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April 16, 2012 

Work Incentive Program Under Threat

The 1999 Ticket to Work Act mandated counseling services as a foundation to help increase employment for Americans with disabilities who experience long breaks from the workforce, or who are starting work for the first time.

The Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program which provides certified benefits and work incentive counseling to individuals on SSDI and SSI will end June 30, 2012 unless Congress extends and/or reauthorizes the funding for this program. A partner program, Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS), providing legal protections for beneficiaries, will end Sept. 30, 2012, without reauthorization. The WIPA program cannot be extended without Congressional Action.

TRICARE for Kids Bill Introduced

TRICARE for Kids, a bipartisan bill (H.R.4341) aiming to better shape the policies and practices of TRICARE military benefits to account for the needs of children, has been introduced to congress. The TRICARE program covers 9.6 million individuals including military retirees, active duty military and their families. TRICARE for Kids works to assist the department in its efforts to develop and encourage health care practices designed to address the specific health care needs of military children. Check opencongress.org's blog for updated information.

Tax Filing Deadline: April 17

If you are not going to get your taxes in on time, here is some information from the IRS website about what you can do: (www.irs.gov )

School Lunches - "Meat Product" Controversy

Despite being spurned by the biggest fast food restaurants, the USDA has purchased 7 million pounds of "pink slime" for inclusion in school lunches.

http://www.educationnews.org/k-12-schools/school-cafeterias-continue-to-use-pink-slime-meat-product/

"Bully" changed to PG-13

An edited version of the film "Bully" featuring several students with disabilities was released across the U.S. on April 13 with a PG-13 rating. The Motion Picture Association of America initially gave the film an R rating for language, meaning kids under 17 were restricted from seeing it without an accompanying adult. The MPAA declined to change the rating when The Weinstein Co. appealed. The company released the film March 30. This page lists sites where the movie will be shown.

Obesity & Autism Connection?

Arizona's  Department of Health Services featured information from this week's journal Pediatrics that points toward the importance of preconception health - including maintaining a healthy weight before and during pregnancy. The authors explored the relationship between metabolic disorders like diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and outcomes like autism and other developmental delays. They found an association between metabolic disorders and neuro-developmental problems in children. The article concludes that "With obesity rising steadily, these results appear to raise serious public health concerns".  

Newborn Audiology Screening

The Office of Newborn Screening, a division of Public Health Preparedness within the Department of Health Services is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the testing for congenital disorders and the reporting of hearing test results are conducted in an effective and efficient manner. The program provides education to the general public, the medical community, parents and professional groups. The state laboratory is the only testing facility for the program. Learn more by reading ARS § 36-694. News & Publications: 2011 Arizona Pediatric Audiology Guidelines

New App: DisabilityConnect

A new app from The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) helps mobile device users find contact information for organizations providing information on disabilities, special education, early intervention, support groups, and more. i-phone users can download it here and android smart phone users from there.

The 3rd Annual 2012 Health & Wellness Fair

Friday, April 27th 12:00pm - 5:00pm

& Saturday, April 28th 10:00am - 4:00pm

5025 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034

Screenings: * Health Screenings* Dental Screenings and Oral Health Instructions* Blood Glucose* Blood Pressure* Hearing* Heart Rate* Temperature

Presentations: AHCCCS/Mental Health Fitness and Health* Service Animals* Deaf and Hard of Hearing* Healthy and Nutritious Dime Cooking Demonstration* Metabolic Syndrome* Natural Therapies* Talking Books* Transportation* Virtual Tours* Special Needs Trusts

More information at www.abil.org/wellness

Autism Spectrum Disorders in Higher Education

ASU's hosts the Annual Symposium on Autism Spectrum Disorders in Higher Education. 

April 20, 2012  

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

ASU Polytechnic campus 

Presentations will focus on student success and student programs at the postsecondary level. Presentations will cover summer internships with companies like IBM, the new student organization ASD@ASU, as well as ASU student entrepreneurs with ASD.  One student team, Alien's Guide to the Galaxy, will be launching their mobile application designed to support individuals with ASD. 

Intended for Educators, Advocates, Parents, High School Students, College Students, Clinicians, ASU Faculty and Staff invited to register by emailing Tricia.Bawn@asu.edu. 

Free Car Seat Check-up

Friday, April 20, 2012

8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Tempe Marketplace, Loop 101 and 202, Tempe, AZ

Fragile X Lecture - Free

SARRC's Physician Outreach Program Presents:

The Autism Medical Champions

Distinguished Lecture Series

Fragile X Research: A Work in Progress

A presentation for families and professionals

By: Dr. Elizabeth Berry-Kravis, Professor or Pediatrics, Neurology, Biochemistry at Rush University Medical Center

Date:        Monday, April 23, 2012

Time:        5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Cost:         No cost

Location:   The Sanders Center for Autism Studies, SARRC, 2225 N. 16th St.,  Phoenix, AZ 85006

Please RSVP by April 13 online at www.autismcenter.org  under "Upcoming Events"

AZ ASSIST Gaming Day

Saturday April 28th

To celebrate this year's Autism Awareness & Acceptance month, AZ ASSIST is holding a Gaming Day from 10 am - 8 pm at their East Valley location, 2150 E. Southern Ave, Tempe.

It's an all day event to introduce teens & young adults with autism to social gaming. Teens and young adults with gaming experience are invited to come down and share what they know. Volunteers are needed to help out. Come and join in the fun!
For more information, visit: http://azassist.com/page/AZ+ASSIST+Gaming+Day

Schedule to be posted online about a week prior.
Cost is $5, prepackaged food & soda will be available for sale onsite. There are lockers available - bring your own lock. 

