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Weekly Update February 5, 2010
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| Greetings!
I'm happy top announce another Social Skills Group for Preschool Children ages 3-5 on the Autism Spectrum that is being funded by the Division of Autism. This group will meet on Wednesdays at Pediatric Behavioral Health and will be facilitated by Dawne Hartnett LICSW who is a former Early Intervention Director. Like the other groups listed below Children must be Division eligible to particpate. This can be accomplished by calling us here at the Resource Center and we can file an application on your behalf with DDS. Once an application has been filed , your child may participate in a group. The exception would be those who have filed in previous years but never followed through on the process, those families must complete the intake process before they can be funded again.
We've two groups in the North Central area which are ready to roll - we just need parents to apply. One group is for preschoolers and the other is for teens. This is an opportunity to tap into services that you normally have to fund out of pocket to improve your child's ability to navigate the social world.
Our own group for Elementary aged children Drumming for Fun Social Skills group that was to have started this week has been postponed due to lack of enrollment. The Autism's Got Talent Group has begun meeting but there is still room for more teens and this group will run through the spring. If you'd like to have your child participate in any groups, please call us so we get groups going. Information on the groups being funded can be found below.
We are also funding up to $240.00 /eligible child for other providers not listed below so that if your child is already enrolled in a group and has an on-going therapeutic relationship with
a group, you too can tap into the funding provided by the division. Call me if you'd like to avail yourself of these funds, your child must be division eligible, no disbursement of funds will be made directly to families, only to providers. Families will need to have provisers submit an invoice and a w-9 to the Resource Center.
Vacation week is quickly approaching, we've activities planned and something for everyone. The Franklin Pump It Up session is closed but the Wednesday Morning Movie, the Princess & The Frog, has plenty of room and we can still add folks to the bowling event in Gardner. Friday night we finish with the Teen Dance at the Manor, hope to see some of you next week
I'm very pleased to share that we've added a staff member here at the Resource Center , many of you already know Cid DeLeo from Camp. Cid will be working with me doing office management, accounts payable and other clerical chores that will free me up to interface with families and professionals. She will also assist with some activities and evening hours, so that we can sustain programs and activities you've come to rely on, please welcome her to our comunity.
Sue
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Calendar
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To register for an event click here
All events , unless otherwise specified take place at the Resource Center
FEBRUARY CALENDAR
February 10, 2010
Moms & Tots
4-6 PM
Autism Support Group
7-9 PM
February 12, 2010
Autism Support Group for
Spanish Speaking Families
9:30 AM- 11:30 AM
February 15, 2010
Center Closed
February 16, 2010
Family Fun Day
Pump It Up
1376 West Central St
Franklin MA 02038
1:00 PM- 2:30 PM
REGISTRATION CLOSED
February 17, 2010
Family Fun at the Movies
West Boylston Cinema
10 AM
Suggested Donation $5.00/family
February 17, 2010
Support Group for Parents of Teens
Sally Fogel M.Ed
Sexuality,Teens and Disability
(snow date March 17)7-9 PM
February 18, 2010
Family Fun Day
Bowling & Pizza
Gardner Ten Pins
560 West Broadway
Gardner MA 01440
11 AM-1 PM
Suggested Donation $5.00/family
February 19, 2010
Winter Ball
Teens and their Teen Sibs
Winter Dinner Dance
The Manor Restaurant
W. Boylston St., W. Boylston
6:30pm-9:30pm
$15.00/teen $30.00/family cap
Parent Night Out at Same Location
February 24, 2010
Grand Parents Support Group
7-9 PM
February 26, 2010
Support Group for Parents raising Children with Severe Low
Functioning Autism
How to make a weighted blanket
10 AM- 12 Noon |
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Legislative Alert |
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"Stating Our Case"
Preserving the Disability Safety Net Forums
Attendance of All Press, Legislators, Advocates, Stakeholders & Friends Requested
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 - 6:45 p.m.
Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center
As the FY2011 State Budget is being debated, the Southern Worcester County ARC, Inc. (Center of Hope) and other area providers of Disability Services desire to "State Our Case"... to use this forum to allow not only our legislators to understand the needs of people with disabilities, but our local town councilors, selectmen, neighbors and friends, as well.
