Autism-related Events

February 6th, 10am - The Tooth Fairy
March 20th, 10am - Diary of a Wimpy Kid
April 20th, 10am - How to Train Your Dragon

AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis with the “Sensory Friendly Films” program. Details at:

http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sensoryfilms

February 20, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Check-in from 8-8:30 a.m.)
Scottsdale Bible Church
7601 E Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

This workshop features Steve Kosser, John Dacey, & Holly Reycraft who will speak on:

1. Learn how successful therapies for DDD children in Arizona can be available at no cost to parents (regardless of family income) to help reduce or eliminate symptoms and challenging behaviors.

2. Learn how to navigate the ALTCS health care maze, including what to do if you are facing the appeals process for a denial, reduction or termination.

3. Hear the laws, policies, and procdeures of Special Education and learn basic advocacy techniques to address the most common problems that occur at each stage of the Special Education process.

* This is a rare opportunity to hear from an EPSDT expert, lawyer, and educational advocate all on the same day!

* Join with other parents in learning how to effectively advocate for their children in the schools, at home, and with medical services.
Early Bird Registration ends on February 10, so register today!REGISTER NOW!

Early Bird Registration: Registered and paid by February 10th, 2010
Only $30 for Members; $50 for non-members
Regular Registration after February 10th: $50 for members; $75 for non-members

Visit www.phxautism.org for more information or to REGISTER

The Autism Society of Greater Phoenix is proud to announce our 11th Annual Autism/Asperger’s Conference! Don’t miss this exciting conference, with over 30 great speakers and a variety of sessions designed for both parents and professionals.

11th Annual Autism Society of Greater Phoenix
Autism/Asperger’s Conference
March 26-27, 2010 · Phoenix, Arizona

Friday Keynote:
No More Meltdowns: Handling Challenging Behaviors and Teaching Social Skills - Jed Baker, Ph.D.
Students on the autism spectrum often present with difficulty regulating their feelings and interacting socially. This workshop describes how to handle meltdowns and design effective behavior plans to prevent these moments and reduce frustration and anxiety.

Jed Baker, Ph.D. is the director of the Social Skills Training Project, a private organization serving individuals with autism and social communication problems. He also directs social skills training for Millburn Public Schools in New Jersey. His work has also been featured on ABC World News, Nightline, the CBS Early Show, and the Discovery Health Channel. He is an award winning author of five books:
* Social Skills Training for Children and Adolescents with Aspergers Syndrome and Social Communication Problems
* Preparing for Life: The Complete Handbook for the Transition to Adulthood for Those with Autism and Aspergers Syndrome
* The Social Skills Picture Book
* The Social Skills Picture Book for High School and Beyond
* No More Meltdowns: Positive Strategies for Managing and Preventing Out-of-Control Behavior

Saturday Keynote:
Raising Temple Grandin: Personal and Historical Reflections - Eustacia Cutler
Eustacia Cutler will describe raising her daughter Temple in the conservative “Leave-it-to-Beaver” world of the fifties, a time when little was known about autism (then called “infant schizophrenia”) and children like Temple were banished to institutions. She will cover some of her own life experiences, fighting to hang onto hope in the face of a complicated family battle. She will also explore the main stumbling blocks of autism as she has learned them from doctors. How, to a minor degree, traces of its characteristics are in us all.

Eustacia Cutler is the author of “A Thorn in My Pocket” which describes the challenges raising a child with autism. She has written school lessons for major TV networks, researched and scripted the TV documentary THE DISQUIETED (on autism), researched and contributed script to THE INNOCENTS, a documentary prize winning first on retardation. She has three other children and five grandsons.

Other Conference Highlights:
* Successfully Mainstreaming Children with Autism - Sheri Bowes, MOT, OTR/L
* Floortime and Play Strategies - Lori Lichte-Brill Psy.D.
* Sensory Integration - Heidi Bonaroti, OTR/L
* Overview of Biomedical Treatments for Autism - James B. Adams, Ph.D.

