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Oklahoma Autism Alliance
Helping Oklahoma Families Affected by Autism
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October 2009 |
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Greetings!
Welcome to our monthly newsletter. In the October newsletter we bring you news, projects, trainings, tips for a successful Halloween and fun stories. We hope that you find the monthly newsletter educational, uplifting, and helpful. We strive to bring you information we feel is useful to the community. If there is something that you would like to see us add please let us know at crystal@okautism-ofca.org.
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The National Autism Center National Standards Project
By the Oklahoma Autism Network
One of the many challenges faces by families and professionals is making informed choices regarding intervention for individuals with ASD. As the number of treatment options for ASD has increased families face the daunting challenge of determining which path to choose with regard to interventions to help their child with ASD. The National Standards Project from the National Autism Center is a multi-year project conducted by nationally recognized leaders in the field of autism. The National Standards Report is now available free and provides a review of over 775 research studies and an excellent summary of the current evidence related to intervention for ASD. We strongly encourage families, educators, and other professionals to review this report to learn about current research and to assist in making informed decisions regarding intervention. The National Standards Report is available at www.nationalautismcenter.org under the link 'National Standards Project.'
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Spectrum Perspectives
By Shawna Muns
How Bad Could They Hurt?
Jaymee never fails to amaze me with her strength and endurance. Even during the three month period when she practically stopped eating, she still had the strength of an ox. She was skinny, around 60 pounds, yet still able to hit you like a train. It was during this time that Jaymee tripped and fell receiving a greenstick fracture on her left arm. Since Jaymee has such a high tolerance for pain, the only way I knew something was wrong was when she sat quietly on the couch and did not stim with that arm. The Doctor informed me that Jaymee would need a small cast on her wrist; this was when I really began to panic. Now, worried because not only was she strong, she would have a weapon attached to her arm. My attention was elsewhere as we sat in the packed waiting room for the nurse to take us back, when Jaymee decided to hit me square in the nose with her head. Surprisingly, Jaymee did not hit anyone with her cast for the 24 hours she kept it on her arm. Instead, she pulled the cast off over her wrist and threw it at me, while it was still completely intact! Read More...
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TEAMAUTISM.ORG September 2009 News
Written by Stacey Danielson
In the past few months, several individuals wanting to help TeamAutism.org in a new and exciting way have contacted us. These individuals want to participate in a marathon of their choosing, pay their own entry and travel, and also raise money to benefit the Oklahoma Family for Autism. As a result, we can send 100% of those proceeds to OFCA, the stress to raise a large amount of money is off and we have four individuals already committed to participate this way in marathons this fall and January. We have two moms running in honor of their children in the Route 66 Marathon in November, a mom and dad running in honor of their child in the San Antonio Marathon, an uncle running in honor of his nephew in the Memphis Marathon in December and as of now one mom running in honor of her child in the 2010 Walt Disney World Marathon!
We still have openings for the Walt Disney World Marathon and half Marathon if you or someone you know would be interested in participating in this new way or our established way of fundraising, on behalf of their own child or a family member with autism. We are quickly approaching the deadline of September 30th to register for it so contact us as soon as possible at teamautism.org.
More information... |
| STATE WIDE CONFERENCE |
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We are only two weeks away from Oklahoma's largest ever conference on autism!
Keynote speakers include Dr. James McPartland from the Yale Child Study Center and Dr. Liane Holliday-Willey, a best-selling author who will share her story of living with Asperger Syndrome. If you have not yet registered and would like to learn more you can visit the conference website. More information
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| Oklahoma Autism "Piece Walk/5k" |
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Dash is the Piece Walk mascot and is waiting for you to join him on May 1, 2010 to walk and or run in the first ever Piece Walk and 5K. Register your team today at www.piecewalk.com
The Piece Walk was born to give Oklahoma families affected by autism a day of togetherness, a day to support awareness in our state, and a means to support Oklahoma autism programs. The Piece Walk planning committee is a group of volunteers, many with experience in fundraising, logistics, and community involvement. We aim for the Piece Walk to be the OFCA signature annual event that will allow us to give back to our local Oklahoma communities in supporting the statewide autism conference, grants to Oklahoma Schools, grants to Oklahoma parent-led support groups, and Oklahoma based research.
