Autism-related Events

Marti Baio, owner and SLP at Baio Enterprises, and myself, an OT and aspie, have started a group called Bridging the Gap. We meet monthly at Baio Enterprises in Mesa (1745 S. Alma School, Suite 145). It is open to adults on the spectrum, their family, partners, and spouses. It is a support group with the intention of helping bridge the gap in communication between those on the spectrum and those who are not, bringing them together through improved understanding of our differences. We have many couples who come. The feedback has been extremely positive. Our next meeting is September 15th, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.

Sue

Susan J. Golubock, M.Ed., OTR/L
www.makingsenseofautism.com

Saturday, October 18th at the Phoenix Zoo

6:30 am to 9:00 am registration at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, SW corner of Van Buren and Priest in Tempe (0.5 miles from Zoo)

More details at:
https://www.ariautism.com/zoowalk/phoenix/index.html

2nd Annual Poker Run
Sunday, September 14th, 2008

The Modified Motorcycle Association of Arizona Westsiders present the 2nd Annual Poker Run to Benefit Autistic Children. Finish is at the Tin Top Bar and Grill on Wintersburg Road in Tonopah, AZ.

More details at:
http://www.phxautism.org/pokerrun.html

Autism/ Aspergers Conference @ ASU-West, Glendale AZ

Friday Sept. 26
8:45 Keynote: You’re Going To Love This Kid: Teaching Students with Autism In Inclusive Schools – Paula Kluth, Ph.D.

Saturday Sept. 27
8:45 Keynote: The Social Impairment and Social Solutions in Autism Spectrum Disorders – Carol Gray

More information is at:
http://autism-conferences.com/Sept08ConferenceAZ.html

This workshop is designed for parents and professionals working with young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Daniel Openden, Ph.D., BCBA, SARRC’s clinical services director, will describe the development and implementation of Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), an evidence-based intervention for teaching children with autism. PRT is a family-centered approach that may be implemented throughout the day and across natural environments such as in the home, at school or in the community. Dr. Openden will discuss procedures for improving the pivotal response of motivation to produce generalized improvements in language and social skills and reductions in disruptive behaviors. Video examples will be used to illustrate how professionals can implement the procedures throughout the day and across settings. Participants will receive a certificate of attendance for professional development.

Speaker:
Daniel Openden, Ph.D., BCBA
Clinical Services Director, SARRC
Where: SARRC, 300 N. 18th Street, Phoenix
When: Monday, September 15, 2008
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: No Fee, at this time.

For more information about SARRC, call (602) 340-8717

This training is based on the principles of the Walden Early Childhood Program, which is recognized as a best-practices preschool intervention model by the National Research Council. The classroom model targets young children with autism blending inclusive center-based intervention with home-based treatment by parents.

Dr. McGee is an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Director of the Emory Autism Center at the Emory University School of Medicine.

Participants will receive a certificate of attendance for professional development.

Where: Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center
300 N. 18th Street, Phoenix, 85006
(602) 340-8717

Date: Friday, September 26, 2008, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $70/person, Lunch is not included.

Space is limited, register early!
Register: Please call SARRC’s Workshop
Registration Line (480) 603-3284 for credit card or purchase order registrations.

SARRC is now offering ADI-R training and reliability scoring for researchers and clinicians. SARRC’s Director of Research, Christopher J. Smith, Ph.D., will conduct the training. Originally developed for autism research assessment, the ADI-R is considered the gold standard instrument for diagnosing autism and is widely used in clinical settings.

Attending a training workshop is required and scoring reliability needs to be established before using the tool. Upon completion of the two day training and certification process, an ADI-R administrator can classify individuals as having an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for the purpose of autism research.

For additional information about the training or to register, please contact Sheri Dollin, M.Ed., SARRC’s Director of Education & Training Programs, at (602) 340-8717 or sdollin@autismcenter.org.

Where: Black Canyon Conference Center, 9440 N. 25th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85021
When: Thursday, October 16 and Friday, October 17
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
**Participants must be present the entire time to receive credit for the training

Cost: $1,000 per person (includes food/beverages). If raters would like to have a tape scored for reliability, there is an extra $200 fee per interview.

Speaker: Dr. Bradstreet (more info)
Date: 8/26/08
Time: 7pm
Location: Coco’s Restaurant – Paradise Valley Mall
4514 E. Cactus Road, Phoenix, AZ 85032

The ASA-GPC will be providing light refreshments during the meetings. Parents may order their own dinners from the restaurant if they so choose, but there is no requirement to do so.

The general public is always invited to attend and there is no admission charge.