.

You may register for events by clicking here 

For Families in Central Massachusetts

1. Project Just Because- Families need to register electronically at www.projectjustbecause.org.
2. T & G Santa- The Telegram & Gazette collects funds and gives to various Salvation Army and Catholic Charity sites in Central Mass.
3. Salvation Army- Families should contact their local Salvation Army locations.
4. Catholic Charities- Catholic Charities needs to be contacted by Diocese. They can be found on line or by calling any local Catholic parish.
5. Gardner and Winchendon- Families can contact or visit the Community Action Councils in their respective towns.
6. Toys for Tots- Go to www.toysfortots.org to make requests.
7. Housing Projects- Many of the bigger housing projects sign on to various donor groups, and residents may be able to get gifts there.
8. Places of Worship- Families may want to ask their local worship centers if they know of additional resources.
9. Schools- Families may want to ask their child's guidance department or teachers if they know of additional community resources.
10. Town Clerk- Town Clerks tend to know much about what is offered in the communities they serve.


Globe Santa- Please note that the Globe covers the Boston area only.

If families do not have internet access for organizations, requiring electronic registration, public libraries is one option.

Families will need to follow whatever process is outlined by individual organizations and may need to present evidence of financial need.

Most programs are all time sensitive. Do not delay.

Fuel Assistance  

The Salvation Army offers heat assistance to households in need in Massachusetts
for more information click here

For other Heating Assistance Programs click here 

  This year when you are looking for a gift for a special teacher, or respite worker or a relative who has everything, why not purchase tickets to an evening out at the Worcester Sharks. February 23, 2012 is Autism Resouce Center Night at the Worcester Sharks. We've tickets at a discounted price which would make for an enjoyable eveninf this winter for someone on your list! The game will help cure the cabin fever we all suffer from by mid February and is appropriate for all ages! Tickets would also make great stocking stuffers! A special night for the family, or a Daddy & Me night !

  From our Friends at ARC Massachusetts 

 
9C Cuts Spare Much of DDS Services
In an effort to address a one-half billion shortfall, the Governor has requested legislative authority to reduce local aid by 1% while cutting $225 Million in state spending. read more

As part of the FY14 budget process, the Executive Office of Health & Human Services will be holding two public budget hearings.  Please note that the hearings will be held on:

 

Roger A. Bauman Parent Lecture Series
December 2012

Topic: Transition from School to Adult Life- Using the IEP to Create Success

Speaker: Johanne Pino, Project Coordinator of http://www.massadvocates.org  
When:
Thursday, December 13
6:30 - 8:30 PM

Where: Charles River Center, Needham, Massachusetts
* 59 East Militia Heights Road (located at the top of Dwight Road, off Central Street)
* Paul D. Merritt Building, basement conference room
* www.charlesrivercenter.org

Cost: Free

Registration: Registration required
To register, please contact:
Julie O'Brien, MEd, LMHC
Family Support Clinician, Lurie Center
Phone: 781.860.1726
Email: jobrien20@partners.org

The annual Roger A. Bauman Lecture Series was established in 2007 in memory of Dr. Roger Bauman, former president of FOL and the husband of Margaret L. Bauman, founder of LADDERS. We also gratefully acknowledge the support of Friends of Lurie (FOL), the Charles River Center, and the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism.


 

 

Once we reach 3,000 paid applications the MA Registry of
Motor Vehicles will then start the process of distributing our Autism Speaks / AFAM Specialty License Plate. Sign up today!
To learn more or to get involved with the campaign, please email greaterboston@autismspeaks.org
www.autismspeaks.org | www.afamaction.org

Click here to download an application 

The Lurie Center Expands Research Opportunities  
The Lurie Center of Massachusetts General Hospital, a Lexington based clinical care and research center of the Lurie Center for Autism, offers children and adults with autism spectrum disorders an opportunity to participate in clinical research that provides new and promising treatment options. For more information regarding current research at the Lurie  Center please email LurieCenterResearch@partners.org, call (781) 860-1711, or visit the website: www.LurieCenter.org or research page.

