HMEA's Autism Resource Center
THE RESOURCE CONNECTION 
In This Issue
Director's Note
CALENDAR
Golf Tournament
New Balance Falmouth Road Race
CAMP
Assistive Tech
Sibling Survey
Transition Conference
Autism License Plate
Research Studies
Contact Us
Phone 508-835-4278
Our Hours
Monday 9 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday 9AM - 5 PM
Wednesday 9 AM - 5 PM
Thursday 9 AM - 5 PM
Friday 9 AM -3 PM
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Summer 2014 Newsletter 
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Three Amigos





Weekly Update 
July 2, 2014

  

  Greetings!

 
   I'm back, and have one week before I'm off and away again, but this time it's work related. I am really looking forward to spending time next week at Camp Havvago with some of the kids. There will be a some returning campers, but quite a few of our campers "aged out" last year and so we've some new faces as well at camp this year. This is one of my favorite weeks of the year, watching as kids test their wings so to speak, being away from home and family for the first time.  Watching them soar is exhilarating! Cid and I will be there to help, since we are often familiar faces for some of the kids and parents have felt reassured in the past knowing that we are there. It works for us because we have a blast ! 
 
  For those who won't be going to camp next week the Center still " has some fun that is funny" for families. Monday the Family Fun & Fitness Group will be walking the Rail Trail in Ayer - If you haven't been out to walk with us  give it a try! And Friday we will have a Friends and Family Movie at The West Boylston Cinema, at 10 AM everything will be AWESOME when we show The Lego Movie! Following the movie we've a picnic scheduled at the Reservoir just down the road from the Center, weather permitting. Please register online !
 
   Save the date August 6 2014 for a special Mid Summer Paint Night! Cid & I have been working on setting this up and we know some parents have expressed an interest in participating. More detailed information will be announced soon. 
 
   The State Budget process is moving along, with the 2015 budget being finalized and passed on Monday. There were some increases for people with disabilities and money for family supports, as well as a modest increase for autism. To read more detailed information from Mass ARC  click  here . Some priorities still are being considered including the Autism Omnibus Bill. To read more click here. I would  strongly urge you to scroll to the bottom of the ARC 's Notes and subscribe so you can be fully informed and be an effective advocate with your legislators in the future. We are so lucky to live in a nation where we can be part of the process of setting policy and where our voices can be heard, but we do have to speak up! 
 
  On that note I am wishing you all a safe and happy July 4th, or given the weather forecast, perhaps a Happy July 5th!  Fireworks are often part of the celebrations and often problematic for our kids. Be prepared to make the holiday bearable for your child on the spectrum. Click here for some tips on Surviving Fireworks . An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! 
 
    Be Safe 

 

Sue

 
     

Autism Resource Center Calendar

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IF you are a registered member of the Center you may register for events by clicking here 
Not a Member? Call 508-298-1609 to register with Kathy O'Neill 
 
Events are listed with start times and end times so that families can plan accordingly. Please be punctual and arrive on time for activities, Thank you.

     

 

  

July

  

flag-stripes.jpg  

July 4, 2014 

Happy Fourth of July!  

CENTER CLOSED

July 7, 2014
Family Fun & Fitness Walk
Nashua River Rail Trail
Ayer MA 6PM

July 11, 2014
Friends & Family Movie 

THE LEGO MOVIE West Boylston Cinema 

Rt 12 West Boylston 10 AM $2/pp  

Followed by Picnic at Reservoir
weather permitting

July 13, 2014
Autism Awareness Day
at Worcester Brave Hearts
Fitton Field, Holy Cross 2 PM

July 14, 2014
Family Fun & Fitness Swim
DCR's Philip Weihn Pool
Route 110, Clinton Ma 6 PM

July 20, 2014
Family Fun Day
Breezy Picnic Grounds
520 Northwest Main St
Douglas MA 10-5PM
$5.00/pp (Rain Date August 10)

July 21, 2014
Family Fun & Fitness Walk
Richard Larkin Recreation Area
942 Church St Ext. Northbridge MA 6PM

July 25, 2014
Friends & Family Movie
Cinema World 

John Fitch Highway  

Fitchburg MA 10 AM $2/pp
Followed by Picnic at Coolidge Park

weather permitting

  

July 28, 2104
Family Fun & Fitness Swim
Eugene Casey Swimming Pool
49 Prospect St Milford MA 6 PM

 

AUGUST 
sunset-water-banner.jpg  


August 4, 2014
Family Fun & Fitness Walk
Cogshall Park
Electric Avenue Fitchburg Ma 6PM

August 8, 2014
Family Fun at Dunn State Park
289 Pearl St Gardner MA
10 AM- 2 PM

August 11, 2014
Family Fun & Fitness Walk
Blackstone Rail Trail Millbury 6PM

  

August 15, 2014  

Friends & Family Movie
West Boylston Cinema
Rt 12 West Boylston 10 AM
$2/pp Followed by Picnic at Reservoir
weather permitting


August 18-22, 2014
Family Fun Days at Camp
Camp Virginia,
96 Hudson Road
Bolton Ma 9 AM -4 PM

August 25, 2014
Family Fun and Fitness Picnic Doyle Park
464 Abbot Ave Leominster MA
6 PM
Pack a Picnic & join us!   

  

  

  

  

  

  

Run the New Balance Falmouth Road Race 

  Falmouth Banner

 

 

The Center has been chosen again as a "Number for Non-Profits" charity for the 2014 New Balance Falmouth Road Race.

