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Oklahoma Autism Alliance
Helping Oklahoma Families Affected by Autism
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December 2009 |
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Greetings!
It is hard to believe that the year is coming to an end. 2009 brought us many new exciting things to our state. We had our first Summer Advance, our first Statewide autism conference, our first annual golf tournament "Drive for Autism", marathons, family fun nights, and wonderful speakers. We hope that you all had a great year with your local support groups. We look forward to 2010 to see what it will bring to our Oklahoma autism communities.
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The First Oklahoma Statewide Autism Conference
By the Oklahoma Autism Network
During the first weekend in November there was an historic event in Norman, OK, and it had nothing to do with football. The Embassy Suites Norman-Hotel & Conference Center was the site of the first Oklahoma Statewide Autism Conference. This event was the culmination of 18 months of planning.
Early in the planning process the acronym T.I.M.E. was adopted as the
theme for the conference, indicating that folks from throughout Oklahoma and the United States would come Together to share and receive Information to build Momentum to create Empowered Oklahomans involved with Autism. Read more...
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Spectrum Perspectives
By Shawna Muns
Wrong Again
Jaymee never seems to pass up an opportunity to prove me wrong. Each time I take her into a situation which I predict she might not respond well, she does amazing. I spend so much time preparing and warning people of the events to come, yet Jaymee never follows through. Recently, I attended the statewide Oklahoma Autism Conference. I couldn't wait to get the current information on autism spectrum disorders, broaden my knowledge, and receive advice from the many professionals/parents on a number of topics including Jaymee's behavioral issues. Currently, Jaymee is having problems at school. She is consistently sending staff to the doctor as a result of her unique aggressive behaviors. On the second day of the Autism Conference, I had to bring Jaymee with me. My son, Jaymee's sitter for the day, stayed up late and was unable to fully wake up that morning. For both HIS and her safety I decided to take Jaymee. I prepared myself for a long day as I expected Jaymee's "true colors" to show. I warned others, kept her close to me, and did all I could to avoid a meltdown. We attended a number of informative sessions, went out to lunch, shopped at Sam's Club, had dinner, and then made the drive to home. By the end of a very long twelve hour day, with Jaymee out of her typical routine, not a single occurrence took place and now I am left, wrong again.
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| News Update |
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NEWS!
By Dee Blose
The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy has put improving options for health care coverage for children with autism on their advocacy agenda for the upcoming legislative session. While Nick's Law cannot be heard in the House of Representatives this session, we continue to have the opportunity to advocate for children through the Institute. Several outreach activities are being planned for the spring with legislative members. If you are interested in participating in these outreach efforts, please let us know and we will pass on your information to the organizers. WE CANNOT GIVE UP GETTING COVERAGE FOR OUR CHILDREN.
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| Holidays Are Here
By the Oklahoma Autism Network
The holidays bring special times but also can bring special challenges for families of people on the autism spectrum. The Autism Society of American provides some great helpful tips for families for the holiday season. |
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PARENT SURVEY:
Availability of ABA Services for Children with ASD
Suzanne Letso is a member of OAR's Scientific Council and is the Chief Executive Officer of the Connecticut Center for Child Development, Inc. In the message below, she asks for help conducting research regarding the availability of ABA services for children on the autism spectrum. The information collected will be used to provide an important resource to families of individuals with autism spectrum disorders across the country. When completed, CCCD will post the results on its Web site and send you a summary upon request. Your help would be greatly appreciated!
Dear autism professionals and parents of children with autism spectrum disorders:
I am writing on behalf of the Connecticut Center for Child Development, Inc. CCCD is a non-profit organization providing educational services for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families located in Milford, CT. We are currently gathering information on the availability of qualified providers of Applied Behavior Analytic (ABA) programming for people with autism throughout the country, which will help us be more effective advocates for people with autism and their families.
If you are a professional working with individuals with autism, we would appreciate your assistance in forwarding this survey to parents of children with autism.
If you are a parent of a child with autism, please take a few moments to answer this short survey. This survey will take less than 5 minutes of your time. All responses are confidential. We hope that you will forward this questionnaire to other parents as well. Please click the link to access the survey at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZKXRJBN
We will post the results of this survey on our website, but if you would also like to receive the summary data from this survey please send us an email at letso@cccdinc.org.
