VOLUME 01
ISSUE 04
Staying Connected While Social Distancing
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ON THE SPECTRUM IN
ADULTHOOD
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A NEWSLETTER PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR THE
ADULT AUTISM COMMUNITY
Brought to you by the
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A MESSAGE FROM
THE DIRECTOR
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I realized today that the last time I was able to socialize in-person with my co-workers, friends, or extended family was about nine weeks ago. Admittedly, this brought me down a bit. While I'm incredibly fortunate to be able to share this socially-distant time with my wife and two amazing kids, I miss spending time with my family, colleagues, and friends.
I also realized that we are incredibly fortunate to live in a time where the technology available to us offers the ability to stay in touch with and continue to communicate with the people in our lives. Whether you are participating in a work meeting using a video-based platform or catching up with someone using FaceTime or Google Chat, web-based social platforms are keeping us all in touch.
In this issue, we offer tips and strategies for adults on the autism spectrum to develop and enhance skills for communicating on web-based social platforms and social media. Also, we offer recommendations and instructions for use of web-based social platforms, safety tips, and resources for helping to access, use, and stay safe for keeping in touch while social distancing.
My final note, is to stay safe while online. Some of you likely know that while full of amazing activities and opportunities, the Internet also may attract those who look to take advantage of and/or exploit you. Please pay close mind to the safety content in this e-newsletter, as there is much to consider and learn!
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Stay well,
James Maraventano, EdD, BCBA-D
Director, RCAAS-SCALE Program
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MAKING A CONNECTION
Christeen Z. Scarpa, MS
Behavior Technician, RCAAS-SCALE Program
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It seems like everyone is trying to adapt to the “new normal.” Whether we are participating in remote work meetings, seeing family and friends through video chats, or staying connected to others through social media, now more than ever, web-based platforms are the number one source of communication and socializing amongst us all. Some individuals on the autism spectrum may have a more challenging time socializing and/or communicating with others in-person. Yet, some may demonstrate strengths and have interest in using screen-based technology (Mazurek, 2013). Social anxiety may be a contributing factor for individuals on the autism spectrum related to challenges associated with communicating with others. Web-based platforms may offer adults on the autism spectrum another way to socialize and/or communicate with others in a way that presents less pressure compared to face-to-face interactions.
Social web-based platforms are networking sites where people go or subscribe to for building social relationships with others who share commonalities, such as career or leisure interests. Think of it as a virtual village or community, where you can make friends, speak to others via screen time or chat from the comfort of your home using devices such as a computer, smart phone, or tablet.
There are many different free social media platforms, with the most popular being Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter. On these platforms, you can share your personal and/or professional interests with others through multiple media options (e.g., text, picture/video sharing, video chatting, etc.). The use of social media can improve the quality of friendships for individuals on the autism spectrum through bonding that occurs within online communities that offer both support and guidance. Research has found that individuals on the autism spectrum who use social media have higher quality friendships, based on parent and individual feedback/data, than those who do not (van Schalkwyk et al., 2017).
Graham (2012) found that the use of Facebook increased the ability of adolescents on the autism spectrum to initiate and reciprocate conversations with their peers. Similarly, participants of the study learned about the harmful consequences of cyberbullying and the importance of documenting and reporting information to social media administrators.
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SAFETY FIRST
Courtney Butler, MS, BCBA
Program Coordinator
RCAAS-College Support Program (CSP)
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Socializing through different web-based platforms may increase social skills for you or the individual you know on the autism spectrum. Speaking with others from the comfort of one’s own home, in a safe and comfortable environment, may decrease the pressures and social anxiety an individual on the autism spectrum may experience.
There are, however, several things to consider when using social media and other web-based platforms. The most important consideration, being safety. Web-based social sites/platforms can be dangerous in that an online “friend” may appear to be a kind person to gain your trust, in order to take advantage of you. This is why it is important to be vigilant while socializing online. Below are some important considerations in order to remain as safe as possible.
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"Never" and "Always" - The Online Version
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Here are some important “
NEVER” tips to help remain safe online and avoid being victimized:
- NEVER post or share your personal information on any online social media sites. For example, NEVER share your address, social security number, credit card numbers, or banking information. Providing any personal and/or sensitive information can put you at a greater risk of identity theft, stalking, or harassment.
- NEVER share computer or account passwords, personal profile domain, and/or financial information (e.g., debit/credit card).