Often, the general public is not aware of the vital importance and the cost effectiveness of the private provider non-profit companies serving people with developmental and other disabilities. This is the opportunity to learn what those programs do to allow people to be contributing members of their communities and to lead the most meaningful and fulfilling lives possible, and why those budget line items that pertain to these services need to be adequately funded to support them. These line items have been level funded or cut for over 20 years, and cannot afford to be cut much more... people and families will suffer. Our community needs to value the folks we serve. These services are vital.
All are invited. Advocates, agencies and legislators will be attending and participating, but we also want the folks to participate who don't know how their tax money is being spent in this field. Stakeholders already know what we need. It is time for the "uninformed" to gain that knowledge, too. Please join us in the discussion!
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March 5, 2010
Legislative Breakfast at Clark University |
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Division of Autism Social Skills Funding |
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The Resource Center received funds from DDS's Autism Division to benefit families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, here in Central Massachusetts. Again we decided to take all the funding provided by the division and put it towards funding Social Skills Programs for Division of Autism eligible children with Asperger Syndrome or High Functioning Autism up to the age 18.
Parents interested in receiving funding must first call the Resource Center to be approved for funding . If you have not contacted DDS to determine if your child is eligible you can call us at the Resource Center and we will assist you in filing an application. After being verified for funding families may call the various providers below to schedule an intake . Clinicians make the final decision for inclusion in a group .
Additionally we have reserved some of the funding for those who have been in a therapeutic relationship with other providers and attend Social Skills groups. No funds will be released to families, providers will be sent the funding for approved children directly. For more information contact Sue Loring at 508 -298- 1605
WEST BROOKFIELD
West Brookfield Counseling Center, 62 Ware St, W. Brookfield has groups for children ages 4-18 . Contact Brenda or Norman Tonelli at the Center at : (508)-867-4451
WORCESTER
Family Works at 51 Union Street # 304 in Worcester will have a group for children 6-10 years old facilitated by Fran Peterson Med. CAGS, LMHC The Group will begin April 2, 2010 and meet on Mondays 4-5:15 PM Contact the Office at (508-791-9340 ext 2 ) for intake
WEST BOYLSTON
The Center, in collaboration with Rich Keelan of Pediatric Behavioral Health and Summit Academy is funding a group for teens & tweens 11-22 that will run 16 weeks and culminate in the production of a Talent Showcase in May. This Group initially was scheduled for 3-4 Pm on Tuesdays - The time has changed to 3:30- 4:45 PM Funding this group allows us to have an offering for older teens not covered by the Division For more information on this group and to register your talented teen go to page 7 of the Winter Newsletter which you can access if you click here
Social Skills Group for Preschool Age Children (3-5) at Pediatric Behavioral Health facilitated by Dawne Hartnett LICSW. Tentative start date March 3, 2009 4:30 PM call 508-835-4278 for intake after qualifying for funding
Dates for The Next Two groups will be pushed out 2 weeks to allow for more people to enroll
FITCHBURG Valerie Chase
Early Childhood Enrichment Center
Saturdays 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM
February 6;13;27 - March 6;13;27
Ages 2.9 - 5 years
Contact Valerie Chase at 774-285-6153
DEVENS -Valerie Chase
Group for Teens at Devens Academy
Fridays 5:45 PM - 7:30 PM
February 5;12; 26 - March 5;12;26
Ages 13 - 17 .11 years
Contact Valerie Chase at 774-285-6153
HARVARD
Peter Pan Center Ayer Rd in Harvard offers groups for children aged 4-14 , call Donna Shea BA at 978-772-1255 for intake
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Autism in the Media |
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Claire Danes did her research for role of autistic scientist
"The only critic I cared about": Claire Danes says her portrayal of Temple Grandin got an enthusiastic response from the real Grandin
By Donna Freydkin, USA TODAY
NEW YORK - Being married to an actor has its privileges.
When Claire Danes was first prepping to play the autistic author and animal behavior expert Temple Grandin in the HBO film of the same name, she didn't have to leave home. That's thanks to her husband, Hugh Dancy, who portrayed a man with Asperger's syndrome in the 2009 drama Adam.
