Dear Friend of ASO:
Visit ASO's website www.autismohio.org
for an "easy to read" version of the DIGEST if this does not come
through clean on your listserv. Or sign up to receive your
own copy by "registering" on the "login" section of ASO's
homepage.
News
From ASO:
-
Autism Early Screening Pilot: We need your help!
-
National Candidate Forum on Disability Issues in Columbus - Plan on
attending!
- CPST
Rule changes on Hold
-
>From ODJFS: Children's Buy-In Program
-
Governor to host Education Forums around Ohio - plan to participate!
- NOW
OPEN! – 2008 NATTAP Conference Registration, Columbus
-
2008 ASA National Conference
-
Federal Office of Special Education Programs Publishes Report on Ohio
-
Federal Update
Upcoming Events, Resources, etc:
- Autism Society of Greater Cleveland
Update and Meetings
- Upcoming Events from TriCounty ASA Chapter
(Youngstown)
- Verbal Behavior Workshop
sponsored by Dayton ASA
-
Dayton ASA Support Group Meetings
- News from the ASA
ASA
Receives Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance's Standards for
Charity
Accountability
IACC Meeting Announced
ABC News Seeks Submissions for iCaught: OnCall+ Autism
Insurance Mandate Passes Pennsylvania Legislature
President Bush Signs Medicaid Moratorium into Law
ADA Amendments Pass House of Representatives
Congress Continues to Support Autism Programs
Available Now: "Little White Squirrel's Secret"
Sharing Miracles Blog a Forum for Hope
"The Autism File" debuts in the U.S. & Canada
- Basic Foundation in Applied Behavioral Analysis, Cleveland
IACC Meeting Announced
ABC News Seeks Submissions for iCaught: OnCall+ Autism
Insurance Mandate Passes Pennsylvania Legislature
President Bush Signs Medicaid Moratorium into Law
ADA Amendments Pass House of Representatives
Congress Continues to Support Autism Programs
Available Now: "Little White Squirrel's Secret"
Sharing Miracles Blog a Forum for Hope
"The Autism File" debuts in the U.S. & Canada
- Basic Foundation in Applied Behavioral Analysis, Cleveland
-
Upcoming Events, NE Ohio, Compiled by Milestones
- Moms of
Asperger Girls - Update/Correction
- Fashion Sense
2008 - Benefit for Autism, Akron area
- Resource: Special Needs Equipment
- HAND-TO-HAND: A Free Family
Education Program, Stark County
- Resource: BBB AUTISM
ONLINE SUPPORT NETWORK
- Parent Education
Empowerment Resources Supports, Akron
- Support The Healthy
Transition Act of 2008!
- Article: TURNING FAILURE
INTO SUCCESS IN THE FOURTH DIMENSION, Dan Coulter
- Article: The Puzzle of
Hidden Ability, Newsweek
- OLRS Strategic Planning
Survey
- Ride for Autism 2008,
Columbus
- National Council on
Disability (NCD) Study - Input Needed
- “Night of
Celebration” for MR/DD Community at the Cincinnati
Reds
- Article: What Autism Does
to a Mother
- Holiday Tips
- Book: Older Adolescents
and Adults
- Benefit for Autism, Westerville
-
Motorcycle Ride For Hattie Larlham, NE Ohio
If you are interested in participating in research
projects, ASO is now posting all research opportunities on our website.
For information on available opportunities, visit our webpage www.autismohio.org,
click on "Information" along the left side of the home page and then
click on "Studies/Surveys". New Studies posted
just this week!
Have you purchased your Ohio Autism Awareness License Plate yet? To purchase yours, visit www.oplates.com and click on "Specialty Plates" or visit our website at www.autismohio.org for more information.
Sincerely,
The Autism Society of Ohio
701 S. Main St.
Akron, OH 44311
(330) 376-0211
fax: (330) 376-1226
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
web: www.autismohio.org
Please note: This is provided for information purposes only. The ASO does not endorse or recommend any providers, methodologies or services. Providing this information should not be construed as an endorsement by the ASO, either explicit or impiled.
News From ASO:
Autism
Early Screening Pilot: We need your help!
As part of the Autism
Early Screening Pilot, the Ohio chapter of the American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP), who is administering the program for the
Ohio Department of Health, is looking to recruit pediatric and
family practice physicians to participate in the program from the pilot
counties: Belmont, Warren, Wood, Cuyahoga and
Franklin. If you would like to suggest a practice to
participate in this project - please send
the practice contact information to Dan Farkas at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
Also, contact your practice and encourage them to
participate. PLEASE only suggest and or contact practices in
the pilot counties at this time!
Also, we need media
members that you know of who are sympathetic to the cause of autism to
help spread the word on this project. If you have or know of
any such contacts (print or broadcast), please send them to Farkas at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
as well.
This project was made
possible through an initiative of the Autism Society of Ohio and the
support of Rep. Kevin Bacon.
National
Forum on Disability Issues in Columbus - Plan on attending!
National Forum on Disability Issues featuring the 2008 Presidential Candidates (invited) to be held on July 26, 2008, in Columbus, Ohio. The National Forum on Disability Issues, featuring the 2008 Presidential Candidates (invited) is a historic, nonpartisan forum on national disability policy to be held on July 26, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio. We plan to welcome over a thousand Americans with disabilities and their friends and family (registration required) to attend the event and to commemorate the 18th anniversary of our civil rights law, the Americans with Disabilities Act. The forum will feature time slots for the presidential candidates to individually present their visions for the future of disability policy in America followed by questions from the audience, asked by Judy Woodruff, news anchor and journalist ("The News Hour with Jim Lehrer"), who will act as the Moderator. ASO is a recent sponsor of this event. For more information and to register, visit www.aapd-dc.org.
National Forum on Disability Issues featuring the 2008 Presidential Candidates (invited) to be held on July 26, 2008, in Columbus, Ohio. The National Forum on Disability Issues, featuring the 2008 Presidential Candidates (invited) is a historic, nonpartisan forum on national disability policy to be held on July 26, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio. We plan to welcome over a thousand Americans with disabilities and their friends and family (registration required) to attend the event and to commemorate the 18th anniversary of our civil rights law, the Americans with Disabilities Act. The forum will feature time slots for the presidential candidates to individually present their visions for the future of disability policy in America followed by questions from the audience, asked by Judy Woodruff, news anchor and journalist ("The News Hour with Jim Lehrer"), who will act as the Moderator. ASO is a recent sponsor of this event. For more information and to register, visit www.aapd-dc.org.
CPST Rule changes on Hold
The Ohio Department of Mental
Health and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will NOT
implement their proposed rules regarding Community psychiatric
supportive treatment (CPST) service July 1, as planned, due to a suit
filed by Ohio Legal Rights. Read the full decision at the ASO
website.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the Court GRANTS Plaintiffs’ request for injunctive relief. The Defendants are therefore ORDERED to refrain from implementing Ohio Admin Code. 5101:3-27-02 and 5122-29-17. In so ruling, the Court is not deciding that all of the services provided by SBSA are medically necessary nor that the cost of treatment as billed by SBSA is reasonable. Rather, the Court is simply holding that the Plaintiffs have a reasonable chance of being successful in establishing that ABA services are covered by Medicaid and that the amendments to the Ohio Administrative Code violate the federal Medicaid Act.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
S/ James L. Graham
James L. Graham
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the Court GRANTS Plaintiffs’ request for injunctive relief. The Defendants are therefore ORDERED to refrain from implementing Ohio Admin Code. 5101:3-27-02 and 5122-29-17. In so ruling, the Court is not deciding that all of the services provided by SBSA are medically necessary nor that the cost of treatment as billed by SBSA is reasonable. Rather, the Court is simply holding that the Plaintiffs have a reasonable chance of being successful in establishing that ABA services are covered by Medicaid and that the amendments to the Ohio Administrative Code violate the federal Medicaid Act.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
S/ James L. Graham
James L. Graham
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
From
ODJFS: Children's Buy-In Program
Gov. Strickland’s
TurnAround Ohio initiatives have helped expand health care coverage to
more Ohioans including uninsured children.
Ohio is pleased to announce the availability of a new health care program called the “Children’s Buy-In” program (also known as CBI). CBI is a cost-sharing health care program for certain children with special needs or expensive insurance premiums. Children may qualify for this program if their families have an annual income that is more than 300% of the federal poverty level (about $63,600 for a family of four). Applications are accepted online only. For more information, please visit: http://jfs.ohio.gov/OHP/cbi/.
In addition, Ohio’s Medicaid program is covering more Ohioans than ever before! For links to brochures, flyers, facts sheets and more, check out the TurnAround Ohio Medicaid Expansions Toolkit online at: http://jfs.ohio.gov/OHP/tao/toolkit.stm.
Ohio is pleased to announce the availability of a new health care program called the “Children’s Buy-In” program (also known as CBI). CBI is a cost-sharing health care program for certain children with special needs or expensive insurance premiums. Children may qualify for this program if their families have an annual income that is more than 300% of the federal poverty level (about $63,600 for a family of four). Applications are accepted online only. For more information, please visit: http://jfs.ohio.gov/OHP/cbi/.
In addition, Ohio’s Medicaid program is covering more Ohioans than ever before! For links to brochures, flyers, facts sheets and more, check out the TurnAround Ohio Medicaid Expansions Toolkit online at: http://jfs.ohio.gov/OHP/tao/toolkit.stm.
Governor to host
Education Forums around Ohio - plan to participate!
Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland
today announced that he will host 12 forums across the state this
summer focusing on reforming education in Ohio.
“There is nothing more important to Ohio's economic future than making sure that we have a world-class system of education,” Strickland said. "These forums are the beginning of a conversation with the people of Ohio about how best to reform education in our great state."