- NEVER post your location, schedules, vacation timelines, and work meetings on social media outlets. This provides information on your whereabouts or indicates when you are not home.
- NEVER meet in a private setting. If you have met someone online and would like to take the next step to them meet in-person, choose a public location and let someone know where you are going and who you are meeting.
Here are some safety tips that you should "
ALWAYS" follow when using social media outlets:
- ALWAYS make sure the screen name you are using does not provide any personal information about you.
- ALWAYS post appropriate pictures, be in control of the pictures you post, and make sure they are not offensive to you or others.
- ALWAYS keep your social media account private. This way you are in control of who is following you, avoiding any strangers in your personal social media account.
- Should you choose to meet up with an online acquaintance, ALWAYS tell your family/friends you know and trust where you are going and who you are meeting.
- Lastly, ALWAYS have fun! Don’t take social media too seriously; enjoy this no-pressure leisure and social activity from your own home!
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SMART SOCIALIZING
Faris Kronfli, PhD, BCBA-D
Behavior Analyst, RCAAS-SCALE Program
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Communicating on video and text chats are a very popular way to share your interests with those in the social media universe. Streaming and chat applications include Twitch, Discord, and YouTube, all of which appeal to a variety of audiences. For example, Twitch and Discord are very popular amongst video gamers, while YouTube attracts those interested in watching and sharing videos. The commonality among these platforms is they all have the possibility of garnering up to millions of followers per user profile. It is very easy to develop close relationships with individuals using these platforms without ever meeting, or even seeing the person with whom you might be communicating, making this, potentially, very dangerous.
It can be easy to trust those with whom you share common interests or people that shower you with praise and positive attention. However, you should always be cautious when sharing any information with people or profiles that you do not know very well. Whenever you are in doubt, treat everyone you speak with respectfully, but always be careful should you decide to disclose any personal information such as phone numbers, addresses, or photos. As mentioned above, people could use any of that information to exploit or take advantage of you. Follow the links below for guidelines and safety tips when using the aforementioned social sites.
Twitch, a live streaming gaming platform, has written
guidelines for what parents can do to keep their kids safe while online.
Common Sense Media has provided parents with a
guide to navigating the privacy and safety features of Discord, a popular online chat app for gamers.
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Looking for web-based platforms and/or communities for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families? In search of someone to connect with about how autism has touched your life?
The Autism Support Network (ASN) may be a good place to start. The ASN connects families and individuals touched by autism with each other, provides support and insight, and acts as a resource for education and strategies for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families.
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Most of the popular web-based platforms such as FaceTime, WebEx, Zoom, Skype, and WhatsApp, also have apps that can be downloaded to your smart phone or tablet. On these apps, you can talk with and see friends through video or texts chats. However, it may difficult to figure out how to use these platforms to meet up.
So many people currently use iPhones. Check out
this video, which takes you through a step-by-step process for how to use FaceTime on your iPhone.
If you have an Android device, Google Duo may be a good alternative to FaceTime. Check out
this video
that provides instructions for setting up a “FaceTime” call between users on Android and iOS devices.
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Socializing may present an issue for some individuals on the autism spectrum. As a result, it may be challenging to establish and develop friendships.
Making Authentic Friendships (MAP) is an app designed to help individuals on the autism spectrum to meet and develop friendships with others based on mutual interests and other common factors.
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Are you wondering how safe all of these different social media platforms actually are? We've compiled a resource list of tips and tricks to help you stay safe while socializing online.
Respecting social distancing guidelines has accelerated the popularity of video sharing social media sites, such as TikTok. See
these recommendations for keeping you or the person on the autism spectrum in your life safe while using TikTok.
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"Social media isn’t about reach as much as it is
about 'reach out.'"
- Michele Jennae
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The College Support Program (CSP) is a unit within the RCAAS that offers individualized support for full- and part-time Rutgers undergraduate students on the autism spectrum.
Despite all in-person events being canceled for the remainder of the semester, the CSP is continuing to expand its program and has even accepted new students for the upcoming academic year.
Our application process is still open for interested students admitted to Rutgers University for the Fall 2020 term.
Even during these unprecedented times, the CSP strives to continue to support young adult students with ASD.
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WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS ISSUE OF THE RCAAS E-NEWSLETTER
AND FOUND IT USEFUL. PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO SEND
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