forests, its Equestrian Center, its pool, and especially its organic farm (with my son Glenn as its steward) and use these spaces to supply sensible, effective developmental clinical programs, in the way I have always dreamed to supply them.
There are, of course, a million other things to say, like the ages of the students (middle school and high school), the number of students (390 boarding and day), the number of staff (about 600) and details about the amazing programs and curriculums. But, all of that will have to wait, and as you can imagine, I will be talking here a lot about the school’s development from now to opening in September, 2018.
For now, I just want to say how proud I am to be a part of this project, and how thrilled I am at being able to make my dream school a reality!
Gil's primary office is in Nassau County, NY. He also has an office in Sonoma County, CA. He is available virtually for individuals, schools and clinics, worldwide. Call 516-922-4091, or email gil.tippy@gmail.com to inquire or schedule an appointment.
Dr. Gil Tippy's Child Development Blog 