NCIDQ-CID availability - NCIDQ Certified Interior Designer Updated: 2023

About

What are some of the rewarding aspects of your occupation and career?  

One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is seeing a client’s face light up when they feel like their vision for a project has been both understood and realized beyond their expectations by the design team. 

The most rewarding aspect of my occupation thus far has been returning to Drexel to teach a professional practice course to undergraduate interior design students. I really sought to make the class a comfortable space for the students to ask any questions they had about the profession and life after graduation, and I feel that they all gained confidence both in themselves and in their design knowledge prior to going into the field full time. 

What would you consider as your greatest achievement in this occupation?  

So far my greatest achievement is leading the design for a boutique hotel in Lancaster, PA, and working toward NCIDQ certification. 

What did you study for your undergraduate degree? Did it inform your choice of Interior Design as a career?  

I studied English and art history in undergrad, and went on to earn a law degree and work in the legal field for four years. I feel that all my prior education helped me learn how to analyze and articulate design conditions and concepts. The art history knowledge proves useful on a daily basis in interior design! 

Why did you choose this career?  

I chose this career because I had an underlying desire to make more of a visual impact on my surroundings. I realized I was not satisfied with my prior occupation because there was never a resulting tangible product to work toward. Interior design is both challenging in the creativity and resourcefulness required and satisfying in working with a team to realize a finished space. 

Why did you choose Drexel University’s Westphal College of Media Arts and Design over similar programs?  

I chose Westphal because of the staff and the resources. Touring the URBN Center at orientation I could feel the creative energy in the building, in large part due to the technological resources available and the integration of multiple design disciplines in one space. 

How did your time at Drexel University’s Westphal College of Media Arts and Design prepare you for your career?  

I had the space and encouragement to learn my individual design strengths and opportunity to test out ideas.  

Was our faculty helpful to you in making the transition to a career in interior design? Are you still in contact with them?  

Yes, I had very supportive and encouraging professors at Westphal, particularly during thesis in my last year, and we are still in touch. The faculty are very involved in the design community in Philadelphia and beyond. 

What advice would you give to someone considering returning to a Master’s program in interior design?  

Take the opportunity to speak with current and previous students to see if their excitement for the program resonates with you. I took a continuing education class in interior design before enrolling in the Masters program, and my love for that course made me realize I wanted to commit to the study of interior design full time. 

A general pest control plan costs from $400 to $950 per year or from $30 to $50 per month, on average. Sometimes, hiring a professional pest control service is necessary to get rid of a severe pest infestation. Pest control costs vary depending on the type of service you need, the level of infestation, your home’s size, and more. Your specific situation and whether you need ongoing or one-time treatment will determine the amount you’ll pay.

Read on for some averages based on our industry research, plus tips for choosing the best pest control for your home.

Average Cost of Pest Control Service

After secret shopping for quotes from top pest control companies, here are the average prices we received on a 3,000-square-foot home with three bedrooms and three bathrooms:

These general pest control plans provide preventative services with regularly scheduled visits from local technicians either quarterly or bimonthly to treat the interior and exterior of your home. They cover a wide range of common pests, such as cockroaches, ants, spiders, and beetles, but they don’t include specialty treatments against certain pests, such as termites and bed bugs.

Pest Control Cost by Pest Type

Although you can expect to pay between $400 and $950 per year for general, full-service pest control, based on the quotes we’ve received from various exterminators, your prices may look different if you’re looking for an exterminator to perform a targeted pest control treatment.

