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January 2011 |
Vol 1, Issue 1
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CONNECTing Families:
A Newsletter of Autism Families CONNECTicut |
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Greetings! |
 Welcome to CONNECTing Families; Autism Families CONNECTicut's (AFC) first newsletter. AFC was created by a group of volunteers in 2010 to create programs and events that are welcoming to children with autism spectrum disorders. Already, we have met so many fantastic families and hope to continue programming in 2011 that helps your child and family to grow and have fun! We appreciate your feedback, and look to you for ideas and inspiration to help AFC create a community that services you and your family. |
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Playing on the Spectrum 2011
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 Following a successful first run in October, AFC is holding additional sessions of Playing on the Spectrum this winter. Professional therapists lead the sessions, which combine structured activities and free play. Now children with autism can spend time on the weekend playing, exercising, and meeting new friends. What a great way to get out of the house in the winter and unleash some energy!
Elmwood Community Center, West Hartford: Sundays in January and March, 12:30-2:30pm. 1106 New Britain Ave., West Hartford. Children ages 4-12. $40 for four sessions. Call 860-561-8173 to sign up. Enes Community Center, South Windsor: Saturdays in February, 10:00-11:30am. 150 Nevers Rd., South Windsor. Children ages 4-10. $40 for four sessions. Visit www.recreation.southwindsor.org or call (860) 648-6355 to sign up.
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| Meet the AFC Board Members | |
In October 2010, AFC elected its new Board of Directors. This diverse and talented board consists of parents and family members of children with ASD, certified therapists and educators, and medical professionals. Click on each name to find out more.
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| Quick Links | |
Join us on Facebook for more details on AFC and community events, news discussions, or post your own event. Details on the next Dads' Night Out will be posted there soon!
Click on this symbol to see all the latest updates.  |
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Upcoming Programs: Family Swim
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 Coming soon! Family Swim program for children with autism spectrum disorders and family members. Program will take place at Avery Heights, New Britain Avenue, Hartford.
- Four Saturday afternoons in March
- Details to follow
- Please contact us if you are interested!
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AFC's First Annual Holiday Party - what a success!
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 Thanks to the nearly 100 people who joined us at the Elmwood Community Center on December 30 to celebrate the holiday season and AFC's first year in existence. We were joined by special guests Rocky the Rock Cat, Tigger, and a Christmas Elf.
Kids of all ages and their families joined in the conga line, musical chairs, and lots of dancing! AFC is thankful to have met so many fantastic families, and hopes to continue the tradition for many years to come.
We appreciated the delicious cupcakes donated by Dee's One Smart Cookie of Glastonbury, and the lemon ice cups donated by Harry's of Bishop's Corner. And thanks to West Hartford's Human and Leisure Services' Special Needs Program for donating the use of the Community Center and Bernie the DJ!
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Community Events | |
Family Empowerment Task Force meeting. Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 6:30-7:30. Farmington Public Library, 6 Monteith Dr., Farmington, CT. "How to Minimize State Funding Cuts to Critical Services for Children and Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities." Child care provided at the library.
ASD Lecture Series at St. Joseph's College, West Hartford, CT. Next lecture is February 7, 2011 at 6:30pm in the Hoffman Auditorium. John Molteni will discuss "Discovering Evidence-Based Practice: What Does Research Tell Us?" FAVARH's (The ARC of the Farmington Valley) Free Informational Workshop regarding special needs planning. Presented by Stuart Hawkins of MetLife Center for Special Needs Planning. February 12, 2011 at 10:30am at 225 Commerce Dr., Canton, MA. RSVP: Janet Hawkins, 860-573-4089. Click here for other workshops. Do you know of other community events? To submit events for AFC's next "CONNECTing Families" newsletter, email afc@autismfamiliesct.org
*AFC is not responsible for the content of these programs and does not necessarily support opinions expressed at external community events. |
| A Message from AFC Board Member Dr. Anne Procyk | |
 As a naturopathic physician, I have treated a wide variety of people, many with various autism spectrum disorders. Too often, I see parents with children on the autistic spectrum feeling overwhelmed, and even worse, incompetent. I love being able to help people, in a variety of ways, but truly one of the most rewarding aspects of my job is how much I learn from my patients. Each and every one of us is a wealth of incredibly valuable experience. Please share these experiences! Every success brings joy to all of us and every failure helps all of us grow. As we continue to expand and improve access to activities and services for children with special needs, let's remember that special training is not needed to express love by recognizing each child's unique talents, gifts and challenges. Every parent is an "expert", and we can learn as much from our friends and neighbors as we can from our teachers and therapists.
Autism can be very isolating for those directly affected and for their families. That is what we aim to change, by helping people touched by autism connect in new ways. So please join us; have some fun, make some new friends, learn from each other, and transform autism into a source of connection rather than isolation. |
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Do you have ideas for programs? Are you interested in volunteering? We would love to hear from you. Please email me at afc@autismfamiliesct.org with any ideas.
Sincerely, |
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Leah Bailey Moon
President and Co-founder
Autism Families CONNECTicut, Inc.
P.O. Box 370162
West Hartford, CT 01637 www.autismfamiliesct.org
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