Autism-related Events

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.

WHEN: Saturday, April 11th
TIME: 12:00 - 4:00 pm
WHERE: McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road at the Papago Ramada (South End of the Park past the Tunnel)

ASA-Greater Phoenix will be providing GFCF Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, condiments, and paper products (plates, napkins, utensils). There are BBQ Grills and Covered Picnic Tables. Bathroom facilities are located nearby. There will be BOUNCERS and other fun activities for the kids as well as the train and carousel! This is a wonderful opportunity for our families to get together and socialize as well as network with other autism families in their communities!

We are asking families to bring an item to share by last name: A-H: Drinks/Water/Juice/Soda, I-Q: Desserts, R-Z: Side Dishes. We encourage you to bring a GFCF or special diet item to share if your family follows one!

Please RSVP by April 1st to Katie or at 602-295-8062 so we have enough food for everyone!

6:30-8:30 pm - Support Meeting

7 pm - Main Speaker: Mary Hurst
Mary Hurst will be talking about the revolutionary therapy tool AutismPro.

AutismProT is a technological tool that supports the parent’s vested interest in the type of care their autistic child receives. It is based on a philosophy that when parents and professionals work together, educational outcomes are improved for children with autism. There are many methods proven to help children with autism. Each method can be used alone or in combination with other methods. AutismProT incorporated the general philosophies of a number of evidence-based teaching methods and recommends only those methods that have been proven to benefit children with autism.

When:
4th Tuesday of each month
from 6:30 - 8:30 PM

Where:
Coco’s Restaurant – Paradise Valley Mall
4514 E. Cactus Road, Phoenix, AZ 85032

Through fun and interactive activities, participants will learn easy to implement strategies and examples of how music can be incorporated into any program in the home, school and community setting.Using applied behavior analysis (ABA) as a framework, participants will also learn how music can be a functional and motivating intervention to teach social, interpersonal, academic and language/communication skills as well as improve attention and participation.

This workshop is designed for parents, educators, therapists, habilitators and others working or living with preschool and school age children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).

When: Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Where: SARRC, 300 N. 18th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85006
Cost: $30.00
Presenter: Holly Sokol, M.Ed., MT-BC, Music Therapist **Deadline for registration is April 20th.
Web site: http://www.autismcenter.org/

Understanding and Supporting Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) in the School Setting. This training is recommended for teachers, parents, professionals, habilitators, case workers and others working with children with ASDs in preschool or toddler programs. The workshop will include an overview of characteristics of ASDs, motivational strategies to support appropriate behavior and a framework for incorporating instructional strategies into the classroom setting. Participants will receive a certificate of attendance for professional development.

When: Friday, April 17, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Web site: http://www.autismcenter.org/

24th Annual Special Day for Special Kids,
Raising Special Kids

DATE: March 28, 2009
TIME: 10 am - 2 pm
LOCATION: McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale

Sponsored by: Scottsdale Sunrise Rotary Club, Phoenix El Puente Rotary, Scottsdale Unified School District Learning Classes, Raising Special Kids

FREE Train & Carousel Rides, Carnival Games & Booths, Clowns, Face Painting, Petting Zoo, Lots of Food & Ice Cream! Register on the day of the event. Questions? Contact Dan McAuliffe 480-315-5216 or Al Chaves (En Espanol) 480-221-7259