It’s difficult to predict how much you’ll pay per pest since most treatments will be included in a general pest control plan. However, according to data from HomeAdvisor, which collects cost information from its large network of partner contractors, below are some average exterminator costs for each specific type of infestation:

Factors That Affect Pest Control Costs

Many variables are involved in pricing these services, making it difficult to know exactly how much to expect to pay for your pest control needs. When creating a quote, pest control companies will consider the following factors to provide pricing estimates:

• Types of pests in the home. The types of pests you’re battling can dictate how much you’ll pay for pest control. While general pest control services can prevent pest problems for a regular monthly fee, targeted termite extermination, for example, can cost up to thousands of dollars.
• Your home’s size. During your initial call with a professional exterminator, they’ll likely ask the square footage of your home and how many bedrooms and bathrooms it has. These numbers can affect how much treatment will be required and how expensive it will be.
• The size of your yard. The pest control representative will likely ask the size of your yard, since that can determine how much treatment will be needed on the exterior of your property to build a protective barrier against pests. If you don’t have the exact acreage, you can provide an estimate, or the technician can give a more accurate estimate once they visit your home.
• Your zip code. Pest control prices can vary based on your location, since some areas are more prone to pest issues than others. Additionally, if your home is far away from your nearest local exterminator, you may be charged extra for travel costs.
• Frequency of visits. If you sign up for a pest control plan with regularly scheduled visits, your cost will reflect your plan’s number of visits per year. For example, Terminix’s general pest control plan comes with quarterly visits, making it cheaper than some competitors that service your home bi-monthly.
• Level of infestation. Your infestation’s severity may require additional treatments or heavier use of products, which could increase the overall cost of your service. For instance, fumigations with tenting may be recommended for severe infestations, which can cost $1 to $4 per square foot, according to HomeAdvisor.

DIY Pest Control vs. Hiring a Professional Exterminator

From setting up homemade traps to putting out a potted Venus flytrap, many homeowners have tried to get rid of pests themselves. If you’re not ready to spend the money on a professional pest control service to handle your infestation or help prevent future pest problems, you can try your hand at do-it-yourself (DIY) pest control.

Although DIY pest control could save you money on hiring a professional, there are a few things to keep in mind before deciding not to call an exterminator: 

• Some DIY methods can be less effective than what an exterminator can provide, since some pesticide products you may need aren’t available for regular consumers.
• Pesticides you buy from the store to treat your own home can be dangerous or harmful to you, your family members, or your pets if chemicals aren’t used properly.
• It can require you to spend hours doing your own research, whereas an exterminator has the knowledge and experience to know what to do immediately.
• You may need to try a few different methods before the treatment is effective, which means you’ll have to live with your infestation until you find something that works.

DIY Pest Control Cost

If you choose to go the DIY route to take care of your pest problems on your own, the amount you pay can vary depending on the products you need. If you’re willing to spend around $50 to $200, you could purchase a pest control kit with a range of products, including traps and chemicals.

Here are some general prices you can expect when shopping for pest control products based on our analysis of pest control retail prices on the market:

The above prices are per-item, so keep in mind that the total cost could be considerably higher if you have a larger home with lots of coverage areas. In some cases, hiring a pest control company may end up being the most affordable option, since the technicians have the right amount of unique products on hand that may be needed for your property.

How to Choose a Pest Control Company

If you’re leaning toward hiring an exterminator, you should take a few steps to help you pick the best pest control company for your home.

• Read third-party customer reviews. One of the first steps to choosing an exterminator is practicing its reviews on third-party websites, such as Yelp, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau. Avoid companies with lower overall ratings that have a higher percentage of complaints than positive reviews.
• Get quotes and speak with representatives. Many companies can provide quotes for general pest control services over the phone to give you an idea of how much you’ll pay based on your specific situation. We recommend calling a few providers and taking notes on what they offer, in addition to asking about their guarantees.
• Compare custom prices and plan options. Once you have a few quotes, you can compare those prices, treatment frequencies, guarantees, and overall plan coverage offered.
• Schedule an initial visit. Once you narrow down the best choice for you, schedule your appointment for a time that’s convenient for you. If you’re in a hurry to get an exterminator out to your property, many companies provide same-day service if they have technicians available.

Our Recommendation

Although professional pest control comes with a price tag, it can be a valuable addition to your regularly scheduled services to prevent creepy-crawlies from invading your home and yard. If you have a severe infestation from dangerous pests, such as termites and bed bugs, you may need to hire a professional to effectively eradicate them.

To identify the best pest control services, we’ve performed a deep analysis of pest control companies on the market, practicing more than 1,000 reviews from third-party websites, listening to customer service call recordings, and comparing providers on dozens of factors, such as covered pests, reputation, and customer service.