The “Governor’s Conversation on Education” forums will focus on the six principles for education reform as outlined in the Governor’s State of the State address as well as specific policy ideas for fostering a system of education in Ohio that is innovative, personalized and linked to economic prosperity. A second round of education forums will be held later in the fall of 2008 and will focus on how to properly finance a truly reformed system of education. The governor plans to introduce his education reform proposal in 2009.
“Ohio’s education system has many strengths, but despite our progress we haven’t kept pace with the rest of the world,” Strickland said. “It will take collaboration among business leaders, parents, students, teachers and school administrators to develop a plan that makes Ohio a leader in innovation and gives our students the preparation and skills they need to be successful in a global environment.”
Strickland also launched a Web site, http://www.ConversationOnEducation.Org , which provides the public and forum participants with details about the regional forums and will include ways to submit feedback during and after the forums.
Attendance at the forums is by invitation only. The dates, times and locations for the “Governor’s Conversation on Education” regional forums are listed below. Each forum will be available through a live Webcast at http://www.ConversationOnEducation.Org.
Most regional forums will also air live on the local PBS station. Stations without a live broadcast will tape and air their local forums following the event. Feeds of the forums will be provided to media outlets by Ohio Government Television.
Educators, business leaders, parents and students, among others, will make up the live audiences. In addition, each school district in the region will be encouraged to organize at least one “watch party” for the broadcast or Webcast and conduct a facilitated group discussion following the forum.
At each meeting, Strickland will discuss his six principles for education reform and specific ideas while facilitating an interactive conversation with audience members and Webcast and television viewers.
“There is nothing more important to Ohio's economic future than making sure that we have a world-class system of education,” Strickland said. "These forums are the beginning of a conversation with the people of Ohio about how best to reform education in our great state."
The “Governor’s Conversation on Education” forums will focus on the six principles for education reform as outlined in the Governor’s State of the State address as well as specific policy ideas for fostering a system of education in Ohio that is innovative, personalized and linked to economic prosperity. A second round of education forums will be held later in the fall of 2008 and will focus on how to properly finance a truly reformed system of education. The governor plans to introduce his education reform proposal in 2009.
“Ohio’s education system has many strengths, but despite our progress we haven’t kept pace with the rest of the world,” Strickland said. “It will take collaboration among business leaders, parents, students, teachers and school administrators to develop a plan that makes Ohio a leader in innovation and gives our students the preparation and skills they need to be successful in a global environment.”
Strickland also launched a Web site, http://www.ConversationOnEducation.Org , which provides the public and forum participants with details about the regional forums and will include ways to submit feedback during and after the forums.
Attendance at the forums is by invitation only. The dates, times and locations for the “Governor’s Conversation on Education” regional forums are listed below. Each forum will be available through a live Webcast at http://www.ConversationOnEducation.Org.
Most regional forums will also air live on the local PBS station. Stations without a live broadcast will tape and air their local forums following the event. Feeds of the forums will be provided to media outlets by Ohio Government Television.
Educators, business leaders, parents and students, among others, will make up the live audiences. In addition, each school district in the region will be encouraged to organize at least one “watch party” for the broadcast or Webcast and conduct a facilitated group discussion following the forum.
At each meeting, Strickland will discuss his six principles for education reform and specific ideas while facilitating an interactive conversation with audience members and Webcast and television viewers.
ASO is working with the Governor's office to
make sure that the issues of students with autism, their families and
educators who work with them are addressed as a part of this
process. ASO will keep you up to date via the DIGEST and
website.
Below are the times/dates for the forums.
Tuesday, July 22nd
FRANKLIN COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
WHERE: COSI Studio
333 W. Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Wednesday, July 23rd
SUMMIT COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
WHERE: Akron North High School
985 Gorge Blvd.
Akron, OH 44310
Monday, July 28th
HAMILTON COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
WHERE: CET Studio
1223 Central Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45214
Tuesday, July 29th
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
WHERE: University of Dayton
Boll Theater, Kennedy Union
300 College Park
Dayton, OH 45469
Wednesday, August 6th
CUYAHOGA COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
WHERE: Idea Center at Playhouse Square
Westfield Insurance Studio Theatre
1375 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115
Monday, August 11th
MUSKINGUM COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
WHERE: Ohio University Zanesville
Elson Hall Auditorium
1425 Newark Rd.
Zanesville, OH 43701
Tuesday, August 12th
ROSS COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
WHERE: Ohio University Chillicothe
Bennett Hall Auditorium
101 University Dr.
Chillicothe, OH 45601
Friday, August 15th
ALLEN COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
WHERE: Rhodes State Community College
Science Building, Room 100
4240 Campus Dr.
Lima, OH 45804
Monday, August 18th
WASHINGTON COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
WHERE: Marietta College
McDonough Auditorium
215 Fifth St.
Marietta, OH 45750
Wednesday, August 20th
LUCAS COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
WHERE: Rogers High School
222 McTigue Dr.
Toledo, OH 43615
Wednesday, September 3rd
MAHONING COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
WHERE: Youngstown State University
Kilcawley Center, Chestnut Room
One University Plaza
Youngstown, OH 44555
Monday, September 15th
RICHLAND COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
WHERE: Ohio State University Mansfield
Ovalwood Hall, Founders Auditorium
1680 University Dr.
Mansfield, OH 44906
Below are the times/dates for the forums.
Tuesday, July 22nd
FRANKLIN COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
WHERE: COSI Studio
333 W. Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Wednesday, July 23rd
SUMMIT COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
WHERE: Akron North High School
985 Gorge Blvd.
Akron, OH 44310
Monday, July 28th
HAMILTON COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
WHERE: CET Studio
1223 Central Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45214
Tuesday, July 29th
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
WHERE: University of Dayton
Boll Theater, Kennedy Union
300 College Park
Dayton, OH 45469
Wednesday, August 6th
CUYAHOGA COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
WHERE: Idea Center at Playhouse Square
Westfield Insurance Studio Theatre
1375 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115
Monday, August 11th
MUSKINGUM COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
WHERE: Ohio University Zanesville
Elson Hall Auditorium
1425 Newark Rd.
Zanesville, OH 43701
Tuesday, August 12th
ROSS COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
WHERE: Ohio University Chillicothe
Bennett Hall Auditorium
101 University Dr.
Chillicothe, OH 45601
Friday, August 15th
ALLEN COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
WHERE: Rhodes State Community College
Science Building, Room 100
4240 Campus Dr.
Lima, OH 45804
Monday, August 18th
WASHINGTON COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
WHERE: Marietta College
McDonough Auditorium
215 Fifth St.
Marietta, OH 45750
Wednesday, August 20th
LUCAS COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
WHERE: Rogers High School
222 McTigue Dr.
Toledo, OH 43615
Wednesday, September 3rd
MAHONING COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
WHERE: Youngstown State University
Kilcawley Center, Chestnut Room
One University Plaza
Youngstown, OH 44555
Monday, September 15th
RICHLAND COUNTY
WHAT: Governor’s Conversation on Education
WHEN: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
WHERE: Ohio State University Mansfield
Ovalwood Hall, Founders Auditorium
1680 University Dr.
Mansfield, OH 44906
NOW OPEN!
– 2008 NATTAP Conference Registration
The Autism Society of America (ASA) and Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) present the 2nd annual international conference on autism training and technical assistance. The objectives of the conference are to review current systems models for addressing the needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), promote use of best practice in research and intervention and provide methods for capacity building – all of which contribute to the ultimate goal of improving outcomes for individuals ages 3-21. Join the estimated 1,500-2,000 attendees from across the national and around the globe.
NEW for 2008! Pre-Conference Sessions - November 18, 2008
Pre-Conference sessions are provided by leaders and recognized experts in the field and provide attendees with a valuable opportunity for in-depth discussion and learning.
What: 2008 NATTAP Conference
When: November 19-21, 2008
Where: Greater Columbus Convention Center | Columbus, OH
Early Bird Rate: $185
Parent/Family Member Rate: $100
Pre-Conference Session Rate: $100
Conference registration and information available at: http://www.nattapconference.org
The Autism Society of America (ASA) and Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) present the 2nd annual international conference on autism training and technical assistance. The objectives of the conference are to review current systems models for addressing the needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), promote use of best practice in research and intervention and provide methods for capacity building – all of which contribute to the ultimate goal of improving outcomes for individuals ages 3-21. Join the estimated 1,500-2,000 attendees from across the national and around the globe.
NEW for 2008! Pre-Conference Sessions - November 18, 2008
Pre-Conference sessions are provided by leaders and recognized experts in the field and provide attendees with a valuable opportunity for in-depth discussion and learning.
What: 2008 NATTAP Conference
When: November 19-21, 2008
Where: Greater Columbus Convention Center | Columbus, OH
Early Bird Rate: $185
Parent/Family Member Rate: $100
Pre-Conference Session Rate: $100
Conference registration and information available at: http://www.nattapconference.org
The Autism Society
of Ohio has provided a grant to OCALI reducing the registration rate
for parents from last year's $185 to $100 for all three days of the
conference! Register NOW!
2008
ASA National Conference
July 9-12, 2008
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
Orlando, Florida
July 9-12, 2008
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
Orlando, Florida
2008
Keynoters:
Temple Grandin, Ph.D., Bob Hendren, D.O., & James Ball, Ph.D., BCBA
Temple Grandin, Ph.D., Bob Hendren, D.O., & James Ball, Ph.D., BCBA
The Autism Society of America recognizes that
families and individuals living with an autism spectrum disorder have a
range of issues and needs. The National Conference of the Autism
Society of America is the only conference that addresses the range of
issues, including early intervention, education, employment, behavior,
communication, social skills, biomedical interventions and others,
across the entire lifespan. Bringing together the expertise and
experiences of family members, professionals and individuals on the
spectrum, attendees are able to learn how to more effectively advocate
and obtain supports for the individual with ASD. The ultimate goal is
to empower family members, individuals on the spectrum and
professionals to make informed decisions.
