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Autism Society of Iowa
ASI News
| October 2013 |
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Thank you to everyone who attended our Fall Conference and 25th Annual Benefit Auction. Both were very successful!
Please remember that the Autism Society of Iowa has children's, teens, and adult programming grants along with family scholarships to attend programs. Below are the links to access these:
Kris Steinmetz Executive Director Autism Society of Iowa |
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IEP on IEPs
Free Parent Training Opportunity - This Thursday!
This interactive workshop helps parents and caregivers understand the connection between IDEA principles, the actual process of writing your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP), and the different parts of the document itself. Participants learn how to be an active partner on the IEP Team as your child's education plan is put into writing.
IEP on IEPs - Presented by ASK Resource Center
Thursday, October 10 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: The Homestead 1625 Adventureland Dr., Suite B, Altoona, Iowa
For more information or to register, click here: IEP on IEPS. |
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ARK Respite Night - Dubuque, IA
Friday, October 18th, 2013 5:30-8:30pm
Advocates would like to offer a Respite night for children 3-12 years of age with special needs. This free respite evening will be full of games, music, arts, and socializing with the support of a local youth group. Respite will be held at Hope Church, 11893 John F Kennedy Road, Dubuque, IA 52001.
For more information, click here: ARK Respite Flyer
For an application, click here: ARK Respite Application |
 Fall Activities Across Iowa
Fun Activities To Fill Your Fall Days
Courage League Sports (Urbandale, IA) is a recreational adaptive sports facility specifically designed for children not able to go "full speed" due to disability, illness or emotional challenges. Their programs provide an opportunity to play in sports leagues, participate in group classes or play around during open gym nights at everyone's own skill level. They strive to ensure a positive recreational experience for all children and their families and encourage participants to have fun while exercising outside of a therapy atmosphere. For more information,
Dance Without Limits (West Des Moines, IA) are ballet classes that are especially designed for children with special needs who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience the joy of dance. Classes begin September 15. For more information click here. "Just Right For ME!" (Cedar Rapids, IA) A Theatre Class for Elementary and Middle Schools Students on the Autism Spectrum - The "Just Right for ME!" youth theatre class is specifically geared to students on the autism spectrum. Classes start October 5. For more information contact Matthew Kerns, Director of Education at Theatre Cedar Rapids at kerns@theatrecr.org or click here. Kids in Harmony, LLC (Des Moines, IA) provides individualized music therapy services to individuals and groups, adaptive music lessons, presentations, consultative services and workshops. For more information contact: Shelly Peterson, MA, MT-BC mtinharmony@hotmail.com or 515-494-4618.
Metro West Learning Center (Clive, IA) will be holding Fall Meet Ups. For more information, click here.
Notes For Autism (Ames, IA) Building Social Skills Through Music Interactive Experiences. Music facilitates social interaction, self regulation and coping in profound ways for all people with demonstrated positive effects for kids with autism. For more information contact Sean Huston at sm4huston@gmail.com.
SoundReach Choir (Urbandale, IA) For Teens And Adults Who Have Developmental Disabilities. For more information call Jenny Denk at 515-278-1000 ext. 6110 or email jdenk@westmusic.com
Sturgis Youth Theatre (UNI - Cedar Falls, IA)Spectrum Theatre Program will be offering a theater program this fall. For additional information, contact Gretta Berghammer at 319-273-2149, gretta.berghammer@uni.edu or click here. For a list of more programs offered throughout the year in Iowa, click here. If you have a program you would like us to share, please email Kris at autism50ia@aol.com |
 Autism Source
Support, Guidance And A Compassionate Ear
The Autism Society is now able to provide guidance and support to individuals and families 7 days a week from 9am to 9pm Monday through Friday and on the weekends from 9am to 5pm!