 

The New Balance Falmouth Road Race is a 7 mile road race that starts in Woods Hole and finishes in Falmouth Heights on the third Sunday of August. There are approximately 12,000 runners that run this race annually from elite runners to weekend warriors. If you have never run this race before,we urge you to consider it! The fundraising minimum is $1,250 which includes a dri-fit shirt, a race singlet and your registration fee. Numbers are going fast ! We'll help you with fundraising ideas and you'll be surprised how people will respond to your "ask".  Do you know 50 people who might donate $25.00 to a cause you believe in? That's all it takes.  How many friends do you have on Facebook? Firstgiving makes it easy to create a page and ask for support. 

 

The race is on Sunday, August 17, 2014. You must be registered by August 10th. If you are interested in running, please contact Joe Siegel at 508-641-1295 or [email protected] All numbers will be given on a first come-first serve basis.

 

Experience the thrill of running in the New Balance Road Race while giving 2700 people a chance to demonstrate what they can accomplish throughout the year.

 

 

 

 2014 Tee Up for Children with Autism 

  REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN  

 

This is a chance to "Tee Up for Children with Autism" presented by Long Auto Group and support 2700 individuals and their families on the Autism Spectrum.  It is the golf outing of the year with a mission like no other.  One parent stated, "The the Autism Resource Center has provided our family with a safe haven that validates our concerns; provides us with knowledge and services during our darkest days and shares in our most joyous celebrations".  You can have a great day of golf, lunch, prizes, and be part of that celebration.

Please plan on arriving between 9:00 AM and 9:45 AM and receive your cart assignment and participate in the putting green contest.

Last year we filled up by August 1 so please register early and guarantee your spot.

Want to play for free?  Individuals who raise $500 in pledges or more by Sunday, Sept. 1 at 5:00 pm and your entry fee will be refunded.  Refunds will be available on Monday, Sept. 8th between 9:00 AM and 9:45 AM.  

 

 Family Fun Days At Camp 
To Register online click here 

  

 

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE & EXPOSITION 

 




 August 6, 2014 

Holyoke Community College Holyoke, MA

SPONSORED BY MassMATCH *

Workshop topics relevant to employment, education, community living and communication

* Exhibitors demonstrating the latest products. Participants have said about previous Expos: "This was my first Easter Seals conference and I learned a wealth of information. I look forward to coming back for new tools/refreshers."

"Great presenter! Kept my attention, loved the real client examples. Thank you!."

Attendee Registration Form: http://www.easterseals.com/ma/shared-components/document-library/at-expo-2014-exhibitor-form.pdf **Attendee Scholarships are available.

Please contact Rufina Kennedy for more information ([email protected]) Attendees: Join over 200 other professionals, educators, therapists, consumers, service providers and businesses to learn about the latest in assistive technology for work, home, school and community living.

Opportunities to for vendor exhibits and sponsorships are available.

Holyoke Community College is served from Springfield by the Purple 11 PVTA bus, from Westfield by the Blue 233 PVTA bus. PVTA bus schedules are available online at www.pvta.com

For further information or to receive an attendee or exhibitor registration form, please contact: Rufina Kennedy 508-751-6312 or [email protected] 

 

WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US FOR OUR 7TH AT EXPO!


Sibling Needs Survey from OAR (Organization for Autism Research)
  This summer OAR is working on a project to help support some of the greatest autism advocates: the siblings of children with autism. These siblings play an important role in the family, acting often as a friend, teacher, therapist, and playmate to their brother or sister with autism. They also experience unique worries and challenges, and may need a little extra support to work through these issues.

Our first step in developing a new resource for these siblings is surveying adolescent sibs, as well as parents, about their experiences with a sibling on the spectrum. Their answers to questions about public life, family life, how you explain autism, and the struggles and joys of the sibling relationship will help us better understand what siblings need and how we can help.

It would be a huge help to us if you could put a link to the survey on your page, or help pass it along to parents and siblings of someone with autism. The more responses we can get, the better our resource will ultimately be!

The survey can be found by clicking here 
And it is open to
1) Adolescent siblings (ages 12-18) and
2) Parents of both a child with autism and a child without
 CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS

   



AFAM Autism License Plate

  

AFAM's Spring Newsletter is now available click here to read


 Apply today for an Autism Speaks / Advocates for Autism Massachusetts       Specialty License Plate!
A portion of every plate sold and renewed will go to Autism Speaks and Advocates for Autism Massachusetts!

 AFAM AS plate

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 [email protected]
www.autismspeaks.org | www.afamaction.org

 

 

Click here to download an application 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research Studies Seeking Participants
HEALTH U 
Health U. is a weight loss research study for overweight teens and young adults ages 15-22 who have an intellectual disability. Eligible participants will take part in a program that includes weekly to biweekly group and individual sessions focusing on losing weight through healthy eating and increasing physical activity in ways that are fun and achievable. Parents receive training on supportive behavioral techniques to encourage their son/daughter to meet nutrition and physical activity goals.
Sessions are 90 minutes, highly interactive, and led by nutritionists and lifestyle coaches. Eligibility criteria include, but are not limited to:
* Being a healthy person ages 15-22 with an intellectual disability.
* Meeting criteria for overweight or obesity.
* Medical clearance from a primary health care provider.
* Having at least one parent/guardian who is willing to participate in the study.

Health U. is a free and voluntary research study funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) through the Shriver Center at UMass Medical School.
Do you think Health U. is right for you? Please call Judith Ellen, Research Coordinator at 774-455-6540 or email [email protected] to find out more information.
Qualified participants may be eligible for compensation.
 
 
Candi has a number of studies taking place here in Central Massachusetts. To Learn more about these studies and to sign up for their mailing list click here                              

 

The Autism Resource Center does not endorse any treatments, programs or products. Articles, announcements and  resources are provided for information purposes only.