Registration
& Conference Schedule
Go to www.autism-society.org/conference
for the detailed 2008 ASA National Conference schedule. All session
descriptions and speakers are now listed online, with over 200 speakers
and 150 sessions. Be sure to register for the conference online by May
1, 2008, to take advantage of Early Bird Registration prices
(Individuals on the Spectrum: $150 & Full Conference Attendees:
$220).
Exhibitors
Don't miss your opportunity to exhibit at the
largest autism conference in the U.S. this year. Network with
professionals, families, service providers and more. For more
information, contact Meg Ellacott, 2008 ASA National Conference Exhibit
Director, at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or 302.260.9487. Be sure to secure your spot now.
Respite
Child Care
Bring your entire family. Orlando is a great family
vacation location. ASA is partnering with Quest, Inc., to provide
respite care onsite. For more information, contact ASA at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
Continuing
Education Credits
BCBA, ASHA and CME credits are available.
For session information, contact Autism Society of America at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
The Autism Research Institute presents the Defeat Autism Now (DAN!)
Clinician Seminar for professionals on Wednesday, July 9, 2008.
For information about the conference, contact
Autism Society America Conference Department at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or call 301.657.0881, ext. 10.
Federal
Office of Special Education Programs Publishes Report on Ohio
For the letter to Dr.
Zelman, click here
For a table reporting
by State Performance Plan Indicator, click here
Federal Update
The President signed into law the
Emergency War Supplemental Appropriations bill. Six Medicaid regulations are put
under a one year moratorium (through April 1, 2009) and include the
rehab option, school based administration/transportation and case
management rules. The outpatient rule was not included.
The full House voted to adopt the Americans
with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (H.R. 3195). Although the White House released
a statement of general support for the bill, that statement also
expressed reservations about some of the key provisions that had been
negotiated. As the Independence Day recess began, there were no signals
as yet as to how or when the Senate would consider restoring the lost
protections under the
By a veto-proof vote of 355-59,
the House of Representatives passed the Medicare
Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331). This bill: Averts a 10.6% decrease
in Medicare reimbursements to physicians scheduled to take effect on
July 1; Delays by 18 months the roll-out of a competitive bidding
program for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and
supplies in 10 metropolitan statistical areas; Imposes an 18 month
extension on the exceptions process for limits on physical,
occupational and speech and language therapies; and Contains several
improvements to the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy. The President
had sent a veto-message on the bill. The Senate, by a vote of 58-40,
failed to garner the 60 votes needed to proceed with consideration of
the bill. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has vowed to bring
up the bill again after the July 4 recess.
The Arc and United Cerebral palsy,
in conjunction with the Education Task Force of the Consortium for
Citizen with Disabilities (CCD), filed extensive comments on proposed
rules regarding future implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act. The comments will be posted soon
on the CCD webpage at http://www.c-c-d.org
The National Council on Disability (NCD) is gathering public input for a study of emerging issues and trends affecting the lives of people with disabilities. Information gathered will be used in the development of NCD's next annual progress report to the President and Congress, "National Disability Policy: A Progress Report," which is required by Section 401(b) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. NCD is seeking input on disability issues such as health, housing, employment, insurance, transportation, assistive technology, recreation, emergency preparedness, training, prevention, early intervention and education. Information must be submitted to NCD by July 22, 2008. For further information see: http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2008/public_consultation.html
Upcoming Events, Resources, etc:
Autism
Society of Greater Cleveland Update
Meetings are
held at 8001 Brecksville Rd., Brecksville, Ohio 44141
July 1st, 2008 6:30-8:30 pm Speaker: Hal Wildman, PhD– Pediatric
Clinical Psychologist; Spectrum Psychological Associates, Inc.
August 5th 6:30 to 8:30 pm
July 1st, 2008 6:30-8:30 pm Speaker: Hal Wildman, PhD– Pediatric
Clinical Psychologist; Spectrum Psychological Associates, Inc.
August 5th 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Free Childcare
is Available for ASGC Meetings
· Provided by staff members from STEPS Behavioral Consulting
· RSVP is requested for childcare by calling (216) 556-4937
· Let us know how many children will be attending
· Provided by staff members from STEPS Behavioral Consulting
· RSVP is requested for childcare by calling (216) 556-4937
· Let us know how many children will be attending
Check
out our latest newsletter at our
website at www.asgc.org!
Upcoming Events from TriCounty ASA Chapter
(Youngstown)
July
21st - There will be an open house at the new Tri-County Autism Society
Office from 6-8 PM located at 1749 S. Racoon Rd. Suite 3 (Around back)
Austintown, Ohio 44515. Please call 330-270-2066 with any questions.
Kalahari-
Aug.29th Fri-Sat. $75 for members. Please call 330-270-2066 to reserve
your spot by Aug. 1st. That includes admission for 4 people to the
water park and 1 nights accommodations.
For additional information, visit http://www.triautism.com/
Verbal Behavior Workshop sponsored by Dayton ASA
July
31-Aug 1, 2008
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Workshop #2: Establishing Instructional Control by Building Rapport and Teaching Functional Communication. Two-day workshop taught by Thomas Caffrey, M.Ed., BCBA of ABN Training and funded by the Dayton Autism Society and the Foundation for Autism Training and Education (FATE). Location: Holiday Inn-Dayton Mall, 31 Prestige Plaza Dr., Miamisburg, OH, 45342. LIMIT: 40 participants. Cost: $195.00 More information at: www.thefate.org.
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Workshop #2: Establishing Instructional Control by Building Rapport and Teaching Functional Communication. Two-day workshop taught by Thomas Caffrey, M.Ed., BCBA of ABN Training and funded by the Dayton Autism Society and the Foundation for Autism Training and Education (FATE). Location: Holiday Inn-Dayton Mall, 31 Prestige Plaza Dr., Miamisburg, OH, 45342. LIMIT: 40 participants. Cost: $195.00 More information at: www.thefate.org.
Dayton ASA Support Group Meetings
Beginning
in August, we will resume our monthly support group meetings.
We have various topics in the works, including toilet training, social
skills training, special needs taxes, special needs financial planning,
special needs reading program, and more! Visit our website
toward the end of July for updates. http://www.daytonautismsociety.org.
Day, time, and location TBD.
News from the ASA:
ASA
Receives Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance's Standards for
Charity Accountability
The Autism Society of America is proud to meet the Standards for
Charity Accountability of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving
Alliance and to display the BBB Wise Giving Seal. The BBB Wise Giving
Alliance is a charity watchdog that collects and distributes
information on hundreds of nonprofit organizations that solicit
nationally or have national or international program services. The
Alliance has developed 20 comprehensive standards for charitable
organizations to follow and to help donors make sound giving
decisions. Read more:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=vOihT5prBYirsqzbJ2kYhg..
IACC Meeting Announced
A meeting of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee [under the
Combating Autism Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-416)] will take place on
Tuesday, July 15, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the campus of
the National Institutes of Health at the Natcher Conference Center,
Rooms E1 and E2, 45 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD. Read more:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=VNPpHJELnAD5Yg3KaRfmXQ..
ABC News Seeks Submissions for iCaught: OnCall+ Autism
ABC News is presenting an opportunity for you to share your personal
experiences as part of a special hour on Good Morning America Now:
"OnCall+ Autism." You can also send a question about autism that may
be answered by a top medical expert in the field. Read more:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=YqwwHIR22rExnA461aWYqw..
Insurance Mandate Passes Pennsylvania Legislature
The Pennsylvania House and Senate have overwhelmingly passed HB1150,
which will require insurance companies to cover essential autism
services. The legislation passed by both houses, includes an amendment,
introduced by House bill sponsor Dennis O'Brien, that restored
the bill from the weakened version originally passed by the Senate
last weekend. Read more: http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=-L5zFX0UXz-im9E0wF2k2w..
President Bush Signs Medicaid Moratorium into Law
After months of intense pressure from the disability community, the
President signed into law legislation to temporarily delay
implementation of six regulations that would significantly hinder
access to important services under the Medicaid program. Read more:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=3bi6XzITpGz-tCkt0GY-_Q..
ADA Amendments Pass House of Representatives
The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Americans with
Disabilities Act Amendments of 2008 last week, providing important
protections for individuals with disabilities. Despite passage of the
ADA in 1990, many individuals with disabilities still face
discrimination in the workplace. Court decisions over the last decade
have excluded individuals who should have been covered under the
current ADA law. These narrow court interpretations have restricted
ADA coverage for people with diabetes, epilepsy, serious heart
conditions, mental disabilities and cancer. Read more:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=5Tj0h-YFXmdzpMP7b_VBpw..
Congress Continues to Support Autism Programs
One of ASA's leading legislative priorities has been to increase
federal funding for autism surveillance and awareness programs at the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and for autism
services and research at the Health Resources and Services
Administration (HRSA). Last week, both the House and Senate Labor,
Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittees
signaled their support for these efforts and other important autism
programs. Read more:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=G0suDnO-49J12vr45_kLPg..
Available Now: "Little White Squirrel's Secret"
Inspired by the daily challenges and victories of Penny Hunt's
granddaughter with autism, Millie, her mother and the education
specialists dedicated to her development, "Little White
Squirrel's Secret" is written to encourage every child and parent
who must work a little harder for success. Read more:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=sq0iSYgN3He8Xqp9yAGCog..
Sharing Miracles Blog a Forum for Hope
People confronting serious illness or disabilities need to
know--perhaps more than anything else--that they are not
alone. Sharing Miracles is a forum for people to relate their own
personal stories of hope and survival. Read more:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=fQMLc0qe-3htdt_mTrKDAQ..
