ASO DIGEST: February 11, 2008

[Guest guest]

Dear Friend of ASO:

NEWS FROM ASO:

Efforts towards Autism Insurance Parity Continue

We are continuing to work with other advocates on Autism Insurance Parity. We are working on a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) flier that we will use with legislators and to solicit support from other organizations. We will post it to our website as soon as it is completed. We are finalizing costs and other data related to the legislation. We are adding organizations to our list of groups to solicit to support this legislation. And we continue to look for individuals that can advocate with their legislators for this all important legislation. That's where we need your help! If you are willing and/or able to:

provide a story related to autism services from your heath insurance company

provide a letter of denial from your insurance company

provide a copy of your health insurance policy that contains language specifically excluding autism

testify in Columbus at committee hearings

write letters to legislators

come to the statehouse to support others testifying or for rallies

meet with legislators, either in Columbus or your local area

please provide the following information via email: Name, address, city, zip+4, phone, email address, state representative and state senator. Not sure of your zip+4 - visit www.usps.gov, click on "find a zipcode" and enter your address. Not sure of who your state legislators are - visit www.legislature.state.oh.us and follow the directions under "Locating Legislators". Cut and paste the items that you can help with from the above list into your email and send to askASO@... - please put INSURANCE PARITY in the subject line. If you wish to participate, but would like to remain anonymous when working with legislators, please still send us your contact information so we can alert you as to when your help is needed - and you can respond to your legislators anonymously. Just note with your contact info that you would like to remain anonymous.

We are especially interested in getting help from folks who are constituents of members of the Ohio House Insurance Committee. They are:REPUBLICANSBatchelder, Chair (Medina)Hottinger, Vice Chair (Newark, Licking) (Sidney, Shelby), Coley (Liberty Township, ), s (Greenfield, Highland), Gibbs (Lakeville, Holmes), R. McGregor (Springfield, ), Raussen (Springdale, Hamilton), Wachtmann (Napoleon, ding/Putnam/VanWert) , Widener (Springfield, Madison//Greene), Zehringer (Mercer/Darke/Preble)DEMOCRATSKoziura, Ranking Minority Member (Lorain, Lorain)Barrett (Amherst, Huron/Lorain), Book (McDermott, Scioto), Celeste (Columbus, lin), DeBose (Cleveland, Cuyahoga), Driehaus (Cincinnati, Hamilton), Dyer (Green, Summit), Fende (Willowick, Cuyahoga/Lake), Letson (Warren, Trumbull), Luckie (Dayton, Montgomery)

Please sign up to help us today!

Strickland calls for Major Changes at Department of EducationExerpted from Governor Strickland's State of the State Address on Wednesday, Feb. 6"Today I am calling for the creation of a new position: the director of the Department of Education. This office would be appointed by the governor, subject to approval by the Senate.The director would have oversight over all Department of Education efforts.The existing structure, including the State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Schools, would remain in place in advisory and additional roles as determined by the director. The most important duty of the state should not be overseen by an unwieldy department with splintered accountability. This change in organizational structure will ensure, like higher education, that there is a direct line of responsibility and accountability in K through 12 education. It will ensure that our elected and appointed leaders are working together to strengthen education in Ohio.Education is the central issue I face as governor. I am determined to bring real change and real results. But I am also determined to find the best answers. We are creating a blueprint for the future of our schools and our state. And we will take the time to get it right.The director and I will take all the best ideas and evidence available from those that care about education in Ohio, and I will put my plan for Ohio’s schools before the people of Ohio next year."

ASO will watch developments in this area closely and keep you advised.

ODE-OEC hold Statewide Conference

The Ohio Department of Education’s Office for Exceptional Children (OEC) hosted the Special Education Leadership Conference Jan. 16-17, 2008, at Battelle Hall in the Greater Columbus Convention Center. This event was designed to provide special education directors in public schools and community schools, as well as other leaders in Ohio’s special education system, the opportunity to learn about many recent changes in the Operating Standards for Ohio's Schools Serving Students with Disabilities and other special education policies and programs. The conference offered participants a chance to share ideas and concerns directly with OEC staff. For complete details, presentation, agenda, click here.

