Shortly after Adeline Liss was born, her parents, John and Lisa, knew Adeline needed extra support. A friend who needed similar support for their child introduced the family to Belle Children’s Services, where six-month-old Adeline received vital early childhood therapies. Though they would not receive a diagnosis for her rare chromosomal condition until she was…
Sharon’s Tips & Tools To recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month Sharon Spurlock, Director of Family Support, shares how to use the Life and Employment Guide from Charting the LifeCourse. The LifeCourse tools help individuals and family members clarify their vision of a great future. In this video, Sharon explains how individuals can explore incorporating…
The St. Louis Arc is excited to partner with Autism Speaks for a Transition to Adulthood Town Hall. On Thursday, August 8 a panel of experts will discuss how to begin planning for your child or teen with autism to transition to adulthood. In addition to local experts, the panel will also include an area…
The St. Louis Arc provides information connecting families to resources in a variety of ways. From phone calls and email inquiries, to workshops and in-person meetings, family members and individuals with disabilities look to the Family Support team for resources and referrals daily. This spring we’ve begun sharing key resources through the use of video….
The school year is coming to an end and warm weather is in full swing. Julie Thompkins, Family Navigator for the St. Louis Arc, has assembled a list of activities, events, and parks for Arc families to enjoy. This list provides options for families whether your goal is to get active outside or to escape…
The St. Louis Arc is excited to introduce Next! Next provides focused, impactful supports for individuals with autism or learning differences. What is Next? Next provides focused, impactful supports for individuals with autism or learning differences. This division of the St. Louis Arc helps individuals navigate what is next in various aspects of their lives….
The Disability May Be Invisible, But the Person Is Not Autism is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. Over the last 10-15 years, awareness and understanding of autism has grown significantly. However, in my role as Vice President of Autism and Clinical Services at the St. Louis Arc, I…
Transitions can bring feelings of joy, fear, nervousness, or uncertainty. As we transition to a new year, the Arc would like to highlight the ways we support individuals and families during transitional periods of their lives. Children This past fall, the Family Support team welcomed Julie Thompkins in the new role of Family Navigator. In…
What is Giving Tuesday? Celebrated the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, #GivingTuesday is a day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. #GivingTuesday celebrates generosity by providing people everywhere with an opportunity to give more, give smarter, and give great. Guiding Families Last week we introduced you to the Saputo family. Peter, Susan,…
At the St. Louis Arc, supporting the whole family is a vital part of our mission. No one understands that more than the Saputo family. Peter and Susan Saputo are quintessential St. Louisans. Born and raised here, they met, married and brought twin boys, Jack and Joe, into the world 18 years ago. Susan states,…