Family Centered Autism Program Conference

When: May 11, 2012

Time: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Where: The Arizona Biltmore, 2400 East Missouri Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85016

In the Mesa Room

Late Registration (After April 5th)

• $100- Professionals and CEU's
• $75-Individuals on the spectrum, families, parents

Continental breakfast will be served. Lunch will be on your own.

Registration can be done online at www.touchstonebh.org , over the phone, or in person.

Touchstone Behavioral Health's Family Centered Autism Program presents their 1st Annual Conference. This conference is aimed toward educating and inspiring family, friends, professionals, educators, or any-one else whose life has been enriched by someone with autism.

The 13th Annual Arizona Survivors of Suicide Conference

Saturday, May 19, 2012

8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Black Canyon Conference Center, 9440 North 25th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85021

Sponsored by EMPACT-Suicide Prevention Center

The day will be focused on Hope and Healing, utilizing a lecture format, discussion, and experiential exercises designed to deepen and expand the understanding of grief, specifically as it relates to loss by suicide.

Conference Objectives:

• To increase knowledge about the dynamics of grief after suicide
• To explore opportunities in the grieving process for personal growth, which can lead survivors out of a tunnel of despair, into a journey of hope and acceptance
• To provide a forum for survivors to learn new coping skills

Cost: Survivors - $10.00, Professionals - $15.00

Registration due by Monday, May 14th, 2012

Walk-ins are welcome, but pre-registration is preferred; lunch will be based on availability. 

For more information or questions, please contact Sandra McNally at 480-784-1514, ext. 1219 or Sandra.McNally@empact-spc.com  

Future Horizons Autism/Asperger's Conference

Friday, May 4, 2012

In Tucson at the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort

Featuring Dr. Temple Grandin, a noted scientist who has autism; Eustacia Cutler, the mother of Temple Grandin; and Rebecca Moyes, MEd, who shares practical strategies for teaching social skills and dealing with the behavioral challenges that impact students' success in the mainstream, and the author of Building Sensory Friendly Classrooms.

Throughout the conference there will be an extensive resources/book table available, as well as excellent networking opportunities with other local parents/caregivers, SLPs, OTs, PTs, ABAs, counselors, special ed teachers, psychologists, physicians, social workers, etc., within the multiple ASD-related communities 

For more information (including CEUs and Graduate Credits), to register, and/or to download a (PDF) conference brochure, please visit their website at: http://fhautism.com/Conferences/tabid/91/Default.aspx or call Future Horizons at 800-489-0727.

March for Mental Health in Sierra Vista

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Apache Middle School, 3305 E. Fry Blvd., Sierra Vista

Distance: 5K

Registration begins 7:00 a.m., March start time 8:00 a.m.

No cost to participate

Register online at www.marchformentalhealth.com 

For more information, please contact NAMI SEAZ 

email: Namiseaz.march4mh@gmail.com 

Ph: (520) 459-3228; (800) 380-2322; Fax: (520) 378-4266

Hydrocephalus Support Group Meeting

Barrow Neurological Institute

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) Support Group Meeting

When: Tuesday, May 22, 2012, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Where: Sonntag Academic Pavilion, Barrow Neurological Institute, 350 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013

Parking: Park in the 3rd Avenue Garage & cross 3rd Avenue at crosswalk

Once across the street, continue straight into building marked Sonntag Academic Pavilion

Guest Speaker: Joseph Zabramski, MD, Co-Director, Barrow NPH Center - Nationally recognized in the treatment of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.  Please RSVP to Maggie Bobrowitz by e-mail: info@hydroassoc.org

Tory did not know what to do about her son's difficulties at school. She knew Chris was smart, but each day the conflicts were getting worse and her relationship with the school was becoming adversarial.

The worst part was "Chris was not getting the help he needed," explained Tory. After an evaluation revealed that Chris was struggling with Aspergers and ADHD, a doctor referred Tory to Raising Special Kids for help in getting an appropriate education program in place for her son.

Through Raising Special Kids, Tory learned how to use effective advocacy techniques and was able to work with the school in developing an individualized learning program for Chris that has turned school into a positive experience.

Raising Special Kids needs your help to serve more families like Tory's. Please make your donation today through our secure online system. A donation of any amount is greatly appreciated.

Raising Special Kids' Parent Leaders share valuable experience and knowledge with new parents. As mentors they build confidence, increase advocacy skills, and provide support that decreases the isolation and grief new parents often feel when learning of a child's disability. Last year, Parent Leaders mentored 360 new parents. 0ver 90% reported they improved their ability to work with professionals, and their ability to provide for their child's needs, services, and care.

For information about Parent Leader Training, contact Janna Murrell at Raising Special Kids 602-242-4366 or jannam@raisingspecialkids.org

You are awesome!  Thanks so much for you quick and thorough responses.  I really appreciate your support and will follow up on everything you send to me.

To register, call 602-242-4366 or click on the link to register online.

Unless otherwise indicated, workshops are located at our office in the Disability Empowerment Center (DEC).

Please do not wear fragrances in the DEC facilities.

Raising Special Kids

5025 E. Washington St., Suite 204

Phoenix, AZ 85034

Advanced IEP Training

 April 17, 2012

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Receive an in-depth view of the IEP and strategies to help maximize the potential of each student. (Recommended: First attend IEP Basics) 

High School Transition

April 19, 2012

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Learn how the transition plan in a student's IEP in high school can prepare for higher education, employment and life in the community.  Resources discussed.