Guest guest Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 Dear Friend of ASO: Visit ASO's website www.autismohio.org for an "easy to read" version of the DIGEST if this does not come through clean on your listserv. Or sign up to receive your own copy by "registering" on the "login" section of ASO's homepage. News From ASO: - Autism Early Screening Pilot: We need your help! - National Candidate Forum on Disability Issues in Columbus - Plan on attending! - CPST Rule changes on Hold - From ODJFS: Children's Buy-In Program - Governor to host Education Forums around Ohio - plan to participate! - NOW OPEN! – 2008 NATTAP Conference Registration, Columbus - 2008 ASA National Conference - Federal Office of Special Education Programs Publishes Report on Ohio - Federal Update Upcoming Events, Resources, etc: - Autism Society of Greater Cleveland Update and Meetings - Upcoming Events from TriCounty ASA Chapter (Youngstown) - Verbal Behavior Workshop sponsored by Dayton ASA - Dayton ASA Support Group Meetings - News from the ASA ASA Receives Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance's Standards for Charity Accountability IACC Meeting Announced ABC News Seeks Submissions for iCaught: OnCall+ Autism Insurance Mandate Passes Pennsylvania Legislature President Bush Signs Medicaid Moratorium into Law ADA Amendments Pass House of Representatives Congress Continues to Support Autism Programs Available Now: "Little White Squirrel's Secret" Sharing Miracles Blog a Forum for Hope "The Autism File" debuts in the U.S. & Canada- Basic Foundation in Applied Behavioral Analysis, Cleveland - Upcoming Events, NE Ohio, Compiled by Milestones - Moms of Asperger Girls - Update/Correction - Fashion Sense 2008 - Benefit for Autism, Akron area - Resource: Special Needs Equipment - HAND-TO-HAND: A Free Family Education Program, Stark County - Resource: BBB AUTISM ONLINE SUPPORT NETWORK - Parent Education Empowerment Resources Supports, Akron - Support The Healthy Transition Act of 2008! - Article: TURNING FAILURE INTO SUCCESS IN THE FOURTH DIMENSION, Dan Coulter - Article: The Puzzle of Hidden Ability, Newsweek - OLRS Strategic Planning Survey - Ride for Autism 2008, Columbus - National Council on Disability (NCD) Study - Input Needed - “Night of Celebration†for MR/DD Community at the Cincinnati Reds - Article: What Autism Does to a Mother - Holiday Tips - Book: Older Adolescents and Adults - Benefit for Autism, Westerville - Motorcycle Ride For Hattie Larlham, NE Ohio 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". New Studies posted just this week! 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,The 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. News From ASO: Autism Early Screening Pilot: We need your help! As part of the Autism Early Screening Pilot, the Ohio chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), who is administering the program for the Ohio Department of Health, is looking to recruit pediatric and family practice physicians to participate in the program from the pilot counties: Belmont, Warren, Wood, Cuyahoga and lin. If you would like to suggest a practice to participate in this project - please send the practice contact information to Dan Farkas at dfarkas@.... Also, contact your practice and encourage them to participate. PLEASE only suggest and or contact practices in the pilot counties at this time! Also, we need media members that you know of who are sympathetic to the cause of autism to help spread the word on this project. If you have or know of any such contacts (print or broadcast), please send them to Farkas at dfarkas@... as well. This project was made possible through an initiative of the Autism Society of Ohio and the support of Rep. Bacon. National Forum on Disability Issues in Columbus - Plan on attending!National Forum on Disability Issues featuring the 2008 Presidential Candidates (invited) to be held on July 26, 2008, in Columbus, Ohio. The National Forum on Disability Issues, featuring the 2008 Presidential Candidates (invited) is a historic, nonpartisan forum on national disability policy to be held on July 26, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio. We plan to welcome over a thousand Americans with disabilities and their friends and family (registration required) to attend the event and to commemorate the 18th anniversary of our civil rights law, the Americans with Disabilities Act. The forum will feature time slots for the presidential candidates to individually present their visions for the future of disability policy in America followed by questions from the audience, asked by Judy Woodruff, news anchor and journalist ("The News Hour with Jim Lehrer"), who will act as the Moderator. ASO is a recent sponsor of this event. For more information and to register, visit www.aapd-dc.org. CPST Rule changes on Hold The Ohio Department of Mental Health and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will NOT implement their proposed rules regarding Community psychiatric supportive treatment (CPST) service July 1, as planned, due to a suit filed by Ohio Legal Rights. Read the full decision at the ASO website. CONCLUSIONFor the foregoing reasons, the Court GRANTS Plaintiffs’ request for injunctive relief. The Defendants are therefore ORDERED to refrain from implementing Ohio Admin Code. 5101:3-27-02 and 5122-29-17. In so ruling, the Court is not deciding that all of the services provided by SBSA are medically necessary nor that the cost of treatment as billed by SBSA is reasonable. Rather, the Court is simply holding that the Plaintiffs have a reasonable chance of being successful in establishing that ABA services are covered by Medicaid and that the amendments to the Ohio Administrative Code violate the federal Medicaid Act.IT IS SO ORDERED.S/ L. Graham L. GrahamUNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE From ODJFS: Children's Buy-In Program Gov. Strickland’s TurnAround Ohio initiatives have helped expand health care coverage to more Ohioans including uninsured children. Ohio is pleased to announce the availability of a new health care program called the “Children’s Buy-In†program (also known as CBI). CBI is a cost-sharing health care program for certain children with special needs or expensive insurance premiums. Children may qualify for this program if their families have an annual income that is more than 300% of the federal poverty level (about $63,600 for a family of four). Applications are accepted online only. For more information, please visit: http://jfs.ohio.gov/OHP/cbi/. In addition, Ohio’s Medicaid program is covering more Ohioans than ever before! For links to brochures, flyers, facts sheets and more, check out the TurnAround Ohio Medicaid Expansions Toolkit online at: http://jfs.ohio.gov/OHP/tao/toolkit.stm. Governor to host Education Forums around Ohio - plan to participate! Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced that he will host 12 forums across the state this summer focusing on reforming education in Ohio.