ODE-OEC posts the Ohio Special Education State Performance Plan

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 requires each State to have in place aperformance plan that evaluates the State’s efforts to implement the requirements and purposes of IDEAPart B and describes how the State will improve such implementation. This plan is called the Part B StatePerformance Plan (SPP). The SPP, submitted every six years, must include measurable and rigoroustargets for the 20 indicators identified by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) at the U.S.Department of Education (USDOE). The State must report annually to OSEP on the performance of theState on the targets identified in the SPP. This report is called the Part B Annual Performance Report(APR). Each State must also report annually to the public on the performance of each local educationagency located in the State on the targets in the SPP. The lastest report from Ohio was issued on January 30, 2008. To view the report, click here.

Upcoming events, resources, etc.

FYI - Please share.

- Milestones 6th Annual Autism/Asperger's Conference, Mayfield Hts (Cleveland)

- Milestones ABA Teacher Training Workshop and Family Workshop Series, Mayfield Hts (Cleveland)

- Resource: New Book on Potty Training from AAPC

- ASPIES present OCECD and Judy Marks, Akron

- New Website: Family Travel and Autism

- the Tank Engine coming to NE Ohio

- Free Autism Workshop, Lucas County Residents Only

- Article: Poor recognition of 'self' found in high functioning people with autism

- ODMRDD Budget Update - Effect of Budget Cuts

- Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities - Preschool Focus Group, Middleburg Hts.

- Save the Date - Rock the Puzzle Returns April 26, Cleveland

- OCALI presents 2008 NATTAP Conference - Call for Papers

- Soccer Program for Children with Physical or Developmental Disabilities, Hudson

- Behavior 101, Akron

- 2008 Recreation Fair, Broadview Hts.

- Akron ASA, Aspies and SPARK present OCALI and Shut up about your Perfect Kid, Akron

- Ohio Website for Career Assessment and Transition Planning

- Summer Camp Opportunities for Individuals with DD, Akron Area

If you are interested in participating in research projects, ASO is now posting all research opportunities on our website. For information on available opportunities, visit our webpage www.autismohio.org, click on "Information" along the left side of the home page and then click on "Studies/Surveys".Have you purchased your Ohio Autism Awareness License Plate yet? To purchase yours, visit www.oplates.com and click on "Specialty Plates" or visit our website at www.autismohio.org for more information.Sincerely,Autism Society of Ohio701 S. Main St.Akron, OH 44311(330) 376-0211fax: (330) 376-1226email: askASO@...web: www.autismohio.org Please note: This is provided for information purposes only. The ASO does not endorse or recommend any providers, methodologies or services. Providing this information should not be construed as an endorsement by the ASO, either explicit or impiled.

Milestones 6th Annual Autism/Asperger's Conference

Milestones 6th Annual Autism/Asperger's ConferenceMonday, June 16, 2008 8:45 am to 4:45 pm, Landerhaven Center, 6111 Landerhaven Dr., Mayfield Hts. Ohio Keynote Speaker Dr. Jed Baker

Jed Baker, Ph.D., is the director of the Social Skills Training Project and Social Skills Training for Millburn Schools in N.J., and a behavioral consultant for several New Jersey school systems, where he provides social skills training for students with Pervasive Developmental Disorders and learning disabilities. He lectures nationally on social skills topics, and is the author of The Social Skills Picture Book, Social Skills Training, Preparing for Life, and his latest release, The Social Skills Picture Book for High School and Beyond.This conference is for you if you are a..special educator, inclusion teacher, classroom aide, speech therapist, occupational therapist, psychologist, social worker, nurse, music or art therapist physical, physical therapist, school counselor,parent or relative of an individual with autism spectrum disorder and/or behavior therapist. Professional Development/CEU's will be available ...more info

Milestones ABA Teacher Training Workshop and Family Workshop Series

ABA Teacher Training WorkshopHow to Use ABA Effectively in the Public School SettingWeek-Long Hands-on Teacher Training WorkshopDate: Monday, June 23, 2006 - Friday June 27, 2008Professional Development/CEU's will be availableTeacher Training 2008 Information (Download) - for more info

