09-20-2007, 05:08 PM
man with disabilities now helping others
Quote:
Man with disabilities now helping others
Christine Ferretti / The Detroit News
WEST BLOOMFIELD -- As a child, Nick Dubin struggled with delayed speech and learning disabilities, but it wasn't until adulthood that he finally got a diagnosis he embraced.
At 27, on the verge of graduating with honors from a master's program in special education at University of Detroit Mercy, he fell apart during a student teaching exercise and wanted answers.
"So many tasks were overwhelming me. I couldn't keep control of the classroom. It was the same with many work situations over the years," he said. "I should have been able to handle it but couldn't for some reason. I wanted to know what was going on."
After trips to two specialists, it was verified that Dubin suffered from Asperger Syndrome -- an autism spectrum disorder characterized by poor social interactions, obsessions, odd speech patterns and other peculiar mannerisms.
"The diagnosis made sense for me," said Dubin, 30.
Soon after, he put together several DVDs -- an autobiographical piece and another about bullying issues in children with Asperger's -- with the help of the Gray Center, a nonprofit dedicated to those with autism spectrum disorders.
The film got him connected with London-based Jessica Kingsley Publishers, which helped produce two books, most recently "Asperger Syndrome and Bullying: Strategies and Solutions," on shelves at bookstores since June.
Dubin also travels around the country speaking to students, educators, parents and mental health workers at nearly 30 venues per year on various topics ranging from bullying to employment issues, Asperger Syndrome and autism.
"I want to share some of my own personal experiences and give an academic perspective. The first person perspective is a unique thing," he said.
In middle school, Dubin recalls, his gullibility allowed other students to take advantage of and mock him. His book offers advice to parents and teachers on how to minimize these situations with peer mentoring, among other things.
Book signings at a couple of Metro Detroit Borders stores will take place later this month, and in November he will be a keynote speaker at the Jewish Book Fair at the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit in West Bloomfield.
Book Fair committee members are eager to have Dubin at the event.
"So many families in our community are affected by autism," said JCC Book Fair co-chairman Gail Fisher. "Education can really make a difference. And, on a larger scale, by teaching children to be tolerant of others, we may be able to reduce other forms of prejudice."
Beyond his advocacy, Dubin is writing a dissertation, completing a doctorate in psychology at the Michigan School of Professional Psychology and teaching classes for an internship at the Judson Center in Royal Oak. The center provides solutions to challenges facing children and families and adults with developmental disabilities. He hopes to graduate by 2009 and eventually teach college students.
"It's a natural extension of my life to study this area. That's what has led me to giving the speeches I've been giving," he said.
Christine Ferretti / The Detroit News
WEST BLOOMFIELD -- As a child, Nick Dubin struggled with delayed speech and learning disabilities, but it wasn't until adulthood that he finally got a diagnosis he embraced.
At 27, on the verge of graduating with honors from a master's program in special education at University of Detroit Mercy, he fell apart during a student teaching exercise and wanted answers.
"So many tasks were overwhelming me. I couldn't keep control of the classroom. It was the same with many work situations over the years," he said. "I should have been able to handle it but couldn't for some reason. I wanted to know what was going on."
After trips to two specialists, it was verified that Dubin suffered from Asperger Syndrome -- an autism spectrum disorder characterized by poor social interactions, obsessions, odd speech patterns and other peculiar mannerisms.
"The diagnosis made sense for me," said Dubin, 30.
Soon after, he put together several DVDs -- an autobiographical piece and another about bullying issues in children with Asperger's -- with the help of the Gray Center, a nonprofit dedicated to those with autism spectrum disorders.
The film got him connected with London-based Jessica Kingsley Publishers, which helped produce two books, most recently "Asperger Syndrome and Bullying: Strategies and Solutions," on shelves at bookstores since June.
Dubin also travels around the country speaking to students, educators, parents and mental health workers at nearly 30 venues per year on various topics ranging from bullying to employment issues, Asperger Syndrome and autism.
"I want to share some of my own personal experiences and give an academic perspective. The first person perspective is a unique thing," he said.
In middle school, Dubin recalls, his gullibility allowed other students to take advantage of and mock him. His book offers advice to parents and teachers on how to minimize these situations with peer mentoring, among other things.
Book signings at a couple of Metro Detroit Borders stores will take place later this month, and in November he will be a keynote speaker at the Jewish Book Fair at the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit in West Bloomfield.
Book Fair committee members are eager to have Dubin at the event.
"So many families in our community are affected by autism," said JCC Book Fair co-chairman Gail Fisher. "Education can really make a difference. And, on a larger scale, by teaching children to be tolerant of others, we may be able to reduce other forms of prejudice."
Beyond his advocacy, Dubin is writing a dissertation, completing a doctorate in psychology at the Michigan School of Professional Psychology and teaching classes for an internship at the Judson Center in Royal Oak. The center provides solutions to challenges facing children and families and adults with developmental disabilities. He hopes to graduate by 2009 and eventually teach college students.
"It's a natural extension of my life to study this area. That's what has led me to giving the speeches I've been giving," he said.