Autistic Autism Spectrum Disorder Advocate, Liaison, Mentor, Consultant, Speaker.
Autistic Autism Spectrum Disorder Advocate, Liaison, Mentor, Consultant, Speaker.
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Autistic Autism Spectrum Disorder Advocate, Liaison, Mentor, Consultant, Speaker.
Autistic Autism Spectrum Disorder Advocate, Liaison, Mentor, Consultant, Speaker.
I had the pleasure of meeting my Illinois State Senator Mary Edly-Allen of the 31st District earlier this year in Springfield.
The Senator and I discussed our efforts regarding those with Invisible Disabilities. We discussed ID VISIBLE and the benefits it is to the communities. We also discussed our future collaborations.
Our mission is to improve the deserved quality of life for those born with or that live with Invisible Disabilities and to let them know that they BELONG.
I look forward to working with Senator Mary Edly-Allen and improving the lives of others.
Partners in Policymaking is an innovative, competency-based leadership training program for adults with disabilities and parents of young children with developmental disabilities. The purpose of this program is two-fold: to teach best practices and to teach the competencies needed to influence public policy. Over the course of the next 3 years, this project will graduate at least 72 Illinois citizens who will be equipped to be community leaders serving on policymaking committees, commissions, and boards at local, state, and national levels.
I had the honor to be trained by Mr. Allan Bergman of High Impact Consulting and Training. Allan is an expert and a nationally recognized leader in influencing the development of federal and state policy relating to "best practice" services and supports for persons with disabilities.
2023
I am proud to announce a partnership with the Palos Heights, Illinois Police Department.
Palos Heights PD purchased and has available to their community ID VISIBLE. ID VISIBLE is a voluntary card/decal set for your vehicle informing the police or 1st Responders there is someone with an invisible disability inside.
I am proud to announce a partnership with the Oak Creek Wisconsin Police Dept..
Oak Creek purchased and has available to their community ID VISIBLE. ID VISIBLE is a voluntary card/decal set for your vehicle informing the police or 1st Responders there is someone with an invisible disability inside.
Elk Grove Village
Homewood
Melrose Park
Mount Prospect
Palos Heights
ASDwithME LLC's mission is to assist individuals on the Autism Spectrum and their loved ones. ASDwithME LLC does this by providing support as an Advocate, Liaison, Mentor, and Consultant/Coach for the client as well as the parents/support of the client.
Another mission of ASDwithME LLC is to be an advocate for 1st Responders and those with invisible disabilities, more specifically those on the Autism Spectrum. CIT courses should be provided throughout the law enforcement system so all involved have a better understanding of those with Invisible Disabilities.
-I am on the Spectrum (Asperger's Syndrome).
-I have mentored those on and off the Spectrum. - Justin Houcek has been mentoring my son who has autism for over
a year. There has been a significant improvement in my son’s behavior
since Justin entered his life. Justin is very knowledgeable on how the
autistic mind works and the emotions that go with it. He is very
sympathetic and caring. Because of Justin, I have also learned and
understand my son better and can manage his behavior better.
Anna D. 5/12/2022
Invisible Disabilities® Association http://justin.idaambassador.org http://j
-I have over 100 hours of volunteering at an equine therapy establishment that provides therapy to those with all types of disabilities.
-I was a BCAT ( Board Certified Autism Technician). ABA and SCERTS.
Legislation Advocation: Advocating (contacting Illinois House Representatives, State Senators and Governor) for Illinois legislation regarding those on the Autism Spectrum and those with Invisible Disabilities
-Illinois SB1575 https://legiscan.com/IL/bill/SB1575/2021
Summary: Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall create and maintain an online database and resource page on its website. Provides that the database and resource page shall contain mental health resources specifically geared toward first responders with the goal of connecting those persons with mental health resources related to crisis services, wellness, trauma information, nutrition, stress reduction, anxiety, depression, violence prevention, suicide prevention, and substance use and of encouraging information sharing among families of first responders, first responder organizations, first responder professional organizations, and first responders. Effective immediately. Signed by Governor Pritzker and is now a public act.
