AZA United would like to thank Phoenix Suns Charities for awarding a grant to start our new Peer Sensitivity Training program!  This training is geared toward typically developing classmates of children with autism, to help them better understand the unique challenges associated with autism and how to be a good friend.  This program, which is in development, targets Maricopa County school districts and includes classroom visits, teacher training, and how-to kits for parents and teachers.  Needs addressed  include:

Peer recognition of autism - recognize the reasons behind behavioral, social, communication, and learning challenges associated with autism and provide strategies for interacting with peers with autism.

Positive social interaction - fostering an accepting group environment in which children with autism grow in their interpersonal skills, successfully participate in social settings, and benefit more richly in school, sport and social settings.

Autism awareness - helping teachers, group leaders and typical children understand that children with autism often act differently, how to interpret their actions, and how best to respond and to develop meaningful relationships with a child with autism.

Successful social interaction for future success - children with autism have brighter futures when they have the support and understanding of family, teachers, group leaders, classmates and friends. For students with autism, time spent in school and group settings may be the most developmentally influential experience of their lives. Making the most out of this time is an essential part of autism intervention and may lead to greater independence and academic success in the future.

This program will be available soon.  If you are interested in learning more or receiving this service, please contact peers@azaunited.org.

Join us for the summer ABA training class, "Fundamental Concepts," hosted by AZA United's Program Director, Ehren Werntz, BCBA.  This class is recommended for all habilitation therapists helping children with autism and discusses strategies for success to teach new skills and increase positive behaviors.  The class will be held on Saturday, July 16th, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Disability Empowerment Center of AZ, in the conference room just below AZA United's main office.  This class includes an overview of common behaviors and motivational teaching techniques for children with autism.  Terms and concepts that will be discussed include reinforcement, function of behavior, extinction, differential reinforcement, prompting, fading, behavioral shaping and much more.  The class is an interactive presentation that includes group activities, video examples and useful handouts.  Habilitation therapists, parents, family members, paraprofessionals and other therapists and encouraged to attend.  This class is free for employees and client families of AZA United; the cost for all others to attend is $30.  Space is limited!  To register, please click here.

AZA parents, please join our Outreach Coordinator and parent, Paulina Tiffany, for our summer series of ISP Preparation Workshops.  This 2-hour class is offered once a month at different times.  The purpose of these workshops is to help families prepare for your next ISP, IFSP or 90 day review meeting.  We recommend attending at least 2 months in advance of your meeting date if possible, and you are welcome to attend more than once.  The workshop will include a review of the new DDD service descriptions and policies, resources for drafting appropriate and individualized functional outcomes, tips on how to review your habilitators' monthly progress reports before signing them, and general strategies on how to conduct a productive ISP meeting.  The next class will be on Thursday, July 28th.  If you can't make it, we will offer it again on Wednesday, August 24th.  Please contact us by phone or email paulina@azaunited.org for more details and to sign up. 

AZA United would like to thank the Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) for providing a grant to make this program possible!

Every year, AZA United releases an updated version of the Parent Handbook.  This guide describes all services, resources, policies, and opportunities that AZA families should know about to make the most of your experience with AZA United.  Some important sections in the handbook include:  

• Staff contact info
• Descriptions of programs and services
• Employee application and referral process
• Available supports and resources
• Timesheets and progress reports
• Safety policies
• Incident reports and grievances
• Tips for successfully using services
• Co-op participation opportunities  

We have a few midyear revisions to the handbook and are sending them to all AZA families.  We distribute a PDF copy to families via email, but if you would like a hardcopy just contact us by phone or info@azaunited.org.