News from the Oklahoma Autism Alliance

E-News from the Oklahoma Autism Alliance

Oklahoma Autism Alliance
Helping Oklahoma Families Affected by Autism

July 2009

Greetings!

Can you believe how quickly this summer is going by? It's almost time to start thinking about school again. This issue of our e-newsletter has tips for how to help prepare your child for school. There is also an article about Summer Advance 2009, which was held in June to benefit young adults with ASD. There is also some information about opportunities to have fun, like raising money for TeamAutism.org while having a family trip to Disney, going to a sensory-friendly movie, or going to the zoo with other families for just 75 cents. Also, mark your calendar for Sunday, August 2nd as we will be having the first Autism Awareness Night with the Redhawks! You and your family can attend the game for free and also get a free t-shirt! See the details in this newsletter.

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your summer and the little respite of rain and cooler weather.

Summer Advance 2009: Taking Steps Towards a Successful Future

by Rene Daman, Director of Oklahoma Autism Network

The transition out of school and into adult life can present significant challenges for young adults with ASD. Regardless of IQ level, individuals with ASD have difficulty attaining and maintaining competitive employment in the community. Many individuals with ASD also have difficulty living independently without some level of support from others. Adults with ASD have difficulty maintaining competitive employment with as few as 6% employed full time. For those with ASD who have an average to above average IQ approximately 12% are employed (Barnard, et al, 2001).

Several organizations in Oklahoma are taking steps to improve these outcomes for Oklahomans affected by autism. The first Be Ready for Life: Summer Advance program took place June 22- 26 in Edmond and was a great success! The program participants included professionals, parents, and twelve youth with autism spectrum disorders. Nationally recognized speakers Dr. Ruth Aspy and Dr. Barry Grossman presented the Ziggurat Model for supporting individuals with ASD on Monday and Tuesday. Read more...

Spectrum Perspectives
By Shawna Mums

Nothing to Laugh About
Month after month, I always try to have some wacky sense of humor when sharing the odd happenings in our life; however, this month I have found it hard to laugh and easier to cry. Recently, a very dear friend of mine came to Stillwater to conduct a training session. We have such busy lives it had been a while since we had seen one another. In the last 30 minutes of the lecture, I had arranged for my son to bring Jaymee so my friend could see how much she had grown. As I sat in the back of the training session with my 12 ½ year old on my lap, I listened to my friend explain how he got involved in the world of autism. He spoke of the children and families with whom he had worked. He spoke of one parent in particular who was always laughing and making jokes. Recalling a day eight years ago when this parent was short and almost rude to him, he pulled a paper out and began to read a letter. The parent spoke of how sorry she was for her behavior and explained that she was going through a hard time. She said her daughter was turning five years old soon and she was finding it harder and harder to remain in denial about the milestones her little darling was missing. Read more...

Shawna is the parent of a child with autism, Jaymee, and psychology graduate student at Oklahoma State University. More Spectrum Perspectives can be read on our website.

Parent Group Events

Edmond Family Center for Autism and Canadian Valley are joining together for a trip to the zoo! Come monkey around with us and have a great day at the Zoo on July 22nd at 9:30am! And get this, the price is only 75 cents per person! Bring a sack lunch to enjoy while you get to know someone new!

EFCA has a great line up planned for the remainder of the year. Come and join us! On August 11th, Dr. Lara Mattox will be speaking out "What to Expect Next With Autism". This is a meeting you will not want to miss. Dr. Mattox will present the most common challenges and how to help your child at every age from toddlers to teens to adults. For a line up of our meetings for the year click here

Calling all Tennis players this event is for you! The EFCA is hosting "Love for Autism" tennis tournament on October 2, 3, and 4th at Kicking Bird Tennis Courts in Edmond. Want to sponsor or enter the tournament? Great, contact Crystal Frost at crystal@okautism-ofca.org for more information or click here to read more.

This Month's Sensory Friendly Movies sponsored by the Autism Society of America

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince": July 25 at 10 a.m. local time,read more

"G-Force" :August 1 at 10 a.m. local time, read more

TeamAutism.org is Off and Running Again!