Family Workshop Series - Spring March- "ABA Everyday During Play" April- "Developing Behavior Plans" May- "Tools for Encouraging Communication"Call Kiersten at 216-371-4765 for more information, www.milestones.org

Resource: New Book on Potty Training from AAPC

The Potty Journey: Guide to Toilet Training Children with Special Needs, Including Autism and Related Disorders by Judith A. CoucouvanisRead an excerptRead reviews$17.95Jan. 2008, ISBN 978-1-934575-16-1Gotta go? Author shares common sense approaches to toilet training children with autism and related disorders that work!Toilet training children with autism and related disorders is fraught with countless challenges stemming from the very core of their unique characteristics. The communication and sensory issues alone can create formidable barriers. As a result, typical strategies are frequently ineffective when used with children with special needs.Using a no-nonsense, often humorous approach, Judith Coucouvanis, MA, APRN, BC, shares strategies that have produced remarkable results for parents of children with autism and related disorders nationwide. Promising no "quick fixes," The Potty Journey systematically guides you through the entire toileting journey, step-by-step, to the ultimate destination - dry pants. http://www.asperger.net/bookstore_9001.htm

ASPIES present OCECD and Judy Marks, Akron

ASPIES Greater AkronSupport Group assisting parents of children withAsperger Syndrome, high functioning Autism, and PDD/NOS Present:

Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with DisabilitiesSERVICE AND SUPPORTSAides in the understanding of what services are available through schools, community and state agencies with information on what they provide. Recognizing and building support systems for children and parents. andJudy MarksAutism Advocates & Consultants LLCHow to Get those Services and Supports WHEN: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2008 WHERE: WILLIAM CONSIDINE PROFESSIONAL BUILDING AKRON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL 2 PERKINS SQUARE – AKRON 44308 TIME: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Please register by contacting Joy Spencer by phone 330-745-5115 or e-mail Rreindeer@... Deadline for registration: Friday, February 15, 2008(Walk-ins will be welcome, but space is limited.) DOOR PRIZE(S) OHIO COALITION FOR THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES165 WEST CENTER STREET, SUITE 302MARION, OHIO 433021-800-374-2806FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF STATEWIDE TRAININGS VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.ocecd.org

Remember to RSVP for our upcoming meeting on Services and Supports. Walk-ins will be welcome, but space is limited. While hosted by ASPIES, this meeting is open to families of children with any disability. JoyASPIES Greater Akron

Rreindeer@...

New Website: Family Travel and Autism

It's Time for Everyone to Have Fun!

Vacations with a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder can be chaotic, nerve rattling and stressful! So stressful that many families do not take a vacation. Well, no more! Welcome to the site dedicated to helping your family travel, vacation and have fun!

http://www.autismtravel.org/

the Tank Engine coming to NE Ohio

Discover !

Classic Storybook Engine chugs into a station near you!

25 Minute ride with !

Meet Sir Topham Hatt!

Enjoy Storytelling, live music, build with Lego, Duplo bricks and much more!

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad 7100 Riverview Road, Peninsula, OH 44264May 17 & 18, 2008May 23, 24 & 25, 2008 will be departing from our Boston Mill Station For tickets and information visit www.ticketweb.com or call 866.468.7630Tickets are $18 for ages two and up.Advance purchase is recommended.Ticket sales are final. Events are rain or shine.Event site is open from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

For complete details, visit: http://www.cvsr.com/dowt/

Free Autism Workshop, Lucas County Residents Only

Project ACTION: Autism Community Training In Our Neighborhoods FREE: Workshops on Autism Spectrum DisorderWHERE: Family Community CentersFOCUS: Autism Spectrum Disorder With Strategies to Facilitate Learning and Positive Behavior at Home and School SPONSOR: Lucas County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental DisabilitiesPRESENTED BY: Community Parents and ProfessionalsDEVELOPED BY: Bowling Green State University, School of Intervention Services February 21, 20083:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Friendly Center1324 N. SuperiorToledo, OH 43604 419-243-1289

February 28, 20086:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Crossroads Community Resource Center4543 Road Toledo, OH 43613 419-475-3258 For further information please feel free to call Jo Swartzberg, 419-354-9010 x137.

