UM-NSU CARD: Week of August 11, 2008

[Guest guest]

ACE Chair Shapiro wrote: For your information and sharing. ---------- Forwarded message ----------Date: Fri, Aug 8, 2008 at 5:40 PMSubject: UM-NSU CARD: Week of August 11, 2008To: Muñoz NEXT WEEK AT August 11, 2008 UM-NSU CARD: Broward Teen Time (Middle School) (NSU Satellite)

Facilitators: Roselione & Grana Time: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm For more information please contact at: or lezonne@... August 12, 2008 UM-NSU CARD: Support Group for Adults w/Asperger Syndrome (UM Campus) Facilitators: Diane Adreon & Deborah Chin Time: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm (EVENING MEETING) For more information please contact at: or mlisdegasperi@... August 14, 2008 UM-NSU CARD: Adults w/Asperger Social Skills Group (NMB Office) Facilitators: Deborah Chin & Yehl Time: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm For more information please contact at: or dchin@... ******************OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS****************** Stay informed about CARD news, community activities and events, family and professional workshops and conferences, and other important information. http://www.umcard.org/files/Newsletter.pdf ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You are invited to the 2nd Annual UM-NSU CARD Community Connections Open House August 23rd, 2008 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Nova Southeastern University Clinics for Speech, Language, and Communication 6100 Road Davie, FL 33314 Please come enjoy a fun informative afternoon and meet our growing staff. Connect with families and learn more about the free services that UM-NSU CARD

provides to the community. Community service providers will be participating to bring you the latest information on services available for you and your family. The mission of UM-NSU CARD is to provide support and assistance with the goal of optimizing the potential of people with autism and related disabilities. We look forward to seeing you there! Directions: From I-95 exit Road heading west. Pass under the Turnpike to

SW 61st Ave. Make a left heading south onto SW 61st Ave and the building will be on the right. From I-75 exit Road heading east. Continue east on to SW 61st Ave., turn right and the building will be on the right. From I-595 exit at Davie Road heading south. At Road turn left heading east. At SW 61st Ave. turn right and the building will be on the right. Please RSVP to RoselionePhone: Dear Friends and Families, We at Kinetic Kids, Inc. are proud to announce a new program in collaboration with Florida International University. We will begin recruiting and training occupational therapy students to work with children with special needs, in lieu of graduate assistant work. Each student will be heavily screened and trained to begin working as shadows during school

hours and program implementers in the after school hours. Each student will be available at a very reasonable rate of $4,000 per semester (roughly $13 per hour). And will work with your child roughly 15-16 hours a week with additional hours provided to the students from Kinetic Kids Inc. for training or on research specifically catered to prepare him or her to help your child. While none of the students will yet be occupational therapists, they will have had significant course work in the field and demonstrate interest in pediatrics. Each student will have received exceptional marks in the course of his or her studies, and will be well on his or her way to becoming a fully licensed therapist with a master's degree. If you are interested in participating

in the program or finding out more information, contact us as soon as possible at or email jgober01@... , as spots are extremely limited do to our very tight screening process. Thank you, Gober, MSOT, OTR/L, CTRS Intensive learning program for children with Autism spectrum disorders now offered in North Miami. Program information: The Children's Center is pleased to announce that we have recently expanded our center and services. In addition to our current services we will be providing an intensive learning program for children with Autism spectrum disorders. This innovative program is the only one of its kind in the North Dade/South Broward area. The program includes individualized one on one ABA instruction, Sensory Integration therapy, Social Skills, and other group activities designed to increase speech, language, fine and gross motor skills activities. Therapeutic listening, music, movement, and other programs for feeding and food aversions are also available while your child is attending the program. Enrollment: Enrollment is now open for children ages 2-6. Please call the Center for more information and a tour of our state of the art

facility. About the Center: The Children's Center for Therapy and Learning is a unique multi-disciplinary private practice that utilizes a family centered team approach to help children to maximize their potentials. The Children's Center is dedicated to providing children the highest quality services and therapists available. We apply the latest strategies and techniques with a caring and enthusiastic attitude in order to gain maximum progress each session. Come see the difference a team approach and dedication can make in your child's future. Services: Speech Therapy Occupational Therapy Physical Therapy ABA Therapy Tutoring Sensory Integration Pet Therapy Psychological Services Shadowing Services are available in Spanish, English, and Portuguese. Children's Center for Therapy and Learning2124 Ne 123rd StreetSuite 204North Miami, FL 33181 faxwww.therapyandlearning.com SAMANTHA CARELLA, PsyD, ABPP & Associates Teen Group- Girls, Ages 14 to 17 Thursdays, 7:00 –