Terminix is our overall top choice, as it combines a tremendous amount of experience in the industry with impressive guarantees, wide service availability, and more to provide quality service to homeowners. However, we recommend speaking with more than one company to ensure you get the best price and coverage for your home’s specific needs.

How We Chose the Top Pest Control Companies

Our pest control research process starts with analyzing customer reviews on third-party websites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, and Google Reviews. We then do a deep dive into each company’s website, service plans, and available cost information. We also secret shop the companies we review, reach out to representatives, and request quotes.

From there, we compile the information we’ve gathered and compare each company using our in-depth pest control methodology and review criteria. This process uses a series of factors that are important to our readers, and we score each company depending on how well they perform in each factor. For instance, companies that offer more guarantees for their service earned more points than others, and pest control plans with a larger range of covered pests earned more points than ones with fewer.

After analyzing dozens of residential and commercial pest control businesses through this process, we were able to determine the best pest control companies on the market. 

Users Deploy EC-FPGA Formal Sequential Equivalence Checking into Automotive ASIL D Projects with no Additional Tool Qualification Requirements

MUNICH and SAN JOSE, CALIF. – February 14, 2018 – OneSpin® Solutions, provider of innovative formal verification solutions for highly reliable, digital integrated circuits (ICs), announced immediate availability of its OneSpin 360 ECFPGA ™ Tool Qualification Kit certified by internationally-recognized testing body TÜV SÜD. The certification states that EC-FPGA meets the most stringent tool qualification criteria set by functional safety standards ISO 26262 (TCL3/ASIL D), IEC 61508 (T2/SIL 3) and EN 50128 (T2/SIL 3).

“OneSpin’s EC-FPGA is the only EDA tool to exhaustively verify highly optimized FPGAs for autonomous vehicles, aerospace, nuclear power plants, railways and medical devices to eliminate systematic errors introduced during implementation,” notes Dr. Raik Brinkmann, OneSpin’s president and CEO. “With this certified Tool Qualification Kit, our users can deploy EC-FPGA seamlessly in their safety-critical flows to achieve a new level of productivity and standard compliance.”

EC-FPGA is an automatic sequential equivalence checker that prevents fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA) design flows from introducing synthesis, place-androute and other implementation errors. Safety standards require rigorous verification before production to minimize the risk of failures in the field. Using advanced formal technology, EC-FPGA detects corner-case design flow bugs with a process that is orders of magnitude more efficient and rigorous than gate-level simulation.

OneSpin also announced today that its general tool development and testing process has been audited by TÜV SÜD. (For more details, see accompanying news release dated February 14: "OneSpin Completes Series of Factory Inspections, Audits by Internationally-Recognized Testing Body TÜV SÜD.") Additional Tool Qualification Kits for other OneSpin tools will be available later in the year.

Availability and Pricing

OneSpin 360 EC-FPGA Tool Qualification Kit is shipping now. Pricing is available upon request. OneSpin has direct sales channels in the United States, Europe and throughout Asia, backed by a variety of customer service and support options including on-site training, hotline support and consulting services.

To learn more about the OneSpin 360 EC-FPGA Tool Qualification Kit, visit onespin.com/tuv.

Recovering from surgery is a journey that affects not only your physical health but also your emotional and mental health. Creating a healing space for patients in postoperative recovery improves safety, comfort, and peace of mind.

The design and environmental choices we make inside a home—including lighting, sound, art, and temperature—can help or hurt the healing process. We spoke to the following experts in the field to create this guide on how to design the ultimate nurturing space for a surgery patient in recovery:

• Maud Low, Ph.D., clinical assistant nursing professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Athina Papadopoulou, Ph.D., assistant professor of architecture, health, and design at New York Institute of Technology
• Kendra Ordia, assistant professor of interior design at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln
• Ray Pentecost, DrPH, director of the Center for Health Systems & Design at Texas A&M University

How to Prepare the Home Before Surgery

You should ideally start creating the patient’s healing space well before their operation. Here are some steps to take before the patient undergoes surgery.