Jo.Swartzberg@... PROJECT ACTION CO- DIRECTORSDr. Ellen , BGSU ewillia@...Dr. Murray, BGSU mmurray@...Ms. Andie Ryley, NWORAAC aryley@... (In-kind support from the University of Toledo Department of Psychiatry – Public and Community Psychiatry is being provided.)

Article: Poor recognition of 'self' found in high functioning people with autism

Contrary to popular notions, people at the high end of the autism spectrum disorder continuum suffer most from an inability to model “self†rather than impaired ability to respond to others, said Baylor College of Medicine researchers in a report that appear in the journal Neuron.This inability to model “self†can disrupt an individual’s ability to understand the world as a whole, said Dr. P. Read Montague Jr., professor of neuroscience, and director of the Human Neuroimaging Lab and the Computational Psychiatry Unit at BCM. “It’s an interesting disconnect.†Using a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanner, Montague and his colleagues scanned the brains of people considered “high functioning†autistics because they have normal or high normal intelligence quotients but many of the symptoms of people with autism. During this procedure, the researchers identified a pattern of activity or “signature†in the brain that identified those with autism. The level of activity correlates with the severity of the autistic symptoms. The less activity there is, the more serious the symptoms. The finding could lead to a test to speed diagnosis. “We are very excited about the usefulness of the hyperscanning technology and economic games as new tools to probe autism. Our hope is that these same approaches can be used to probe a wide range of psychopathologies,†said Dr. Pearl Chiu, first author on the study and an assistant professor in the departments of neuroscience and psychiatry and behavioral sciences at BCM. To understand the behavioral patterns of people with autism spectrum disorder, Montague and his colleagues used a technique called hyperscanning, which enabled them to scan two brains simultaneously while the research subjects played a trust game. Hyperscanning was developed in Montague’s laboratory. In the trust game, one player receives an amount of money and then sends whatever amount he or she wants to the other player via computer message. The amount sent is tripled and the player at the other end then decides how much of the tripled amount to send back. The game has several rounds. During this interaction, Montague and his colleagues evaluated the brains’ response by watching bright spots in the brain that represent increased blood flow and thus brain activity. Prior work had shown that during the trust game, most of the activity occurs in an area called the cingulate cortex. To hone their picture of the “self†response in that part of the brain, Montague and his colleagues had 81 athletes (football, baseball and soccer players as well as members of the Houston Ballet) take part in an imagining task. They watched clips of various athletic activities while in the scanner. They then imagined themselves performing those activities. The pattern of activity in the cingulate cortex during that “imagining†reflected the “self†response. Later the scientists identified the same “self†response in the cingulate cortices of normal subjects when they decided how much money to send to the other person. The pattern contrasted with the “other†response seen when the actions of their partner in the trust game were revealed to them. The researchers then brought in 18 adolescent males with high functioning autism to play the game. Montague and his colleagues determined that the subjects understood the game and helped them adjust to the scanning procedure. “It was the first time an autistic kid had been scanned in a social exchange,†said Montague. The adolescents did not play the game differently from their partners, who were taken from a population of similar teens who did not have autism. They made similar amounts of money overall and round by round. However, when the researchers scanned the brains of the youngsters with autism during the trust game, they found that the youngsters’ “self†responses were dim compared to those of normal subjects. Not only that, but the more serious the subject’s autistic symptoms, the dimmer the response. The response occurred in the cingulate cortex. In a normal “self†response there, the brightest area was in the middle of that area of the brain. That response was significantly less in the brains of the youngsters with autism. “They cognitively understood the game,†said Montague. “It’s not that they don’t understand the game. It’s that there is a very low level of ‘self’ response. It’s impaired in them and the degree to which it is missing correlates with their symptom severity. The more you are missing the self response, the more autistic you are.†“To have a good self concept, you have to be able to decide if the shared outcome is due to the other person or due to you,†said Montague. “If people can’t see themselves as a distinct entities at deeper levels, there is a disconnect.†He believes that the problem occurs at an unconscious level. He hopes to use the imagining technique in the future to scan the brains of people with autism whose intelligence is less than that of those in this first experiment. “The genius of this study was to recognize the primary deficit with this spectrum of disorders,†said Dr. Friedlander, chair of neuroscience at BCM. “Then they took that information dealing with the deficit social cognition and invented a new kind of experiment and technology to probe it.†Source: Baylor College of Medicinehttp://www.physorg.com/news121524625.html Posted by Karl Stonjek

