News from Balance Autism

September 1, 2023

HELP US HONOR THEM - DSP WEEK

Help us celebrate our frontline Sept 11-15!

For those who have submitted a note of appreciation...THANK YOU! There's still time to participate and it just takes a few minutes.

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Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Week is a big one we look forward to every year at Balance Autism. While we are honored our DSPs have chosen Balance Autism as their place of work EVERY DAY, this is a special week in the year we CELEBRATE those on the frontline who are fulfilling our work, mission and changing lives of those we serve.

DSPs includeAutism Associates (AA), Behavior Technicians (BT/RBT), Job Coaches, and Assistant Clinic Supervisors.

One of the most motivating benefits of working at Balance Autism? Staff consistently tell us it's seeing the growth and independence of those we serve. It's knowing they are coming to work each day and making an impact on someone else's life.

If you have a staff member or team you'd like to recognize who has helped shape your life, or the life of a loved one, please visitthe link below and fill out this very brief form.

www.balanceautism.org/DSPWeek

We will use these messages during DSP Week to make this week extra special for our frontline team. Thank you!

Pharmacy Change

Residential Services

Balance Autism is always looking for ways to improve the services that we provide, whether within the company, or with those that we partner with outside of the company. To better serve the medication/pharmacological needs of our persons served and improve the safety and efficiency of the systems and processes currently in place, Balance Autism will be switching pharmacies and partnering with Right Dose Pharmacystarting November 1^st, 2023.

Right Dose has a team dedicated to supporting community residential and long term care services; as well as, system options and supports that will ensure the accuracy, compliance, timeliness, and safety of medication administration. We will be working closely with the pharmacy team to ensure a smooth transition; and are excited about the opportunities for improvement and growth this partnership will provide. Please let us know if there are any questions or concerns.

Teresa Whiteaker, RN, BSN
Medical Services Director

Save the Date(s)

Sign up for these autism-focused events!

Come join us for these autism-friendly events coming up this fall. We will have a table at the ASI and Fi and Friends resource fair to provide families more information about our services. Swing by and say hello!

Event Details
Autism Safety Event
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: TBD

Dr. Nate Noble will share the top safety risks for Autistic individuals and the importance of having a safety plan and checklist.

Polk County Sheriff's office will be joining and assisting families in registering their loved ones for the L.O.S.T (Loved Ones Stay Together) program. A free program to assist officers in locating and identifying persons with Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Autism or any other medical conditions which could result in them becoming lost or wandering.

The owner of Natavi Swim School will assist families in learning about the S.W.I.M (Swim and Water Instruction Instruction Modifications) program, this program is for children with ASD and is a specialty course that encompasses swimming and water instruction for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Also joining us will be mental health therapists to discuss Pica, Self-Injurious behavior, and how to find the support you need.

This event will conclude with Trick-or-Treating with the vendors and organizations in attendance!

2023 Autism Society of Iowa Fall Conference FeaturingMatthew O’Brien, PhD, BCBA-D