The Boost Q&A with Michelle Brier of BluePath Service Dogs for Autism

For some children and adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), service dogs are the perfect companion. Trained to help keep an individual from bolting, they also foster opportunities for independence and socialization by facilitating connections with other kids.

The nonprofit organization BluePath Service Dogs, based in Wappinger Falls, N.Y. — and actively looking for a permanent location — has been training service dogs for people with autism since 2016. Each BluePath dog comes with thousands of hours of training from dedicated volunteers and professional staff. The organization’s website has an excellent description of how the program works, the application process and more.

The Boost spoke with Michelle Brier, BluePath co-founder — along with Caroline McCabe-Sandler and Jody Sandler —and vp of marketing & development, about the difference between a therapy and service dog, how BluePath dogs help autistic individuals navigate the world and more. The below interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Let’s start with the annual Walkathon on May 11. It sounds pretty awesome. There’ll be bouncy houses and a DJ and sports activities and sensory spaces, and it seems some changes are also in the works. (More info here)

We make changes every year to improve the event experience. Last year we had around 500 people and that’s a large crowd for someone who may have a tough time with sensory processing. So, this year we created special pathways for service dog families and anyone needing extra assistance, as well as a special area for check in. Our food trucks can meet a variety of dietary restrictions and we added a shuttle for people who have to park in the overflow lot. For some families, even a five-minute walk can be challenging.

Explain the difference between a therapy dog and a service dog.

A therapy dog is a 1-to-many ratio. They go into a classroom situation, for example, where they can helps kids learn to read because petting the dogs helps them to focus. They also have to be invited into an establishment. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a service dog assists one person with a disability and has access to any public establishment.

Are there certain types of behaviors that indicate a child would do well with a service dog?

A child who loves dogs is certainly helpful, or a child who can overcome a fear of dogs prior to a placement.

Elaborate a bit on how these dogs can help an individual navigate the world.

Our dogs prevent children from bolting, but there are additional benefits I could talk about for hours. For one, there’s so much stress in transition and we find our dogs help to mitigate this every day. Just holding the handle on the dog’s back or touching the dog can be a grounding force that promotes a calm demeanor and supports mood regulation.

Unlike other service dogs, we often encourage people to go up to them. It’s always important to ask the parent and/or child or caregiver, but we choose friendly, floppy-eared, happy dogs partially because of the approachability for other people. We want it to be an opportunity to practice interactions and speak verbally.

Is it expensive for a family to have a service dog? 

The average cost for us to breed, raise and match a service dog with a family is about $40,000, and we don’t add any of those costs onto the family. We charge a nominal fee of $1,200 for equipment and supplies. For us it’s also representative of a psychological investment in the process, to find families that are committed and ready to work hard for this dog and our program.

Families are also responsible for covering the cost of food and veterinary care and miscellaneous supplies going forward.

It seems there might be a move in the works, and that BluePath is scaling up in general.

There are a lot more autism diagnosis and we want to be able to scale our mission accordingly. A lot more families need our help so, yes, we have some big goals. A priority is a facility where we can breed, train and house our dogs.

Nationally we’re seeing that volunteer rates are declining in the philanthropic sector so we’re always looking for volunteers to raise and foster our dogs. They’re crucial to fulfilling our mission.

More Developmental Disability News for Week Ending May 3, 2024

An autistic medical student talks about neurodiversity in medicine, feds finalize new rules for HCBS, a pool is built in Chicago for adaptive scuba diving and more developmental disability news for the week ending May 3, 2024.

Nationwide

‘Breaking a Promise’: California Deficit Could Halt Raises for Disability Workers (California Healthline)

DeSantis announces $2.2 billion in funding for Agency for Persons with Disabilities  I have no context for this, except to say Florida badly needs to invest in its disability services. (NBC Miami)

Medicaid

Feds Finalize New Rules For Medicaid Home And Community-Based Services Under a final rule released this week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is establishing minimum payment thresholds for direct care providers, requiring that states regularly reevaluate the needs of those receiving home and community-based services and much more. (Disability Scoop)

Autism

Embracing neurodiversity in medicine: Insights from an autistic medical student A very interesting first-person essay by a medical student at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Expert tips for autism-friendly vacations: What to know before you go While the advice seems somewhat simplistic, you might find some useful ideas in here. (USA Today)

Employment

Overtime Mandate May Threaten Access To Disability Services Services for people with developmental disabilities across the nation could soon face additional cuts, an unintended consequence of a requirement that millions more workers qualify for overtime pay. (Disability Scoop)

Fitness & Sports

Deepest U.S. pool proposed for North Chicago would be a godsend for the disabled, planners say; ‘No one has ever done anything like this’ The pool is from Diveheart, a non-profit dedicated to building confidence, self-esteem and independence through adaptive scuba diving for people with physical and cognitive disabilities. (Chicago Tribune)

Adaptive adventures are making national parks more inclusive The focus here is on Great Smoky national park, which straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, but it eventually tackles how an increasing number of national parks are more welcoming to outdoor enthusiasts with mobility issues. (Washington Post) And check out this article, Adaptive Hiking Program Comes to Westchester Parks, which The Boost posted a year ago.