The Autism Source Information and Referral services provides one-to-one, expert guidance and support to tens of thousands of people each year who call, email and write with their questions and concerns-or who just need someone to listen. The Autism Source, is the nation's longest serving, largest and most effective provider of information and support to individuals and families impacted by autism. Spanish speaking support is also available.
If you, or someone you know needs support, guidance, or a compassionate ear, please contact them today:
Call: 1-800-3AUTISM
Online: www.autismsource.org
Email: Info@Autism-Society.org
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Du-Buddies Of Loras College
Is Seeking Buddies!
Du-Buddies is an organization that seeks to foster authentic relationships between Loras students and members of the Dubuque community with disabilities. They are currently in the process of compiling a list of Du-Buddies members for this year. They have a lot interest from Loras students, but are a little short on buddies
For more information, contact President Mary Dodson at 309-798-8035 or email her at mary.dodson@loras.edu
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 Upcoming Classes, Workshops, Seminars, Webinars & Meetings
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD) TRAINING - Grinnell, IA
Interacting with Individuals in Emergency Situations
Monday October 28th 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Wednesday October 30th 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Training to be held at the Grinnell Public Safety Building
1020 Spring Street Grinnell, Iowa
For more information, click here: ASD Training.
Parent Training & Workshop for Children with
Developmental Disabilities
Interacting with Individuals in Emergency Situations - Grinnell, IA
Tuesday October 29th 6:00 pm
Training to be held at the Grinnell Public Safety Building
1020 Spring Street Grinnell, Iowa
For more information, click here: Emergency Training.
Metro West Learning Center - Clive, IA and Ames, IA
Every month starting in September, Metro West will be hosting Metro West Meet Ups for your teen! These meet ups will be held at various social locations (the cinema, a coffee shop, the mall, a restaurant, etc.) throughout the metro. For more information, click here: Meet Ups!
Metro West also offers Speech, OT, Young Adult Groups, Social Language Groups, Tutoring, In-Home Services, Tele-practice, Job Coaching and Sibling Support. For more information, click here: Metro West Learning Center.
The Pier Center for Autism - Sioux City, IA
The Pier Center for Autism was founded out of a desire to deliver compassionate services for individuals with autism in Siouxland. The Pier Center for Autism delivers a comprehensive approach with the focus on the individual, caregivers, siblings and the community. For more information, click here: The Pier Center For Autism.
Mercy Service Club Autism Center - Dubuque, IA
For more information, click here: Mercy Autism Center or www.askresource.org.
Unified Therapy Services - Dubuque, IA
Saturday, October 12 10am-2pm Kids Expo
FREE DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING AVAILABLE AT THE KIDS EXPO.
WALK INS WELCOME OR CALL UNIFIED THERAPY SERVICES FOR AN APPOINTMENT TIME @ 563-583-4003.
For more information, click here.
For general information, click here: Unified Therapy Services.
ASK Resource Center
RESPECT Training: RESPECT in the IEP Process: Recognizing Everyone's Strengths by Peace building, Empathizing, Communicating & Trust building
Four Locations: Sioux City, Carroll, Creston, Waterloo
For details on RESPEPCT Training, click here: RESPECT.
For more information on programs offered by ASK Resource Center, call 515-243-1713 or contact Pam Meeker at pam@askresource.org or
Champions of Autism & ADHD
Ongoing Free Monthly Webinar Series. Next Webinars:
Addressing the Picky Eater and Meal Time Choices
Thursday, October 31
Sensory Processing - Activities for Those with Autism
Wed., November 20, 2013
Presentations will be archived for future viewing if you cannot listen live.
For more information, click here: Champions of Autism & ADHD.
Family to Family Iowa
Family to Family Iowa is a statewide network of Family Navigators who provide assistance to families of children with special needs (developmental, behavioral, emotional, and/or physical). For more information, click here: Family to Family Iowa and check under "News & Updates" and "Calendar of Events."
Autism NOW
The National Autism Resource & Information Center
Ongoing free Webinars. For more information, click here: Autism NOW.