- Illinois HB4365
https://legiscan.com/IL/bill/HB4365/2021
Summary: Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: Allows a student's (instead of child's) individualized education program (IEP) team to determine whether the special education program of a school district is unable to meet the needs of a child with a disability. Provides that the financial responsibility and reimbursement of the resident district of a child with a disability applies to emergency placements in nonpublic special education facilities that are not approved by the State Board of Education. Provides that a school district may place a student in a nonpublic special education facility providing educational services within the facility, but not approved by the State Board of Education, under specified circumstances. Removes provisions that provide that a school district has no obligation to pay a residential facility unless and until specified proof is provided to the satisfaction of the State Board of Education. Removes provisions that provide that if the State Board of Education denies approval in writing or does not respond to a facility's or resident district's request for approval within 10 days after the request is submitted to the State Board of Education, the matter shall be referred to the Community and Residential Services Authority, which shall make the determination and notify the facility or resident district and the State Board of Education within 10 days after the Authority receives the referral. Provides that emergency placement in an approved facility may continue so long as (i) the student's IEP team determines annually that such placement continues to be appropriate to meet the student's needs and (ii) at least every 3 years following the student's placement, the IEP team reviews appropriate placements approved by the State Board of Education. Removes changes to provisions concerning placement in a residential facility and payment of educational costs and provisions concerning the Community and Residential Services Authority. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Governor approved and HB4365 is now a public act
.https://legiscan.com/IL/bill/HB4365/2021
-Illinois SB4006
https://legiscan.com/IL/bill/SB4006/2021
Summary: Amends the Autism Spectrum Disorders Reporting Act. Provides that, by no later than December 31 of each year, covering the State fiscal year immediately preceding that date, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall submit a report to the General Assembly regarding access to applied behavior analysis therapy for persons diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Requires the report to include specified information. Requires the Department of Public Health to develop and distribute education and outreach materials, developed to address common literacy levels, that will inform and educate parents of children with autism spectrum disorder who are enrolled in Medicaid and eligible to receive relevant services and explain how to access those services.
My name is Justin Houcek. I am a 58 year-old male who has lived in the Midwest all of my life. I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at the age of 46.
I have an innate sense and decades of cognitive years in the field.
The diagnosis, as life changing as it was, was welcomed. It has provided me with answers, filled voids, and provided me with a new aspect on life. It has shown me where I can be most helpful and productive in my life.
I have decades of experience, which has given me wisdom and insight of those on the Spectrum to assist individuals in navigating through life. I LEARNED BY LIVING IT.
I have memories as early as 13 months old. I was speaking "Mama and Dada" at 7 months of age.I walked steady at 12 months. I had no developmental delays.
I took on all challenges in grade school. I memorized "The Entertainer" and played it on piano for my classroom as a 3rd grader. I tutored a 2nd grader when I was in 4th grade. I won spelling bees, had the best penmanship in class throughout my school years. I strove for excellence and perfection..
As an athlete, I was a pitcher and catcher in baseball, played quarterback in football. I dated prom queens and had many friends. But I still "stood out", and was seen as different or somewhat unrelatable.
My mom and dad divorced when I was two. My mother raised my brother and me until we left the home at the age of 21.
I remember having personal space issues as a child and having a hard time with people being within arm's length.
I had girlfriends by the age of 14 but had fits of jealousy that drove them away. My relationships were often at least a year long.
I had anger issues in high school and would often fight or punch someone back harder after they hit me in the arm. My reputation preceded me for years after I was in high school.
As I grew up, I had a sense of right and wrong, justice and injustice, etc.. I adapted, adjusted and learned how to get along as life went on.
WHO CAN I HELP?
HOW CAN I HELP?
If you or someone you know is on the Autism Spectrum and needs assistance, please contact me. I can help you.
I am also available to speak at your organization or as part of a CIT course.
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