Journal Retracts Study Backing Vaccine-Autism Link
This week, the British medical journal the Lancet formally retracted a 1998 study that helped set off the debate over the safety of vaccines and whether they may be connected to later diagnoses of autism in children. read more
Autism parents haunted by question: Why?
By Madison Park
The retraction of a controversial study that suggested a link between autism and a childhood vaccine has been little comfort to Joe Dimino.
Dimino, whose 5-year-old son has a type of autism, said it only made him more disillusioned with the medical establishment. While Dimino does not believe vaccines cause autism, he's not entirely convinced the shots are harmless.
The now-discredited study published in the Lancet in 1998 raised the possibility of a link between autism and the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. The study had become a rallying point for many parents questioning the safety of childhood vaccinations.
"We feel like we're getting yanked around with this information -- how can you say something and say sorry 12 years later?" said Dimino, of Belton, Missouri. "That's the way it feels."
It left him feeling "more mistrustful of both 'communities,'" he wrote in his iReport.
Even without the vaccine-autism controversy, parents of children with autism live with a constant question that no scientist or doctor has been able to answer: Why?
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HELP WANTED |
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Attention motorcycle riders & enthusiasts! We are hoping to once again capture the excitement of a motorcycle ride fundraiser to carry on the success of our first ever ride in 2009. But, we can't do it alone; we need a group to help us make this happen. If you're interested in helping to organize our newest fundraising event, the RIDE FOR HOPE this summer, please contact Cheryl Chan at cchan@hmea.org.
"Our amazing 2010 Golf Tournament Group has already begun making plans to make our tournament at Sterling Country Club on September 28th the best ever! They are seeking graphics artists to design a new logo for the event. If you or anyone you know is willing to submit something (free of charge) for consideration, please submit entries to the group at golf@autismresourcecentral.org."
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Music Swim and Gym Programs |
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The Drumming For Fun Social Skills Program POSTPONED DUE TO LOW ENROLLMENT will begin it's 2 ND session beginning on Friday February 5th . This is a great opportunity for students with Asperger's or Autism to meet for a fun recreational activity and practice their social skills. Brianne Miers, a board certified music therapist run this successful drumming program using hand drums and guitar. Skills include: reciprocal conversation, introductions and closing dialogue, choices and turn-taking, waiting, sharing, response to disappointment, responsibility for self and the property of others.
The Sensory Gym at Sterling Academy begins February 6th, the last two sessions of this gym will be in March at the Girl's Inc Fuller Aquatics Center for Sensory activities in the water. There is still 1 space open for younger children and a few spaces for the older kids The Sensory Gym in Oxford will begin the end of February.
Shake It Up - Music and Movement for kids aged 3-6 is being offered on Wednesday Afternoons here at the Resource Center and Saturdays in Rutland at the Library staring in late February. Susan Warren MT-BC will be the therapist for these parent Child sessions. Space is limited so sign up to reserve your space.
Jammin Moves for Bodies and Brains is scheduled to begin in March at Girls Inc This group welcomes parent child pairs AND sibs! The Whole family has fun in these sessions which incorporate fun music, exercise, brain gym elements and martial arts moves, led by Bonnie Wallace MT-BC.
Autism Has Talent , Our 16 week Social Skills Group for Kids aged 11- 22 centered around creating a Talent Showcase is beginning soon with a CHANGE IN TIME, the group will meet 3:30- 4:45 Pm on Tuesdays , to allow more time for travel from school to the Center. You don't have to have a talent to showcase, Set design, Computer skills for playbills, backstage crew and filming will all be roles we'll need. This group is designed for those who can function without a 1: 1 Aide.
for more information on this program click here
Don't miss out on these therapeutic , affordable, activities !!!
For more information and a registration form click here |
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Community Calendar
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YOU ARE INVITED!
Autism Speaks, in collaboration with AFAM, The Family Autism Center, The Doug Flutie Foundation , Melmark , NAshoba earning group and the Autism Resource Center is having a family day at Boston University's Women's Ice Hockey Game along with the BU Terriers Men's Ice Hockey Team!
Date: Sunday, February 21st, 2010
Time: Game starts at 3:00 pm - Families should arrive at 2:30 pm to meet with the men's
Hockey players.