Consult with a Health Care Provider

The recovery process will look different for everyone, as it depends on factors unique to the surgery and the patient. For that reason, the patient’s health care provider should be your first point of contact when curating the healing space. Discuss any pre-surgery concerns and get a professional opinion on what home improvements or modifications will best support the patient for their specific procedure.

Safety-Proof the Home and Make It Accessible

For patients recovering from surgery, physical safety is the most important environmental issue, says Low.

“Consider where [the patient] needs to ambulate and what makes that trip safe. For example, are there stairs to traverse? Are the bathroom and kitchen on the same floor as [the] bed?” Low offers.

Simple accessibility modifications can make daily tasks easier for recovering surgery patients.  Papadopoulou emphasizes, “Unfortunately, beyond requirements for accessibility in public places, as an architect, we often don’t think while we design how anyone at any time can experience difficulties in mobility or other abilities, making our houses hard to live in recovery conditions.”

Again, you’ll want to consult with the patient’s healthcare provider to ensure the home improvements make sense for the individual needs. But here are some ways to make a home safer for those recovering from various types of surgery:

• Declutter: Keeping the space organized and clutter-free reduces the chance of falls, helps to reduce anxiety, and encourages productivity.
• Eliminate tripping hazards: Tidy up cords by pinning them to the wall, clean floors of dust and debris, remove unnecessary furniture, and secure rugs and carpets with nonslip pads to reduce the chance of slips and falls.
• Install handrails: Depending on the type of surgery, you may want to install handrails and grab bars near the stairs, in the bathroom, and near the bed.
• Improve lighting: Keeping the home well-lit will help prevent accidents and can also Boost mood and health. Increased natural light has been shown to promote better sleep and faster patient recovery. Ordia notes, “Provide access to daylight to assist in regulating sleep-wake cycles and connection to shifting light patterns throughout the day.”
• Move the bed to the first floor: If it’s not already, you may want to move the patient’s bed to the first floor so they don’t have to go up and down stairs.

Arrange for a Caregiver or Support System

Having a designated caregiver or support team is essential to surgery recovery. As Pentecost points out, “The real issue is whether, whatever they need, they have a support system that can provide that level of assistance.” Caregivers can help with physical tasks and provide emotional support to patients who may be struggling with their lack of independence post-operation.

If you are the primary caregiver for a more intrusive surgery, consider reaching out to others or an in-home medical professional to help you manage care. Keep in mind that if you get stressed or overwhelmed, you’ll likely transfer those emotions to the patient.

Gather Necessary Supplies

Before surgery, make sure the home is stocked with all necessary items for patient recovery. This may include some of the following items:

• Medications and prescriptions (as recommended by the health care provider)
• Medical supplies and accessibility equipment
• Personal care items such as toiletries, hygiene products, and comfortable clothing

Ways to Create a Healing Space for Post-Surgery Recovery

Designing a comfortable and nurturing home is essential for patient recovery. Here are some ambiance and design tips to help you create the ideal healing space.

Ergonomic Comfort

Invest in ergonomic furniture that will provide both comfort and safety for a healing body. Ergonomic chairs and pillows offer excellent support. If the patient will endure an extended period of bed rest, opt for an adjustable bed or recliner that easily changes positions or provides elevation.

Nature-Inspired Ambiance

In terms of importance, psychological wellness is a close second to physical safety for surgery patients, says Low. “Sit or lie in the area [they] will be recovering in. Consider what would Boost that view.” Ordia adds, “Incorporate natural light and views of nature into the space to enhance mood and well-being.”

One of the biggest pieces of advice is to increase the presence of nature throughout the healing process. If you can’t bring the patient to the outdoors, bring the outdoors to the patient. Studies have shown that green, natural environments can help boost vitality (physical and mental energy).

If possible, move the bed or ergonomic chair close to a window. A landmark 1984 study revealed that having a nice window view can positively influence a patient’s recovery from surgery. “Placing a bird feeder where the healing person can see it brings nature to them when they are stuck in their home to heal,” adds Dr. Low.

