Monday Morning Message | June 27th

Please note there will be no Monday Morning Message on July 4^th. The next issue will be on Monday July 11^th.

“What I like best about the telephone is that it keeps you in touch with people…” Dave Barry

Please make sure if you change your telephone number or your address or e-mail that you let us know. We can’t get you important information in a timely way if we do not have your up to date information. Just call 508-379-0371 ext 16, or ext 11 or ext 13.

Update on the Hearts & Hands Walk for Autism and Family Fun Day!

Watch your mail, the first and second week of July, for the Hearts & Hands Walk for Autism and Family Fun Day Brochure!

This year in addition to Carnival Games, Free Refreshments, Bubble Creation Station, Raffles, and our Autism Awareness Store we’ll also be having a balloon animal artist and visits by two very special cartoon characters.

For the most up to date information on the walk and all of the days events please go to http://www.community-autism-resources.com/events/walk-a-thon.html

If you are working on fundraising for yourself, your family or team create your very own fund raising page at www.firstgiving/communityautismresources

It is VERY IMPORTANT to remember that when you support Community Autism Resources all of the monies raised stay right here in South-eastern Massachusetts to provide support and services for children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families.

Please pass the word along to family, friends, neighbors, teachers, therapists about this essential fundraising event.

Community Autism Resources presents our sensory friendly Family Movie – “Cars 2”

Please join us on Saturday, July 9th at the AMC Braintree 10 to watch Disney/Pixar’s “Cars 2”.  “Star race car Lightning McQueen and his pal Mater head overseas to compete in the World Grand Prix race. But the road to the championship becomes rocky as Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage.”

We are renting the theatre for this private viewing. The movie is free; the concession stand will be open for families to purchase snacks!

This movie WILL NOT be shown in 3-D.  Lighting and sound will be adjusted so that everyone enjoys the show!!!

Arrival time is 9:45 a.m. with the movie starting at 10:00 a.m.

For more details, a visual schedule, and to pre-register, please visit our website –

www.community-autism-resources.com

 Please call Lori DeCrescenzo at (508) 379-0371 or (800) 588-9239 ext. 10, if you are unable to register online.  Seating is limited, so please register by Friday, July 1.  You will receive a confirmation from us to confirm your registration.

Autism’s First Child

By John Donvan and Caren Zucker

This article and video clip responds to the question that haunts every parent of a child with autism is: “What will happen when I die”? This reflects a chronological inevitability: children with autism will grow up to become adults with autism, in most cases ultimately outliving the parents who provided their primary support.

How we respond to those needs will be shaped in great measure by how we choose to view adults with autism. We can dissociate from them, regarding them as tragically broken persons, and hope we are humane enough to shoulder the burden of meeting their basic needs. This is the view that sees the disabled in general as wards of the community, morally and perhaps legally, and that, in the relatively recent past, often “solved” the “problem” of these disabled adults by warehousing them for life—literally in wards.

Alternatively, we can dispense with the layers of sorrow, and interpret autism as but one more wrinkle in the fabric of humanity. Practically speaking, this does not mean pretending that adults with autism do not need help. But it does mean replacing pity toward them with ambition for them. The key to this view is recognition that “they” are part of “us,” so that those who don’t have autism are actively rooting for those who do.

The article and video follows the life of Donald Triplett, the first person cast in the story of autism, who has spent time in the worlds shaped by each of these views.

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2010/10/autism-8217-s-first-child/8227/1/

Somerset Aire Inclusive Summer Programs

Music & Movement: Singing, making music with percussive instruments, and coordinated movement (such as marching, skipping, clapping, snapping etc.) Movement will be tailored to the skills of each student. Students will be individually assessed and challenged accordingly.

Theatre: Enacting simple short stories, creating/writing simple short stories and skits (for the older grades), performing these stories and working together in group collaboration for performance. Students will be individually challenged and creativity will be strongly encouraged.

Space is limited & registration is required at: www.somersetmaaire.org

 

Summer Swim & Fitness for Adults with Developmental Disabilities

New England Village offers aquatic & fitness programming for adults with developmental disabilities living at home with their families in the community. Our Summer 2011 Extended Session consists of a Wednesday or Saturday swim offering made up of free swim time along with structured water aerobic and strength training activities. These are taught by an instructor supported by a certified lifeguard. Individuals signing up for swim sessions should be independent swimmers*. Our Monday fitness offering is taught by Kim Lowman, a certified fitness instructor. Join Kim for an eight week Outdoor Fitness Adventure featuring ball games, walking and stretching plus standard fitness offerings during inclement weather. For questions on swim or fitness offerings, please contact: Ginger Comeau, Residential Enrichment Coordinator, New England Village, Village 664 School Street - Pembroke, MA 02359