Place: Walter Brown Arena at BU (Located inside the Case Center at 285 Babcock Street)
Details: We will have our own section in the stands. The men's hockey players will be joining us for the game and will sign autographs and take pictures.
This event is FREE to our invited families! Concession stands will be open if anyone wants to buy snacks.
Parking is available directly across from the arena on Babcock Street.
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Miracle League of Massachusetts
(Baseball for special needs children)
Spring Season 2010
Saturdays - May 1st to June 12th
1 hour game time starts in AM (games done by noon)
Blanchard Memorial Elementary School Ball Field
493 Massachusetts Ave., Boxborough
Every player gets on base and scores a run each inning · Every player assigned a buddy from the community to assist with the game · Announcer makes it fun for the kids · FREE to participate (includes uniform) · We have players with all range of abilities (from just needing help paying attention to physically needing help with all aspects of the game) · Visit our website at www.miracleleagueofma.com to see video from previous seasons or to obtain a registration form. · For more information or to register a 5 to 18 year old, contact Lauren Richardt at miracleleagueofma@yahoo.com or 978-263-3043. Registration deadline is April 1st. ____________________________________________________________________________________
NECC 2010 FREE PARENT TRAINING SERIES
Beginning this month, NECC will be hosting a series of Free Parent Trainings on a variety of topics. All of the trainings will occur at NECC and are free and open to the public. Parents can RSVP by going to www.necc.org or contacting Andrea Strickland at (508) 481-1015 x4030. (Please RSVP so we reserve enough space)
Tues. February 23 Potty Power! Toilet Training Young Children with Autism (7-9pm) Mon. March 1 How to Make Good Decisions About the Use of Psychotropic Medications (7-9pm) Mon. March 22 Meeting the Social Needs of Children with Autism (7-9pm) Tues. April 13 Trends in Autism Research: What the Data Do and Do Not Tell Us (7-9pm) Sat. May 1 Challenging Behavior Part 1: Pro-Active Strategies for Managing Challenging Behavior (10am-12pm) Sat. May 1 Challenging Behavior Part 2: De-escalation of Challenging Behavior (1pm-3pm) Tues. May 4 Transition Planning for Adult Placement (7pm-9pm) Mon. May 17 Overcoming the Challenges of Community-Based Activities (7pm-9pm) Mon. June 7 Supporting Siblings of Children with Autism (7pm-9pm) Tues. June 22 Increasing Motivation in Individuals with Autism (7pm-9pm)
____________________________________________________________________________ Dudley-Charlton Parent Partners
Supporting Each Other - Supporting Our Children
Parents helping Parents
Please join us at any of our upcoming meetings listed below. All meetings will be held at the Charlton Public Library (Community Room) on Wednesdays from 9:30-11am. Children are welcome!
March 17th / April 7th / May 5th / May 19th / June 2nd
Feel free to ask questions and/or share your concerns with our parent support team. We are here for you! Parents from surrounding school districts are welcome! We look forward to meeting you soon.
The Dudley-Charlton Parent Partners' hosts a community forum for parents of children with special needs and learning differences, to mentor and support each other, while navigating the challenges of home, community and education. Many families may be familiar with some of the following terms: IEP, 504 Plan, PT, OT, EI, SLP, ABA. Join us to talk, network and share resources. Discussion topics range from; Social Skills Issues, Summer Camps, Play Dates, Sensory Integration, Community Activities, Strategies to Effectively Collaborate with the Schools, and much, much more.
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The Autism and Developmental Disorders Colloquium Series at MIT
"Neurexins and neuroligins - from synaptic cell adhesion to autism"
Thomas C. Südhof, MD
Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Avram Goldstein Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine
6:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 10, 2010
MIT Building 46-3002 (auditorium), followed by a reception Building Address: 43 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
Hosted by Damon Page, Ph.D., Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT
Neural circuits consist of networks of synapses that mediate human perception, thought, and behavior, and are impaired in cognitive diseases such as autism.
The formation and plasticity of synaptic networks depend on synaptic cell-adhesion molecules, such as neurexins and neuroligins, that interact with each other at synapses. This lecture will discuss neurexins and neuroligins as central determinants of the properties and plasticity of neural circuits, and the dysfunction of neurexins and neuroligins in autism and other neural circuit disorders.