Additionally, the increased natural light promotes healing and is a necessary component for many indoor plants, which you should add to the home to mimic a more natural environment. Indoor plants can also help the patient reduce stress and improve focus.

Soothing Sounds, Music, and Art

Playing the right sounds can help create the calming atmosphere that is imperative for healing. Numerous studies have shown that music can have a positive effect on both mental and physical health—improving heart rate, motor skills, and brain stimulation and even boosting one’s immune system.

Listening to soft music before bed can also Boost sleep quality, which is extra important for those in recovery. Consider playing guided meditations to encourage mindfulness and relaxation. Similar to sound, adding art can help keep the patient calm during this potentially stressful period. Studies show that viewing artwork can help reduce stress and lower blood pressure.

Privacy and Personal Space

Surgery patients often lose their sense of independence during the recovery period, as they may need help with basic daily tasks. “Provide the things that evoke favorite memories of happier, healthier times,” suggests Pentecost. “Any adjustments that might facilitate some measure of independent behavior, such as walking or dining, by the patient should help the patient heal as they perceive a return to normalcy.”

Having peaceful alone time is also important for rest and recovery, so it’s crucial to provide opportunities for privacy where possible. “Coordinate visitors so that the healing person has them to look forward to but does not become overwhelmed,” says Low.

If the patient’s bed is in a shared room or is in a common area, install privacy curtains or screens to give them a better sense of personal space.

Personalized Healing Sanctuary

Consider creating a designated space for the patient for meditation, prayer, or reflection. It should be a comfortable space adorned with items that provide comfort and personal significance to the patient. Sentimental items may provide a greater sense of purpose during recovery.

“Caregivers should consider the healing person’s normal likes and dislikes in setting up a supportive and healing environment. Hobbies and pastimes they enjoy should be made accessible if possible,” says Low. “Photos, favorite keepsakes, and access to music can help keep spirits high and speed the physical work of recovery.”

Inspirational Motivation

Decorating the healing space with tasteful, inspirational affirmations or quotes can help lift the patient’s spirits and provide motivation. As a temporary option, consider printing these quotes out and placing them in stylish photo frames around the recovery space.

Multisensory Healing

Enhance the healing experience by incorporating all of the senses into the space. Studies show that multisensory design improves quality of life.

“Using different textures, materials, and colors can evoke a range of emotional responses and contribute to a space that feels more supportive,” Papadopoulou notes.

Keep the place at a comfortable temperature at all times. If you set a temperature and the home is not meeting it, you may need to have your windows replaced—cold or warm air could be escaping through cracked or improperly sealed windows. Provide plenty of soft textiles, including blankets and pillows, to keep the patient cozy.

Use diffusers or candles with healing aromatherapy scents to engage the sense of smell, but make sure the scent is one that’s preferred by the patient. Essential oils may aid surgery healing by reducing inflammation, improving sleep, relieving headaches, and more.

Try to bring more natural light into the home if possible. If not, use lamps with soft, warm lights, and try to minimize fluorescents. Of course, keep the patient’s wishes and needs in mind as you design the space—what is cozy to one person may feel overwhelming to another.

Dos and Don’ts When Recovering from Surgery

While a patient’s primary focus before surgery is likely getting through operation day, it’s imperative to anticipate the recovery that comes after. Here are some things the patient should do (and avoid) to regain their strength after surgery.

Post-Surgery Dos

To properly heal from surgery, patients must keep up with the following tasks. Caregivers should help the patient carry out these tasks when the person healing is unable to do so themselves.

• Attend any follow-up appointments: Regular check-ins are essential to monitor the recovery process.
• Care for incision or surgery scars: Follow the doctor’s guidance and keep the wound clean to reduce the risk of infection and minimize scarring.
• Follow the health care provider’s instructions: Stick to the doctor’s plan and reach out with any questions.
• Keep the body well-nourished: The patient should be eating nutritious foods (as recommended by the doctor) and staying properly hydrated.
• Monitor pain: Keep track of patient pain levels and manage pain accordingly. Communicate any concerns to the health care provider.
• Make a plan for pets: If the patient has pets in the home, consider how they may affect the recovery process and if it might be best to have a friend or dog sitter take them out of the home at first. “Pets are tremendously healing for us, but consider whether the pet may be too large or unpredictable to protect the healing area,” says Low.