“There is nothing more important to Ohio's economic future than making sure that we have a world-class system of education,†Strickland said. "These forums are the beginning of a conversation with the people of Ohio about how best to reform education in our great state." The “Governor’s Conversation on Education†forums will focus on the six principles for education reform as outlined in the Governor’s State of the State address as well as specific policy ideas for fostering a system of education in Ohio that is innovative, personalized and linked to economic prosperity. A second round of education forums will be held later in the fall of 2008 and will focus on how to properly finance a truly reformed system of education. The governor plans to introduce his education reform proposal in 2009. “Ohio’s education system has many strengths, but despite our progress we haven’t kept pace with the rest of the world,†Strickland said. “It will take collaboration among business leaders, parents, students, teachers and school administrators to develop a plan that makes Ohio a leader in innovation and gives our students the preparation and skills they need to be successful in a global environment.â€Strickland also launched a Web site, http://www.ConversationOnEducation.Org , which provides the public and forum participants with details about the regional forums and will include ways to submit feedback during and after the forums.Attendance at the forums is by invitation only. The dates, times and locations for the “Governor’s Conversation on Education†regional forums are listed below. Each forum will be available through a live Webcast at http://www.ConversationOnEducation.Org. Most regional forums will also air live on the local PBS station. Stations without a live broadcast will tape and air their local forums following the event. Feeds of the forums will be provided to media outlets by Ohio Government Television. Educators, business leaders, parents and students, among others, will make up the live audiences. In addition, each school district in the region will be encouraged to organize at least one “watch party†for the broadcast or Webcast and conduct a facilitated group discussion following the forum. At each meeting, Strickland will discuss his six principles for education reform and specific ideas while facilitating an interactive conversation with audience members and Webcast and television viewers. ASO is working with the Governor's office to make sure that the issues of students with autism, their families and educators who work with them are addressed as a part of this process. ASO will keep you up to date via the DIGEST and website.Below are the times/dates for the forums.Tuesday, July 22ndFRANKLIN COUNTYWHAT: Governor’s Conversation on EducationWHEN: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PMWHERE: COSI Studio333 W. Broad St.Columbus, OH 43215Wednesday, July 23rdSUMMIT COUNTYWHAT: Governor’s Conversation on EducationWHEN: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PMWHERE: Akron North High School985 Gorge Blvd.Akron, OH 44310Monday, July 28thHAMILTON COUNTYWHAT: Governor’s Conversation on EducationWHEN: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PMWHERE: CET Studio1223 Central ParkwayCincinnati, OH 45214Tuesday, July 29thMONTGOMERY COUNTYWHAT: Governor’s Conversation on EducationWHEN: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PMWHERE: University of DaytonBoll Theater, Kennedy Union300 College ParkDayton, OH 45469Wednesday, August 6thCUYAHOGA COUNTYWHAT: Governor’s Conversation on EducationWHEN: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PMWHERE: Idea Center at Playhouse SquareWestfield Insurance Studio Theatre1375 Euclid Ave.Cleveland, OH 44115Monday, August 11thMUSKINGUM COUNTYWHAT: Governor’s Conversation on EducationWHEN: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PMWHERE: Ohio University ZanesvilleElson Hall Auditorium1425 Newark Rd.Zanesville, OH 43701Tuesday, August 12thROSS COUNTYWHAT: Governor’s Conversation on EducationWHEN: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PMWHERE: Ohio University Chillicothe Hall Auditorium101 University Dr.Chillicothe, OH 45601Friday, August 15thALLEN COUNTYWHAT: Governor’s Conversation on EducationWHEN: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PMWHERE: State Community CollegeScience Building, Room 1004240 Campus Dr.Lima, OH 45804Monday, August 18thWASHINGTON COUNTYWHAT: Governor’s Conversation on EducationWHEN: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PMWHERE: Marietta CollegeMcDonough Auditorium215 Fifth St.Marietta, OH 45750Wednesday, August 20thLUCAS COUNTYWHAT: Governor’s Conversation on EducationWHEN: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PMWHERE: High School222 McTigue Dr.Toledo, OH 43615Wednesday, September 3rdMAHONING COUNTYWHAT: Governor’s Conversation on EducationWHEN: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PMWHERE: Youngstown State UniversityKilcawley Center, Chestnut RoomOne University PlazaYoungstown, OH 44555Monday, September 15thRICHLAND COUNTYWHAT: Governor’s Conversation on EducationWHEN: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PMWHERE: Ohio State University MansfieldOvalwood Hall, Founders Auditorium 1680 University Dr.Mansfield, OH 44906 NOW OPEN! – 2008 NATTAP Conference RegistrationThe Autism Society of America (ASA) and Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) present the 2nd annual international conference on autism training and technical assistance. The objectives of the conference are to review current systems models for addressing the needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), promote use of best practice in research and intervention and provide methods for capacity building – all of which contribute to the ultimate goal of improving outcomes for individuals ages 3-21. Join the estimated 1,500-2,000 attendees from across the national and around the globe.NEW for 2008! Pre-Conference Sessions - November 18, 2008Pre-Conference sessions are provided by leaders and recognized experts in the field and provide attendees with a valuable opportunity for in-depth discussion and learning.What: 2008 NATTAP ConferenceWhen: November 19-21, 2008Where: Greater Columbus Convention Center | Columbus, OHEarly Bird Rate: $185Parent/Family Member Rate: $100Pre-Conference Session Rate: $100Conference registration and information available at: http://www.nattapconference.org The Autism Society of Ohio has provided a grant to OCALI reducing the registration rate for parents from last year's $185 to $100 for all three days of the conference! Register NOW! 2008 ASA National ConferenceJuly 9-12, 2008Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention CenterOrlando, Florida 2008 Keynoters: Temple Grandin, Ph.D., Bob Hendren, D.O., & Ball, Ph.D., BCBA The Autism Society of America recognizes that families and individuals living with an autism spectrum disorder have a range of issues and needs. The National Conference of the Autism Society of America is the only conference that addresses the range of issues, including early intervention, education, employment, behavior, communication, social skills, biomedical interventions and others, across the entire lifespan. Bringing together the expertise and experiences of family members, professionals and individuals on the spectrum, attendees are able to learn how to more effectively advocate and obtain supports for the individual with ASD. The ultimate goal is to empower family members, individuals on the spectrum and professionals to make informed decisions. Registration & Conference Schedule Go to www.autism-society.org/conference for the detailed 2008 ASA National Conference schedule. All session descriptions and speakers are now listed online, with over 200 speakers and 150 sessions. Be sure to register for the conference online