Entertainment

Robert De Niro, Bobby Cannavale discuss new film about raising autistic child The movie Ezra depicts the relationship between a father and his autistic son amid co-parenting struggles. (NBC New York)

Advice Columns

Work Advice: My boss wants me in the office. My autistic kid needs me at home. Read the columnist’s advice, for what it’s worth! (Washington Post)

OPWDD Announces Its 2024 Strategic Planning in-Person Forums

Know Your Rights Regarding School Discipline and Special Ed: May 8

Do you have a child with an IEP or 504 Plan? Learn how to advocate for your child’s right to remain in school.

The seminar, organized by Parent Network of Western New York, will be led by Supervising Attorney Sam White, who will discuss the protections for children with disabilities during school disciplinary matters. White also works with WNY Law Center’s School Discipline Project, which you can learn about here.

RELATED NEWS: Corporal Punishment Now Banned in All New York Schools

This free, hybrid workshop can be done via Zoom or in-person.

A certificate of completion available upon request.

Details

When: Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Time: 7 p.m.

Where: Parent Network of WNY, 1021 Broadway St., Buffalo, N.Y., 14212

Register here

For more info call: 716-332-4170 or email info@parentnetworkwny.org

Connecting Students with Disabilities to Adult Agencies: May 10

Identifying the agencies that will be working with students and their families post-high school is a critical component of transition planning.

Join this free webinar to explore self-determination and its impact on postsecondary success. It will cover adult service agencies and the different types of programs they provide.

Organized by the Hudson Valley School-Age FACE Center and the NYSED OSE Partnership.

Details

When: Friday, May 10, 2024

Time: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Register here

New Group for Parents of Teens with Developmental or Physical Disabilities: May 13

Are you a parent of a special needs teenager? From navigating adolescence to managing behaviors and fostering independence, this group from Parent to Parent of NYS provides a safe space for open discussions about all things teen related.

Sorry, that’s all the info on its flier! For questions, contact Haya Doleh, hdoleh@ptopnys.org.

Details

When: Monday, May 13, 2024

Time: 7 p.m.

Register here

Transition to Rockland Community College for Students with an IEP or 504 Plan Webinar: May 15

Rockland BOCES, as part of its Transition Workshop Series, is hosting the webinar “Transition to Rockland Community College for Students with an IEP or 504 Plan.”

This workshop can help you:

• Gain an understanding of the differences between high school and college disability services, including post-secondary disability laws;
• learn how to access support services at Rockland Community College (RCC) and what the guidelines are for disability documentation;
• become aware of the student, faculty and Office of Accessibility Services rights and responsibilities at RCC;
• learn about the College Steps program at RCC, which provides customized college support for students with learning and social challenges, building a foundation for success in high school.

Details

When: Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Time: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Register here or email Mary Ellen Urinyi at murinyi@boces.org.

For additional information call 845-627-4749

The Boost Q&A with Eliza Bozenski of the Anderson Center for Autism

This year marks the centennial of the Anderson Center for Autism based in Staatsburg, N.Y., which is dedicated to supporting individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It comprises an autism-focused residential school, two early learning centers, consulting and training services, an international center hosting programs for scholars and a network of parents, siblings and caregivers who advocate for funding and legislation to enhance the lives of autistic and neurodivergent individuals.

The center had ambitious but humble beginnings. Originally called the Anderson School, it was founded in 1924 in a basement by Dr. Victor V. Anderson, who worked in human resources at Macy’s — yes, the department store. Its students were the “troubled” children, some with special needs, of wealthy parents. It would be several years before it moved into a mansion upstate overlooking the Hudson River.

The Boost spoke with Eliza Bozenski, chief development officer at the center, about the center’s transition into a focus on autism, its plans for expansion and more. Our interview has been edited for length and clarity.

I’m trying to wrap my head around Dr. Anderson’s Macy’s job and how it relates to an interest in special needs. What’s the story there?

Victor Anderson was actually a [Harvard-trained] psychologist who had also worked at a hospital and clinics in Boston, and on the National Committee for Mental Hygiene. At Macy’s [while doing research on turnover] he became interested in why on a resume some people looked perfect for a role but were not successful in it, and why some who were a better fit did not necessarily have what was historically needed for that particular position.

Flash forward to today and a lot of those same questions come into play. Are we prioritizing some of those things we think have to be in place to be successful or looking at the person to see if they can fit in the role? Do they have to make eye contact, can they communicate a different way and still be successful?

When did the school’s focus turn to autism?

Its name changed from the Anderson School to the Anderson Center for Autism around 2004. The school has always served people with special needs and in the 1970s it opened its first home on the campus serving some students with autism, which was still a relatively new diagnosis. By the late ’90s, early 2000s, the school realized that autism was its area of expertise, and began to solely serve people with an autism diagnosis. It was a time diagnoses were on the rise, school systems were struggling, and these children weren’t thriving in a special education setting.

Has the recent surge in autism diagnoses affected the way the center approaches its work? 

Because the reported growth has expanded awareness it hopefully means less stigma for families, and people who feel safer asking questions.