781-293-5461 x204

gcomeau@newenglandvillage.org

The Northeast Regional Special Touch Get Away,

 A Camp/Retreat, for children and adults with Disabilities
August 22-26, 2011
Camp Hemlocks, Hebron CT
The Get Away is designed for people with disabilities. Guests range in age from children through adults. Each day’s schedule is well organized and appropriate for each group.
Each activity is designed with one thing in mind; to allow those attending the Get Away to experience the best week of the year, make new friends and leave with a renewed self-esteem.
Recreational activities include Arts and Crafts, Swimming, Fishing, a Ladies Spa Day, a Talent Show, Morning and Evening Chapels, Basketball, Kick Ball and other Team Sports.
Caregivers, Lifeguards and Nurses are at the camp 24 hours a day.
It would be an honor to have you or a friend or a loved one with a disability at the Get Away with us. Please feel free to contact us with any questions that you may have concerning this wonderful event.
APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE: www.specialtouch.org
for more information contact: Trementozzi@specialtouch.org  or call 321-480-9806
 

Monday Morning Message | March 14th, 2011

Take 5

 Breakthrough Thinking hosts a radio show, Understanding Autism starring Kimberly Isaac and Paul Louden with host Dave Isaac. Understanding Autism airs on the 2nd Monday of each month from 3:30-4pm Arizona time (MST). The show is available online with the option of watching it live or listening live at www.breakradioshow.com.

Kimberly Isaac has worked with people on the Autism Spectrum for 14 years (Ages 2 – 45) using a variety of therapeutic models. She wants to spread autism awareness and inspire the community to increase hope and understanding of autism spectrum disorders. Paul Louden is 28 years old. He was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome at age 23. He appears on the show, “Understanding Autism” with the hope to spread autism awareness.

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Real Homes, Real Solutions: Establishing Homes for Family Members With a Disability

This workshop, sponsored by Fletcher ,Tilton & Whipple , P.C. Counselors at Law, will take place on Saturday, March 19, 2011 from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm at the Marlboro Courtyard Marriott, 75 Felton St., Marlboro, MA. The speakers are Frederick M. Misilo, Jr., Esq. and Theresa Varnet, Esq. The presentation will include: An overview of legal, financial and government benefits issues including ownership entity options, legal liability, and funding sources; a panel discussion: an exploration of housing models from each of the panelists ranging from individual settings to small group housing; a panel discussion: an exploration of various financing vehicles ranging from conventional financing, subsidized housing and private funds;  and round-table discussions: an opportunity for seminar attendees and panel participants to engage in discussions regarding specific issues and questions about residential development.

Please register no later than March 14. After 3/14, call for availability.

Includes continental breakfast plus all sessions & materials for attendees (sessions & materials for webinar participants)

1 or 2 family members: $50.00

Please add $15 for each additional family member.

Attend as a WEBINAR participant: $50.00.

To register on-line visit: at www.ftwlaw.com/seminars.

For more information or to register via phone or e-mail contact, mfournier@ftwlaw.com or call (508) 459-8207.

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A Workshop for Caregivers of Dependents with Special Needs

Southcoast Educational Collaborative’s Family Resource Network is sponsoring “Your Dependent with Special Needs: Making Their Future More Secure” on Wednesday March 30th 2011 from  6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Somerset Middle School, 1141 Brayton Avenue, Somerset, MA. Financial issues will be addressed by John. Fr. Raycroft, Special Needs Financial Planner and legal issues will be addressed by Andrew J. Garcia, Attorney ,PHILLIPS & GARCIA, P.C.

This program will address:

· Government benefit eligibility

· Guardianship and conservatorship/guardian ad litem

· Financial security and funding options 

This workshop is FREE to families of children with special needs throughout Southeastern MA and RI. You do not need to be enrolled in a South Coast program to attend. 

South Coast Educational Collaborative is offering this as an informational session only, and does not specifically endorse the agencies represented at this workshop. 

To register, please email:

Holly Flanagan, Networks Director at hflanagan@scecoll.org or call 508.379.1180x23 

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Autism Update 2011 Conference

 This conference,presented by the Flutie Foundation and Children Making Strides, is taking place on Thursday, April 7, 2011 from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm at Sheraton Four Points, Norwood, MA. The presentations include: Health Insurance & Autism - A Panel Discussion; The Best Kind of Different, Shonda Schilling;The 1000 Piece Puzzle,CarolAnn Edscorn.