by May 1, 2008, to take advantage of Early Bird Registration prices (Individuals on the Spectrum: $150 & Full Conference Attendees: $220). Exhibitors Don't miss your opportunity to exhibit at the largest autism conference in the U.S. this year. Network with professionals, families, service providers and more. For more information, contact Meg Ellacott, 2008 ASA National Conference Exhibit Director, at ellacott@... or 302.260.9487. Be sure to secure your spot now. Respite Child Care Bring your entire family. Orlando is a great family vacation location. ASA is partnering with Quest, Inc., to provide respite care onsite. For more information, contact ASA at conference@.... Continuing Education Credits BCBA, ASHA and CME credits are available. For session information, contact Autism Society of America at conference@.... The Autism Research Institute presents the Defeat Autism Now (DAN!) Clinician Seminar for professionals on Wednesday, July 9, 2008. For information about the conference, contact Autism Society America Conference Department at conference@... or call 301.657.0881, ext. 10. Federal Office of Special Education Programs Publishes Report on Ohio For the letter to Dr. Zelman, click here For a table reporting by State Performance Plan Indicator, click here Federal Update The President signed into law the Emergency War Supplemental Appropriations bill. Six Medicaid regulations are put under a one year moratorium (through April 1, 2009) and include the rehab option, school based administration/transportation and case management rules. The outpatient rule was not included. The full House voted to adopt the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (H.R. 3195). Although the White House released a statement of general support for the bill, that statement also expressed reservations about some of the key provisions that had been negotiated. As the Independence Day recess began, there were no signals as yet as to how or when the Senate would consider restoring the lost protections under the ADA. By a veto-proof vote of 355-59, the House of Representatives passed the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331). This bill: Averts a 10.6% decrease in Medicare reimbursements to physicians scheduled to take effect on July 1; Delays by 18 months the roll-out of a competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies in 10 metropolitan statistical areas; Imposes an 18 month extension on the exceptions process for limits on physical, occupational and speech and language therapies; and Contains several improvements to the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy. The President had sent a veto-message on the bill. The Senate, by a vote of 58-40, failed to garner the 60 votes needed to proceed with consideration of the bill. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has vowed to bring up the bill again after the July 4 recess. The Arc and United Cerebral palsy, in conjunction with the Education Task Force of the Consortium for Citizen with Disabilities (CCD), filed extensive comments on proposed rules regarding future implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act. The comments will be posted soon on the CCD webpage at http://www.c-c-d.org The National Council on Disability (NCD) is gathering public input for a study of emerging issues and trends affecting the lives of people with disabilities. Information gathered will be used in the development of NCD's next annual progress report to the President and Congress, "National Disability Policy: A Progress Report," which is required by Section 401( of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. NCD is seeking input on disability issues such as health, housing, employment, insurance, transportation, assistive technology, recreation, emergency preparedness, training, prevention, early intervention and education. Information must be submitted to NCD by July 22, 2008. For further information see: http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2008/public_consultation.html Upcoming Events, Resources, etc: Autism Society of Greater Cleveland Update Meetings are held at 8001 Brecksville Rd., Brecksville, Ohio 44141July 1st, 2008 6:30-8:30 pm Speaker: Hal Wildman, PhD– PediatricClinical Psychologist; Spectrum Psychological Associates, Inc.August 5th 6:30 to 8:30 pm Free Childcare is Available for ASGC Meetings· Provided by staff members from STEPS Behavioral Consulting· RSVP is requested for childcare by calling (216) 556-4937· Let us know how many children will be attending Check out our latest newsletter at our website at www.asgc.org! Upcoming Events from TriCounty ASA Chapter (Youngstown) July 21st - There will be an open house at the new Tri-County Autism Society Office from 6-8 PM located at 1749 S. Racoon Rd. Suite 3 (Around back) Austintown, Ohio 44515. Please call 330-270-2066 with any questions. Kalahari- Aug.29th Fri-Sat. $75 for members. Please call 330-270-2066 to reserve your spot by Aug. 1st. That includes admission for 4 people to the water park and 1 nights accommodations. For additional information, visit http://www.triautism.com/ Verbal Behavior Workshop sponsored by Dayton ASA July 31-Aug 1, 20088:30 AM - 4:00 PM Workshop #2: Establishing Instructional Control by Building Rapport and Teaching Functional Communication. Two-day workshop taught by Caffrey, M.Ed., BCBA of ABN Training and funded by the Dayton Autism Society and the Foundation for Autism Training and Education (FATE). Location: Holiday Inn-Dayton Mall, 31 Prestige Plaza Dr., Miamisburg, OH, 45342. LIMIT: 40 participants. Cost: $195.00 More information at: www.thefate.org. Dayton ASA Support Group Meetings Beginning in August, we will resume our monthly support group meetings. We have various topics in the works, including toilet training, social skills training, special needs taxes, special needs financial planning, special needs reading program, and more! Visit our website toward the end of July for updates. http://www.daytonautismsociety.org. Day, time, and location TBD. News from the ASA: ASA Receives Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance's Standards for Charity AccountabilityThe Autism Society of America is proud to meet the Standards forCharity Accountability of the Better Business Bureau Wise GivingAlliance and to display the BBB Wise Giving Seal. The BBB Wise GivingAlliance is a charity watchdog that collects and distributesinformation on hundreds of nonprofit organizations that solicitnationally or have national or international program services. TheAlliance has developed 20 comprehensive standards for charitableorganizations to follow and to help donors make sound givingdecisions. Read more:http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=vOihT5prBYirsqzbJ2kYhg.. IACC Meeting AnnouncedA meeting of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee [under theCombating Autism Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-416)] will take place onTuesday, July 15, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the campus ofthe National Institutes of Health at the Natcher Conference Center,Rooms E1 and E2, 45 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD. Read more:http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=VNPpHJELnAD5Yg3KaRfmXQ.. ABC News Seeks Submissions for iCaught: OnCall+ AutismABC News is presenting an opportunity for you to share your personalexperiences as part of a special