TEAMAUTISM.ORG was established to train walkers/runners for marathon events located in fabulous destinations like Hawaii and Florida while raising funds to help the Oklahoma Family Center for Autism. All of the proceeds from our marathon fundraising efforts go to the OFCA to help them change the lives of those affected by autism here in Oklahoma. TeamAutism.org has had the honor and privilege of helping to raise over $54,000 to date!

Stacey and Alan Danielson started Teamautism.org to support Alan's desire to get healthier and to take on the incredible challenge of walking a marathon while raising money for autism. Our oldest son was diagnosed with autism two years ago and like all families with children, who have autism, it has radically affected our lives. As a result, we desire to help other families like our own. Please consider getting involved with TeamAutism.org's important mission.

See how you can contribute to TeamAutism.org to make a difference and also enjoy a fabulous family trip. Find out more... Teamautismpic2

Autism Research

Many of the families who contact us or attend our trainings are struggling with the same issue: How do I help my child who has autism? With so much information and so many different treatment approaches available many families find it challenging to make decisions about the best intervention(s) for their child. One of our primary objectives at the Oklahoma Autism Network (OAN) is to provide families and professionals with credible and reliable information to assist in making informed choices regarding autism treatment. Beginning with the August OAA newsletter the OAN will provide a research update on a topic related to the cause and treatment of autism. In the meantime, several other great web-based resources that are available include Healing Thresholds (http://autism.healingthresholds.com) and the Association of Science in Autism Treatment (http://www.asatonline.org)

In This Issue

Summer Advance 2009

Spectrum Perspectives

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Quick Links

www.OKAutism.org: Did You Know?

Did you know?
The Oklahoma Autism Network has moved! Please make note of our new address. Our phone numbers and e-mail addresses will remain the same.
1200 North Stonewall Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73117

This 'N That

Our Summer Advance 2009 evening of bowling was great fun!

We had families that participated in Summer Advance bowling and eating pizza together.

Yes it is a STRIKE!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Help the OFCA and the Oklahoma City RedHawks bring "Awareness to Autism" on August 2, 2009. The Oklahoma City RedHawks will host Round Rock Express at 4:05pm. If you would like to attend the game for FREE contact Christie Adams at 405-295-6622 or christie.adams@yfsok.org. Provide your name and number of tickets. Tickets will be available for pick-up from 3:00pm to 4:30pm at the Mickey Mantel Statue on game day. Also the first 500 people through the gate will receive a free t-shirt. You are also invited to stay after the game and let your child run the bases!

It's 1, 2, 3 strikes your out at the Old, Ball Game!

OAN Tip of the Month: Transition from the Sun.....to School Fun!!
Strategies for a Successful Transition Back to School

Summer is coming to an end and the beginning of the school year is right around the corner! The start of the school year can be an exciting time, but for many children with autism getting back into routines can be difficult. Below is a list of strategies to help make the transition back to school this year a success!

If during the summer months your child is used to sleeping later, start to prepare for a school morning by waking him or her up a bit earlier each day.

Make arrangements to visit the teacher or the school a week or two before the first day of school. This will help your child get a mental picture of the setting. Your child's teacher may be able to show them around and walk with them to familiarize them with the school grounds again. (For example, showing them where some important places are: desk, locker, library, cafeteria, playground, school bus pick-up and drop-off area, etc.)

See more on webpage for more school strategies and for information about making your own "About Me" book to introduce your child to his or her new teacher.

Upcoming Trainings and Events

My Child Has Been Diagnosed: What Should I do?

August 5th: A training designed for parents and caregivers of children who have been diagnosed with autism. Part I In Tulsa, OK: Registration

Dr. Vincent Carbonne in OKC August 13 - 15

Dr. Vincent Carbonne will describe the behavioral approach to teaching communication skills to children with autism and other developmental disabilities. This approach is based on B. F. Skinner's analysis of verbal behavior and the research of Michael, Sundberg, Partington, and others.More information...

Autism Tool Kit: Life First!

August 18th : Workshop

Developing a Master Plan for Your Child and Family

September 2nd:

Are you overwhelmed when trying to make decisions about intervention for your child with autism? This training will help. More information...

Autism Tool Kit: Life First!