"The Autism File" debuts in the U.S. & Canada
"The Autism File," a retail- and subscription-based magazine sold in the
U.K., Spain and Australia, has announced imminent distribution in
retail outlets in the United States and Canada, with an initial
distribution in 1,600 stores, including Borders and Barnes &
Noble. Read more:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=GdMek7Q_PadnO-osloLNig..
The Autism Society of America is proud to meet the Standards for
Charity Accountability of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving
Alliance and to display the BBB Wise Giving Seal. The BBB Wise Giving
Alliance is a charity watchdog that collects and distributes
information on hundreds of nonprofit organizations that solicit
nationally or have national or international program services. The
Alliance has developed 20 comprehensive standards for charitable
organizations to follow and to help donors make sound giving
decisions. Read more:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=vOihT5prBYirsqzbJ2kYhg..
IACC Meeting Announced
A meeting of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee [under the
Combating Autism Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-416)] will take place on
Tuesday, July 15, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the campus of
the National Institutes of Health at the Natcher Conference Center,
Rooms E1 and E2, 45 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD. Read more:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=VNPpHJELnAD5Yg3KaRfmXQ..
ABC News Seeks Submissions for iCaught: OnCall+ Autism
ABC News is presenting an opportunity for you to share your personal
experiences as part of a special hour on Good Morning America Now:
"OnCall+ Autism." You can also send a question about autism that may
be answered by a top medical expert in the field. Read more:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=YqwwHIR22rExnA461aWYqw..
Insurance Mandate Passes Pennsylvania Legislature
The Pennsylvania House and Senate have overwhelmingly passed HB1150,
which will require insurance companies to cover essential autism
services. The legislation passed by both houses, includes an amendment,
introduced by House bill sponsor Dennis O'Brien, that restored
the bill from the weakened version originally passed by the Senate
last weekend. Read more: http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=-L5zFX0UXz-im9E0wF2k2w..
President Bush Signs Medicaid Moratorium into Law
After months of intense pressure from the disability community, the
President signed into law legislation to temporarily delay
implementation of six regulations that would significantly hinder
access to important services under the Medicaid program. Read more:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=3bi6XzITpGz-tCkt0GY-_Q..
ADA Amendments Pass House of Representatives
The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Americans with
Disabilities Act Amendments of 2008 last week, providing important
protections for individuals with disabilities. Despite passage of the
ADA in 1990, many individuals with disabilities still face
discrimination in the workplace. Court decisions over the last decade
have excluded individuals who should have been covered under the
current ADA law. These narrow court interpretations have restricted
ADA coverage for people with diabetes, epilepsy, serious heart
conditions, mental disabilities and cancer. Read more:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=5Tj0h-YFXmdzpMP7b_VBpw..
Congress Continues to Support Autism Programs
One of ASA's leading legislative priorities has been to increase
federal funding for autism surveillance and awareness programs at the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and for autism
services and research at the Health Resources and Services
Administration (HRSA). Last week, both the House and Senate Labor,
Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittees
signaled their support for these efforts and other important autism
programs. Read more:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=G0suDnO-49J12vr45_kLPg..
Available Now: "Little White Squirrel's Secret"
Inspired by the daily challenges and victories of Penny Hunt's
granddaughter with autism, Millie, her mother and the education
specialists dedicated to her development, "Little White
Squirrel's Secret" is written to encourage every child and parent
who must work a little harder for success. Read more:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=sq0iSYgN3He8Xqp9yAGCog..
Sharing Miracles Blog a Forum for Hope
People confronting serious illness or disabilities need to
know--perhaps more than anything else--that they are not
alone. Sharing Miracles is a forum for people to relate their own
personal stories of hope and survival. Read more:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=fQMLc0qe-3htdt_mTrKDAQ..
"The Autism File" debuts in the U.S. & Canada
"The Autism File," a retail- and subscription-based magazine sold in the
U.K., Spain and Australia, has announced imminent distribution in
retail outlets in the United States and Canada, with an initial
distribution in 1,600 stores, including Borders and Barnes &
Noble. Read more:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=GdMek7Q_PadnO-osloLNig..
Basic
Foundation in Applied Behavioral Analysis
August 14-15th, 2008
Two Day workshop introduces Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) For Parents & Professionals
At Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital
For More Information, contact Jennifer Manning (216) 721-1292
www.clevelandclinic.org/autism
August 14-15th, 2008
Two Day workshop introduces Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) For Parents & Professionals
At Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital
For More Information, contact Jennifer Manning (216) 721-1292
www.clevelandclinic.org/autism
Upcoming Events, NE Ohio, Compiled by Milestones
Family Workshop Fall Series
This series is for family members,
caregivers, tutors or others interested in learning effective
strategies for playing, communicating and interacting in a home with
children who have communication and/or behavioral challenges.
These effective strategies are for children of all ages with pervasive
developmental disorders, autism spectrum disorders and asperger's
syndrome. This workshop's focus is on ages 1 years old through early
elementary. Participants will engage in hands-on learning of ABA for
use everyday in their homes. ABA is a system for teaching
which breaks skills down into discrete steps. Skills are taught through
motivation, errorless learning, and reinforcement.
For more information contact Kiersten Johnson at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
July
9, Understanding Public Health Care Funding for Children - Workshop 1 (Tools
for Today), 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. Cuyahoga Valley Career Center,
8001 Brecksville Road, Room 695, Brecksville Organization. Workshop 1 is the first in a
series about important public health care funding sources for children.
Workshop 1 will include an overview of public health care
funding/programs available under the law, program standards,
and guidelines for making appeals. Attendance at this workshop, prior
to Workshops 2-4, is recommended. Workshop 1 will be repeated on
Speaker: Franklin J. Hickman, JD Speakers from agencies that administer
publicly funded programs will present information and answer your
questions about eligibility, services and how to apply, at the
following workshops. IMPORTANT NOTE: Each of these workshops will be
repeated at two different locations. Refer to the Tools calendar on the
dates indicated below to see where they will be held. Workshop
2: Medicaid benefits packages under EPSDT, Children's
Medicaid Buy-In, Ohio Home Care and Transition, and Core Waivers. (See
7/23 and 7/24 on the Tools calendar) Workshop 3:
CCBMRDD Level I and Individual Options Waivers. (See 8/6 and 8/13 on
the Tools calendar) Workshop 4: BCMH
(Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps) Benefits Package. Cost:
$10 Advance registration is required. For more information
contact Linda Kresnye at 216-229-5757, Ext. 126 or lkresnye@clevelandrmh.org
July
11, Comedy Benefit for Autism Education (FWB
Improv) 8:00
pm. Cost: $10 Borderline
Comedy Club, 1572 West 117th St. Lakewood, OH 44107
A Comedy Benefit for Autism Education. Profit will be donated to Milestones Autism Organization which provides education and training for Cleveland's Autism Community. Milestones provided over 60 scholarships for parents and professionals to attend this year's conference, Teacher Training and year round workshops. For more information or to reserve seats contact Deena at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view itm or 440-840-3546. www. FWBImprov.com
Download Improv Flyer
Family July 12, Sibshop-A program for Brothers and Sisters of Kids with Special Needs (Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation) FREE 1:00pm - 4:00pm2801 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Cleveland 44104. A Sibshop is an event for kids ages 6-13 who have a brother or sister with special health or developmental needs. It will be a fun-filled event with recreation, discussion and peer support activities. Here's what kids say about Sibshops: "At Sibshops you can talk about the good and not-so-good parts of having a brother or sister who has special needs." "Now I know that there are kids just like me out there!" For more information contact Kelly S. Vitello, LISW at 216-721-1195.
Family July 12, Wall-E Special Showing (ASPIES Greater Akron Support Group) 10:30 am. Rolling Acres Cinema, Akron. In conjunction with is showing a special presentation of Wall-E. Movie will start promptly at 11:00 am (with no advertisements, etc.) Sound & Lighting will be adjusted accordingly for kids with sensory issues. Special deal - $4.50 per person includes small drink & popcorn. Outside refreshments allowed (for those with special diets only, please!) For further information contact Joy Spencer 330-745-5115 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Family July 18 and July 20, Fashion Sense 2008- Two day event (Zaleski Productions) Two day event- July 18, Kip Winger, Disney's Everlife, Bullet Boys and XYZ plus local favorites Oblivion, Breakline and Drenalin are scheduled to bring a pre-event concert at the Canton Palace Theater in Canton, Ohio. This is an all age's event and welcomes families. July 20, Fashion Sense will feature critically acclaimed designer Juliette Longuet and her one-of-a-kind designs in an exclusive Fashion Show at The Bertram Inn and Conference Center, Aurora, Ohio. Mission Statement: Fashion Sense is a fashion show and fundraiser that will take place to benefit three different charities that provide services to Autistic and Asperger Syndrome Children in Ohio. Charities that will benefit from this event are as follows: ASPIES Greater Akron, Dragonfly Academy of Stark County and Challenger Baseball League. For Information on tickets, sponsorships or the charities involved, go to: www.fashionsense2008.com
or call 330-837-9309.
