Autism-related Events

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

The National Autism Conference in Pennsylvania, a premier conference on evidence-based practices for students with autism will be webcasting a number of sessions this year that can be viewed from your computer from August 3-7. (Note: There is a 3 hour time difference!) The webcasts are free and require no preregistration, unless you are interested in continuing education credits. Credits are available from ASHA and for BCBAs for $300. More information and all handouts are available at URL:

http://www.outreach.psu.edu/programs/Autism/index.htm

Please come to the Ritz on July 10th for a parent lead workshop. All presenters are parents of children on the spectrum and have a vast knowledge of issues that affect our population.

Hosts are asking for a $10 donation. Valet parking is free and we will have a lounge set up for relaxing through the evening. So feel free to attend all the lectures or just a few of them.

Sponsored by Specialized Technical Services, Autism Society of America Greater Phoenix Chapter and ACT Today!.

Location at:
The Ritz Carlton
2401 East Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ

For more information and to sign up, visit URL:

www.phxautism.org/ritz09.html.

Please join us tomorrow at Coco’s Meeting at 6:30 in the backroom of the Paradise Valley location (Tatum and Cactus). We will have a surprise speaker who will speak about a new study their non-profit is designing and what kind of applicants they are looking for. We will then have Dr. Joel Morgan speak. Here is his bio:

Dr. Joel Morgan is the medical director of Pediatric Solutions Medical Center, where the focus is in Naturopathic family care, as well as the specialty treatment of individuals with autism, ADHD/ADD, asthma, allergies and intestinal health issues. Dr. Morgan graduated with honors from Arizona State University earning a degree in Nutrition and later received his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. He completed a residency in family practice with a focus in the treatment of children within the Autism Spectrum Disorders. His approach to autism stresses the importance of the relationship between physician and patient and their family, centered on the whole person, while making use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, alternative and conventional.

Dr. Morgan became involved in the world of autism through his experiences with his son. He is a listed Defeat Autism Now! Doctor, has trained with Dr. Bryan Jepson, Dr. Arthur Krigsman and Dr. Andrew Wakefield at the Thoughtful House Center for Kids in Austin, TX, and completed medical rotations at the Melmed Center, a leading facility in the assessment of behavioral, educational and developmental challenges in children and adults; and the Hamilton Elementary Medical Center, a district-wide, free health care clinic that serves the poverty-stricken families of the Murphy School District.

Cynthia Macluskie

This month our meeting will be on women’s health and cheap and easy things we can do as mom’s to take care of ourselves. We always put ourselves last and our children first and that can be hard on our health. Come join us at the regular Coco’s meeting hosted by ASA-GPC and ROK. We will have Dr. Force, an amazing chiropractor, speak as well as a fantastic Chinese Medicine doctor. Both will be speaking on how mom’s can take care of themselves so they have the vitality to care for their family.

Our meeting is on May 26th (Tuesday) at 6:30 to 8:00 in the backroom of Coco’s off of Tatum and Cactus. All are welcome!

Warmly,

Cynthia Macluskie

LEADING BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS ADDRESS STRATEGIES TO BATTLE AUTISM

Association for Behavior Analysis International Convention Coming to Phoenix on May 22

WHAT: The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) is hosting its 35th Annual Convention from Friday, May 22 to Tuesday, May 26, in Phoenix. Of the numerous presentations throughout the convention, a large number of them will focus on autism, the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects as many as 1 in 150 children, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is one of the most effective and scientifically backed methods available for the treatment of autism. With ABA treatment, nearly 60 percent of high-functioning individuals are soon no longer diagnosed with autism.

The convention, which will be held at the Phoenix Convention Center, is expected to attract approximately 4,000 attendees from across the globe. Hundreds of experts will present resources and information that parents, teachers and therapists can use to improve the lives of those living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Presentations will focus on a variety of topics including:

Moving beyond imitation to observational learning for children with ASD

Identifying best practice intervention strategies for children with autism.

Evaluating the interventions available for children with autism and the importance of evidenced based treatment.

WHEN: Friday, May 22, to Tuesday, May 26

WHERE: Phoenix Convention Center
100 North Third Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004

CONTACT: For more information about the ABAI Convention, visit www.abainternational.org or call (269) 492-9310.

APN is hosting the first in a series of workshops for parents, Saturday, May 16th. The first in the series, “HFA/Asperger’s: After the Diagnosis - What Happens Now? will be held at the downtown campus of Trinity Cathedral 100 W. Roosevelt St. Phoenix 85034 (conveniently located at a rail line stop, adjacent to plenty of covered parking). Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Workshop commences at 9:15 a.m. The topic areas will focus on:

An End to Isolation
Identifying Stressors for Parents
Becoming Your Child’s Advocate
Navigating Therapies
Positive Reinforcement Strategies
Panel Discussion Involving Parents of Young Adults

Cost: $50 per person $75 per couple (includes caregiver/extended family member) which includes all written material/handouts.

Light refreshments served throughout. Please bring a bag lunch.

To register, please contact Carolyn Warden at 480-759-6329.