Joshua Burger
(theme music)
♪
Welcome to It's Your Move.
This is a project
of the Westchester Independent Living Center.
We are an information and referral center
for folks with disabilities
located right here in White Plains
at 10 County Center Road.
Recent statistics approximate that 1 in 68 Americans
are on the autism spectrum.
Autism looks different for every person
and affects everyone differently,
which is why it's called a spectrum.
There are strengths and unique abilities
associated with autism,
and, due to growing awareness,
many adults have learned the signs
and felt there may be a connection
between their feelings and behaviors
and the symptoms of autism.
Joshua Burger is my guest tonight.
And he is going to tell us about a support group
that WILC, our organization,
offers for people with autism.
The focus of this group series,
Positively Speaking,
is to gain a sense of belonging
in a supportive community where effective communication
and listening skills are used and developed.
-Welcome, Joshua. -Thank you so much
-for having me, Lisa. -Absolutely.
So, Joshua, your title at WILC
is Independent Living Advocate and Mental Health Specialist.
Um, just tell us a little bit about yourself, um,
you know, your advocacy involvement and, uh,
and how you got involved in autism advocacy specifically.
(Joshua) So, I--actually I had-- my, uh, previous experience
working with people with autism
started off at the Center for Career Freedom.
(Lisa) Mm-hm, and that's in White Plains, right?
Correct, where I was, um,
originally I started off as a student,
I wanted to brush up on my, um, office skills.
And then I became one of the instructors
where I was working one-on-one with, um,
people with physical and also mental disabilities.
And, um, and there I was able to experience, uh,
working with many different personalities,
many different disabilities,
so that gave me the experience
of working with people with autism.
But, um, once I, um, received this new opportunity
to work at the Westchester Independent Living Center, uh,
I was discussing with my supervisor how there was a need
in the community for--for a support group
for people with autism,
so we felt this would be a great idea
-to start something. -Absolutely, yeah.
And we're gonna talk about your series
in a few moments,
which is really gaining
some good momentum, right?
-Yes. -But first let--
I mentioned autism spectrum
at the outset of the show,
and a lot of people are confused about that.
There's a wide range of abilities, as I mentioned.
Just tell us a little bit about, um,
about the spectrum and how it affects people differently.
Um, for instance, maybe some folks may be non-verbal
and others could be extremely, you know,
high functioning, if that's a good word to use.
(Joshua) Right, so, every-- every case is different,
every--everyone is, you know,
has their own challenges.
Um, so it--it could be, um,
with social cues, um,
interacting with other people.
And, uh, it could be other things as well,
which could limit their ability to function in society,
and, um, whether it's finding a job
or maintaining work and finding, um,
something that is, um, meaningful in their lives.
So, that's why we wanted to start this group, um,
for people to build a network and a community
where people can express themselves
and also learn skills and techniques, uh,
that can help them in their future.
(Lisa) Right, so that's--so that is the need then, right,
so that's the need you're talking about
for this type of support group.
And I think you mentioned, uh,
a safe place where people can go and share.
(Joshua) Right, yeah, it's about feeling comfortable,
a non--judgment-free zone where, um,
where they can express themselves.
And--and in the group,
I mean, we do have a code of conduct, um,
which is, you know, to be polite
and respect all others.
Um, but all opinions are welcome
as long as they abide by the code of conduct.
-Right. -So, um,
it really gives everyone a chance
to really, um, speak of what's going on in their lives
and--and we all look at it together
and--and come up with suggestions.
(Lisa) Sure, so what type of topics so far have you--
so the group started, I think, in February was it?
-January. -January, okay, all right.
(Joshua) So, um, we have, uh,
the topics have a common theme that--
focus on the self
to work towards achieving greater independence.
-Mm-hm. -Um, so, some of the topics
that we have discussed thus far
have been recognizing our achievements,
setting goals for the new year,
which was our January topic.
Uh, then we also recognize our emotions
and interpretations, um,
communication, listening skills,
as well as, uh, confronting our fears
are some of the topics that we've discussed thus far.
(Lisa) Right, and, uh, how many folks--
I mean, you just started,
so you--you have a--
like a regular core of folks that come and--
and they keep coming back or they're--
they find that this is a support--
a safe place to really share,
a safe forum for them.
(Joshua) Absolutely, we, um, we do have a lot of, um,
participants who, uh,
who have--who continue coming to the group.