July 26, Choices in Residential Supports and Services (CMR) 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Vantage Financial Office, 6200 Rockside Road, Independence 44131. A two-session workshop (7/26 and 8/2/08) to help with the most important decisions about where to live for your family member with mental retardation or developmental disabilities. Topics covered include: types of residential options, residential funding methods in Ohio, discussion of service plans, how to choose a quality program and planning for the whole future. Cost:
$50/family; $35 CMR members. For more information contact the
Center for Mental Retardation at 216-622-0755 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
July 28 - August 08, Social Skills for children w/LD *families (Learning Disabilities Association of Cuyahoga County) 9:30 am-12:30 pm. 4800 East 131st Street Suite B, Garfield Hts., Ohio 44105. Do you have a child with a specific learning disability who will be entering grades 3-5 in the 2008-2009 school year? Does this child need help with social skills? LDACC is offering an interactive and an enjoyable summer program. This class will address appropriate responses in a variety of social situations, reading "body language", making and keeping friends and much more! Two sessions will be offered: 5 day session: July 28, 29, 30, 31 and August 1. 10 day session: July 28, 29, 39, 31, August 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Cost: 5 day session Members $75 Non members $100 10 day session Members $120 Non members $150. For more information contact Wendy Spitz at 216-581-4549 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
August 1, Autism Benefit for Families Affected by Autism (National Autism Association Northeast Ohio), 7:00 pm. An evening with Todd Snider with special guest Garrison Starr. Get a sneak peak of their performances by checking out the videos on our site at www.autismnortheastohio.org/special_events.php. There will be munchies and a raffle. Cost: $30 in advance / $35 at the door. For more information contact Andrea Pattison at 216.544.1231 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Family Sib's workshops! (Monarch School at Bellefaire JCB) For children/teens who have siblings with Autism. Bellefaire JCB 22001 Fairmount Blvd. Session I ( 6:15 pm -7:15 pm.)- For children, ages 7-12 yrs.Session II (7:30 pm -8:30 pm)- For teens ages 13-19 yrs. The 2nd Thursday of each Month; September, October, November and December. Facilitated by Monarch staff: Karin Hess-Hopkins, MSSA and Rebecca Remmer, SLP. Cost $80. For more information contact Karin Hess at 216-320-8658.
Download Flyer
A Comedy Benefit for Autism Education. Profit will be donated to Milestones Autism Organization which provides education and training for Cleveland's Autism Community. Milestones provided over 60 scholarships for parents and professionals to attend this year's conference, Teacher Training and year round workshops. For more information or to reserve seats contact Deena at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Download Improv Flyer
Family July 12, Sibshop-A program for Brothers and Sisters of Kids with Special Needs (Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation) FREE 1:00pm - 4:00pm2801 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Cleveland 44104. A Sibshop is an event for kids ages 6-13 who have a brother or sister with special health or developmental needs. It will be a fun-filled event with recreation, discussion and peer support activities. Here's what kids say about Sibshops: "At Sibshops you can talk about the good and not-so-good parts of having a brother or sister who has special needs." "Now I know that there are kids just like me out there!" For more information contact Kelly S. Vitello, LISW at 216-721-1195.
Family July 12, Wall-E Special Showing (ASPIES Greater Akron Support Group) 10:30 am. Rolling Acres Cinema, Akron. In conjunction with is showing a special presentation of Wall-E. Movie will start promptly at 11:00 am (with no advertisements, etc.) Sound & Lighting will be adjusted accordingly for kids with sensory issues. Special deal - $4.50 per person includes small drink & popcorn. Outside refreshments allowed (for those with special diets only, please!) For further information contact Joy Spencer 330-745-5115 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Family July 18 and July 20, Fashion Sense 2008- Two day event (Zaleski Productions) Two day event- July 18, Kip Winger, Disney's Everlife, Bullet Boys and XYZ plus local favorites Oblivion, Breakline and Drenalin are scheduled to bring a pre-event concert at the Canton Palace Theater in Canton, Ohio. This is an all age's event and welcomes families. July 20, Fashion Sense will feature critically acclaimed designer Juliette Longuet and her one-of-a-kind designs in an exclusive Fashion Show at The Bertram Inn and Conference Center, Aurora, Ohio. Mission Statement: Fashion Sense is a fashion show and fundraiser that will take place to benefit three different charities that provide services to Autistic and Asperger Syndrome Children in Ohio. Charities that will benefit from this event are as follows: ASPIES Greater Akron, Dragonfly Academy of Stark County and Challenger Baseball League. For Information on tickets, sponsorships or the charities involved, go to: www.fashionsens
July 26, Choices in Residential Supports and Services (CMR) 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Vantage Financial Office, 6200 Rockside Road, Independence 44131. A two-session workshop (7/26 and 8/2/08) to help with the most important decisions about where to live for your family member with mental retardation or developmental disabilities. Topics covered include: types of residential options, residential funding methods in Ohio, discussion of service plans, how to choose a quality program and planning for the whole future.
July 28 - August 08, Social Skills for children w/LD *families (Learning Disabilities Association of Cuyahoga County) 9:30 am-12:30 pm. 4800 East 131st Street Suite B, Garfield Hts., Ohio 44105. Do you have a child with a specific learning disability who will be entering grades 3-5 in the 2008-2009 school year? Does this child need help with social skills? LDACC is offering an interactive and an enjoyable summer program. This class will address appropriate responses in a variety of social situations, reading "body language", making and keeping friends and much more! Two sessions will be offered: 5 day session: July 28, 29, 30, 31 and August 1. 10 day session: July 28, 29, 39, 31, August 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Cost: 5 day session Members $75 Non members $100 10 day session Members $120 Non members $150. For more information contact Wendy Spitz at 216-581-4549 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
August 1, Autism Benefit for Families Affected by Autism (National Autism Association Northeast Ohio), 7:00 pm. An evening with Todd Snider with special guest Garrison Starr. Get a sneak peak of their performances by checking out the videos on our site at www.autismnortheastohio.org/special_events.php. There will be munchies and a raffle. Cost: $30 in advance / $35 at the door. For more information contact Andrea Pattison at 216.544.1231 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Family Sib's workshops! (Monarch School at Bellefaire JCB) For children/teens who have siblings with Autism. Bellefaire JCB 22001 Fairmount Blvd. Session I ( 6:15 pm -7:15 pm.)- For children, ages 7-12 yrs.Session II (7:30 pm -8:30 pm)- For teens ages 13-19 yrs. The 2nd Thursday of each Month; September, October, November and December. Facilitated by Monarch staff: Karin Hess-Hopkins, MSSA and Rebecca Remmer, SLP. Cost $80. For more information contact Karin Hess at 216-320-8658.
Download Flyer
Moms
of Asperger Girls - Update/Correction
Moms of Asperger Girls, (dads
also welcome), is a newly formed Yahoo group similar
to Greater Cleveland Aspergers Support (GC-AS), but international in
scope. If you are interested in joining, contact Theresa at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
for more information or visit website http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/gc-as
where you can join the group.
Fashion Sense
2008 - Benefit for Autism
Two day event (Zaleski
Productions)
July 18, Kip
Winger, Disney's Everlife, Bullet Boys and XYZ plus local favorites
Oblivion, Breakline and Drenalin are scheduled to bring a pre-event
concert at the Canton Palace Theater in Canton, Ohio.
This is an all age's event and welcomes families.
July 20, Fashion
Sense will feature critically acclaimed designer Juliette Longuet and
her one-of-a-kind designs in an exclusive Fashion Show at
The Bertram Inn and Conference Center, Aurora, Ohio.
Mission Statement: Fashion Sense is a fashion show
and fundraiser that will take place to benefit three different
charities that provide services to Autistic and Asperger Syndrome
Children in Ohio.
Charities that will benefit from this event are as
follows: ASPIES Greater Akron, Dragonfly
Academy of Stark County and Challenger Baseball League.
For Information on tickets, sponsorships or the
charities involved, go to: www.fashionsense2008.com
or call 330-837-9309.
Resource:
Special Needs Equipment
DIFFERENTNEEDZ.COM is a web store that offers special needs families a one-stop shop to buy and sell their gently used medical and special needs equipment and adaptive toys. Our goal is to unify a community that has not been properly served by product suppliers or other resale sites. Visit: http://www.differentneedz.com/
HAND-T0-HAND: A Free Family Education Program
Hand-to-Hand is a FREE
education program for parents, teachers and professionals involved with
children at risk for or who have an emotional disturbance/behavioral
disorder or mental illness diagnosis. Participants will gain an
understanding of issues pertinent to Autism Spectrum Disorder,
ADD/ADHD, Depression and Mood Disorders such as Bi-Polar Disorder,
Anxiety Disorders, OCD, ODD, Conduct Disorder, Schizophrenia and more.
Topics covered include:
· understanding your child's diagnosis
· developing family coping skills
· counseling, therapy and treatment
· medications
· special educational needs, including the IEP process
· juvenile justice and child protection agencies
Guidance is given on locating appropriate support and services within the community and obtaining better mental health services. Advocacy for appropriate federal and state policies is also included. The course is free, but registration is required. Lunch is provided and a monetary stipend will be given for attendance.
Saturday, July 12th & Saturday, July 19th : 900-4:00PM
Location: Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Stark County
800 Market Ave., N., Suite 1150 (old McKinley HS building), Canton, Oh 44702
FOR INFORMATION OR REGISTRATION:
CALL NAMI Stark County at: 330-455-6264
· understanding your child's diagnosis
· developing family coping skills
· counseling, therapy and treatment
· medications
· special educational needs, including the IEP process
· juvenile justice and child protection agencies
Guidance is given on locating appropriate support and services within the community and obtaining better mental health services. Advocacy for appropriate federal and state policies is also included. The course is free, but registration is required. Lunch is provided and a monetary stipend will be given for attendance.
Saturday, July 12th & Saturday, July 19th : 900-4:00PM
Location: Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Stark County
800 Market Ave., N., Suite 1150 (old McKinley HS building), Canton, Oh 44702
FOR INFORMATION OR REGISTRATION:
CALL NAMI Stark County at: 330-455-6264
Resource:
BBB AUTISM ONLINE SUPPORT NETWORK
Parent
Education Empowerment Resources Supports
ASPIES Greater Akron
Support Group assisting parents of children with
Asperger Syndrome, high functioning Autism, and PDD/NOS
Presents
P.E.E.R.S.
(Parent Education Empowerment Resources Supports)
A part of Mental Health America of Summit County
Lisa Oswald, Coordinator will be speaking on "Support, Services & Advocacy" - More help is available!
William Considine Professional Building
(across from Akron Children’s Hospital Main Entrance)
Floor 2 - Rooms 5 & 6
Tuesday, July 15th
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Light Refreshments will be served.