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Mothers Of Children With An ASD
Research Study
Mothers of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder are needed to be part of research that is being done at Grand View University. A study is currently being done to gain understanding about how other areas of life affect mothers of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Being a mother is tough, but when your child has an ASD is can be even harder. This study is a short questionnaire, expected to take no longer than fifteen minutes. The study will look at things that mothers deal with that either help or hinder their own well-being. The survey only consists of questions relating to mothers, no questions about their children's autism spectrum disorder or behaviors. To be eligible for this study you must be:
1) A mother between the ages of 18-55
2) Have a child diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autism, Aspergers, or PDD-NOS) between the ages of 2-18.
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October Is Bully Prevention Month
Helpful Information On Bullying
ASK Resource recently held a "Walk The Talk" Bully Prevention Walk. For those who where not able to attend the walk, we would like to share the important resources handed out at the walk.
If you, or a group you know of, is interested in receiving our free bully prevention training, contact ASK at:
ASK Resource Center, 5665 Greendale Road, Suite D, Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 243-1713
info@askresource.org
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 Autism Support Groups
Support Across Iowa! There is a new Autism Advocacy Group meeting at UNI in Cedar Falls, IA. This group is for students interested in working with those on the Autism Spectrum, students on the spectrum, as well as, siblings of autistic children or those with a personal connection to autism. For more information contact Sarah Wilson at sawilson@uni.edu or 515-710-1414. This group meets every other Tuesday at 8pm in Maucker Union. Let us know if your support group is meeting this fall. Keep us updated on your support group so we can help spread the word.
For more information on support groups throughout Iowa, click here: Support Groups.
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 Metro West Learning Center
New Ames Location!Metro West Learning Center has opened a new office in Ames at 2010 Philadelphia St. Their new location will provide speech therapy, social language groups (supports children with high functioning Autism/Asperger's) and academic support.
Contact Metro West for more information at |
Arts For Children:
Workshops For Schools
A VSA Iowa Teaching Artist Could Come To Your Classroom!
In partnership with the Iowa Department of Education, VSA Iowa - the state organization on arts and disability - offers free arts workshops to classrooms across Iowa. Our Arts for Children (AFC) program has served students and educators through creative and performing arts sessions for nearly 30 years, providing meaningful opportunities for youth with disabilities and those who are at-risk to engage in the world of art.
This unique opportunity is available to classrooms with one or more students who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Workshops are one hour in length and open to students ages Pre-K through 22.
For more information, call 515-281-5839, email info@vsaiowa.org or
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 IEP Resources
Good Websites To Check Out!It seems like every day can be an IEP day so below are a few links to websites that you may find helpful. Additional helpful links can also be found on our ASI homepage.
ASK Resource Center - Access for Special Kids - Through various projects and partnerships, we provide a broad range of information, training, advocacy, support, referral and resources related to the needs of persons with all types of disabilities. A single contact to ASK will provide individuals and families with a direct link to the most appropriate services and supports to meet their needs regarding legal matters, special education, health care, mentoring opportunities, and more.
The Parent-Educator Connection (PEC) works to develop and sustain effective partnerships between families, educators, and community providers to promote success for all children and youth with disabilities
Wrightslaw - Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities. SeeMyIEP - Here you will find expert IEP advice and excellent IEP goals and objectives that are searchable by individual criteria such as age, grade, disability, academic area of concern and accommodations. Although this site is used by many professionals, you do not have to be one to write a great IEP for your child. |
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Autism Society of Iowa
4549 Waterford Drive
West Des Moines, IA 50265
515-327-9075
Iowa Toll Free: 1-888-722-4799
Fax: 515-457-7225
The mission of the Autism Society of Iowa is to provide advocacy, support and information to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, their families, professionals, and communities throughout the state of Iowa.
The Autism Society of Iowa is an integral part of a nationwide association, the Autism Society, that has provided accurate information about autism since its inception in the early 70's.
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