Daniel is the inspiration and motivation for everything I do. After he graduated high school, he came to me and asked me for friends. After high school, everything began to change. I have 4 other teenagers, so I was well aware of the important role that friendships play in the everyday life of a teen. When you have ASD, friendships are just as important. As a Health psychologist, I have reviewed the literature on the social, emotional and psychological factors which impact health. In short, we all need friends; to motivate, support, comfort, laugh with, share, collaborate, and celebrate.
As a 30 year Occupational therapist, I have been an active advocate for persons with ASD. I have developed recreational programs, fitness programs and academic support services. I have owned and operated a therapy company, consulted and served children and teens in schools and their homes. I have launched rehabilitation departments, community based programs and support groups for families who care for persons with disabilities. I have consulted to product design companies and taught workshops for teens about teen issues.
I am the proud founder of Missing link 4 Autism which strives to provide innovative opportunities to young adults with ASD. My first project was to engage teens to reach out and support their peers with ASD. The response was incredible and our first club was created, Breaking thru Barriers. This mentor program educates local teens about ASD and supports positive friendships at the social hangout in Newbury Park. Breaking thru barriers, was strategically designed to represent social environments, allowing for natural cues, immediate feedback of social skills, and relationship building in a relaxed setting. Daniel is pleased with his new friendships and has turned into the concierge there. This project belongs to each of us parents, each teen and adult with ASD, and our community. We have a place for our teens to volunteer, to learn about each other, to make friends, to have fun, to change things for persons with ASD.......for a lifetime.
Sheila Orta PhD., MS OTR
Health Psychologist
Occupational Therapist
Founder and Director of Missing Link 4 Autism/Breaking thru Barriers Organization
Advocate for persons with ASD especially my brilliant 27 year old son, Daniel
As a 30 year Occupational therapist, I have been an active advocate for persons with ASD. I have developed recreational programs, fitness programs and academic support services. I have owned and operated a therapy company, consulted and served children and teens in schools and their homes. I have launched rehabilitation departments, community based programs and support groups for families who care for persons with disabilities. I have consulted to product design companies and taught workshops for teens about teen issues.
I am the proud founder of Missing link 4 Autism which strives to provide innovative opportunities to young adults with ASD. My first project was to engage teens to reach out and support their peers with ASD. The response was incredible and our first club was created, Breaking thru Barriers. This mentor program educates local teens about ASD and supports positive friendships at the social hangout in Newbury Park. Breaking thru barriers, was strategically designed to represent social environments, allowing for natural cues, immediate feedback of social skills, and relationship building in a relaxed setting. Daniel is pleased with his new friendships and has turned into the concierge there. This project belongs to each of us parents, each teen and adult with ASD, and our community. We have a place for our teens to volunteer, to learn about each other, to make friends, to have fun, to change things for persons with ASD.......for a lifetime.
Sheila Orta PhD., MS OTR
Health Psychologist
Occupational Therapist
Founder and Director of Missing Link 4 Autism/Breaking thru Barriers Organization
Advocate for persons with ASD especially my brilliant 27 year old son, Daniel
Mission:
We are a nonprofit public benefit corporation, which provides services and programs for persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families. The programs are designed to meet the psychological, social-emotional, spiritual and physical needs of persons with ASD/families. FFA will engage the community and community organizations to raise awareness of ASD and actively support persons with ASD through program participation.
We are a nonprofit public benefit corporation, which provides services and programs for persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families. The programs are designed to meet the psychological, social-emotional, spiritual and physical needs of persons with ASD/families. FFA will engage the community and community organizations to raise awareness of ASD and actively support persons with ASD through program participation.
2014 Missing Link 4 Autism Inc
TAX ID 46-3685405
TAX ID 46-3685405
