ASI Logo
In this issue...
ASI Fall Educational Conference
ASI Annual Benefit Auction
Autism Support Program
Splash For Autism!
Project ImPACT
Autism Society of East Central Iowa - Autism Run
Iowa Self-Advocacy Conference
Take Your Legislator To Work
Autism Support Groups
Upcoming Classes, Workshops, Webinars & Meetings
Activities Across Iowa
Autism Source
IEP Resources

Autism Society of Iowa

 

ASI News

September 2014
We are preparing for our fall conference, which will provide information on transitioning through the life span for the person with autism spectrum disorders.  We hope you plan on joining us at our conference on transition.  Following the conference, we will host our 26th annual benefit auction.  Families are invited to attend and join us for a fun night.

Our National Autism Society has shared a wonderful article on transitioning to adulthood, which corresponds well with our fall conference this year, "The Journey To Life After High School: A Road Map for Parents of Children with Special Needs."  To view this guide, click here.

Kris Steinmetz
Executive Director
Autism Society of Iowa
515-327-9075, Iowa Toll Free: 1-888-722-4799
autism50ia@aol.com
Autism Ribbon
Autism Society of Iowa's
Fall Educational Conference
Friday, November 14   Registration begins at 7:30a.m.
Sheraton Hotel - West Des Moines, IA
The Autism Society of Iowa would like to invite you to our 2014 Fall Educational Conference featuring Keynote Speaker Cathy Pratt, Ph.D., BCBA. and speakers Mike Dierdorff, Lori Moore, M.A.E., and Wendy Trotter, MS, CCC-SLP.

The morning session will included the following presentations:

Transition for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum:
What Are We Aiming For? Part 1 & 2
Speaker Cathy Pratt
Transitioning from the Perspective of
Someone on the Autism Spectrum
Speaker Mike Deardorff

Afternoon breakout sessions will include the following presentations

Navigating Transitions Across Grade Levels from
Early Access through Middle School - Part 1 & 2
Speaker Wendy Trotter
Preparing for Post-Secondary Learning and Working
Speaker Lori Moore
The Road to Discovery: The Power of High Expectations & Planning
for Adult Living, Learning and Working
Speaker Lori Moore

For more details on the conference, including the conference agenda and speaker information, click here.

On-line, fax, mail and phone registration is now open. To register online, click here.

To download a brochure and register by fax or mail, click here.
Autism Society of Iowa's
26th Annual Benefit Auction
Improving Advocacy Support and Information - One Bid At A Time
Friday, November 14  6:00pm 
Autism Society of Iowa is holding its 26th Annual Silent and Live Auction to raise money for those affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders in the state of Iowa.  This annual event is family friendly and includes many wonderful items up for bid including tickets to local events, autographed sports items, handmade quilts and gift baskets. 

 

The silent auction preview will begin at 6:00pm with the live auction beginning at 6:30pm.  In addition to the silent and live auction, there will be a 50/50 raffle where the winner wins 1/2 the money taken in.  A cash bar and light hors d'oeuvres will also be available.  All proceeds benefit the Autism Society of Iowa.

 

For more information or to reserve your seat, click here.

 

If you have tickets to a local event or a new item you would like to donate to our auction, please contact Kris at 515-327-9075.

Autism Support Program
New Support Resources Are Now Available
To Caregivers Of Children With Autism!
The Autism Support Program is administered by Magellan through a contract with the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS). This program was launched April 1, 2014. It provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to eligible children.

Please click here for more information on applying for this program, the new support resources available, and for assistance on completing your application. Apply today!
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Splash For Autism!
A Free Event Sponsored By Autism Society of Iowa

SPLASH for Autism - Cedar Falls
Sunday, September 28 from 10:00a.m. to noon
UNI Wellness Center Pool

All individuals with autism and their families are invited to enjoy this event free of charge! Children must be accompanied by an adult who must remain in the facility. Please enter the NE Pool Deck doors and note that these are not the typical entrance doors to the facility. Please park in the large lot north of the wellness center and UNI Dome. Please contact Suzanne with any questions at sbartlett@cfu.net
Project ImPACT
University of Iowa Children's Hospital Autism Center
Project ImPACT is short for Improving Parents as Communication Teachers. It is a 13-week intervention program designed to improve the social skills of young children who have ASD.  Psychologists, Todd Kopelman, Ph.D., and Kelly Pelzel, Ph.D., along with Speech and Language Pathologist Molly Jones, MA, CCC-SLP, will teach parents ways to help develop their child's imitation, language and play skills.  The 13-week session includes an intake session, 6 parent groups and 6 individual times to work with each child and their parent.

For more information click here or contact Kelly Pelzel at kelly-pelzel@uiowa.edu or Molly Jones at molly-e-jones@uiowa.edu.
 
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Autism Society Of East Central Iowa
1st Annual Run For Autism - 5K
Join us on September 19th at Thomas Park in Marion, Iowa for the first annual Run for Autism 5k! There will also be a kids half mile fun run prior to the 5k!

Kids fun run will begin at 6pm with the 5k beginning directly afterwards! There will be awards given to winners of the 5k, and there will be a chance to win prizes for all participants!

All proceeds will go directly to the East Central Iowa Autism Society. The ECIAS is a nonprofit organization that benefits those in the community that are affected with autism spectrum disorder by providing information and resource services.  This event will be fun for all ages, so invite your friends, family, neighbors, anyone you know that likes to have fun!

