Autism-related Events

The meeting is held at CoCo’s on the 4th Tuesday of each month. The times are 6pm to 9pm and the meetings are open only to members of the groups. Please do not bring food into CoCo’s and you are required to buy a meal or a desert. Dinner is $12 or dessert is $7.

Location: Coco’s at 4514 E Cactus Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85032-7702

— January-Dr. Doris Rapp (Details:
FREE Seminar
January 23, 2007
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Coco’s Restaurant (Conference Room) at Paradise Valley Mall
4514 E. Cactus Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85032-7702
Doris J.. Rapp, MD. F.A.A.A., F.A.A.P. is a national expert on environmental toxins, and author of “Our Toxic World - A Wake Up Call” as well as the New York Times best selling book, “Is This Your Child’s World”. She is a board-certified environmental medical specialist and pediatric allergist. Through education and research, Dr. Doris J. Rapp has dedicated her life to understanding the environmental factors that can affect our quality of life. Her dedication to educate others has been heard in lectures through out the country, and seen publicly on shows such as: Larry King Live, Oprah, Montel, Maury Povich, ABC Nightline, Phil Donahue, and Debra Duncan. Dr. Rapp has made many appearances in various parts of the Valley and they tend to be standing room only. Some of the topics she has discussed are:
- How common household chemicals can affect us, why so many children today have learning difficulties and what we can do about it.
- Why are we seeing so much cancer, memory, and behavior problems today in children and adults?
- What should you ask before you put your child on Ritalin?
- Why and How to protect your home town from pesticide spraying and other chemical pollution
Please invite anyone you may think of to attend this FREE seminar she will be doing for our group. I know I personally am inviting the Director of my son’s school, his teacher, OT, and Speech Therapist as they all have contact with children and can benefit from the information she has to offer. I have heard her speak several times and every time I listen, I learn something new. — Becky)

— February-OT.PT
This Tuesday Coco’s meeting at 6:30pm. Bev is fantastic. She spoke last year and we all loved her. She had great ideas for our kids.
Bio: Bev Sector, MOTR/L has over 20 years experience as an occupational therapist in a variety of pediatric settings. She uses primarily CCDT (Chronolgocially Controlled Developmental Thearpy) and SI (Sensory Integration) techniques in her practice. Currently she is working at Therapy for Developmental Disabilities and consults with Apache Junction early intervention program.
Program Summary: One hour presentation will provide a brief over-veiw of the importance of a sensory motor foundation,figure drawings as an informal evaluation, how modern day life provides obstacles to developing a strong foundation, and ways to create an enviornment to enhance your child’s development. Deep pressure technique used to improve deep pressure processing as part of CCDT program will be discussed and taught.

— March-Dr. Woeller
Come one and all to hear Dr. Woeller speak. He is a medical doctor who specializes in DAN and other autism treatments. He is very open minded and well read and has a lot to teach us all. He is located in California but sees many of the kiddos in the valley. I have only wonderful things to say about him and grateful that he is willing to travel at no charge to share his wisdom.
-6:00 to meet and greet
-6:30 meeting to start

For more details please contact cynthia.marksmom@cox.net.

The Autistic/Asperger Young Adult Social Group will meet on Saturday, January 27th from 1:00 - 2:30 at Baio Enterprises, 145 S. Alma School (just south of Rte. 60 on the corner of Isabella), in Mesa. Sue Golubock, M.Ed., OTR/L of Making Sense of Autism will be hosting this event but the participants will run the group. A fee of $10 will be collected toward refreshments and future activities or outings that the group decides to do. Bring and share your interests. Network with and get support from peers like yourself. Call Sue at 480-802-8259 or email her at MakingSenseofAutism@msn.com to get put on the email notification list for reminders and upcoming events! 

Co-hosted by: Protecting Arizona’s Families Coalitation (PAFCO) and The Self Determination Advisory Council
Sponsored by:  The Arc of Arizona

When: January 27, 2007               Registration: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.       Where:3839 N 3rd Street  Phoenix
Cost: Five dollars for Lunch           Contact Person: Jamie Cunningham  (602) 364-4540

LEARN
– How to be an advocate for yourself and others.
– How to use your power with others.
– How to organize and mobilize your group, agency or association.
– How to write an effective letter to your legislators that tells them what you want.
– How to make an effective visit with your legislators so they understand what you have told them.
– How to be part of a team that gives you and others power for action..

WHEN: Saturday, January 27, 2007
TIME: 9 AM - 3 PM
WHERE: ICOG, 4845 E. Thunderbird, Ste. 2, Scottdale, AZ 85254
COST: $75 for a constellation. $10 for all other participants and observers
CONTACT: Suzanne at (602) 404-0400 if you would like to experience your family constellation, please let us know. Please call if you plan on attending.
DETAILS: Click here to open PDF flyer.

A Family Constellation is a 60-minute group process that has the power to heal generations of suffering and unhappiness. Bert Hellinger, the founder of this work, studied and treated families for more than 50 years…

Constellation work allows us to untangle ourselves from these unconscious loyalties, and offers us the opportunity for a profound, concrete and lasting solution. Even if you are not having your constellation done in this group setting, those who attend and participate in the constellations of others still are able to experience a deeper understanding for these dynamics.

Thursday, January 25, 2007
Laura Jensen, RN, MSN, PsyNP
PARENTING ADHD ADOLESCENTS

Meet with Melmed Center experts in a relaxed, comfortable setting to learn about strategies that work for children with attention and learning challenges.

Welcome parents, grandparents and educators
Fourth Thursday of every month from 7:00-8:00 PM
Facilitated by the professional staff at the center
No charge
Please contact us to register! Web site is http://www.melmedcenter.com/.

Free parent/child yoga therapy sessions. More details available on http://www.sandsaz.org/.

Visual Strategies workshop with international speaker/author, Linda Hodgdon, that is coming to Mesa, Arizona,on January 19, 2007. This workshop is full of education, information and practical ideas for improving communication with people with autism. More details available on http://www.quirkroberts.com/tour/.

Designed for children with ASD and typical peers, Hooked On Play is designed to incorporate each child’s strengths and interests. Hooked On Play combines supporting teaching strategies, social games and creative activities to help facilitate socialization and interaction. The program is structured to provide participants with an opportunity to practice acquisition and generalization of social skills, social communication and motor skill development.

Schedule: 10 sessions
Dates: Wednesday, January 10 - March 14
Age Group : 5-8 year olds
Time: 4-5 p.m.
Place: SARRC
Cost: DDD/DTT reimbursement accepted; private pay is $100 per person

This special choir program offers individuals with ASD an opportunity to meet others, socialize and build confidence through group involvement and performance. Choir focuses on techniques to increase the use and strength of the singing voice and building friendships, and is led by a SARRC music therapist.

Schedule: 12 sessions
Age Group: 13-18 year olds
Dates: Mondays, January 8 - April 16
Time: 7-8 p.m.
Place: SARRC
Cost: $100 per person

This program utilizes music to promote social and self-expression for individuals with ASD and their typical peers. By strumming and drumming together, group members can learn to interact and communicate with each other toward the common goal of developing social skills, developing friendships and having fun through musical experiences.

Participants must be independently toilet trained and able to participate in small and large group activities with minimal adult support. Typical peers welcome!

Schedule: 12 sessions
Dates: Mondays, January 8 - April 16
Group 1 : 9-12 year olds, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Group 1 : 13-17 year olds, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Place: SARRC
Cost: DDD music therapy reimbursement accepted; private pay is $200 per person