hour on Good Morning America Now:"OnCall+ Autism." You can also send a question about autism that maybe answered by a top medical expert in the field. Read more:http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=YqwwHIR22rExnA461aWYqw.. Insurance Mandate Passes Pennsylvania LegislatureThe Pennsylvania House and Senate have overwhelmingly passed HB1150,which will require insurance companies to cover essential autismservices. The legislation passed by both houses, includes an amendment,introduced by House bill sponsor Dennis O'Brien, that restoredthe bill from the weakened version originally passed by the Senatelast weekend. Read more: http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=-L5zFX0UXz-im9E0wF2k2w.. President Bush Signs Medicaid Moratorium into LawAfter months of intense pressure from the disability community, thePresident signed into law legislation to temporarily delayimplementation of six regulations that would significantly hinderaccess to important services under the Medicaid program. Read more:http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=3bi6XzITpGz-tCkt0GY-_Q.. ADA Amendments Pass House of RepresentativesThe House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Americans withDisabilities Act Amendments of 2008 last week, providing importantprotections for individuals with disabilities. Despite passage of theADA in 1990, many individuals with disabilities still facediscrimination in the workplace. Court decisions over the last decadehave excluded individuals who should have been covered under thecurrent ADA law. These narrow court interpretations have restrictedADA coverage for people with diabetes, epilepsy, serious heartconditions, mental disabilities and cancer. Read more:http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=5Tj0h-YFXmdzpMP7b_VBpw.. Congress Continues to Support Autism ProgramsOne of ASA's leading legislative priorities has been to increasefederal funding for autism surveillance and awareness programs at theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and for autismservices and research at the Health Resources and ServicesAdministration (HRSA). Last week, both the House and Senate Labor,Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommitteessignaled their support for these efforts and other important autismprograms. Read more:http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=G0suDnO-49J12vr45_kLPg.. Available Now: "Little White Squirrel's Secret"Inspired by the daily challenges and victories of Penny Hunt'sgranddaughter with autism, Millie, her mother and the educationspecialists dedicated to her development, "Little WhiteSquirrel's Secret" is written to encourage every child and parentwho must work a little harder for success. Read more:http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=sq0iSYgN3He8Xqp9yAGCog.. Sharing Miracles Blog a Forum for HopePeople confronting serious illness or disabilities need toknow--perhaps more than anything else--that they are notalone. Sharing Miracles is a forum for people to relate their ownpersonal stories of hope and survival. Read more:http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=fQMLc0qe-3htdt_mTrKDAQ.. "The Autism File" debuts in the U.S. & Canada"The Autism File," a retail- and subscription-based magazine sold in theU.K., Spain and Australia, has announced imminent distribution inretail outlets in the United States and Canada, with an initialdistribution in 1,600 stores, including Borders and & Noble. Read more:http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=GdMek7Q_PadnO-osloLNig.. Basic Foundation in Applied Behavioral AnalysisAugust 14-15th, 2008Two Day workshop introduces Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) For Parents & ProfessionalsAt Cleveland Clinic Children’s HospitalFor More Information, contact Manning (216) 721-1292www.clevelandclinic.org/autism Upcoming Events, NE Ohio, Compiled by Milestones Family Workshop Fall Series This series is for family members, caregivers, tutors or others interested in learning effective strategies for playing, communicating and interacting in a home with children who have communication and/or behavioral challenges. These effective strategies are for children of all ages with pervasive developmental disorders, autism spectrum disorders and asperger's syndrome. This workshop's focus is on ages 1 years old through early elementary. Participants will engage in hands-on learning of ABA for use everyday in their homes. ABA is a system for teaching which breaks skills down into discrete steps. Skills are taught through motivation, errorless learning, and reinforcement. For more information contact Kiersten at milestonesorg@... July 9, Understanding Public Health Care Funding for Children - Workshop 1 (Tools for Today), 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, 8001 Brecksville Road, Room 695, Brecksville Organization. Workshop 1 is the first in a series about important public health care funding sources for children. Workshop 1 will include an overview of public health care funding/programs available under the law, program standards, and guidelines for making appeals. Attendance at this workshop, prior to Workshops 2-4, is recommended. Workshop 1 will be repeated on Speaker: lin J. Hickman, JD Speakers from agencies that administer publicly funded programs will present information and answer your questions about eligibility, services and how to apply, at the following workshops. IMPORTANT NOTE: Each of these workshops will be repeated at two different locations. Refer to the Tools calendar on the dates indicated below to see where they will be held. Workshop 2: Medicaid benefits packages under EPSDT, Children's Medicaid Buy-In, Ohio Home Care and Transition, and Core Waivers. (See 7/23 and 7/24 on the Tools calendar) Workshop 3: CCBMRDD Level I and Individual Options Waivers. (See 8/6 and 8/13 on the Tools calendar) Workshop 4: BCMH (Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps) Benefits Package. Cost: $10 Advance registration is required. For more information contact Kresnye at 216-229-5757, Ext. 126 or lkresnyeclevelandrmh (DOT) org July 11, Comedy Benefit for Autism Education (FWB Improv) 8:00 pm. Cost: $10 Borderline Comedy Club, 1572 West 117th St. Lakewood, OH 44107A Comedy Benefit for Autism Education. Profit will be donated to Milestones Autism Organization which provides education and training for Cleveland's Autism Community. Milestones provided over 60 scholarships for parents and professionals to attend this year's conference, Teacher Training and year round workshops. For more information or to reserve seats contact Deena at denm18@...m or 440-840-3546. www.FWBImprov.comDownload Improv FlyerFamily July 12, Sibshop-A program for Brothers and Sisters of Kids with Special Needs (Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation) FREE 1:00pm - 4:00pm2801 Luther King Jr. Drive, Cleveland 44104. A Sibshop is an event for kids ages 6-13 who have a brother or sister with special health or developmental needs. It will be a fun-filled event with recreation, discussion and peer support activities. Here's what kids say about Sibshops: "At Sibshops you can talk about the good and not-so-good parts of having a brother or sister who has special needs." "Now I know that there are kids just like me out there!" For more information contact S. Vitello, LISW at 216-721-1195.Family July 12, Wall-E Special Showing (ASPIES Greater Akron Support Group) 10:30 am. Rolling Acres Cinema, Akron. In conjunction with is showing a special presentation of Wall-E. Movie will start promptly at 11:00 am (with no advertisements, etc.) Sound & Lighting will be adjusted accordingly for kids with sensory issues. Special deal - $4.50 per person includes small drink & popcorn. Outside refreshments allowed (for those with special diets only, please!) For further information contact Joy Spencer 330-745-5115 or Rreindeer@... Family July 18 and July 20, Fashion Sense 2008- Two day event (Zaleski Productions) Two day event- July 18, Kip Winger, Disney's Everlife, Bullet Boys and XYZ plus local favorites Oblivion, Breakline and Drenalin are scheduled to bring a pre-event concert at the Canton Palace Theater in Canton, Ohio. This is an all age's event and welcomes families. July 20, Fashion Sense will feature critically acclaimed designer tte Longuet and her one-of-a-kind designs in an exclusive Fashion Show at The Bertram Inn and Conference Center, Aurora, Ohio. Mission Statement: Fashion Sense is a fashion show and fundraiser that will take place to benefit three different charities that provide services to Autistic and Asperger Syndrome Children in Ohio. Charities that will benefit from this event are as follows: ASPIES Greater Akron, Dragonfly Academy of Stark County and Challenger Baseball League. For Information on tickets, sponsorships or the charities involved, go to: www.fashionsense2008.com or call 330-837-9309.July 26, Choices in Residential Supports and Services (CMR) 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Vantage Financial Office, 6200 Rockside Road, Independence 44131. A two-session workshop (7/26 and 8/2/08) to help with the most important decisions about where to live for your family member with mental retardation or developmental disabilities. Topics covered include: types of residential options, residential funding methods in Ohio, discussion of service plans, how to choose a quality program and planning for the whole future. Cost: $50/family; $35 CMR members. For more information contact the Center for Mental Retardation at 216-622-0755 or cmr-clev@... July 28 - August 08, Social Skills for children w/LD *families (Learning Disabilities Association of Cuyahoga County) 9:30 am-12:30 pm. 4800 East 131st Street Suite B, Garfield Hts., Ohio 44105. Do you have a child with a specific learning disability who will be entering grades 3-5 in the 2008-2009 school year? Does this child need help with social skills? LDACC is offering an interactive and an enjoyable summer program. This class will address appropriate responses in a variety of social situations, reading "body language", making and keeping friends and much more! Two sessions will be offered: 5 day session: July 28, 29, 30, 31 and August 1. 10 day session: July 28, 29, 39, 31, August 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Cost: 5 day session Members $75 Non members $100 10 day session Members $120 Non members $150. For more information contact Spitz at 216-581-4549 or wspitz@... August 1, Autism Benefit for Families Affected by Autism (National Autism Association Northeast Ohio), 7:00 pm. An evening with Todd Snider with special guest Garrison Starr. Get a sneak peak of their performances by checking out the videos on our site at www.autismnortheastohio.org/special_events.php. There will be munchies and a raffle. Cost: $30 in advance / $35 at the door. For more information contact Pattison at 216.544.1231 or apattison@.... Family Sib's workshops! (Monarch School at Bellefaire JCB) For children/teens who have siblings with Autism. Bellefaire JCB 22001 Fairmount Blvd. Session I ( 6:15 pm -7:15 pm.)- For children, ages 7-12 yrs.Session II (7:30 pm -8:30 pm)- For teens ages 13-19 yrs. The 2nd Thursday of each Month; September, October, November and December. Facilitated by Monarch staff: Karin Hess-Hopkins, MSSA and Remmer, SLP. Cost $80. For more information contact Karin Hess at 216-320-8658.Download Flyer Moms of Asperger Girls - Update/Correction Moms of Asperger Girls, (dads also welcome), is a newly formed group similar to Greater Cleveland Aspergers Support (GC-AS), but international in scope. If you are interested in joining, contact Theresa at @... for more information or visit website gc-as where you can join the group. Fashion Sense 2008 - Benefit for Autism Two day event (Zaleski Productions) July 18, Kip Winger, Disney's Everlife, Bullet Boys and XYZ plus local favorites Oblivion, Breakline and Drenalin are scheduled to bring a pre-event concert at the Canton Palace Theater in Canton, Ohio. This is an all age's event and welcomes families. July 20, Fashion Sense will feature critically acclaimed designer tte Longuet and her one-of-a-kind designs in an exclusive Fashion Show at The Bertram Inn and Conference Center, Aurora, Ohio. Mission Statement: Fashion Sense is a fashion show and fundraiser that will take place to benefit three different charities that provide services to Autistic and Asperger Syndrome Children in Ohio. Charities that will benefit from this event are as follows: ASPIES Greater Akron, Dragonfly Academy of Stark County and Challenger Baseball League. For Information on tickets, sponsorships or the charities involved, go to: www.fashionsense2008.com or call 330-837-9309. Resource: Special Needs Equipment DIFFERENTNEEDZ.COM is a web store that offers special needs families a one-stop shop to buy and sell their gently used medical and special needs equipment and adaptive toys. Our goal is to unify a community that has not been properly served by product suppliers or other resale sites. Visit: http://www.differentneedz.com/ HAND-T0-HAND: A Free Family Education Program Hand-to-Hand is a FREE education program for parents, teachers and professionals involved with children at risk for or who have an emotional disturbance/behavioral disorder or mental illness diagnosis. Participants will gain an understanding of issues pertinent to Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADD/ADHD, Depression and Mood Disorders such as Bi-Polar Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, OCD, ODD, Conduct Disorder, Schizophrenia and more. Topics covered include: · understanding your child's diagnosis · developing family coping skills · counseling, therapy and treatment · medications· special educational needs, including the IEP process · juvenile justice and child protection agenciesGuidance is given on locating appropriate support and services within the community and obtaining better mental health services. Advocacy for appropriate federal and state policies is also included. The course is free, but registration is required. Lunch is provided and a monetary stipend will be given for attendance.Saturday, July 12th & Saturday, July 19th : 900-4:00PMLocation: Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Stark County800 Market Ave., N., Suite 1150 (old McKinley HS building), Canton, Oh 44702 FOR INFORMATION OR REGISTRATION:CALL NAMI Stark County at: 330-455-6264 Resource: BBB AUTISM ONLINE SUPPORT NETWORK http://www.bbbautism.com/ Parent Education Empowerment Resources Supports ASPIES Greater AkronSupport Group assisting parents of children withAsperger Syndrome, high functioning Autism, and PDD/NOS Presents P.E.E.R.S.