-Mm-hm. -Um, and--but every, um,
every month we do see new faces, which is great.
Um, it's a small community and we're looking to expand.
Um, but, I mean, just the fact that we're helping, uh,
one person makes a big difference.
And--and they can then, you know,
learn to help other people
who may be having similar experiences.
(Lisa) Yeah, and you find that's-- that's, um,
that's a--I guess that's a really important
-peer support, correct? -Absolutely.
Yeah, absolutely.
Um, and so some of the topics, as you mentioned,
so are these topics, um, I know you've done some research,
but these are issues that folks bring to the table
or when they come to the group
in terms of upcoming topics for the show.
Um, I know you mentioned a couple
that we discussed already, but, um,
so that's pretty much how you arrive at the subject matter.
(Joshua) Yeah, so, we'll, um, based upon what the need is,
what's being discussed in the group,
will give me an idea of where we want to take the topic,
where we want--where we want to go for the next month.
Uh, also, um, with the amount of research that I've been doing
and the self-help books that I read,
those also add on to the topics for--
for different activities that we use
-during the group as well. -Right.
I know you mentioned that bullying
is kind of a-- really an outs--
one of the more challenging issues
that folks with autism face.
Tell us a bit about that.
(Joshua) So you'll see that a lot with adolescents.
-Mm-hm. -Uh, bullying is a major issue,
it comes from a lack of awareness and understanding.
Um, some of the things that we work towards achieving
is being able to communicate, uh,
knowing that what the bully is saying
-isn't the complete truth. -Mm-hm.
(Joshua) Um, not taking it as personally and also, um,
learning how to effectively communicate,
whether it's sticking up for themselves
or telling someone else who they can trust,
like an adult.
Um, but, I mean, it's really the bully
that's projecting their emotions onto the other person
because they feel insecure about themselves.
(Lisa) Yeah, absolutely, but for the person on the receiving end,
very hard, really, to deflect that
and to feel good about yourself,
especially--I-- I guess if you, you know,
if your entire life,
by the time you reach adulthood,
you've experienced, you know,
significant instances of bullying
throughout your life, throughout your school life.
And, um, so when they come to your group, um, you know,
they've had significant experience with this.
And I'm sure it impacts your self-esteem, um,
and feelings of-- probably exacerbating
feelings of powerlessness, I would think.
(Joshua) Yeah, it's a-- it's a very sensitive topic,
but there are things that can--
that we work on, um, together
that can improve those feelings that, um,
maybe, um, that that person, uh,
who was bullied could be holding onto.
So it's about releasing those emotions and feelings
that they're--that they've been holding onto all these years
and kind of like just setting, um,
setting a new stage for, um,
the rest of their lives and moving forward from that.
(Lisa) So do you feel it's helpful just in and of itself
telling one of your attendees who has experienced bullying
that it's not you, as you just said,
that it's the projected feelings of the other person,
that alone, I would think,
is fairly--is fairly helpful,
just knowing where it comes from,
-it's not them. -Yeah, absolutely.
I mean, it's, um, like I said,
it's--it's the other person
who may be going through something themselves
and they don't know how to express their own feelings
so they take it out on someone else.
So that's where, um,
it's--it's good to not identify
with what someone else may be telling you
because it's really important to know your own truth
and what that means to you,
so, that's where, you know,
we--we want to, uh,
take responsibility for our life, uh,
because we are responsible for, uh,
some of those emotions that we may be holding onto,
and there are, uh, different coping mechanisms
that can help release those emotions.
(Lisa) Sure, um, what is the, um,
is the group open to anyone
or are there specific, you know,
functioning requirements, um,
in order to-- to join your group?
(Joshua) So the group is open to anyone.
Uh, I do get asked a lot
what the functioning capacity is of the group,
and, uh, that's always a difficult question to answer
because it's more of a range.
-Yeah. -But I--I always say
anyone is welcome.
If they feel comfortable bringing a parent
or a guardian or chaperone,
they're more than welcome to do so.
And I always like to say, you know,
the best thing to do is to try it out
and see if you like it.
Uh, you've got nothing to lose by doing that.
(Lisa) Do you have family members that come?
Have--have family members come so far?
-Yes. -Oh, you have? Okay.
(Josh) Yeah, we've had a few parents, chaperones.
And, um, sometimes they even participate,
so it's--it's all-- it's very inclusive,
-which I like about it. -Sure.
