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Epilepsy Blog Relay: Service Animals for Epilepsy and Autism

This post is part of the Epilepsy Blog Relay™ which will run from March 1 through March 31. Follow along!

Epilepsy and service animals

Audra Sisak resides in Puyallup, WA with her six-year-old son. They are both autistic, have epilepsy, and have other neurodivergent conditions such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dyspraxia. According to Audra, “We each struggle with our own anxieties in their own way. Love and support from family, friends, and each other have made the journey through life easier for us!”

Audra is a Qualified Autism Service Practitioner (QASP), Certified Autism Specialist (CAS), and Board-Certified Cognitive Specialist (BCCS). Her area of expertise utilizes the SCERTS model and ACT therapy with autistic children who have co-occurring conditions (especially those with epilepsy) ages ~8-21. She supports the neurodiversity community and believes in pro-stimming along with building self-esteem, and a more inclusive environment. This includes equality and equity for all abilities and disabilities! She has a Master’s in Biomedical Sciences and will have her second Master’s in Psychology completed by Summer of 2019. She works from home remotely as a writer, consultant, and supervisor of therapists in the field/new graduates.

Audra’s Blog

Her article will be highlighting the special techniques used to train animals to become service animals! The American Kennel Club (AKC) sets the standards while Assistance Dogs International (ADI) also helps with training. It is a long process that requires a large set of expenses but worth it in the end. Join me as we take a deeper look into the world of service animal training. Interview with Christa Holmans, aka Neurodivergent Rebel, who used to train service dogs will be featured in the article!

READ MORE

NEXT UP: Be sure to check out the next post by Teo at livingwellwithepilepsy.com for more on epilepsy awareness. You can check out any of the Epilepsy Blog Relay posts you may have missed.

Share your story

Follow Audra Sisak:
My name is Audra (Momma Employee) and I have a son The Boss. We are both autistic and have epilepsy! We are both trying to navigate this complex world, together. He runs my schedule and we experience love and life as one family. Our journey comes with ups and downs, but it’s our lives. Welcome to our crazy, funny, weird, socially awkward, introverted, anxiety-ridden, happy, joyful page!We are both supportive of neurodiversity! Momma Employee- QASP, CAS, BCCS, Freelance Writer, Advocate. I love working with my community! I support SCERTS model, DLT model, and therapy to include CBT/ACT.

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