ODMRDD Budget Update - Effect of Budget Cuts From the ODMRDD E-newsletter Pipeline:

As promised in Pipeline Extra, January 31, 2008, ODMRDD plans to keep you up-to-date regarding the impact of budget cuts on our agency. While we know more today than when revenue forecasts were made public, we do not yet have all of the details, or know how all of the details will impact specific areas of the Department. Because we feel that it is important to share what we know, and be responsive and responsible in the process, we will communicate what we know as soon as we can. … We feel that it is important to share what we know, and be responsive and responsible in the process … Supporting our goal to protect services for individuals and families, ODMRDD has focused on cost-saving opportunities that will, we believe, minimize the impact of budget cuts on services. We are identifying areas within our organization to consolidate, reduce administration, and streamline operations. In addition, we will work to reduce management layers and identify vacancies that can remain unfilled, along with using the Early Retirement Incentive Plan (ERIP) in order to reduce costs. … The ODMRDD has focused on cost-saving opportunities that will, we believe, minimize the impact of budget cuts on services … While we are reducing capacity at the Developmental Centers and consolidating functions at the Central Office, we are committed to supporting all of our staff. The budget plan does not call for closing any Developmental Centers, but it does call for reducing capacity, and using Individual Options (IO) Waivers funded by the v. Taft Settlement (‘ Waivers’) and existing vacancies in the Centers to close some cottages around the state. These waivers allow those individuals who have wanted to move into the community the opportunity to do so, while receiving the services and supports they need. And, we are going to make these waivers available statewide, to allow individuals at every Developmental Center to access community services and supports. Our top priorities at each of our Developmental Centers are the continuation of quality services, and the health and safety of the individuals who reside there. Governor Strickland and the ODMRDD are committed to minimizing the impact these budget cuts will have on the individuals we serve. We will continue to share information and provide opportunities for questions and issues to be raised so we can address all concerns. To help ensure a flow of reliable communication, please use the following avenues to access information: ‘Rumor Buster’-- As you have questions and need answers, please consult us, not the rumor mill. Use the email feedback system at budget-rumors@... Email your specific concerns, or information you wish to have verified, and someone will respond to you directly. Division meetings -- The Director/Deputy Directors will provide updates through division meetings, and possibly through all-staff and lunch-time meetings to allow for accessibility. Regional Meetings -- Knowing that nothing can replace face-to-face contact with the field, we are scheduling regional meetings around the geographic locations of our ten Developmental Centers, thereby meeting with County Boards of MRDD, families, providers, and state employees. Pipeline -- As details are solidified, we will use the Pipeline electronic newsletter to inform our constituents how the budget reduction process will move forward. It will focus on how, with their help, we believe we can make positive changes in our system, despite these challenges.

To subscribe to Pipeline, send an email to: join-pipeline@... and write SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. To discontinue your subscription to Pipeline (‘opt off’) write UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line. You also may read issues of Pipeline at http://odmrdd.state.oh.us/pipeline/odmrdd.htm

Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities - Preschool Focus Group PRESCHOOL PARENTS…….WE NEED YOUR HELP February 25, 2008 WHERE: Middleburg Heights Community Center 16000 Bagley Road, Room C Middleburg Hts., Ohio 44130 (1/2 mile east of the I-71 Bagley Road Exit)TIME: Feel Free to Register for One or Both Sessions: 10:00 am -- 12:00 pm LRE 12:00 pm -- 2:00 pm Meaningful Parent Involvement Parents/Guardians with a child/children between the ages of 3 – 5 who are receiving special education services in a preschool program, are invited to participate in either one or both Focus Groups. These group discussions will focus on gathering information that pertains to parental understanding of the Least Restrictive Environment [LRE) and Meaningful Parent Involvement in the preschool setting. These focus groups will be used to identify and collect data from you to develop recommendations, which we will review with you at the 2nd focus group meeting later this spring, prior to sending the findings to the Office of Early Learning and School Readiness (OEL & SR) For Further Information and to Register, please call either: Lyke @ 800-461-1928 or Barb Rutt @ 800-694-6402 FREE CHILDCARE and LUNCH PROVIDED 165 WEST CENTER STREET, SUITE 302MARION, OHIO 433021-800-374-2806www.ocecd.org

Save the Date - Rock the Puzzle Returns April 26!

One of Cleveland's hottest parties is back! Rock the Puzzle Returns Saturday, April 26, 2008 at the House of Blues. The evening will again consist of 6 bands and the unveiling of two new wines for autism from Grand River Cellars. Rock The Puzzle is a gala fundraising event that had its first annual debut as Cleveland Rocks Autism in April 2007. All proceeds from 2008's Rock The Puzzle will stay local to the Northeast Ohio area to help those affected by autism in our own communities through Northeast Ohio Autism Group.

For more information, visit http://www.rockthepuzzle.com/index.html

OCALI presents 2008 NATTAP Conference - Call for Papers

November 19-21, 2008; Columbus, Ohio

Deadline for Submission: February 29, 2008

http://www.nattapconference.org/

The primary goal of the 2008 NATTAP Conference is to build networks and communities of practice around the nation and across the globe consisting of both interdisciplinary and parallel professional groups that will serve as ongoing support and collaborative outlets for continued professional development. The objectives of the conference are to review current models of systems, best practice in research and intervention use and methods of capacity building, all of which contribute to the ultimate goal of improving outcomes for individuals age 3-21. Proposals are sought in three categories: Concurrent Sessions, Poster Displays, and Panel Discussions. A limited number of each session type will be accepted. Submissions will be accepted via the online system only. If you have questions about the submission process, please contact Jill Hudson at nattap@... or 614.410.0701.

Soccer Program for Children with Physical or Developmental Disabilities

The Hudson Soccer Association is considering creating a soccerprogram for children aged 4-19 with physical and/or mentaldisabilities. The program would be geared toward player developmentrather than competition. Athletes would be placed on teams accordingto ability not by age.The program is open to any child with a developmental delay ordisability including but not limited to: A.D.D., Autism, HearingImpaired, Sight Impaired, Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury,Cystic Fibrosis, Down's Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, MuscularDystrophy, Seizure Disorder and Spinal Bifida.

The purpose of this email is to investigate the level of interest inan HSA soccer program for disabled youth. If you have a child orknow of a child aged 4-19 who might be interested in participating inthe program, please send us an email at Soccer4Allhudsonsoccerohio (DOT) org. Include the child's name, age, and disability. Once we compileyour responses, we will schedule a kick-off meeting. Our goal is toget these kids on the soccer field this Spring!For more information, email us at Soccer4All@... orcall Tony Bouquot at (330) 342-3301 or Jeff Knoblauch at (330) 655-9438.

Behavior 101

Autism Advocates & Consultants LLC

Date: 02/13/08 Wednesday Time: 6:30-8:30 pmLocation: Akron Rotary Camp 4460 Rex Lake Dr. Akron,OH 44319

Training for Parents with a Child in most Disability Categories There will be a $20.00 fee due 1/2 hour prior to scheduled event at registration table.Light refreshments will be provided. IEP Guides will be made available for purchase at $10.00 Cash & Checks Accepted Only

OBJECTIVESLearn what a behavior actually is Learn what can cause a behavior in your child Learn how to acquire behavior goals in your IEP Please RSVP by 02-12-08330-265-7931

