Autism Society of America Treasure Valley Chapter discussion forum.
idaho open your eyes picture project
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----- Original Message -----
From: Joel & Janet Hobbs
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 10:15 AM
Subject: Hobbs & Idaho Open Your Eyes Picture Project Update
Okay everyone, this is important. I think you all have some sort of contact with a person who knows a person with autism. Please do what you can to help us get our picture board filled up ASAP. The conference in Wash DC is in April.
I have attached a link to the Unlocking Autism site and an attachment with the picture submittal form in case you can't do it via e-mail.
Please get this info out to others you know.
If you have any questions please let me know. I will respond.
Thanks,
Janet Hobbs
678-4249
Subject: Idaho Open Your Eyes Picture Project Update
As you know, we are expecting to have 5 football fields in length of Open Your Eyes Picture Boards on display in Washington, DC on April 21st. Mr. Dan Marino will be there throwing a football against the length and then making a plea to the media about the autism epidemic and how our Nation needs to pick up the ball for these great kids.
Mr. Marino will also be sending a personal invitation to every single congressman and senator asking that they join him on the Capitol Steps for the Press Conference. He is also inviting them to join him from 5:00 to 7:00 at the Reception at Capitol City Brewery which is just two blocks away from the Capitol Steps. Conference Attendees will also be inviting their Congressional Leaders to join us as well. Entrance to the reception is exclusive to Members of Congress and Conference Attendees.
We are really excited because we have a new manufacturer for the picture boards. They are just as beautiful and bright as ever. However, they are now on 8 foot high by 4 foot wide heavy vinyl. The larger size makes even more of an impact when you see it.
I am writing because currently Idaho only has 8 pictures. Each board contains 42 pictures. Idaho has no one registered to represent your state at the conference.
Even if you are not able to make it to DC to personally represent Idaho, you can do so much from right where you are. You can help by letting people know about the conference and help us get pictures to represent the people of Idaho with autism. We do not want your Congressional Leaders to come out on the Steps, look for Idaho and only see 8 pictures and think it is not an issue they really need to worry about for Idaho.
Let me know if I can help you in any way. Lets work together to make a difference for everyone living with autism in the state of Idaho!
Stages Learning Materials has just updated its website.
Stages Learning Materials' has been in the business of producing flash cards for autism since 1997, and its products have become standard fair in nearly every early autism one on one program. Stages' photo flash card sets and posters offer a broad assortment of images to teach a wide range of language skills. They have cards that are identical to teach pre-language matching, cards to teach categorization and similarities, color cards, shape cards, and beautiful picture cards that capture a child's attention while engaging their mind and stimulating their language.
Please check out the site at www.stageslearning.com
Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc., the developer of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), is proud to announce that the Picture Exchange Communication (PECS) 2-Day Workshop is coming to Boise, Idaho on May 20-21, 2004. This workshop is intended for special educators, administrators, speech language pathologists, school psychologists, parents or anyone who works with individuals with autism or related developmental disabilities.
For registration information, visit us online at www.pecs.com or call 888-732-7462. For general information, contact Sarah Moore at smoore@pecs.com or call 302-368-2515.
Boise, Idaho
May 20 & 21, 2004
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) 2-Day Workshop
Presented by Donna Banzhof, M.Ed. & Christine Cavarretta, BCBA
The Grove Hotel
$375 professional tuition
$235 parent/student tuition
Includes 2nd Edition PECS Manual and handout packet for note taking
scholarships for siblings of children with autism?
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Hello out there, from North Idaho. Does anyone know of any scholarships availalbe for siblings of children with autism? My oldest son (17) will be going to college in the fall, and we are looking for financial assistance. This son is very bright, good gpa and test scores. His younger brother (10) has autism. Thank you for any advice you may have.
Hi, I did an online search for scholarships available to siblings of children with autism, and this post was one of the only things that came up. Has anyone found anything????? Please help! Thanks
Jess, I know National ASA awards scholships each year to students studing in the field of autism and to students with autism but I haven't heard of monies for sibblings. You might check out the ASA's National website for more information. Good luck.
The most important issue in my son's life right now is the need for trained teachers and paraeducators. The TEACH Bill addresses this issue, and would make a dramatic change in the way local districts serve our kids.
In relation to the TEACH Bill ( https://secure2.convio.net/asa/site/Advocacy?id=121 ), could we (parents of children with ASD's) stage a statewide strike, removing our children from school for one day to emphasize this issue? I'm sure THAT would make the news and attract some attention from our legislatures... statewide as well as nationally. How about Monday, October 27th... what do you think?
Thanks for sharing the information about the TEACH Act Senate bill. I clicked on the web site and it was simple to send a letter to Senators Crapo and Craig. I also copied this to several friends that have children with autism who I know will act. Angie
University of Pennsylvania Center for Autism Developmental Disabilities Research and Epidemiology Study on the Psychosocial Health of Siblings of children with an ASD
To All Parent of a Child With an ASD-
Would you be interested in assisting the psychological wellbeing of siblings of children with an ASD?
My study investigates which factors of the siblings’ relationship and family situations relate to better psychological health among siblings of children with an ASD.
In order to participate in this study, one parent will need to complete questionnaires about the child with an ASD (ie. Diagnosis, number of therapies) and the family (ie. number of children, degree to which child with ASD interacts with his/her sibling).