For further information, contact
Joy Spencer 330-745-5115 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Support Group assisting parents of children with
Asperger Syndrome, high functioning Autism, and PDD/NOS
Presents
P.E.E.R.S.
(Parent Education Empowerment Resources Supports)
A part of Mental Health America of Summit County
Lisa Oswald, Coordinator will be speaking on "Support, Services & Advocacy" - More help is available!
William Considine Professional Building
(across from Akron Children’s Hospital Main Entrance)
Floor 2 - Rooms 5 & 6
Tuesday, July 15th
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Light Refreshments will be served.
For further information, contact
Joy Spencer 330-745-5115 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
2008
Self Advocates Being Empowered Conference, Indianapolis
Complete details: http://www.sabe2008.org/
Support
The Healthy Transition Act of 2008!
June 30, 2008
Senators Christopher Dodd
(D-CT) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Representative Pete Stark (D-CA)
hosted a press conference on Wednesday, June 25th to announce the
introduction of The Healthy Transition Act of 2008
(H.R.6375/S.3195). This federal legislation is designed to
address the challenges faced by young adults with mental illnesses who
are transitioning to adulthood by establishing a planning grant program
that would allow states to implement effective transition-age mental
health services and supports.
Senators Dodd and Smith also
announced the release of a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)
report titled Young Adults with Serious Mental Illness: Some States and
Federal Agencies are Taking Steps to Address Their Transition
Challenges. The report focuses on the tremendous
struggles that transition-age young adults with mental illnesses face
and several innovative programs that exist in four states to address
their unique needs.
Andrew Sperling, NAMI's
Director of Legislative Affairs, moderated the press conference. Amy
Lydon O'Connor, a policy assistant with NAMI Connecticut and a
transition-age consumer, shared her personal story at the press
conference about the challenges she faced in transitioning from youth
to adulthood while also managing a mental illness. She was joined by
another transition-age consumer and a provider of transition-age
services in Philadelphia.
NAMI applauds Senators Dodd and
Smith and Representative Stark for their leadership in introducing
federal legislation that promises to focus national attention on the
need for states to develop effective transition-age services and
supports for young adults living with mental illnesses.
Act Now!
Act Now!
Email Congress today and urge your
Senators and Representatives to co-sponsor The Healthy Transition Act
of 2008 (H.R.6375/S.3195), which will provide state grants for much
needed support and services uniquely designed for youth and young
adults.
Click here to send an email to
Congress!
Learn
More
To access the GAO report click here.
To access NAMI's statement on
the GAO report and the federal legislation click here
Article:
TURNING FAILURE INTO SUCCESS IN THE FOURTH DIMENSION
By Dan Coulter
Ever gotten frustrated when you've failed? I have. It's especially hard
when you feel that you're somehow failing as a parent -- or that your child
is failing at something and you can't fix the problem.
If you're trying hard and you've made repeated attempts, it can be
especially disheartening.
But even this kind of failure can be a step toward success.
To illustrate, let's look at the movie, "Back to the Future." Marty McFly,
the time-traveling lead character, is a young musician who won't send his
audition tape to a record company because he's afraid of failure. During
the film, Marty is continually admonished by time machine inventor Doc
Brown, "You're not thinking fourth dimensionally!" By that, he means Marty
isn't taking the effects of time into account.
What does time and thinking fourth dimensionally have to do with failure and
success?
Failure can feel final in the moment when you experience it. But it's
really only final for that moment. The next moment, you can start looking
for another way to succeed.
In the film, Doc Brown has a framed photo of Thomas Edison over his
fireplace. Edison tried thousands of experiments that failed before finding
a good filament for the first practical electric light blub. The inventor
said of these failures, "They taught something that I didn't know. They
taught me what direction to move in."
So, we just have to get into that mindset, right? Simple. Okay, not
simple. But possible.
Late in the movie, we learn that Marty has what it takes to be a successful
musician when he plays a knock-em-dead version of Johnny B. Goode on guitar
at a high school dance. This means, like almost all other good musicians,
Marty had learned to practice through his initial failures to play songs
adeptly, gradually becoming better.
Just like off-key notes are part of learning to play a piano or guitar,
failure is part of the process in raising children. And no matter how
experienced you get, no one gets it perfect.
My kids are 23 and 24 years old. They're both doing well. But I still have
moments when I wish I could convince each to do things differently -- and
fail. But I'm much less likely to let frustration hamper me than I used to
be.
I've learned to be more strategic, and try less direct approaches.
For example, when you encounter a behavior you want to change, biting your
tongue and not commenting may be the best way to start the change process.
Let's say you're at dinner with your family and your daughter is taking
large bites of food and talking with her mouth full. It's tempting to
correct her then and there. But if you've tried that before and it just
caused an emotional scene, maybe it's better to let it go for the moment.
Then, plan a session where you sit with her and talk about it. Be
inventive. Who are her favorite movie stars? Maybe you could find a movie
that involves one of them sitting at a dinner table eating with good
manners. Show her that section of the video and practice eating a meal with
just you and her. Describe how you are both going to eat beforehand,
demonstrate doing it right, then let her try. Make it fun. Don't expect too
great a change in one session. Eat a number of private, practice meals.
Talk about the benefits of eating politely. Praise progress.
Generating even a small success can help your child feel, well, successful.
And success is a great building block to more success. Especially if you
take on behaviors you want to change one at a time.
At the end of the movie, Marty (having traveled to the past, overcome
numerous failures, and helped his father find new ways to succeed) returns
to the future to find things changed for the better. He also finds a new
optimism.
The lesson is that success or failure can be a state of mind. If you're
willing to use patience and keep trying new approaches, you can always be in
the process of turning failure into success where it counts -- fourth
dimensionally.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Dan Coulter is the writer/producer of the DVD, "Manners
for the Real World - Basic Social Skills," and other videos that can be
helpful to people with Asperger Syndrome and autism. You can find more
articles on his website: www.coultervideo.com .
Copyright 2008 Dan Coulter Used By Permission All Rights Reserved
By Dan Coulter
Ever gotten frustrated when you've failed? I have. It's especially hard
when you feel that you're somehow failing as a parent -- or that your child
is failing at something and you can't fix the problem.
If you're trying hard and you've made repeated attempts, it can be
especially disheartening.
But even this kind of failure can be a step toward success.
To illustrate, let's look at the movie, "Back to the Future." Marty McFly,
the time-traveling lead character, is a young musician who won't send his
audition tape to a record company because he's afraid of failure. During
the film, Marty is continually admonished by time machine inventor Doc
Brown, "You're not thinking fourth dimensionally!" By that, he means Marty
isn't taking the effects of time into account.
What does time and thinking fourth dimensionally have to do with failure and
success?
Failure can feel final in the moment when you experience it. But it's
really only final for that moment. The next moment, you can start looking
for another way to succeed.
In the film, Doc Brown has a framed photo of Thomas Edison over his
fireplace. Edison tried thousands of experiments that failed before finding
a good filament for the first practical electric light blub. The inventor
said of these failures, "They taught something that I didn't know. They
taught me what direction to move in."
So, we just have to get into that mindset, right? Simple. Okay, not
simple. But possible.
Late in the movie, we learn that Marty has what it takes to be a successful
musician when he plays a knock-em-dead version of Johnny B. Goode on guitar
at a high school dance. This means, like almost all other good musicians,
Marty had learned to practice through his initial failures to play songs
adeptly, gradually becoming better.
Just like off-key notes are part of learning to play a piano or guitar,
failure is part of the process in raising children. And no matter how
experienced you get, no one gets it perfect.
My kids are 23 and 24 years old. They're both doing well. But I still have
moments when I wish I could convince each to do things differently -- and
fail. But I'm much less likely to let frustration hamper me than I used to
be.
I've learned to be more strategic, and try less direct approaches.
For example, when you encounter a behavior you want to change, biting your
tongue and not commenting may be the best way to start the change process.
Let's say you're at dinner with your family and your daughter is taking
large bites of food and talking with her mouth full. It's tempting to
correct her then and there. But if you've tried that before and it just
caused an emotional scene, maybe it's better to let it go for the moment.
Then, plan a session where you sit with her and talk about it. Be
inventive. Who are her favorite movie stars? Maybe you could find a movie
that involves one of them sitting at a dinner table eating with good
manners. Show her that section of the video and practice eating a meal with
just you and her. Describe how you are both going to eat beforehand,
demonstrate doing it right, then let her try. Make it fun. Don't expect too
great a change in one session. Eat a number of private, practice meals.
Talk about the benefits of eating politely. Praise progress.
Generating even a small success can help your child feel, well, successful.
And success is a great building block to more success. Especially if you
take on behaviors you want to change one at a time.
At the end of the movie, Marty (having traveled to the past, overcome
numerous failures, and helped his father find new ways to succeed) returns
to the future to find things changed for the better. He also finds a new
optimism.
The lesson is that success or failure can be a state of mind. If you're
willing to use patience and keep trying new approaches, you can always be in
the process of turning failure into success where it counts -- fourth
dimensionally.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Dan Coulter is the writer/producer of the DVD, "Manners
for the Real World - Basic Social Skills," and other videos that can be
helpful to people with Asperger Syndrome and autism. You can find more
articles on his website: www.coultervideo.com .