UPCOMING TRAININGS 4-09-08 Learner Snapshot 3-12-08 Autism 101

5-07-08 Filing Complaints

2008 Recreation FairSaturday, February 23St. .s Woodside Party Center inC Broadview Heights from 10am-1pm o-sponsored by the CSESC, CMR and theNortheast Ohio Parent Mentors, this 10th RecreationalFair provides families with special needs children theopportunity to research camps, recreation opportunities aswell as academic, social and therapeutic activities.Over 30 camps and recreational opportunities willbe represented, along with other support and socialservice agencies.For more information, contact Bonnie Simons,216-524-2770, ext.3818 or www.csesc.org

Akron ASA, Aspies and SPARK present OCALI and Shut up about your Perfect Kid

Tuesday, April 15th6:00 - 9:00 pmThe Greater Akron Chapter Autism Society of America along with ASPIES Greater Akron and SPARK Presents OCALI (Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence) Henry from (6-7pm)andShut up about your Perfect Kid Gallagher and Patty Konjoian from (7-9pm)Come enjoy an evening of laughter about life’s imperfections!Today, more than ever, our society is obsessed with achievement and perfection. This is especially true when it comes to our children. It seems you can’t go anywhere without hearing about how someone’s child scored the winning goal or reading a bumper sticker that says, "My honor student loves me." So what’s a parent of a child who's not a star athlete or scholar to do? This long-overdue movement is allowing parents of "non-perfect" kids to come out of their messy closets and talk about the accomplishments of their children. With bumper magnets like "My Bipolar Kid Loves Me AND Hates Me," we're wearing our badges of imperfection and telling the world with humor and grace, "We're not always O.K., but that's O.K."Location: Considine Professional Building (across from Akron Children’s Hospital Main Entrance)(Check signs for Room location) For more information please contact us at 330-543-3955 or email us at asagreaterakron@... www.asagreaterakron.com

Website for Career Assessment and Transition Planning

Ohio's Career Development Program provides educational services to all 612 K-12 public school districts. The goal of the program is to help Ohio's students learn more about educational and career options while they develop skills in decision making and goal setting, and work habits and attitudes. These skills are developed through career exploration activities as well as classroom integration activities.

The Ohio Department of Education staff below administers Ohio's Career Development Program for K-12 public schools and their educational partners.

http://www.ohiocareerdev.org/

Summer Camp Opportunities for Individuals with DD, Akron Area

The Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs, in cooperation with the Akron Area YMCA, offers camping experiences for children and adults with disabilities. Rotary Camp is American Camping Association (ACA) accredited and provides a nurturing and enriching atmosphere where campers develop friendships, skills and memories that will last a lifetime.

Summer Resident Camp

Ages 6-17 • Sunday-Friday

Each summer, Rotary Camp serves nearly 400 children with physical, developmental and mild behavioral disabilities. Campers enjoy many traditional camping activities including swimming, canoeing, arts and crafts, sports and games, team building and more in our convenient and accessible natural setting. The goals of the our summer camp programs include increasing camper self-esteem and decision making abilities, developing a sense of cultural awareness, increasing camper independence and physical skills and developing an appreciation for the natural environment.

The most exciting part of Rotary Camp is meeting a cabin full of new friends, all of whom will be supervised and cared for by their counselors and volunteers throughout their stay at camp. All programs are age and ability appropriate according to camper needs.

When campers leave Rotary Camp at the end of each session, they not only leave with lifelong memories and friends but also show more independence as well as a greater understanding of themselves and their abilities.

Funding

Rotary Camp is a project of the Akron Rotary Club and is and independent 501 © (3) non-profit organization. Funded through the Akron Rotary Foundation, private donations and proceeds from the Wayne Homes Chili Open, we are able to provide a quality and safe camping experience for people with disabilities. Year-round facility rentals also help to offset the cost of camp. The camp is dedicated to providing year-round facility recreational programs for all eligible participants regardless of their ability to pay. Due to such generous donations, we are able to subsidize the actual cost of sending one camper to overnight camp for a week – a cost which amounts to more than $750.