(Parent Education Empowerment Resources Supports)A part of Mental Health America of Summit County Oswald, Coordinator will be speaking on "Support, Services & Advocacy" - More help is available! Considine Professional Building (across from Akron Children’s Hospital Main Entrance)Floor 2 - Rooms 5 & 6 Tuesday, July 15th6:30 - 8:30 pm Light Refreshments will be served. For further information, contactJoy Spencer 330-745-5115 Rreindeer@... 2008 Self Advocates Being Empowered Conference, Indianapolis Complete details: http://www.sabe2008.org/ Support The Healthy Transition Act of 2008! June 30, 2008 Senators Dodd (D-CT) and Gordon (R-OR) and Representative Pete Stark (D-CA) hosted a press conference on Wednesday, June 25th to announce the introduction of The Healthy Transition Act of 2008 (H.R.6375/S.3195). This federal legislation is designed to address the challenges faced by young adults with mental illnesses who are transitioning to adulthood by establishing a planning grant program that would allow states to implement effective transition-age mental health services and supports. Senators Dodd and also announced the release of a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report titled Young Adults with Serious Mental Illness: Some States and Federal Agencies are Taking Steps to Address Their Transition Challenges. The report focuses on the tremendous struggles that transition-age young adults with mental illnesses face and several innovative programs that exist in four states to address their unique needs. Sperling, NAMI's Director of Legislative Affairs, moderated the press conference. Amy Lydon O'Connor, a policy assistant with NAMI Connecticut and a transition-age consumer, shared her personal story at the press conference about the challenges she faced in transitioning from youth to adulthood while also managing a mental illness. She was joined by another transition-age consumer and a provider of transition-age services in Philadelphia. NAMI applauds Senators Dodd and and Representative Stark for their leadership in introducing federal legislation that promises to focus national attention on the need for states to develop effective transition-age services and supports for young adults living with mental illnesses. Act Now! Email Congress today and urge your Senators and Representatives to co-sponsor The Healthy Transition Act of 2008 (H.R.6375/S.3195), which will provide state grants for much needed support and services uniquely designed for youth and young adults. Click here to send an email to Congress! Learn More To access the GAO report click here. To access NAMI's statement on the GAO report and the federal legislation click here Article: TURNING FAILURE INTO SUCCESS IN THE FOURTH DIMENSIONBy Dan CoulterEver gotten frustrated when you've failed? I have. It's especially hardwhen you feel that you're somehow failing as a parent -- or that your childis failing at something and you can't fix the problem.If you're trying hard and you've made repeated attempts, it can beespecially disheartening.But even this kind of failure can be a step toward success.To illustrate, let's look at the movie, "Back to the Future." Marty McFly,the time-traveling lead character, is a young musician who won't send hisaudition tape to a record company because he's afraid of failure. Duringthe film, Marty is continually admonished by time machine inventor DocBrown, "You're not thinking fourth dimensionally!" By that, he means Martyisn't taking the effects of time into account.What does time and thinking fourth dimensionally have to do with failure andsuccess?Failure can feel final in the moment when you experience it. But it'sreally only final for that moment. The next moment, you can start lookingfor another way to succeed.In the film, Doc Brown has a framed photo of Edison over hisfireplace. Edison tried thousands of experiments that failed before findinga good filament for the first practical electric light blub. The inventorsaid of these failures, "They taught something that I didn't know. Theytaught me what direction to move in."So, we just have to get into that mindset, right? Simple. Okay, notsimple. But possible.Late in the movie, we learn that Marty has what it takes to be a successfulmusician when he plays a knock-em-dead version of ny B. Goode on guitarat a high school dance. This means, like almost all other good musicians,Marty had learned to practice through his initial failures to play songsadeptly, gradually becoming better.Just like off-key notes are part of learning to play a piano or guitar,failure is part of the process in raising children. And no matter howexperienced you get, no one gets it perfect.My kids are 23 and 24 years old. They're both doing well. But I still havemoments when I wish I could convince each to do things differently -- andfail. But I'm much less likely to let frustration hamper me than I used tobe.I've learned to be more strategic, and try less direct approaches.For example, when you encounter a behavior you want to change, biting yourtongue and not commenting may be the best way to start the change process.Let's say you're at dinner with your family and your daughter is takinglarge bites of food and talking with her mouth full. It's tempting tocorrect her then and there. But if you've tried that before and it justcaused an emotional scene, maybe it's better to let it go for the moment.Then, plan a session where you sit with her and talk about it. Beinventive. Who are her favorite movie stars? Maybe you could find a moviethat involves one of them sitting at a dinner table eating with goodmanners. Show her that section of the video and practice eating a meal withjust you and her. Describe how you are both going to eat beforehand,demonstrate doing it right, then let her try. Make it fun. Don't expect toogreat a change in one session. Eat a number of private, practice meals.Talk about the benefits of eating politely. Praise progress.Generating even a small success can help your child feel, well, successful.And success is a great building block to more success. Especially if youtake on behaviors you want to change one at a time.At the end of the movie, Marty (having traveled to the past, overcomenumerous failures, and helped his father find new ways to succeed) returnsto the future to find things changed for the better. He also finds a newoptimism.The lesson is that success or failure can be a state of mind. If you'rewilling to use patience and keep trying new approaches, you can always be inthe process of turning failure into success where it counts -- fourthdimensionally.ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Dan Coulter is the writer/producer of the DVD, "Mannersfor the Real World - Basic Social Skills," and other videos that can behelpful to people with Asperger Syndrome and autism. You can find morearticles on his website: www.coultervideo.com .Copyright 2008 Dan Coulter Used By Permission Article: The Puzzle of Hidden Ability New IQ tests for autistics rates them smarter than before http://www.newsweek.com/id/32250The Puzzle of Hidden Ability BySharon Begley<http://services.newsweek.com/search.aspx?q=Author:%5E%22sharon%20begley\%22$ & sortDirection=descending & sortField=pubdatetime & offset=0 & pageSize=10\> | NEWSWEEK Aug. 20-27, 2007 issueEven their parents struggle to draw the tiniest hint of emotion orsocial connection from autistic children, so imagine what happens when astranger sits with the child for hours to get through the standard IQtest. For 10 of the test's 12 sections, the child must listen andrespond to spoken questions. Since for many autistics it is torture totry to engage with someone even on this impersonal level, it's no wonderso many wind up with IQ scores just above a carrot's (I wish I wereexaggerating; 20s are not unknown). More precisely, fully three quartersof autistics are classified as having below-normal intelligence, withmany deemed mentally retarded.It's finally dawning on scientists that there's a problem here. Testingautistic kids' intelligence in a way that requires them to engage with astranger "is like giving a blind person an intelligence test thatrequires him to process visual information," says Dawson ofRivière-des-Prairies Hospital in Montreal. She and colleaguestherefore tried a different IQ test, one that requires no socialinteraction. As they report in the journal Psychological Science,autistic children's scores came out starkly different than on the oral,interactive IQ test—suggesting a burning intelligence inside thesekids that educators are failing to uncover.That failure has lifelong implications. "If we label these children asbelow-normal in intelligence, that is how they're treated," says tMottron, who led the study. The disparity between scores on the two IQtests also makes you wonder who else the tests, which are used foreverything from screening military recruits to filling "gifted" classes,are mislabeling.For the study, children took two IQ tests. In the more widely usedWechsler, they tried to arrange and complete pictures, do simplearithmetic, demonstrate vocabulary comprehension and answer questionssuch as what to do if you find a wallet on the street—almost all inresponse to a stranger's questions. In the Raven's Progressive Matricestest, they got brief instructions, then went off on their own to analyzethree-by-three arrays of geometric designs, with one missing, and choose(from six or eight possibilities) the design that belonged in the emptyplace. The disparity in scores was striking. One autistic child'sWechsler result meant he was mentally retarded (an IQ below 70); hisRaven's put him in the 94th percentile. Overall, the autistics (all hadfull-blown autism, not Asperger's) scored around the 30th percentile onthe Wechsler, which corresponds to "low average" IQ. But they averagedin the 56th percentile on the Raven's. Not a single autistic childscored in the "high intelligence" range on the Wechsler; on the Raven's,one third did. Healthy children showed no such disparity.The Wechsler measures "crystallized intelligence"—what you'velearned. The Raven's measures "fluid intelligence"—the ability tolearn, process information, ignore distractions, solve problems andreason—and so is arguably a truer measure of intelligence, sayspsychologist Stemler of Wesleyan University.That presents a puzzle. If many autistics are more intelligent than anIQ test shows, why haven't their parents noticed? Partly because manyparents welcome a low score, which brings their child more specialservices from schools and public agencies, says one scientist who has anautistic son (and who fears that being named would antagonize theclose-knit autism community). But another force is at work. "We oftenthink of intelligence as what you can show, such as by speakingfluently," says psychologist Morton Ann Gernsbacher of the University ofWisconsin. "Parents as well as professionals might be biased to look atthat" rather than dig for the hidden intellectual spark.The challenge is to coax that spark into the kind of intelligence thatmanifests itself in practice. That is something autism researchers arefar from doing. Worse, much of the expert advice might becounterproductive. Many experts dismiss autistics' exceptional reading,artistic or other abilities as side effects of abnormal brain function,"not a reflection of genuine human intelligence, which it is likely tobe," says Mottron. They advise parents to steer their child away fromwhat he excels at and obsesses over, such as letters and words anddetails, and toward what he struggles with, such as faces and the bigpicture. Dawson, who is autistic, thinks that's a prescription forintellectual failure; autistics should be encouraged to build on theirstrengths, as everyone else is. The problem of a lurking intelligencethat won't be coaxed out by the usual education and parenting methods isnot necessarily unique to autistics. It makes you wonder how many otherchildren, whose intellectual potential we're too blind to see, we'vealso given up on.<© 2007 OLRS Strategic Planning Survey The Ohio Legal Rights Service (OLRS) has developed an online survey seeking your opinions. Answers to this survey will be used for strategic planning purposes and to improve client services to Ohioans with disabilities. The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete. Here is a link to the online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=LKz6Jw1U6MHtFng2wPvMVg_3d_3d We encourage you to forward the survey to members of your organization or any other interested individuals. If you would like paper copies of the survey or more information, contact Tom Hemmert by e-mail at themmert@... or by phone at 1-800-282-9181 (voice) or 1-800-858-3542 (TTY). The mission of OLRS is to protect and advocate, in partnership with people with disabilities, for their human, civil and legal rights. Ride for Autism 2008 The second annual Ride For Autism is August 9, 2008. The event will start at Cyclist Connections in Canal Winchester at 9am. There is a 10, 30, 60 mile ride. All proceeds will be given to Angels with Autism. Angels with Autism supports autism research and locally, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Autism Center. For more details about the ride you can go to http://www.cyclistconnection.com/ Registration can be done on the website or you can download a form. National Council on Disability (NCD) Study - Input Needed The National Council on Disability (NCD) is gathering public input for a study of emerging issues and trends affecting the lives of people with disabilities. Information gathered will be used in the development of NCD's next annual progress report to the President and Congress. NCD is seeking input on disability issues including health, housing, employment, insurance, transportation, assistive technology, recreation, emergency preparedness, early intervention and education. Comments are due by July 22, 2008. For more information: http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2008/public_consultation.html “Night of Celebration†for \MR/DD Community at the Cincinnati Reds Resident Home Corporation, RHC is hosting “Night of Celebration†for the entire MR/DD Community at a Cincinnati Reds game at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday, July 22 and we want you and the people your organization supports to join us!!! The Reds will take on the San Diego Padres at 7:10 p.m. Half price tickets are available exclusively for the MR/DD Community! The half price tickets are for a reserved section in the mezzanine seats– this way we can all sit together! Thanks to the Reds, tickets for the Night of Celebration for the MR/DD Community are $11 (regularly $22). If you or someone you support are in need of financial assistance to purchase tickets please contact Carabin at 513.619.2960 or at acarabin@.... You can purchase discounted tickets one of two ways:1) Download the order form (attached to this email) and mail the completed form along with payment (checks made payable to the Cincinnati Reds) to Carabin at 3030 West Fork Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45211 or fax it along with credit card information to at 513.389.7508. 