In terms of Anderson, our work is probably reaching a bigger audience. And we’re always adapting our services. For example, our Consulting and Training Services department is seeing broader interest. It’s not just coming from school districts asking for help in developing programs or training educators, but for things like training bus drivers and working with places like Newark Airport’s sensory room.

The center focuses on Applied Behavior Analysis [ABA], which has faced some criticism of late.

There’s an interesting dialog going on around ABA. But at Anderson we specifically serve people who are severely impacted by autism, not those who can function independently, go on to hold down jobs, drive, etc. We serve people who will always need some level of constant support. ABA has proven to be very successful for this population. Is it the right method for everyone? I don’t think anyone would say that.

Does Anderson have plans for expansion?

We started serving preschool children over the last few years. The [size of the] waitlist for early intervention programs in New York is heartbreakingly long, and we were able to open a center in Pine Plains and then in Latham. It’s a great example of the community expressing a need.

We also have a growing number of graduates who remain on campus as they await their residential programs due to the lack of appropriate vacancies. Anderson, for example, which currently has 24 group homes, is not developing additional adult residential opportunities. We’re planning to expand an existing building on campus that currently serves as residencies for our grad students and next to that will be a new state-of-the-art training facility to assist other organizations that serve adults.

We’re also starting to collaborate and partner with doctors and dentists to help them as they develop course work in their education and college programs.

Anything we didn’t cover that you’d like to mention?

I really want to think the team members who work at the center. There are almost 1,000 people and a majority of them are unsung heroes working in things like operations. They’re the people you know are there making it happen every single day but aren’t necessarily talked about in interviews.

So, a big thank you to all of them who helped us get to the centennial — the ones who worked every day through COVID, sleep on campus during bad weather to make sure the pathways are clear so the kids can get to school. They’re incredible people who deserve all the recognition in the world.

Developmental Disability News for Week Ending April 26, 2024

New York has a new coffee shop employing people with I/DD, Chicago families with students with disabilities receive one-time grant, there’s pushback on Disney’s new Disability Access Service rules, and more news for the week ending April 26, 2024.

New York

Sleepy Coffee, Too, a new java spot opens in Sleepy Hollow The cafe, which employs young adults with developmental disabilities, opens April 26. (lohud)

Disabilities Beat: Personal care in New York is about to change This podcast is with the chief policy officer at Western New York Independent Living about the coming changes to CDPAP. (WBFO)

Outside of New York

Why it’s harder to care for a disabled child in NJ: State funding is ‘broken,’ parents say The funding allowed for at-home care is “divorced from reality.” (Northjersey.com)

Chicago’s low-income families of students with disabilities eligible for new $500 grants They’ll be awarded to up to 8,000 people. (Chalkbeat)

Disability advocates raise concerns over Jillian’s Law that would change involuntary commitment in TN A bill would make it so anyone deemed unfit to stand trial would be automatically committed. (WPLN)

Why incarcerated D.C. youth keep calling for special education in federal prisons (Wamu.org)

Indianapolis Teacher Allegedly Encouraged ‘Fight Club’ Discipline Against Boy With Disability This story is a nightmare. (Disability Scoop)

Colorado selling weed-themed license plates for disability funding (CBS News)

Caregiving

Feds Finalize New Rules For Medicaid Home And Community-Based Services Under a final rule released this week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is establishing minimum payment thresholds for direct care providers. (Disability Scoop)

Autism

Percentage of students with autism on the rise The increase corresponds to the overall rise in the number of children in the U.S. being diagnosed with autism. (K12dive.com)

Elections

Justice Department Launches Updated Voting Rights and Elections Website (U.S. Dept. of Justice)

Churches Don’t Have to Be Accessible. That’s Bad News For Voters. In 2024, millions of Americans will vote at ADA-exempt religious sites. (Mother Jones)

SSI

Social Security Tweaks Rules For SSI The agency finalized a rule this month adjusting how it handles so-called “in-kind support and maintenance” in the form of a rental subsidy. (Disability Scoop)

Essays

The IEP recommended a special education classroom. We chose an inclusion school. (Chalkbeat)

Insurance

The newest employer perk: Disability coverage for your kids I’m just putting this one out here, but it’s very early days and raises questions. (Axios)

Parks

Everything to Know About Disney’s Disability Access Service (DAS) Changes — and Why They’re Dividing Fans The updates goes into effect on May 20 at Walt Disney World and June 18 at Disneyland. (People)

Come Talk About How to Make Pound Ridge Library More Accessible for People with DD: May 4

Pound Ridge Library was recently awarded a grant to help it better serve people with developmental disabilities, including those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder and Down syndrome. The plan is to introduce carefully crafted programs, new assistive technology and innovative approaches that make sure everyone feels engaged and supported.

The community conversation — in person or via Zoom — is an opportunity to discuss what would help make the library an even more accessible and accommodating environment, one that fosters a sense of belonging and active participation for everyone.

Can’t join in? Take the survey here.

Details

When: Saturday, May 4, 2024

Time: 3 p.m.

Where: Pound Ridge Library, 271 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge, N.Y., 10576

Register here.