Staff

The staff at the Rotary Camp embodies the values held by the YMCA – Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility and Faith. The young men and women on staff are committed to upholding and passing along these values, and also to understanding, learning and teaching. They realize that they are not only leaders and role models for our campers, but also friends.

Counselor to camper ratios are 2:6. Counselors go through a thorough interview process before they are hired, and an even more rigorous week of training, which includes understanding different disabilities, what special needs to consider and how to foster the camper’s independence.

Safety

Our campers’ safety is our number one priority at Rotary Camp. Nursing staff are on-site 24 hours a day during the summer to distribute medications and to help provide necessary care to our children. A doctor is also on call 24 hours a day.

Summer Residential Camp Sessions

Resident Camp @ $350/weekSummit County MRDD Board $25 co-pay/session upon approval

June15 – 20 With siblings June 22 - 27July 6 - 11July 13 - 18July 20 - 25July 27 – Aug 1 With siblings

Summer Day Camp

Rotary Camp offers two day camp programs to meet the needs of our campers and their families. Our day camp programs allow participants to benefit from the many traditional camp activities, while spending each night at home. These experiences are in part provided in cooperation with the County of Summit Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (CSBMR/DD). Transportation is available through CSBMR/DD to qualifying individuals who are registered prior to April 15th.

Campers will need to provide their own packed lunches each day, two snacks are provided by the camp.

Summer Dayz at Rotary

Ages 6-21 Monday-Friday 10am – 4pm

Our traditional Rotary Day Camp allows campers to experience some of the best parts of Rotary Camp. Campers are organized into cabin groups according to age and ability. While at camp, campers will enjoy arts & crafts, nature, and field games with their peers an our well trained staff. Each day, weather permitting, campers will have the opportunity to explore all that Rex Lake has to offer, including swimming, canoeing, and other water games.

The counselor to camper ratio will not exceed 2:6.

Rotary Explorers at Hale Farm & Village

Ages 6-21 Monday-Friday 10am – 4pm

This is a program offered in collaboration with our friends at Hale Farm and Village. Located in Bath, OH, Hale Farm and Village is a living history museum focused on the 19th century lifestyle. Rotary Explorers will participate in traditional camp activities from arts & crafts to field games to nature exploration. At times, campers may have the unique opportunity to participate in Hale Farm and Village sponsored programs and activities. Small group sizes and the unique natural environment will make this program one of a kind opportunity.

The Rotary Camp staff at Hale Farm and Village will go through the same intense training that all of our traditional staff does. The counselor to camper ratio will not exceed 2:6.

Day Camp Sessions

Day Camp @ $210/weekSummit County MRDD Board $25 co-pay/session upon approval

Summer Dayz at Rotary Camp

June 16 - 20June 23 - 27June 30- July 3July 7 - 11July 14 - 18July 21 - 25July 28 - Aug 1Aug 11 – 15

Rotary Explorers at Hale Farm & Village

June 16 - 20June 23 - 27June 30- July 3July 7 - 11July 14 - 18July 21 - 25

Siblings camping with their brother or sister.

Ages 6-17 • Sunday - Friday

This week of camp is designed just for the siblings in mind! Campers will participate in all of the fun Rotary Camp activities with their brother/sister with a disability. While at camp, they will enjoy swimming, canoeing, arts & crafts, campfires, and much more, allowing them to share their Rotary Camp stories and experiences with their brother/sister.

While there will be no formal focus or discussion groups, through the nature of camp programs, these campers may share experiences and build relationships to provide support and understanding for their unique role in the family.

Siblings Camp @ $350/week

June 27- Aug 1

Adult Camp

Ages 18+ • Sunday - Friday

Adult Camp is a weeklong program for adults with physical and developmental disabilities. It is designed for adults who have been ineligible for the traditional resident camp or for people who have never had the camp experience. All activities are age appropriate and designed with the adult camper in mind. Activities may include canoeing, pontoon boating, fishing, campfires, ceramic painting and much more! Camper ratio during adult only programs is 2:8.

Adult Camp @ $415/week

June 29 – July 4

August 10 – 15

For Complete information and to register, contact c@...

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