2) Order tickets over the phone by calling Niemeyer with the Reds at 513.765.7500. Please have credit card information available. Be sure to tell you are with the Night of Celebration group. Please note that tickets must be purchased by July 21 to receive the group discount. If you purchase tickets on game day you will not receive the discount rate and we cannot guarantee seating in the reserved section will be available. Orders must be received 10 days prior to game day (July 11) to receive your tickets in the mail. Tickets ordered after July 11 will be placed at Will Call on game day under the name on the order form. You must present a photo ID at Will Call to claim your tickets. This year we are lucky enough to be able to have a representative from the MR/DD Community throw out the first pitch during the pre-game ceremony! We will be involved in the pre-game ceremony in addition to the first pitch so be sure to arrive at Great American Ball Park by 6:30 p.m. to ensure you don’t miss the pre-game ceremony! I hope you will share this with the people who work for your organization and the people and families that are supported by your organization! This night is for anyone in the MR/DD community so please feel free to pass this invitation along! Additional information (including directions and parking info.) and photos from 2007’s Night of Celebration can be found at www.rhcorp.org. If you have any questions about Night of Celebration please contact Carabin with RHC at 513.619.2960 or at acarabin@.... Article: What Autism Does to a MotherBy Rones Kalkowski knows that beyond the stress, fear, and family turmoil thatcome with learning that your child has this devastating disorder, there isalso a devastating aloneness. In our second installment of Living WithAutism, we follow this mother of three as she struggles to save her son andfinds help - for her children and for herself - in unexpected places. In<http://www.redbookmag.com/home/living-with-autism-0208> part one ofREDBOOK's series about raising a child with autism, Kalkowski and herfamily were overcome with shock and confusion when their outgoing andvivacious toddler, , began to lose his language and social skills; hissudden problems with speech and disinterest in hugs from his sisters werejust the start of his perplexing symptoms. After an agonizing search foranswers, and her husband, Tim, discovered that , now 3, has whatmany call regressive autism - he appeared to be developing normally, butbegan to backslide at 17 months. In this installment, we witness the painfultoll 's condition has taken on and follow her and her Las Vegasfamily as they navigate the murky waters of treatment. To read the remainder of this heartwarming article, go to: http://www.redbookmag.com/home/autism-and-motherhood Holiday Tips Four hard things about the 4th of July.... Picnics, parties, BBQs, fireworks bursting in air -- the Fourth of July can be a lot of fun, and a lot of stress for a child with special needs. Here's a look at the main trouble spots, and what to do about them. http://specialchildren.about.com/od/holidays/tp/july4.htm?nl=1 Cap Your Cookout With Some Safe Sweets Preparing for a Fourth of July barbecue? If you're in need of treats that fit your child's special dietary needs, check these recipes and recipe round-ups from around this Parenting Special Needs site: http://specialchildren.about.com/b/2008/07/03/cap-your-cookout-with-some-safe-sweets.htm?nl=1 Before You Throw A Party Though the article mentions Thanksgiving, the techniques work well for any gathering! http://specialchildren.about.com/od/holidays/bb/party.htm?p=1 Book: Older Adolescents and Adults An Owner's Manual 2 for Older Adolescents and Adults: What You, Your Parents and Friends and Employer Need to Knowby Ellen Heller KorinAutism Aspergers Publishing Co.www.aspergers.net Benefit for Autism, Westerville Friday, July 04, 2008 Happy Independence Day !! Hi Everyone, We'd like to invite you all to come to our second annualcar/truck/motorcycle show to raise money for Autistic children. We hopeto have at least 500-600 vehicles again this year. As you might know, I happen to have 2 children on the Autism Spectrum and having been thrust into the world of Autism, it's my dutyto fight back now..I'm one mad Dad. It will be held August 16th at Quaker Steak and Lube, located at 8500 Lyra Drive here in Columbus.. This years proceeds from the event will once again be going toOakStone Academy (C.C.D.E) here in the Columbus area, for the purpose ofcompleting renovations of the old Westerville Athletic Club building and turning itinto a High School for autistic children.. We've already received some very nice raffle items and silent auction items again this year but can still use more as well as cash donations.All donations are tax deductible and there is a 501c3 number availableto those who wish to have it for their taxes.. I can tell you from personal experience of 2 of my own children,which are students there, that OakStone Academy makes miracles happenevery day. Unless you've experienced the struggles and heartaches of an autisticchild and their families and friends, you can't imagine how much itmeans just to have your child speak to you, or look you in the eye,laugh, smile at you, or finally realize after 50,000 times of tellingthem something to have it finally sink in, to have them say " I loveyou Mom " without being prompted to say it and to be able to look themin the eye and know they finally understand what it means.That's what OakStone does. Our motto at the bottom of our little flyer says: "Make A Difference In A Child's Life" and that's what we intend to do, not just for my ownkids, but for the other autistic kids, heartbroken parents andgrandparents, brothers and sisters, friends, classmates, co-workers, etc.that are all affected by this terrible affliction.. The dash plaques that will be passed out to those kind enough to enter their cars, trucks, andmotorcycles in our little event will read : "I Made A Difference For A Child With Autism"It's only stuff and money to me, but to autistic kids, it's hope ofhaving a somewhat normal future..Please make a difference if you can. I'd ask that you e-mail this to everyone on your e-mail list and askthem to do the same. If anyone can't attend, but wants to send adonation, you can make check's payable to OakStone Academy and in thememo write high school and mail them by August 15th to:Mike HooverC/O Boyd's Goodyear7038 Northgate Way,Westerville Ohio 43082 If you can't attend or donate, then do something to make a difference.Read about it, talk about it. Anything !Thank you all for your support in the past, present and future.Mike Hoover 614-580-7300 To view pictures form last years show, please visit http://pictures.aol.com/galleries/boydsgoodyear/ Motorcycle Ride For Hattie Larlham Rev up your engines Sunday, July 27 and get ready for the 15th annual Motorcycle Ride for Hattie Larlham. Proceeds benefit Hattie Larlham. Don¢t have a bike? Don¢t worry! Join us at the Hattie Larlham Center for Excellence to cheer on the bikes as they finish the ride. For registration information, contact Mella Castner 800.233.8611, ext. 3880, or visit our Web site. Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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