Supported by the Simons Initiative on Autism and the Brain at MIT
(web.mit.edu/autism)
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The Lurie Family Autism LADDERS program is proud to announce the 3rd Annual: Roger A. Bauman M.D. Parent Lecture Series for 2010
January - June 2010 Speaker/Topic Schedule
*February 24, 2010 Mike Mancusi, LICSW and Dorothea Ianuzzi, LICSW "Living with Autism: Making Sense of the Loss."
March 24, 2010 Physician Panel, Lurie Family Autism Center, LADDERS of Mass General Hospital For Children
When: (ALL) WEDNESDAY Evenings 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Where: CHARLES RIVER CENTER 59 E. Militia Heights Rd, Needham, MA in the Paul D. Merritt Center For directions, please visit www.crac.org
YOU MUST RSVP/REGISTER and/or for any questions, please call Julie O'Brien, Resource Specialist, Autism Consortium/ LADDERS, Lexington 781-860-1726, jobrien20@partners.org fee $5 per person at the door! *For updates on the schedule visit: www.ladders.org and www.autismconsortium.org events page
LIMITED CHILDCARE MAY BE AVAILABLE AND BY PRE-REGISTRATION ONLY AND IN ADVANCE, contact Julie O'Brien at 781-860-1726 there will be light snacks/coffee provided
* IMPORTANT: DURING WINTER MONTHS, IN CASES OF BAD WEATHER, PLEASE CALL 781-860-1726 FOR VOICE RECORDING OF CANCELLATION
*Special THANKS to Friends of Ladders for sponsoring this ongoing series and The Charles River CENTER for their ongoing support and collaboration
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The University of Massachusetts Lowell Department of Physical Therapy and Department of Psychology is currently recruiting for our "Fit and Fun" Physical Exercise and Relaxation Program for high functioning adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum (13-30 years of age).
This will be our fourth year of the Fit and Fun program.
The program will be on Thursdays 5.00-6.30pm, for 8-weeks beginning on Thursday 25th February. The entire program costs $50 (scholarships are available). Fit and Fun takes place in the Physical Therapy Department on UMass Lowell's south campus. The attached brochure provides further details about the program.
FIT and FUN Components:
· Participate in exercises that improve fitness level, balance, coordination, and overall strength.
· Practice how to reduce stress and increase feelings of wellness through relaxation techniques and exercises.
· Learn about the components of a healthy lifestyle through discussion and handouts.
· Engage in group activities and games during interactions with others in the program.
· Meet other adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum, and possibly make friends.
What Next?
· If you are interested in participating in Fit and Fun, please complete the attached enrollment form and return to Ashleigh Hillier, Ph.D. at: Ashleigh_hillier@uml.edu Ashleigh will then contact you with further details. · If you have any problems with the attachment, please contact Ashleigh and she will send you the enrollment form.
· If you have any questions about the program, please don't hesitate to contact Ashleigh. Email is easier: Ashleigh_hillier@uml.edu
Please let me know if you would like to be taken off this mailing list.
Thank-you very much.
Ashleigh Hillier, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology
University of Massachusetts Lowell
1 Mahoney Hall, 870 Broadway Street
Lowell, MA 01854
Phone: 978-934-2930
Fax: 978-934-3074
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Met Life Presents
Your Dependent with Special Needs. Making His or Her Future More Secure
A Free Workshop presented by Kerri A. Melley
Wednesday February 10, 2010
12 N-1PM
SFP, 446 MAin St 7th Floor
Worcester
for more information acll 508-890-0922
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Conferences |
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The 15th Annual ASD Symposium 2010
Thursday Friday MArch 11 & 12 2010
Rhodes on the Pawtuxet - Cranston RI
Featuring Temple Grandin, Ph.D. Elaine Hall & Pat Mirenda Ph.D. BCBA-D
for more information click here
Visions of Community Conference
March 13, 2010
Seaport World Trade Center
Boston, MA
here
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The Autism Resource Center does not endorse any treatments, programs or products. Articles, announcements and resources are provided for information purposes only.
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