Post-Surgery Don’ts

Even if the patient is feeling well, it’s wise to maintain caution and avoid the following.

• Misusing or forgetting to take medication: The medication schedule should be followed accurately to ensure proper pain management and healing and avoid any potentially dangerous side effects.
• Overdoing it: The body needs rest after surgery. The patient should pace themselves according to recovery and avoid returning to work or attending social gatherings too soon.
• Recovering alone: There should be a designated caregiver to monitor the patient and assist with tasks as needed.
• Skipping rehabilitation appointments: Post-surgery rehabilitation plays a crucial role in a timely recovery.

Organizations That Provide Assistance for Recovering Surgery Patients

Several organizations offer a variety of resources, support, and information for surgery patients. Each is tailored to different types of surgeries.

Cancer Surgeries

• American Cancer Society: The American Cancer Society (ACS) supports cancer patients and survivors, offering resources related to cancer surgeries, recovery, and treatment options.
• BreastCancer.org: This organization provides information and support specifically tailored to individuals undergoing breast cancer surgery and reconstruction.

Cardiac Surgeries

• Mended Hearts: Mended Hearts is a nonprofit organization offering support to heart surgery patients and their families, providing education and emotional assistance.
• The Children’s Heart Foundation: Focused on pediatric cardiac surgery, this foundation supports research and provides resources for families of children with congenital heart defects.

Cesarean and Postpartum Surgeries

Dental and Oral Surgeries

• American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: This organization provides information on oral and maxillofacial surgeries, including wisdom teeth removal, jaw surgery, and facial trauma procedures.

Eye Surgeries

• American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery: This organization offers resources for patients recovering from eye surgeries, such as cataracts or refractive surgeries.

Gastrointestinal Surgeries

• American Gastroenterological Association (AGA): The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) provides information on gastrointestinal surgeries and digestive health, including resources for those recovering from procedures such as colon surgery.
• The Oley Foundation: This organization supports individuals who have undergone gastrointestinal surgeries and rely on parenteral and enteral nutrition.

Neurosurgeries

• American Association of Neurological Surgeons: This organization, abbreviated as AANS, provides resources for patients and families facing neurosurgery, including information on various neurological conditions and treatment options.
• Brain Aneurysm Foundation: This foundation offers support and education for individuals recovering from brain aneurysm surgery.

Orthopedic Surgeries

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: This organization’s website offers information on orthopedic surgeries, recovery, and rehabilitation, including patient education resources.
• Arthritis Foundation: The Arthritis Foundation provides support and resources for individuals recovering from joint replacement surgeries, such as hip or knee replacements.

Transplant Surgeries

• Transplant Recipients International Organization: The Transplant Recipients International Organization, or TRIO, offers support and advocacy for organ transplant recipients and their families.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeries

• American Society of Plastic Surgeons: The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) provides information about plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures, including resources for patients considering or recovering from such surgeries.

In Conclusion

It can be a long road to recovery after surgery. While our bodies rebuild strength in their own time, studies show that creating a healing space that promotes physical and emotional wellness can aid recovery. Pay close attention to design and environmental choices to promote physical and emotional wellness for the patient recovering from surgery.

Our Experts

Maud Low, Ph.D., RNC, CLNC, is a clinical assistant nursing professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Low has been publishing articles on nursing and nursing education since the 1990s and earned a Ph.D. in nursing from UMass Amherst in 2021. Through her academic years, Low developed a second specialty—mental health nursing—in which she has been clinically active at Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Her PhD work is focused on nurse-to-nurse relationships.

Athina Papadopoulou, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of architecture, health, and design at the New York Institute of Technology. She teaches in the Masters of Health and Design and the Bachelors of Architecture programs and codirects the ReMEDia research lab. Papadopoulou’s research focuses on programmable material environments that promote inclusion, support neurodiversity, and enhance health and well-being through sensory interaction and biobased material approaches.