Copyright 2008 Dan Coulter Used By Permission All Rights Reserved
Article:
The Puzzle of Hidden Ability
New IQ tests for autistics rates them smarter than before
http://www.newsweek.com/id/32250
The Puzzle of Hidden Ability By
Sharon Begley
<http://services.newsweek.com/search.aspx?q=Author:%5E%22sharon%20begley\
%22$&sortDirection=descending&sortField=pubdatetime&offset=0&pageSize=10\
> | NEWSWEEK Aug. 20-27, 2007 issue
Even their parents struggle to draw the tiniest hint of emotion or
social connection from autistic children, so imagine what happens when a
stranger sits with the child for hours to get through the standard IQ
test. For 10 of the test's 12 sections, the child must listen and
respond to spoken questions. Since for many autistics it is torture to
try to engage with someone even on this impersonal level, it's no wonder
so many wind up with IQ scores just above a carrot's (I wish I were
exaggerating; 20s are not unknown). More precisely, fully three quarters
of autistics are classified as having below-normal intelligence, with
many deemed mentally retarded.
It's finally dawning on scientists that there's a problem here. Testing
autistic kids' intelligence in a way that requires them to engage with a
stranger "is like giving a blind person an intelligence test that
requires him to process visual information," says Michelle
Dawson of
Rivière-des-Prairies Hospital in Montreal. She and colleagues
therefore tried a different IQ test, one that requires no social
interaction. As they report in the journal Psychological Science,
autistic children's scores came out starkly different than on the oral,
interactive IQ test—suggesting a burning intelligence inside these
kids that educators are failing to uncover.
That failure has lifelong implications. "If we label these children as
below-normal in intelligence, that is how they're treated," says Laurent
Mottron, who led the study. The disparity between scores on the two IQ
tests also makes you wonder who else the tests, which are used for
everything from screening military recruits to filling "gifted" classes,
are mislabeling.
For the study, children took two IQ tests. In the more widely used
Wechsler, they tried to arrange and complete pictures, do simple
arithmetic, demonstrate vocabulary comprehension and answer questions
such as what to do if you find a wallet on the street—almost all in
response to a stranger's questions. In the Raven's Progressive Matrices
test, they got brief instructions, then went off on their own to analyze
three-by-three arrays of geometric designs, with one missing, and choose
(from six or eight possibilities) the design that belonged in the empty
place. The disparity in scores was striking. One autistic child's
Wechsler result meant he was mentally retarded (an IQ below 70); his
Raven's put him in the 94th percentile. Overall, the autistics (all had
full-blown autism, not Asperger's) scored around the 30th percentile on
the Wechsler, which corresponds to "low average" IQ. But they averaged
in the 56th percentile on the Raven's. Not a single autistic child
scored in the "high intelligence" range on the Wechsler; on the Raven's,
one third did. Healthy children showed no such disparity.
The Wechsler measures "crystallized intelligence"—what
you've
learned. The Raven's measures "fluid intelligence"—the
ability to
learn, process information, ignore distractions, solve problems and
reason—and so is arguably a truer measure of intelligence, says
psychologist Steven Stemler of Wesleyan University.
That presents a puzzle. If many autistics are more intelligent than an
IQ test shows, why haven't their parents noticed? Partly because many
parents welcome a low score, which brings their child more special
services from schools and public agencies, says one scientist who has an
autistic son (and who fears that being named would antagonize the
close-knit autism community). But another force is at work. "We often
think of intelligence as what you can show, such as by speaking
fluently," says psychologist Morton Ann Gernsbacher of the University of
Wisconsin. "Parents as well as professionals might be biased to look at
that" rather than dig for the hidden intellectual spark.
The challenge is to coax that spark into the kind of intelligence that
manifests itself in practice. That is something autism researchers are
far from doing. Worse, much of the expert advice might be
counterproductive. Many experts dismiss autistics' exceptional reading,
artistic or other abilities as side effects of abnormal brain function,
"not a reflection of genuine human intelligence, which it is likely to
be," says Mottron. They advise parents to steer their child away from
what he excels at and obsesses over, such as letters and words and
details, and toward what he struggles with, such as faces and the big
picture. Dawson, who is autistic, thinks that's a prescription for
intellectual failure; autistics should be encouraged to build on their
strengths, as everyone else is. The problem of a lurking intelligence
that won't be coaxed out by the usual education and parenting methods is
not necessarily unique to autistics. It makes you wonder how many other
children, whose intellectual potential we're too blind to see, we've
also given up on.
<© 2007
The Puzzle of Hidden Ability By
Sharon Begley
<http://services.
%22$&sortDirection=
Even their parents struggle to draw the tiniest hint of emotion or
social connection from autistic children, so imagine what happens when a
stranger sits with the child for hours to get through the standard IQ
test. For 10 of the test's 12 sections, the child must listen and
respond to spoken questions. Since for many autistics it is torture to
try to engage with someone even on this impersonal level, it's no wonder
so many wind up with IQ scores just above a carrot's (I wish I were
exaggerating; 20s are not unknown). More precisely, fully three quarters
of autistics are classified as having below-normal intelligence, with
many deemed mentally retarded.
It's finally dawning on scientists that there's a problem here. Testing
autistic kids' intelligence in a way that requires them to engage with a
stranger "is like giving a blind person an intelligence test that
requires him to process visual information,
Rivière-des-Prairies Hospital in Montreal. She and colleagues
therefore tried a different IQ test, one that requires no social
interaction. As they report in the journal Psychological Science,
autistic children's scores came out starkly different than on the oral,
interactive IQ test—suggesting a burning intelligence inside these
kids that educators are failing to uncover.
That failure has lifelong implications. "If we label these children as
below-normal in intelligence, that is how they're treated," says Laurent
Mottron, who led the study. The disparity between scores on the two IQ
tests also makes you wonder who else the tests, which are used for
everything from screening military recruits to filling "gifted" classes,
are mislabeling.
For the study, children took two IQ tests. In the more widely used
Wechsler, they tried to arrange and complete pictures, do simple
arithmetic, demonstrate vocabulary comprehension and answer questions
such as what to do if you find a wallet on the street—almost all in
response to a stranger's questions. In the Raven's Progressive Matrices
test, they got brief instructions, then went off on their own to analyze
three-by-three arrays of geometric designs, with one missing, and choose
(from six or eight possibilities) the design that belonged in the empty
place. The disparity in scores was striking. One autistic child's
Wechsler result meant he was mentally retarded (an IQ below 70); his
Raven's put him in the 94th percentile. Overall, the autistics (all had
full-blown autism, not Asperger's) scored around the 30th percentile on
the Wechsler, which corresponds to "low average" IQ. But they averaged
in the 56th percentile on the Raven's. Not a single autistic child
scored in the "high intelligence" range on the Wechsler; on the Raven's,
one third did. Healthy children showed no such disparity.
The Wechsler measures "crystallized intelligence"—
learned. The Raven's measures "fluid intelligence"—
learn, process information, ignore distractions, solve problems and
reason—and so is arguably a truer measure of intelligence, says
psychologist Steven Stemler of Wesleyan University.
That presents a puzzle. If many autistics are more intelligent than an
IQ test shows, why haven't their parents noticed? Partly because many
parents welcome a low score, which brings their child more special
services from schools and public agencies, says one scientist who has an
autistic son (and who fears that being named would antagonize the
close-knit autism community). But another force is at work. "We often
think of intelligence as what you can show, such as by speaking
fluently," says psychologist Morton Ann Gernsbacher of the University of
Wisconsin. "Parents as well as professionals might be biased to look at
that" rather than dig for the hidden intellectual spark.
The challenge is to coax that spark into the kind of intelligence that
manifests itself in practice. That is something autism researchers are
far from doing. Worse, much of the expert advice might be
counterproductive. Many experts dismiss autistics' exceptional reading,
artistic or other abilities as side effects of abnormal brain function,
"not a reflection of genuine human intelligence, which it is likely to
be," says Mottron. They advise parents to steer their child away from
what he excels at and obsesses over, such as letters and words and
details, and toward what he struggles with, such as faces and the big
picture. Dawson, who is autistic, thinks that's a prescription for
intellectual failure; autistics should be encouraged to build on their
strengths, as everyone else is. The problem of a lurking intelligence
that won't be coaxed out by the usual education and parenting methods is
not necessarily unique to autistics. It makes you wonder how many other
children, whose intellectual potential we're too blind to see, we've
also given up on.
<© 2007
OLRS Strategic Planning Survey
The Ohio
Legal Rights Service (OLRS) has developed an online survey seeking your
opinions. Answers to this survey will be used for strategic planning
purposes and to improve client services to Ohioans with disabilities.
The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete.
Here is a link to the online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=LKz6Jw1U6MHtFng2wPvMVg_3d_3d
We encourage you to forward the survey to members of your organization or any other interested individuals.
If you would like paper copies of the survey or more information, contact Tom Hemmert by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone at 1-800-282-9181 (voice) or 1-800-858-3542 (TTY).
The mission of OLRS is to protect and advocate, in partnership with people with disabilities, for their human, civil and legal rights.
Here is a link to the online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=LKz6Jw1U6MHtFng2wPvMVg_3d_3d
We encourage you to forward the survey to members of your organization or any other interested individuals.
If you would like paper copies of the survey or more information, contact Tom Hemmert by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone at 1-800-282-9181 (voice) or 1-800-858-3542 (TTY).
The mission of OLRS is to protect and advocate, in partnership with people with disabilities, for their human, civil and legal rights.
Ride
for Autism 2008
The second annual Ride For Autism is August 9, 2008. The event will start at Cyclist Connections in Canal Winchester at 9am. There is a 10, 30, 60 mile ride. All proceeds will be given to Angels with Autism. Angels with Autism supports autism research and locally, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Autism Center. For more details about the ride you can go to http://www.cyclistconnection.com/
Registration can be done on the website or you can download a form.
The second annual Ride For Autism is August 9, 2008. The event will start at Cyclist Connections in Canal Winchester at 9am. There is a 10, 30, 60 mile ride. All proceeds will be given to Angels with Autism. Angels with Autism supports autism research and locally, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Autism Center. For more details about the ride you can go to http://www.cyclistconnection.com/
Registration can be done on the website or you can download a form.