Our first walk will be held Saturday, May 1 at Bricktown Ballpark. The walk and 5K will begin at 9AM with registration and the resource fair beginning at 7:30 AM. Please join us as we plan for the Oklahoma Piece Walk and 5K Run! We welcome and encourage anyone who would be interested in helping us plan this amazing walk for Oklahoma to join us! We have plenty of space on the committee for new members and new ideas. Our meetings are held once per month, with additional meetings as the walk nears. Most of the committee work can be done from home and from your home computer!
For more information contact;
David and Kathy Thompson, Co-Chairs, Oklahoma Piece Walk and 5K Run
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DID YOU KNOW?
A new study was published in the American Academy of Pediatric's journal Pediatrics found a parent - reported autism prevalence rate of one in every 91 American Children, including one in 58 boys.
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Smarts and Arts, a trivia night, silent auction and art show benefiting ACT, is November 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 100 E. 2nd St. in Tulsa. Tickets are $35 and include a seat at a table of eight to answer team trivia questions, ranging from arts and music, to history, sports and science. Put your team of eight together, or promote your business with a sponsored table. Use your "smarts" to win our grand prize and check out the "arts" on display from children and adults affected by autism. Players will enjoy light refreshments and a cash bar. Get a sitter and leave the kids at home for a fun evening out with friends. Attire is business casual.
Come out to support the Autism Center of Tulsa. Charge by phone at 502.4669 or see www.autismtulsa.org for tickets and more information.
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SIGN UP TODAY! 
Sign up for today, think of a name, register your team and start fundraising!
It's that simple!
"Dash" is waiting for you!
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Tip of the Month
Written By: The Oklahoma Autism Network
Tips for Having a Happy Halloween this year!
Pick out the costume together! Take into account your child's preferences and also sensory concerns. For example: some costumes with full masks, may not work for your child. Some children might like face paint, but others won't be able to tolerate it.
Make your plan for Halloween night. Set a specific time to leave the house, plan a path you will take for trick or treating, and plan for what to do when you get home. Stick to this plan! (Can thy eat candy when you get home? Can they dump candy out? If the candy is not a good choice, what substitute treat can they have?
Keep it simple. You know your child, what is reasonable to expect? Can they only handle trick or treating to 1 or 2 hours? That's ok, make those a success! Read more... |
Upcoming Trainings and Events
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Understanding and Teaching Students with Asperger Syndrome
October 22nd
Harvest of Hope Reunion
October 24th
Join the Oklahoma Family Network for the 2009 Harvest of Hope Reunion
Challenging Behavior: What Should I Do?
October 29th
Part II: Use the PBS framework to prevent and replace challenging behavior. Tulsa, OK
Supporting Children with Autism You can do it...We can help
October 29th- October 30th
My Child Has Been Diagnosed: What Should I Do? November 4th
A training designed for parents and caregivers of children who have been diagnosed with autism. Part II: Learn strategies you can use now... Oklahoma City, OK M
Oklahoma Statewide Conference
November 6th and 7th
FREE TRAINING! "Basic Workshop"
November 10th
Hosted by, Oklahoma Parents Center, Inc, in partnership with the Martin Luther King Center. Featured Presenter: Andrea Stamper. For more information please contact Ellen Kimbrell at 405-845-8660 or info@oklahomaparentscenter.org.
My Child Has Been Diagnosed: What Should I Do?
November 18th
A training designed for parents and caregivers of children who have been diagnosed with autism. Part II: Learn strategies you can use now...Tulsa, OK
Smarts & Arts
November 19th
Understanding Asperger Syndrome
December 2nd
My Child Has Been Diagnosed: What Should I Do?
December 2nd A training designed for parents and caregivers of children who have been diagnosed with autism. Part III: Build your team. Oklahoma City, OK
My Child Has Been Diagnosed: What Should I Do?
December 9th
A training designed for parents and caregivers of children who have been diagnosed with autism. Part III: Build your team. Tulsa, OK
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