Sign up is available at runforautismcr.eventbrite.com! Sign up today!

Iowa Self-Advocacy Conference
October 1-3, 2014
Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center

Scholarships are now available (see below) and Early Bird and Group Discounts have been extended!**

ID Action is a nonpartisan project that promotes the active civic and political engagement of Iowans with disabilities. Our first ever self-advocacy conference will provide an opportunity for Iowans with disabilities to learn and grow as advocates and agents for change. Who Should Attend: Iowans with disabilities who want to make a difference in their community or state!

**If you are someone on the autism spectrum who needs a scholarship to attend, please contact the Autism Society of Iowa at autism50ia@aol.com or Rik Shannon from the Governor's Developmental Disabilities Council at rshannon1@dhs.state.ia.us 

Take Your Legislator
To Work

Share Why Your Job Is Important To You!

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and throughout the month, ID Action will conduct the Take your Legislator to Work Campaign. This campaign is intended to increase awareness that every Iowan with or without a disability should have opportunities and choices to have meaningful employment in the community.

 

ID Action is interested in working with people with disabilities who would like to take their Legislator to Work! The visit will typically last between 30-45 minutes and it is your opportunity to share with your legislator(s) what you do at work and why it is important in your life.
 

For more information, click here.

Autism Support Groups

Across Iowa

For more information on support groups, click here.  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.

Upcoming Classes, Camps, Workshops, Seminars, Webinars & Meetings

 

NAMI Of Greater Des Moines - Fall Classes Beginning Soon!

Peer to Peer class - For more information, click here.
Family to Family classes - For more information, click here.
Basics class - For more information, click here.

Art as a Meditation - For more information, contact Sam Erwin at spiritartmove@gmail.com or call 515-419-3307

Family-to-Family Teacher Training - For more information, click here.
  
Iowa Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
Prevent Bullying Community Training
Saturday, September 13 1pm-5pm
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Anamosa, Iowa
Contact: Lori Reynolds; 319-821-0702; Lori@iffcmh.org
For more information, click here.

Champions of Autism & ADHD 

Ongoing Free Monthly Webinar Series. 

My Live With Autism-Presented by Mike Dierdorff

Tuesday, September 16  7-8p.m.

To register for this webinar, click here.

Presentations will be archived for future viewing if you cannot listen live.  

For more information, click here:  Champions of Autism & ADHD.

 

Collaborative Autism Team Forum Presents:

The Hidden Curriculum - Presented by: Stephen Hinkle
Tuesday, September 16   6:30-8:00pm

AEA 267, 3712 Cedar Heights Drive, Cedar Falls

For more information, click here. 

 

Opportunity Village Children's Autism Center

and First Citizens National Bank Charitable Foundation Presents

Dr. Travis Thompson, Ph.D.

Two Workshops on Autism:  $20 per day or $35 for both 

Initial Assessment and Planning for Young Child With Autism

Friday, Sept. 19, 2014 

Challenging Behavior in Autism

Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014 

Space is limited.  For more information on registering, click here.

TACA (Take Action Curing Autism) Presents:
Listen, Learn & Take Action for Your Child
St. Paul, Minnesota, November 8, 2014
For more details or to register, click here.
If anyone is interested in forming a group to attend this conference in Minnesota, contact Anna Conradt: aconradt@msn.com or 515-278-4162

 

Metro West Learning Center - Clive, IA and Ames, IA

Celebrating 10 Years!

Metro West 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.

 

ASK Resource Center

For more information on programs offered by ASK Resource Center, call 515-243-1713 or contact Pam Meeker at pam@askresource.org or

 

The Homestead - Locations throughout Iowa
The Homestead provides a variety of innovative solutions for autism. 
For more information, click here:  The Homestead

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.
For more information, click here:  The Pier Center For Autism.
   

Mercy Autism Center - Dubuque, IA 

For more information, click here: Mercy Autism Center

 

Unified Therapy Services - Dubuque, IA 

For general information, click here:  Unified Therapy Services.

 

Autism NOW
The National Autism Resource & Information Center
Ongoing free Webinars.  For more information, click here:  Autism NOW.

Activities Across Iowa

Adventures In Social Drama (Des Moines, IA)
Contact Annie Mielke, Adventures in Social Drama, (515) 306-0030 or

Dance Without Limits - West Des Moines, IA
Fall Classes Now Beginning! Dance Without Limits 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. Each class lasts about 45 minutes, and offers a volunteer to child ratio of 1:1.
For more information contact: Ballet Des Moines at 515-440-1177,
http://balletdesmoines.org/dance-without-limits/ or email dwol@balletdesmoines.org

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.  NEW - Adaptive dance classes start June 11 in partnership with Dance Without Limits!  For more information,   

The Homestead (Locations throughout Iowa) 
Please contact Michelle Johnson at 515-402-4445 or mjohnson@thehomestead.org or click here, for more information.

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. For more information, click here.
 
Metro West Learning Center (Clive, IA) - Celebrating 10 Years!
Let's Ride Bikes! Bike Clinic - September 20
For more information on Metro West's summer activities call 515-987-8835 or www.metrowestkids.net

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 for Spring 2014. For additional information, contact Gretta Berghammer at 319-231-1700, gretta.berghammer@uni.edu or click here.

For more details on year round programs, 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 8am to 8pm Monday through Friday and on the weekends from 8am to 4pm!

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
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.

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. 
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
 
Find us on Facebook 
 
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.
 
Autism Ribbon