UMass Medical School Child and Adolescent Neuro Development Initiative

Study Seeking Boys ages  13-17 with an IQ over 70 with ASD and Typically Developing Boys for a Study on Brain Imaging EXPANDING!

I received an update from Dr David Cochran at UMass in reards to this study and I am excited to shre with you this update and that the Study is being expanded and so is in need of subjects as described above. From Dr Cochran

" 

The preliminary data for this study was presented at both the Autism Consortium meeting in Boston, and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry meeting in San Francisco. There was a great deal of enthusiasm about the findings of differences in glutamate and GABA systems (primary neurotransmitters in the brain) in the adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. This work has far-reaching implications, and is also being explored as potentially informing the development of new treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Given the impact of the preliminary data, we are extending the study to try to recruit a larger number of subjects, both in the Autism Spectrum Disorder group and the Typically Developing group. So we'd like to ask you again to get the word out that we are still recruiting, and would love to get more adolescent males (age 13-17) to help move this research forward. Feel free to pass along the excitement that has been generated by this study to date."

Participants will be compensated for time and travel

Please click here for a brochure  and more information

 Mass General Transcend Study  
 

Visit our website for other studies seeking participants Research Studies

CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS

Community Autism Resources

The 18th Annual ASD Symposium

For More information on registration click here

This Years Schedule

THURSDAY, MARCH 21 

Paula Kluth, Ph.D.

Joyful Learning: Using Active and Collaborative Structures to Differentiate Instruction for Students with ASD & Related Disabilities 

Too often a "one-size-fits-all" approach is used to design lessons leaving some learners struggling to participate and leaving teachers feeling they have not reached all of their students. In this interactive session, participants will apply principles of differentiation by exploring a number of collaborative, active, and brain-compatible learning techniques aimed at engaging students and making learning joyful. This session is appropriate for educators in K-12 classrooms as well as parents and others working with children with disabilities and is structured for participants to experience these active techniques through demonstrations.

Paula Kluth, Ph.D. is a consultant, teacher, author, advocate, and independent scholar who works with teachers and families to provide inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities and to create more responsive and engaging schooling experiences for all learners.  Paula is a former special educator who has served as a classroom teacher and inclusion facilitator. Her professional interests include differentiating instruction and inclusive schooling. She is the author or co-author of nine books including; You're Going to Love this Kid: Teaching Students with Autism in Inclusive Classrooms and A Land We Can Share: Teaching Literacy to Students with Autism. Paula is also a director of a documentary film titles "We Thought You'd Never Ask": Voices of People with Autism.


FRIDAY, MARCH 22 

Justin Canha, Person with Autism

Maria Teresa Canha, Parent and Autism Advocate

Nicole Turon-Diaz, M.A>, Ed.?SpEd., Learning By Design, LLC

A Young Man with Autism's transition to Adult Life: How Talent, Perseverance, Advocacy and Training Carve the Path to Independence 

Justin Canha showed a passion for drawing early in his life. His parents were instrumental in giving him as many opportunities as possible to develop his talent and ability. He is now a renowned artist. His mother, Maria Teresa Canha has been advocating for him since his diagnosis at 31/2. Justin, now 22, in on the threshold of entering into the adult world and independence. NicoleTuron-Diaz, M.A, owns Learning By Design, LLC. She is a Certified College Coach for individuals with ASD and has been working with individuals on the spectrum for last decade.

Lindsey Biel, M.A., OTR/L

Sensory Smart Strategies for Students with ASD 

The sensory issues experienced by most people with ASD can make everyday function difficult and even painful. Lindsey will demystify these sensory issues and provide real-life techniques you can use immediately to make school and other environments more tolerable. She will share practical strategies for challenges such as oversensitivity to sound, touch, lighting and other sensory input plus simple environmental modifications and "sensory diet" activities that can help students stay tuned in all day long.

Lindsey Biel, M.A., OTR/L is co-author of the award-winning Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues, foreword by temple Grandin. She is an occupational therapist based in NYC where she evaluates and treats children and adolescents with sensory processing issues, autism spectrum disorders, and other challenges. Please visit www.sensorysmarts.com