 Afternoon Breakout Sessions: Session 1: Raising a More Independent Teen: How Your School Can Help,Lynne Mitchell, MSW; Session II: Evidence based  Practices in the Classroom &Community Settings,Sue ConstableM.Ed; Session III: No More Bullying Around, Mass Advocates for Children; Session IV: How to Bill Health Insurance Companies for ABA Services, Kim Allbaugh, MRC Billing Co.

Space is limited and reservations are accepted on a first come basis. For a brochure and more information about how to register, visit http://www.dougflutiejrfoundation.org.

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Autism Awareness Day

A ceremony celebrating Autism Awareness Day will take place at the State House in Boston on Thursday, April 14, 2011.  Community Autism Resources will have a van available to transport any who wish to attend that day.  The van will leave promptly at 8:30 AM from the Silver City Galleria in Taunton, and will return by 1:30 in the afternoon.  We request that you arrive for the van by 8:15 AM.  There is no charge for the van, but to be certain we have capacity for all, (please pre-register) by calling either, Patricia Leonard-Toomey at 508-379-0371 x13, or Lori DeCrescenzo at 508-379-0371 x10.  Thank you.

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Bridges to Faith and Spiritual Connections Workshop: A diversity of gifts, but the same Spirit

This workshop will take place from 8:30am to 2:00pm on Friday, April 15^th 2011 at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 16 Temple Place, Fairhaven, MA.

In this workshop there will be an exploration of specific strategies to develop and sustain people’s membership in their faith communities, led by Jeff McNair who is Professor of Special Education at California Baptist University, and by Tom Doody who is the coordinator of North Quabbin Citizen Advocacy. Jeff and Tom will be joined by a panel of local clergy and congregation members who will tell their stories of supporting people with disabilities as members of their faith communities. The registration fee is $10.00 and lunch will be provided. For more info please contact, Trina Bigham 508-542-5589 or email: bridges_to_faith@

bettercommunity or Jack Yates 508-468-8923 or email:  Yates@sns@aol.com. To register: Make checks payable to Better Community Living and mail along with name, affiliation and address to Trina Bigham - Bridges to Faith, One B Green Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719  
 

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Family Ice Skating!

Tuesday, April 19 (School Vacation) from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

Please join Community Autism Resources for some ice skating fun at the Plymouth - Armstrong Arena at 103 Long Pond Road in Plymouth.  We invite you to skate from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and then stay to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and snacks!

There is no cost for this activity and skates are included.  Walkers will be available at the rink that day. 

Space is limited, so please pre-register via our website www.community-autism-

resources.com by Friday, April 8, 2011.  We prefer you register online, but if you have questions, or cannot register online, you may call Lori DeCrescenzo at (508) 379-0371 or (800) 588-9239 ext. 10.  Please remember if you are registering by phone to leave your name, phone number, your child’s name, diagnosis, age and if your child is Autism Division Eligible or DDS Eligible and the number of people attending – Thank you!

This event is sure to be a success and we hope that you and your family will join us!!!

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HAIR STYLIST THAT WILL COME TO YOU!!

My Comfort Cuts 

Comfort cuts will provide a unique salon experience for everyone.  It is a sensory friendly haircut for people with sensory disorders and sensitivities.  They provide a mobile service to customers that cannot get out to a salon, or just can't tolerate a typical salon environment.

Jen Swenson is a stylist that has experience with children with developmental disabilities.  She has 2 vibrant sons, one of which is on the Autism spectrum and ADHD. She is a licensed cosmetologist and has developed a way to cut hair for people with special sensory needs. A phone consultation prior to your appointment will ensure that all your custom needs are met. For more information, call 978-833-0102 or e-mail comfortcuts@yahoo.com.

They are in the process of designing a salon in Maynard, MA that will provide a relaxing, soothing environment for all, but especially children with autism spectrum disorders.  They also cater to the moms as well, who can receive a manicure while their child is getting a sensory friendly hair cut. They hope to open the salon doors in April, which is Autism Awareness Month, Updates will be posted on the website www.mycomfortcuts.com.

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Help Raise Money for Families with Autism!

Gloucester Fisherman Triathlon, brought to you by the Gloucester Fishermen Athletic Association, will take place on August 7, 2011 at 7:30 am. The race begins with a ½ mile swim at Pavillion Beach followed by a short run up to the Transition Area. Racers will then bike 15 miles on a gorgeous rolling and scenic bike course. Following the bike course is a fast and spectator friendly run course.

In addition to their age group awards, the Gloucester Fisherman Triathlon will be offering a $3000.00 Prize Purse to the top 5 male and female in the Elite/ProDevision.  All proceeds will go to Community Autism Resources.

For more information and to register, visit http://www.

gloucesterfishermantri.com.