Interesting because, you know,
we are Westchester Independent Living Center,
and so one of the--the--the, uh, thra--
the mission statements of our center,
of all independent living centers,
is to try to provide support and information
to folks with disabilities to help them to become
as independent as they can be.
And, um, over the course of time since I've worked at WILC,
um, you know, it can be challenging
for some folks with disabilities
when they have a lot of family or parental--
I'm not gonna say interference, um, involvement,
because I think sometimes there tends to be
an overprotection, um, on the part of, uh,
you know, a parent feeling
toward their child with a disability.
I'm not sure if it's more profound in the--
in the--in the autistic community
than it might be somewhere else
because of the--some of the unique challenges,
and does that interfere or could that interfere
with your support-- with your support group.
And having parents attend or guardians attend
rather than having the individual themselves
advocate for themself or participate.
(Joshua) I think, um, it starts off where they--
they need to be in their comfort zone.
-Yeah. -So if that means them, uh,
if that means them, uh,
taking the chance to--
or taking the opportunity to--
to leave their home to, you know,
to do something in the community, uh,
if they're with their parent, um,
or guardian or chaperone,
then I would--I would still recommend it.
-Yeah. -Um, eventually,
what I would like to see
is them sort of become more independent from that
and kind of break off and become their own person.
(Lisa) Right, definitely.
I know in our-- in the disability community,
there's also, you know, um,
this, uh, you know,
the Christopher Reeve Foundation
has a very robust campaign, um, for the cure.
And people with disabilities, you know,
most of us feel that we're--
this is who we are, it's a culture,
we don't need to be cured to be accepted.
I'm not sure if that's something that--
in the autism community that is, uh,
you know, an issue as well.
'Cause I know there's a lot of--
a lot of different types of, um,
treatment options, um,
but then folks with unique abilities,
that's just pretty much who they are, right?
I mean, this is your identity.
-Right. -You don't have to really
be cured or treated, so to speak,
to--to be a part or a member of the community.
(Joshua) Absolutely.
And I really think, um,
I mean, there are some things
that we don't have control over.
It could be the weather, it could be traffic,
it could be having a disability.
But there are things that we can control,
which would be our response to that, uh,
which could affect, um, our outcome.
So, um, so it's--
based upon how you're looking at it,
uh, will determine, um,
a more positive outcome or--or a negative outcome,
but, uh, our group focuses on the positive outcomes
and learning how to take initiative
and claim responsibility for the life that we're living.
(Lisa) And claim your own identity, who you are.
-Yeah. -Um, so, Joshua,
if you could just give us some, um,
we have just a few minutes left here.
Um, if you can just share some resources with us.
(Joshua) Absolutely, so, uh, we have the, um,
a few participants from our group
who have joined or signed up
with the Tommie Cares Foundation.
Uh, they're a social media platform that, um,
for people with disabilities, um,
where--that allows them to interact with each other
and engage and, uh,
be a part of different online social groups.
-Mm-hm. -Uh, now what they're looking
to do is expand and--and actually, um,
start having local community meet ups.
-Oh, that's great. -Um, which would be
a safe and monitored place where they can get together
and build a network and lasting relationships.
(Lisa) And we'll--I know you have a website here,
but we'll run that at the end of the show for folks.
And Autism Speaks, I know that's a national organization,
I think, that's a really good resource?
(Joshua) Absolutely, as well as
the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.
Uh, they provide different services and supports.
-OPWDD in Albany. -Yes.
(Lisa) Right, exactly.
And also--so--and--
so, your show or your, um, your workshop, um, um,
-is monthly. -Monthly support group, yep.
Support group, workshop, support group.
And every--if you could just tell us when it--
-when it, uh-- -So it's the fourth Wednesday
of every month from 3:00 to 4:15.
(Lisa) And if someone wants to join,
how would they get in touch with you?
So, uh, you can contact me
either by phone or email.
My phone number at, uh,
the Westchester Independent Living Center
is 914-682-3926,
my extension is 2115.
Or you can email me at jburger,
that's B-U-R-G-E-R like a hamburger,
at WILC, W-I-L-C, dot org.
(Lisa) Great, thanks so much, Josh.
It was a pleasure having you on.
(Joshua) Thank you so much for having me.
Absolutely.
And thanks for joining.
We'll see you next time.
♪
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