Yours truly,
Suzanne Letso, M.A., BCBA
Chief Executive Officer
Connecticut Center for Child Development, Inc.
www.cccdinc.org
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| Cutting Edge
By the Oklahoma Autism Network
The American Academy of Pediatrics recently published the first randomized controlled trial showing the effectiveness of early intervention for toddlers with ASD using a comprehensive behavioral intervention approach. The study included 48 toddlers between 18- 30 months diagnosed with ASD. The toddlers were assigned to one of two groups; 1) group one received intensive intervention based on the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) that included yearly assessments, 20 hours per week of ESDM from clinicians, parent training, parent delivery of services 5 or more hours per week based on the ESDM model, and additional community-based services that the parent chose; and 2) group two received yearly assessments and recommendations and referral to community providers for services. This group reported receiving approximately 9 hours per week of individual intervention and up to 9 hours per week of group interventions during the two year period of the study. Read more... |
| The OAN Resource Center
PURPOSE
The Oklahoma Autism Network Resource Center is available for professionals and family members. The Resource Center has a computer lab with Boardmaker and color printer that anybody can access! If you want to make a visual schedule, social story, communication book, or any other type of visual support, this is the perfect opportunity! We also have autism resource books and examples of visual supports available!
WHO
Resource Center is open to professionals and family members.
WHEN
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9:00am to 12:00pm
WHERE
Oklahoma Autism Network
1200 N. Stonewall Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73117
For more information contact:
The Oklahoma Autism Network at
(405) 271-7476 or at okautism@ouhsc.edu. Hope to see you there!
HOUSEKEEPING RULES
Contact us ahead of time to insure that the lab is open.
- If you want to save your projects, bring your own disk or flash drive.
- Please do not download any programs on the computers.
- Bring your own laminating sheets (9 ½ by 11) or you can purchase them at the lab for .25 a page. We have a laminator available.
- Bring your own Velcro or you can purchase Velcro for 1.00 a foot.
- Let us know if you have any problems with the computer you are working on.
- No food or drink in the computer lab.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Oklahoma has another great opportunity for autism awareness, but we need your help. If we can get 100 pre-orders for an autism awareness license plate then the Oklahoma Tax Commission will allow us to create a license plate. This is an amazing opportunity for Oklahomans to see our support and create autism awareness with in our state. The license plates are only $18.00 and we must have 100 pre-ordered by April 1st. Please click here to down load the pre-order form. Share this information with your family and friends in your community today!
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Autism Night Before Christmas
by Cindy Waeltermann
Twas the Night Before Christmas
And all through the house
The creatures were stirring
Yes, even the mouse
We tried melatonin
And gave a hot bath
But the holiday jitters
They always distract
The children were finally
All nestled in bed
When nightmares of terror
Ran through my OWN head
Did I get the right gift
The right color
And style
Would there be a tantrum
Or even, maybe, a smile?
Our relatives come
But they don't understand
The pleasure he gets
Just from flapping his hands.
"He needs discipline," they say
"Just a well-needed smack,
You must learn to parent..."
And on goes the attack
We smile and nod
Because we know deep inside
The argument is moot
Let them all take a side
We know what it's like
To live with the spectrum
The struggles and triumphs
Achievements, regressions...
But what they don't know
And what they don't see
Is the joy that we feel
Over simplicity
He said "hello"
He ate something green!
He told his first lie!
He did not cause a scene!
He peed on the potty
Who cares if he's ten,
He stopped saying the same thing
Again and again!
Others don't realize
Just how we can cope
How we bravely hang on
At the end of our rope
But what they don't see
Is the joy we can't hide
When our children with autism
Make the tiniest stride
We may look at others
Without the problems we face
With jealousy, hatred
Or even distaste,
But what they don't know
Nor sometimes do we
Is that children with autism
Bring simplicity.
We don't get excited
Over expensive things
We jump for joy
With the progress work brings
Children with autism
Try hard every day
That they make us proud
More than words can say.
They work even harder
Than you or I
To achieve something small
To reach a star in the sky
So to those who don't get it
Or can't get a clue
Take a walk in my shoes
And I'll assure you
That even 10 minutes
Into the walk
You'll look at me
With respect, even shock.
You will realize
What it is I go through
And the next time you judge
I can assure you
That you won't say a thing
You'll be quiet and learn,
Like the years that I did
When the tables were turned... |
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SIGN UP TODAY! 
Sign up today, think of a name, register your team and start fundraising!
It's that simple!
"Dash" is waiting for you!
Attention all Runners,
our 5k route has been certified and is now posted.
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Calendar and Trainingpcoming Trainings and Events
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Watch for the Oklahoma Autism Network's 2010 training calendar early next year
Oklahoma Statewide Autism Conference speaker handouts are now available.
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| Closing Headline |
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