Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Want to talk to someone who understands?

Monday, May 24th, 2010

If you’re going through a rough patch with your child with PDD-NOS, Autism, or Asperger Syndrome or if your child has just been diagnosed, it can help just to meet someone else who knows what you’re going through. And often, parents can be the best source of information and ideas for each other.

Join us at the next “Morning Coffee” Parent Support Group meeting, where you can meet other parents of children “on the spectrum.” Parents of children of all ages, adults included, are welcome. The next meeting is on Thursday, June 3rd, at 9:30a.m. Our office is located at 9733 W. St. Martins Road in Franklin. That’s on Highway 100 just south of Loomis.

Adults On the Spectrum meets this week

Monday, May 17th, 2010

The Adults on the Spectrum support group has been meeting since 2001 to give adults, age 18 and up with Asperger or High Functioning Autism, a place and time to meet others, exchange ideas, enjoy light refreshments and conversation and to support each other. Getting out to meet new people can be overwhelming and intimidating, but with this group, everyone understands that. Some of the participants can drive, some have jobs or go to college or take adult education classes, and some are looking for opportunities and ideas for navigating the adult world of work or college. The next meeting is this Wednesday, May 19th, 6:30 p.m. at our office. Join us!

May Parenting Series workshop: “Building Social Skills”

Friday, May 7th, 2010
Dr. Amy Van Hecke, Ph.D.

Dr. Amy Van Hecke, Ph.D.

Register now for our final 2009/2010 season workshop, featuring Amy Van Hecke, Ph.D., director of the Marquette University Center for Psychological Services Autism Clinic. Dr. Van Hecke will be presenting “Building Social Skills” on Saturday, May 15th, 9:30-11:30 a.m. in room B133 (off the cafeteria) of Nicolet High School, Glendale. Register by emailing info@assew.org or by calling 414.427.9345. The session is FREE, but we need a head count for hand-outs and refreshments. Be sure to get on our email update list so you’ll get the news when the 2010/11 session starts in the fall.

Lose the Training Wheels Program in June

Friday, April 23rd, 2010
UPDATE: Camp is full!  However, we still need volunteers.  Go to the Lose the Training Wheels Website for information on how to apply for this fun opportunity.
Registration is now open for Lose The Training Wheels bike program, June 21-25, 2010, at Nicolet High School in Glendale.  This program is designed for individuals with developmental disabilities ages 8 and up. All the information is located on the Lose the Training Wheels website for you to access.   Applications can be filled out online this year.  Please read all the information carefully and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.  When you submit the application, I will be in contact after it is reviewed to provide you with additional
information.

Sincerely,
Amy Hurley
Lose The Training Wheels Camp Coordinator

Email Amy Hurley:  lttw-mke@hurleytech.com

SPECIAL BENEFIT FUNDRAISER DINNER AT RAY RADIGAN’S FINE DINING RESTAURANT

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

Ray Radigan’s Restaurant has been providing Kenosha County with a fine dining experience since 1933, and now they have offered to provide a special night for diners that will benefit the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin. On Wednesday, April 28th, they will open the doors at 5:00pm and serve hors d’oeuvres and then serve a four course dinner starting at 6:00. On the menu is Thai Coconut Soup, Arugula Salad, Fried Capers, Mint and Feta, Beef Short Ribs with Collard Greens, and Chocolate Pot de Creme. Every course has a wine to match! The dinner is $60 per person and 25% of the proceeds will be donated to ASSEW. Make a reservation by April 18th by calling the restaurant at 262-694-0455 and making a $20 deposit to hold your table. Ray Radigan’s is located at 11712 Sheridan Road in Pleasant Prairie.

April Parenting Series provides on planning for the long run

Friday, April 9th, 2010

Planning for the financial future of your child or other dependent with special needs can be a complicated process. It is important, however, to plan for their care and continued quality of life when you are no longer around. The MetLife Center for Special Needs Planning was established in 1998 as a public service to families with children or other dependents with special needs.
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April is Autism Awareness Month

Friday, April 2nd, 2010

APRIL IS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH!
Helping the autism community can be as easy as updating your Facebook or Twitter status! During the month of April, the Autism Society is asking supporters to change their status on Facebook and/or Twitter to:

Autism affects 1 in 110. Text “AUTISM” to 50555 to donate $10 to the Autism Society of America. Help spread the word: http://bit.ly/bUAVRf. 100% of your donations will go to support the Autism Society’s mission of improving the lives of all affected by autism.

PUT ON THE PUZZLE THIS APRIL
The Autism Awareness Puzzle ribbon is the most recognized symbol of Autism in the world. Show your support for people with autism by wearing the Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon this month - as a pin on your shirt, a magnet on your car, a badge on your blog, or as your Facebook profile picture — and educate folks on the potential of people with autism! Suggestions and resources here.

March free Parenting Series focuses on the importance of play to draw out your child

Friday, March 5th, 2010

If you are the parent of a small child with an autism spectrum disorder, you’ve probably noticed that your child does not play in the same ways typically developing children do. Perhaps your child obsessively spins wheels on toy cars, instead of pretending the cars are driving somewhere; perhaps he or she lines up blocks in rows, instead of building towers with them.

Have you been frustrated watching your child do these things, and wished you could get your child to break their attention away from the odd play to interact with you and others? What if you could use their playtime to help your child learn to communicate?

Dr. Rick Clark, Associate Clinical Professor at Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology will present “Using Play to Increase Communication.” Besides supervising students of psychology at the University and teaching there and at Cardinal Strich, Dr. Clark been in private practice at St. Francis Children’s Center in Glendale since 1994, providing a range of mental health services to children and their families from infancy through adolescence. His primary interests are Pervasive Developmental Disorders, ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, pediatric mental health, and learning disabilities.

This session will be held Saturday, March 13th, 9:30—11:30a.m. at Nicolet High School in Glendale.

Register by sending an email with your name and contact number to info@assew.org or by calling 414-427-9345. All Parenting Series sessions are free and open to parents, relatives, educators and professionals. Refreshments are served. Child care is not provided.

Join us for a fun Family Open Swim

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Another family open swim has been set up for our members at the Southeast YMCA in Greenfield on Sunday, February 28th, from 11:30 - 1:30. We’ll again be using the therapeutic pool, which is smaller and warmer than a typical pool. The depth is about 4—4 1/2 feet deep. There will be a lifeguard on duty and “noodles” are available and allowed.

The cost is $5 per person with a maximum of $15 for families. Please bring the fees at that time and also bring your own towels.

We need to give the YMCA a head count, so please RSVP to this event before Monday, February 22nd by emailing info@assew.org or by calling us at (414) 427-9345.

Learn about RDI: Workshop on Feb 13th

Saturday, February 6th, 2010

Have you heard about the intervention called RDI?  This relatively new intervention uses a consultant model to train families in techniques developed by Dr. Steven Gutstein, author of Autism Aspergers: Solving the Relationship Puzzle and My Baby Can Dance: Stories of Autism, Asperger’s and Success through the Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) Program.

RDI is intended to target the core deficits areas seen in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, and works on communication, relationship building, and flexible thinking.

Certified RDI consultant Deborah Berrang of Milwaukee will present an introductory workshop for families, educators, and interested community members.

When:  Saturday, 2/13/10 from 9:30 to 11:30 am

Where: Nicolet High School - D-wing Library.  6701 N Jean Nicolet Rd., Glendale

Registration:  Free but we appreciate preregistration so we have enough hand-outs and refreshments. To register, email info@assew.org or call us at 414-427-9345.

Child care is not provided at this event.