National
Council on Disability (NCD) Study - Input Needed
The National Council on Disability (NCD) is gathering public input for a study of emerging issues and trends affecting the lives of people with disabilities. Information gathered will be used in the development of NCD's next annual progress report to the President and Congress. NCD is seeking input on disability issues including health, housing, employment, insurance, transportation, assistive technology, recreation, emergency preparedness, early intervention and education. Comments are due by July 22, 2008. For more information: http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2008/public_consultation.html
“Night of Celebration” for \MR/DD Community at the Cincinnati Reds
Resident
Home Corporation, RHC is hosting “Night of
Celebration” for the entire MR/DD Community at a Cincinnati
Reds game at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday, July 22 and we want
you and the people your organization supports to join us!!!
The Reds will take on the San Diego Padres at 7:10 p.m.
Half price tickets are available exclusively for the MR/DD
Community! The half price tickets are for a reserved section
in the mezzanine seats– this way we can all sit
together! Thanks to the Reds, tickets for the Night of
Celebration for the MR/DD Community are $11 (regularly $22).
If you or someone you support are in need of financial assistance to
purchase tickets please contact Alex Carabin at 513.619.2960 or at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
You can purchase discounted tickets one of two ways:
1) Download
the order form (attached to this email) and mail the completed form
along with payment (checks made payable to the Cincinnati Reds) to Alex
Carabin at 3030 West Fork Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45211 or fax it along
with credit card information to Alex at 513.389.7508.
2) Order
tickets over the phone by calling Ryan Niemeyer with the Reds at
513.765.7500. Please have credit card information
available. Be sure to tell Ryan you are with the Night of
Celebration group.
Please note that tickets must be purchased by July 21 to receive the
group discount. If you purchase tickets on game day you will
not receive the discount rate and we cannot guarantee seating in the
reserved section will be available.
Orders must be received 10 days prior to game day (July 11) to receive
your tickets in the mail. Tickets ordered after July 11 will
be placed at Will Call on game day under the name on the order form.
You must present a photo ID at Will Call to claim your
tickets.
This year we are lucky enough to be able to have a representative from
the MR/DD Community throw out the first pitch during the pre-game
ceremony! We will be involved in the pre-game ceremony in
addition to the first pitch so be sure to arrive at Great American Ball
Park by 6:30 p.m. to ensure you don’t miss the pre-game
ceremony!
I hope you will share this with the people who work for your
organization and the people and families that are supported by your
organization! This night is for anyone in the MR/DD community
so please feel free to pass this invitation along!
Additional information (including directions and parking info.) and
photos from 2007’s Night of Celebration can be found at
www.rhcorp.org. If you have any questions about Night of
Celebration please contact Alex Carabin with RHC at 513.619.2960 or at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
Article: What Autism Does to a Mother
By Nancy Rones
Nicole Kalkowski knows that beyond the stress, fear, and family turmoil
that
come with learning that your child has this devastating disorder, there
is
also a devastating aloneness. In our second installment of Living With
Autism, we follow this mother of three as she struggles to save her son
and
finds help - for her children and for herself - in unexpected places. In
<http://www.redbookmag.com/home/living-with-autism-0208>
part one of
REDBOOK's series about raising a child with autism, Nicole Kalkowski
and her
family were overcome with shock and confusion when their outgoing and
vivacious toddler, Ryan, began to lose his language and social skills;
his
sudden problems with speech and disinterest in hugs from his sisters
were
just the start of his perplexing symptoms. After an agonizing search for
answers, Nicole and her husband, Tim, discovered that Ryan, now 3, has
what
many call regressive autism - he appeared to be developing normally, but
began to backslide at 17 months. In this installment, we witness the
painful
toll Ryan's condition has taken on Nicole and follow her and her Las
Vegas
family as they navigate the murky waters of treatment.
To read the remainder of this heartwarming article, go to:
http://www.redbookmag.com/home/autism-and-motherhood
Holiday Tips
Four hard things
about the 4th of July....
Picnics, parties, BBQs,
fireworks bursting in air -- the Fourth of July can be a lot of fun,
and a lot of stress for a child with special needs. Here's a look at
the main trouble spots, and what to do about them.
Cap Your Cookout With Some Safe Sweets
Preparing
for a Fourth of July barbecue? If you're in need of treats
that fit your child's special dietary needs, check these recipes and
recipe round-ups from around this Parenting Special Needs site:
Before You Throw
A Party
Though the article mentions
Thanksgiving, the techniques work well for any gathering!
Book:
Older Adolescents and Adults
An Owner's Manual 2 for Older
Adolescents and Adults: What You, Your Parents and
Friends and Employer Need to Know
by Ellen Heller Korin
Autism Aspergers Publishing Co.
www.aspergers.net
by Ellen Heller Korin
Autism Aspergers Publishing Co.
www.aspergers.net
Benefit
for Autism, Westerville
Friday, July 04, 2008
Happy Independence Day !!
Hi Everyone,
We'd like to invite you all to come to our second annual
car/truck/motorcycle show to raise money for Autistic children. We hope
to have at least 500-600 vehicles again this year. As you might know, I happen to have 2
children on the Autism Spectrum and having been thrust into the world of Autism, it's my duty
to fight back now..I'm one mad Dad.
We'd like to invite you all to come to our second annual
car/truck/motorcycle show to raise money for Autistic children. We hope
to have at least 500-600 vehicles again this year. As you might know, I happen to have 2
children on the Autism Spectrum and having been thrust into the world of Autism, it's my duty
to fight back now..I'm one mad Dad.
It will be held August 16th at Quaker
Steak and Lube, located at 8500 Lyra Drive here in Columbus..
This
years proceeds from the event will once again be going to
OakStone Academy (C.C.D.E) here in the Columbus area, for the purpose of
completing renovations of the old Westerville Athletic Club building and turning it
into a High School for autistic children.. We've already received some very nice raffle items and silent auction items again this year but can still use more as well as cash donations.
All donations are tax deductible and there is a 501c3 number available
to those who wish to have it for their taxes..
I can tell you from personal experience of 2 of my own children,
which are students there, that OakStone Academy makes miracles happen
every day. Unless you've experienced the struggles and heartaches of an autistic
child and their families and friends, you can't imagine how much it
means just to have your child speak to you, or look you in the eye,
laugh, smile at you, or finally realize after 50,000 times of telling
them something to have it finally sink in, to have them say " I love
you Mom " without being prompted to say it and to be able to look them
in the eye and know they finally understand what it means.
That's what OakStone does.
Our motto at the bottom of our little flyer says:
OakStone Academy (C.C.D.E) here in the Columbus area, for the purpose of
completing renovations of the old Westerville Athletic Club building and turning it
into a High School for autistic children.. We've already received some very nice raffle items and silent auction items again this year but can still use more as well as cash donations.
All donations are tax deductible and there is a 501c3 number available
to those who wish to have it for their taxes..
I can tell you from personal experience of 2 of my own children,
which are students there, that OakStone Academy makes miracles happen
every day. Unless you've experienced the struggles and heartaches of an autistic
child and their families and friends, you can't imagine how much it
means just to have your child speak to you, or look you in the eye,
laugh, smile at you, or finally realize after 50,000 times of telling
them something to have it finally sink in, to have them say " I love
you Mom " without being prompted to say it and to be able to look them
in the eye and know they finally understand what it means.
That's what OakStone does.
Our motto at the bottom of our little flyer says:
"Make A Difference In A Child's Life" and that's
what we intend to do, not just for my own
kids, but for the other autistic kids, heartbroken parents and
grandparents, brothers and sisters, friends, classmates, co-workers, etc.
that are all affected by this terrible affliction..
kids, but for the other autistic kids, heartbroken parents and
grandparents, brothers and sisters, friends, classmates, co-workers, etc.
that are all affected by this terrible affliction..
The
dash plaques that will be passed out to those kind enough to enter
their cars, trucks, and
motorcycles in our little event will read :
motorcycles in our little event will read :
"I Made A Difference For A Child With Autism"
It's only stuff and money to me, but to autistic kids, it's hope of
having a somewhat normal future..
Please make a difference if you can.
I'd ask that you e-mail this to everyone on your e-mail list and ask
them to do the same. If anyone can't attend, but wants to send a
donation, you can make check's payable to OakStone Academy and in the
memo write high school and mail them by August 15th to:
Mike Hoover
C/O Boyd's Goodyear
7038 Northgate Way,
Westerville Ohio 43082
It's only stuff and money to me, but to autistic kids, it's hope of
having a somewhat normal future..
Please make a difference if you can.
I'd ask that you e-mail this to everyone on your e-mail list and ask
them to do the same. If anyone can't attend, but wants to send a
donation, you can make check's payable to OakStone Academy and in the
memo write high school and mail them by August 15th to:
Mike Hoover
C/O Boyd's Goodyear
7038 Northgate Way,
Westerville Ohio 43082
If you can't attend or donate, then do something to make a difference.
Read about it, talk about it. Anything !
Thank you all for your support in the past, present and future.
Mike Hoover
614-580-7300
To view pictures form last years show, please visit
Motorcycle
Ride For Hattie Larlham
Rev up your engines Sunday, July 27 and get ready for the 15th annual Motorcycle Ride for Hattie Larlham. Proceeds benefit Hattie Larlham. Don¢t have a bike? Don¢t worry! Join us at the Hattie Larlham Center for Excellence to cheer on the bikes as they finish the ride. For registration information, contact Mella Castner 800.233.8611, ext. 3880, or visit our Web site.
Rev up your engines Sunday, July 27 and get ready for the 15th annual Motorcycle Ride for Hattie Larlham. Proceeds benefit Hattie Larlham. Don¢t have a bike? Don¢t worry! Join us at the Hattie Larlham Center for Excellence to cheer on the bikes as they finish the ride. For registration information, contact Mella Castner 800.233.8611, ext. 3880, or visit our Web site.
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