Kendra Locklear Ordia earned a Master of Interior Design degree from the School of Architecture at The University of Texas at Austin, where she focused on biophilic interior design guidelines for health care environments. She is a registered interior designer in Texas, holds a National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) certification, and is a LEED for Building Design and Construction (LEED BD+C) accredited professional. Her research explores nature integration in interior environments through theory, narrative, and designed solutions for increased well-being, equity, and delight.

Ray Pentecost, DrPH, is the director of the Center for Health Systems & Design at Texas A&M University and holder of the George J. Mann Chair of Healthcare Design.  Pentecost is a fellow in the American Institute of Architects and the American College of Healthcare Architects and a former nursing home administrator. Recently, Pentecost received the prestigious 2022 Changemaker Award from the Center for Health Design, which “honors individuals or organizations that have demonstrated an exceptional ability to change the way healthcare facilities are designed and built, and whose work has a broad impact on the advancement of healthcare design.” Pentecost studied architecture at Rice University and public health at the UTHealth School of Public Health, both in Houston.

Summary: Special Strong, a leading advocate and provider of specialized support for individuals with autism, enhances its offerings by providing access to certified autism trainers through its subsidiary, Strong Education.

MCKINNEY, TX / ACCESSWIRE / October 28, 2023 / In the latest developments, Special Strong announces the expansion of access to empowering individuals with autism through certified trainers. Special Strong provides an online platform where individuals with autism can find personal trainers certified through its subsidiary company, Strong Education. This program focuses on empowering trainers who work specifically with individuals who have autism. Additionally, physical fitness regimens designed especially for people with autism can offer a supportive setting where people can connect with others going through similar experiences. Therefore, physical fitness should be made an integral part of the support systems available to those with autism to assist them in reaching their full potential.

Physical fitness can be a great tool for people with autism, in addition to offering easily accessible and high-quality support services. Frequent physical activity can help people with ASD develop better motor skills, balance, and coordination. It can also boost their social interaction abilities and self-confidence.

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the US was revealed by two new reports published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in March. The CDC reported that the majority of autism cases among US 4- and 8-year-olds have risen from 1 in 44 in 2021 to 1 in 36, which is a noteworthy development.

The primary reason for this increase is that clinicians are more adept at diagnosing the disorder. In the past, diagnosing ASD required observational methods, which could result in incorrect diagnoses if the clinician lacked adequate training. Autism symptoms can be confused with symptoms of other disorders, including ADHD, learning disabilities, epilepsy, and even anxiety and depression. This is the reason that different states and school districts have quite different diagnoses for the same disorder, according to the CDC's most accurate report.

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One of the main problems autism has had for a long time has been gender bias, which has also been addressed in the CDC report. Due to the historical belief that autism is more common in boys than in girls, many female autistic people go undiagnosed and unrecognized. It's encouraging that the latest report has noted a small shift in the equilibrium. Even though the ratio of male to female diagnoses is currently 4 to 1, many experts question this statistic because it has remained remarkably stable over the past ten years despite a sharp increase in the overall prevalence of autism.

There are frequently serious repercussions when autism is not diagnosed or understood. Unsupported autism has been shown to dramatically raise the risk of abuse, homelessness, and even suicide. In the medical field, people with autism are more likely to suffer needlessly from illnesses that they could have avoided or treated more effectively had they received a diagnosis sooner. Moreover, adults with autism who do not have the support of wealthy families frequently experience severe disadvantages. Most of the time, they are denied access to vital programs and services like Social Security and vocational rehabilitation.

The idea that autism can go away with time is arguably the most dangerous antiquated misconception about the condition today. In actuality, a lot of adults-often as parents or grandparents-are diagnosed with autism much later in life. This demonstrates the difficulty in diagnosing ASD and the limitations of the social services currently available to those with "high support needs" autism.

Currently, there are insufficient organizations and services accessible to individuals with autism. They may make it challenging to get the help required to lead complete and contented lives. It is important to remember that autism cannot be "cured," and should not treat those who have it that way. Rather, the individuals should concentrate on giving them all the help and guidance they require in order to thrive.