One sibling will be asked to talk about his brother or sister with an ASD (ie. Describe positive qualities about this sibling, type of interactions, etc.).
Most often, research studies require information from the parent or child with an ASD, rather than the sibling of this child. This is a GREAT opportunity for your child to receive attention that is normally provided to his sibling with an ASD and express feelings that are rarely addressed. This child with speak to a trained interviewer with experience with all members of ASD families. However, parents may listen to these telephone calls and disqualify any question.
Requirements:
One English speaking parent of a child with an ASD. This parent will complete a written questionnaire.
One English speaking sibling of a child with an ASD. The sibling must be able to respond to question written at a second grade level. This child will respond to questions during a telephone call.
At least one family member must belong to one support group or support listserve.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the researcher and interviewer: Alison Weissman @ aweissma@nursing.upenn.edu
Hello, I'm happy to see the message board is up and going! I have a 13 year old daughter with autism. I am interested in putting together a teen night...pizza, movies, bowling, swimming...I believe Community Partnerships has an adult night and they might be helpful if there is any interest. Angie
I think a teen group is a great idea. My son is 11 and has aspergars syndrome. I think that he would benifit from a teen or youth group. I am having some trouble with my computer so it might be easier to call me at 424-3880 and feel free to leave me a message. hope to hear from you.
PRESS RELEASE
"Our Brown-Eyed Boy"
by Jeff McAndrew
contact Jeff McAndrew at (920) 979-8794 or (920) 929-8794 or at jmcandrew@milwpc.com
Written by the father of a severely autistic boy, this book attempts to take the reader through the experiences of a young family stricken with the diagnosis of autism, and their attempts to look at the glass "half-full instead of half-empty." The birth of Stephen takes the McAndrew family on a journey of learning, pain and relevation as they struggle to understand the meaning of this jolt to their family constellation. Jeff and Debbie realize that each of Stephen’s steps in life(e.g. learning to walk to wave) is a huge accomplishment. Stephen’s father Jeff quotes a friend of his who was paralyzed from the neck down.."It’s not about the 900 things Stephen cannot do, but rather, it is the 9000 things he can do."
This is the attitude the McAndrew family lives each day with. Jeff also reflects on friends of his who have medically fragile children and how lucky Stephen is to be able to walk and to eat on his own...some of the basics we all take for granted. The theme of the book also carries a deeper tone. That is, never take a moment with your children for granted, and accept your child for what he or she is. The author spends time with the reader emphasizing the term of one of his favorite role models, the late psychologist, Dr. Carl Rogers. That term is "unconditional positive regard." So many parents spend hundreds of hours and perhaps thousands of dollars on blood tests, urine tests, dietary methods or other experimental trial with their kids. The irony is that they want to change their children, but fail to love them for what they are..."right here, right now." McAndrew says this is nothing less than "tragic irony." McAndrew also interviews a pediatrician and childhood friend from Sheboygan, Dr. Steven Pizer, whose comprehensive and logical answers also are filled with compassion for children and parents. Dr. Darold Treffert, who did the forward to the book, was a consultant to the movie "Rainman" with Dustin Hoffman. He has dedicated his life to the study of autism and autistic savants and his book "Extraordinary People" has been widely read. Treffert very eloquently describes the challenges that autism theorists face and postulates that "until we call things by their right names," we remain in somewhat of a classification quandary in the field of autism. In the conclusion of the book, the author tells us about the hope that is always possible and is hopeful that more genetic answers can be found in his and his son’s lifetime. McAndrew adds his own poetry about his son at the end of the book along with pictures of his handsome son. He also talks about his typical son Ryan and what struggle a seven year-old sibling has in trying to understand his special brother. McAndrew dedicates the book to his wife, who bears the brunt of therapy schedules, school meetings, insurance calls, etc. while Jeff is at work. A chapter called "A Mother’s Voice" is dedicated to all mothers of autistic children and their profound challenges. The book is highly applauded by local community leaders who Jeff let read his rough drafts. School board, city officials and county officials all have high praise for this original and heartfelt work. This book is a great read for all parents of special children and well as all parents. Jeff also writes and speaks for a living. He presently works as a news reporter and talk show host at WHBL Radio in Sheboygan.
A little more from Jeff’s bio page….he has won 16 broadcasting awards during his 16 years in journalism including two statewide awards for a documentary on the "First Step Autism Program," the first early intervention public school autism program in the state of Wisconsin. To order Jeff’s book, log onto www.1stbook.com and do an author search for "McAndrew"
ATTENTION in IDAHO a Special Event on AUGUST 7th: Calling all Idaho Families! President of Princeton Autism Technology and Ron Oberleitner (TalkAutism General Manager) are presenting in a 'Virtual Grand Rounds' from a site in Pocatello to Idaho satellite locations (University locations and possibly hospital affiliate locations) on August 7th at 10AM. Topic is 'Challenges Facing Families with Autism', and ' Technologies to Lessen the 'Trauma' of Autism '. If you're interested in attending one of the sites, please email this address, or visit www.TalkAutism.org in near future.
Tony Attwood could come to Boise for an all day conference on Asperger's and HFA on October 13 followed by a day with other speakers.
Would there be a good turn out? That is Columbus Day. Would that be a problem?
Please write to me and let me know what you think? We need to make a decision quickly.
Thank you!