We hope you will consider attending the conference. More details at:
http://www.phxautism.org/conference10.html

Tuesday, January 26th from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

6:30 pm - Elections for Officers & Board of Directors

Officer Nominees:
President - James Adams
Vice President - Cynthia Macluskie
Treasurer - Tyra Barradas
Secretary - open
Finance - open

Director Nominees: Trisha Dubuois
Melissa Van Hook
Katie Wride
*open

Continuing Directors: Seth Lansky
Sheryl McClary
Susan Sunseri

* There is still one open spot for the board. If anyone is interested in becoming a board member to help further the mission of the Autism Society and is a current member of the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix, please come to the meeting. Nominations can be made from the floor.

6:45 pm - Main Session:

Dr. Sue Lerner, Phd will be our guest speaker for this evening. Dr. Lerner is a licensed clinical and school psychologist and a trained social cognitive specialist.

Come listen to her present about using social thinking with our kids to promote better social functioning.

To learn more about Dr. Lerner visit www.drsuelerner.com

Register at www.agrt.org. The events are free and open to family members and health professionals seeking autism education.

The Autism Grass Roots Tour is an initiative of the Autism Hope Alliance, a nonprofit foundation working to promote education about autism and provide immediate help for children challenged by autism and other neurological difficulties.

Date: Saturday, October 17th, 2009
Location: Phoenix Zoo

Registration Starts at 6:30 am Saturday, October 17th
Rolling Start: Walkers can start the walk anytime between 6:30 and 8:30 am. Carpooling is advised!

Goal for 2009: Raise $150,000 for a study of several autism treatments including diet and nutritional supplements in 100 children and adults with autism!

Tomorrow night there will be 3 providers of ABA therapy presenting their programs and also how to use insurance to get it paid for! One of these companies is a new one coming from California. All three are providing home based services. What to know about how to code your insurance and how to fight for coverage?

Come to the meeting tomorrow at Coco’s at Tatum and Cactus at 6:30 PM. We meet in the backroom. All are welcome to this meeting.

Cynthia Macluskie
Parent Mentor
Autism Society

Mesa “Back to School” Autism/Asperger’s Conference
September 18-19, 2009 • Mesa Convention Center • Mesa, Arizona
TIME: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm each day

Friday Medical Track includes:
– Psychiatric Medications for Autistics - Temple Grandin, Ph.D.
– Anxiety, Depression, and Neurotransmitters - James B. Adams, Ph.D.
– Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) - Cindy Schneider, MD

Saturday Teen/Adult Track includes:
– Learning in Real Life - Community-Based Instruction for Young Adults with Asperger’s
– Social Communication Intervention for Young Adults in a Residential Setting
– Spectrum Transition Program
– Transitioning and Post-Secondary Life
– Speaking Bluntly About Sex, Dating and Relationships: What The Books Don’t Cover
– SARRC’s Vocational/Rehab Programs for Teens and Adults
– Panel of Teens/Adults

For more details and registration, please refer to the following document:

http://vsan.org/events/Mesa09_Brochure.pdf

or go to the following web site:

http://www.autismconferencesofamerica.com/phoenix09.html

Lauren’s Institute for Education is holding a feeding conference on Sept. 19th. We hope to reach many families in need by providing information on feeding disorders, the integration of the biomedical approach, proper positioning, and the importance of co-treatment as part of a traditional therapy approach.

Dawn Winkelmann, who is a certified feeding therapist and speech and language pathologist will be speaking on the severity of feeding disorders and the limitations they impose on our kiddos. We are also having a parent liaison speak about the importance of bridging the gap between traditional therapies and the biomedical approach. We also felt it necessary to include a physical therapist in this integrative conference to discuss the importance of safe and proper positioning during mealtimes. The final piece of our conference will include a dynamic team of music therapists and a speech language pathologist discussing the importance of music therapy in a traditional therapy setting.

For more details and registration, please refer to the following document:

http://vsan.org/events/ThreeSquareMeals.pdf

or go to the following web site:

http://www.laurensinstitute.org

Tonight is the Coco’s Meeting/Autism Society Meeting. We will be covering swine flu and informed consent. Then Maria Kowch will give us some yoga poses to relax by and then we will have a panel discussion on home schooling. Please join us for friendship and conversation at Coco’s off of Tatum and Cactus at 6:30 tonight in the backroom. All are welcome!

Cynthia Macluskie
Parent Mentor
Autism Society