The accurate CDC report indicates that the number of people with autism is increasing. However, rather than being alarming, this suggests that there is a chance to make the required adjustments so that people with autism can get the support they require to live better lives. People with autism must be able to speak up for themselves, as well as for their loved ones and close-knit community, to make sure that this occurs. Places of understanding and easily accessible, high-quality support services are necessary for the safety, security, and well-being of individuals with autism. By taking this action, the organization can start the process of establishing a society in which people with autism are valued and accepted and where they can live fulfilling lives and realize their full potential.

About Special Strong:

Special Strong, a top-notch provider of specialized support for individuals with autism. The organization is dedicated to fostering inclusivity, promoting physical fitness, and improving the overall well-being of individuals on the autism spectrum. Special Strong works with Strong Education to provide certified autism trainers who offer personalized support to empower individuals with autism to reach their full potential.

Company Info:

Company name: Special Strong
Company email: info@specialstrong.com
Website: https://www.specialstrong.com/

SOURCE: Special Strong

View source version on accesswire.com:
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The functional safety edition of IAR Embedded Workbench for RISC-V is certified by TÜV SÜD and delivers guaranteed support through the product life cycle

Uppsala, Sweden—March 4, 2021—IAR Systems®, the future-proof supplier of software tools and services for embedded development, announces the availability of a certified edition of its development toolchain for RISC-V. The functional safety edition of IAR Embedded Workbench® for RISC-V is certified by TÜV SÜD according to the requirements of IEC 61508, the international umbrella standard for functional safety, as well as ISO 26262, which is used for automotive safety-related systems. In addition, the certification covers the international standard IEC 62304, which specifies life cycle requirements for the development of medical software and software within medical devices, and the European railway standards EN 50128 and EN 50657. Also covered are IEC 60730 for Household Appliances, ISO 13849 and IEC 62061 for Machinery Control Systems, IEC 61511 for Process Industry and ISO 25119 for Agriculture and Forestry.

Functional safety is one of the most important features in many embedded systems and companies must consider development tools as an integral part of the system certification. The proof of compliance for the tools increases cost and time of development. To solve this problem, IAR Systems provides certified editions of the complete compiler and debugger toolchain IAR Embedded Workbench. The tests performed and quality assurance measures implemented by IAR Systems have shown that IAR Embedded Workbench for RISC-V complies with the testing criteria specified by the respective standards and is suitable for use in safety-related development. IAR Embedded Workbench is certified by TÜV SÜD.

IAR Embedded Workbench for RISC-V is a complete development toolchain including the highly optimizing IAR C/C++ Compiler™ and the feature-rich C-SPY® Debugger. The software is complemented by native debugging and trace probes. The debug probe I-jet supports on-chip RAM buffered trace, in addition to fast JTAG/cJTAG/DAP debug and is complemented by the powerful trace probe I-jet Trace, which can livestream trace information for code coverage and profiling purposes.

The functional safety edition of IAR Embedded Workbench includes a functional safety certificate, a safety report from TÜV SÜD and a Safety Manual. With the certified tools, IAR Systems provides a Functional Safety Support and Update Agreement with guaranteed support for the sold version for the longevity of the contract. Along with prioritized technical support, the agreement includes access to validated service packs and regular reports of known deviations and problems. Functional safety certification for IAR Embedded Workbench for RISC-V, version 1.40, is available now. Learn more about the toolchain at www.iar.com/riscv.

About IAR Systems

IAR Systems supplies future-proof software tools and services for embedded development, enabling companies worldwide to create the products of today and the innovations of tomorrow. Since 1983, IAR Systems’ solutions have ensured quality, reliability and efficiency in the development of over one million embedded applications. The company is headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden and has sales and support offices all over the world. Since 2018, Secure Thingz, the global domain expert in device security, embedded systems, and lifecycle management, is part of IAR Systems Group AB. IAR Systems Group AB is listed on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm, Mid Cap. Learn more at www.iar.com.