8:15 Beginning September 11, 2008 The group purpose is to provide a well-structured and safe environment where teenagers can discuss issues related to: Peer pressure/socialization School related stressors Effective coping skills Family

issues Appropriate vs. inappropriate behaviors Better decision making and problem solving Other topics will be discussed as suggested by group members Space is limited to 6 group members Group will meet every week for 8 sessions Fee $75 per group; please contact our office for further

information and to sign up. Group will be facilitated by Nichole Eckert, MS. Nichole Eckert, MS, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and provides psychological treatment for adolescents/teenagers, college students, and adults. An area of specialty is mother/daughter relationship issues, improving self-esteem/confidence, teaching appropriate and effective coping skills related to academic/college related stressors, as well as peer pressure, eating disorders, drugs/alcohol, and relationships. Ms. Eckert works with individuals and families with underlying issues contributing to Depression, Anxiety (such as

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Post-traumatic stress, Phobias), Bipolar Disorder, Chemical Dependence, Relationship and Familial issues. Ms. Eckert holds a Master's of Science Degree in Mental Health Counseling. Up until 2007, Ms. Eckert also worked on behalf of children and families as a counselor within both residential and outpatient care facilities. Ms. Eckert works in the Aventura office. Coming Fall 2008! Group for Siblings of Kids on the Spectrum The group purpose is to provide a well-structured and safe

environment where kids can discuss issues related to: Having a sibling with challenges (autism, aspergers, learning disability, etc.) Peer Pressure/socialization School related stressors Family issues Better decision making and problem solving Other topics will be discussed as suggested by group members Space is limited to 6 group members Children will be grouped according to age Group will meet every week for 6 sessions Please speak with our office staff to sign up or if you have any questions. Group is beginning September 2008. Date and time to be determined. Fee $65 per

group, if paid in advance (6 sessions)/$75 per group otherwise. Groups will be held in Coral Gables and Aventura Together… You & Me Engage your child and share the moment "Important elements of intervention programs for preschool children with autism include a focus on the development of pragmatic and functional communication skills (whether verbal or non-verbal), joint engagement and joint social activities, promotion of emotional engagement and regulation, and helping parents to manage behavioral tantrums and maladaptive routines." (Charman, T., Autism & Its Impact

on Child Development, Institute of Child Health, UK. Published online Sept. 16, 2005) Interactive program for 2 year olds Modeling strategies for increasing social engagement & joint attention between parents and toddlers 10:00 –11:00 a.m. 8 sessions total, 2 sessions per week Tuesday September 2 Thursday September 4 Tuesday September 9 Thursday September 11 Tuesday September 16 Thursday September 18 Tuesday September 23 Thursday September 25 NSU Satellite CARD Office Facilitator: Lori Wise Cost: FREE To Register: Call ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONSTITUENT'S CORNER: WHILE YOU WERE LIVING By: Bruce A. Blitman, EsquireConstituency Board Member for Broward County With the hassles and stresses of daily living, it is almost impossible to keep up with what's going on in the world of autism and related disabilities. In the thirty-eighth installment of this column, I will continue to share some new information about things I've watched on television and read about in the news. 1. CHEVROLET AND AUTISM SPEAKS TEAM UP TO DRIVE AUTISM AWARENESS: Chevrolet has

teamed up with Autism Speaks to drive home the message of autism awareness. During April-Autism Awareness Month-visitors to the Autism Speaks website (www.autismspeaks.org) were able to click on the "Help Chevy Help Autism" icon and take a virtual test drive of the 2008 North American Car of the Year-the all-new Chevy Malibu. Chevrolet committed to a minimum contribution of $500,000, but every virtual test drive taken got Chevrolet closer to its goal of donating up to $1 million to Autism Speaks to support its mission of increasing awareness of autism and raising money to fund autism research. Those who completed the virtual test drive received a free 30-day online trial of XM Satellite Radio. 2. "WALK ON THE WEB" KICKS OFF WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY": This enables anyone with Internet access to build community, learn more about autism and raise funds

for programs and research. 3. AUTISM SPEAKS ANNOUNCES ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS: Recent research in autism spectrum disorders suggests that both genetics and environmental factors are involved in the causes of autism. In some instances, this complex disorder may be the result of an interaction of many genes with an as-yet undefined scope of environmental influences. In order to facilitate research into this area, Autism Speaks has issued a "request for applications" or RFA to support scientific study into environmental factors, and gene and environment interactions, in autism. The first deadline for applications was June 2, 2008. 4. NEUROCHEMISTRY COLLOQUIUM INVESTIGATES METABOLIC DYSFUNCTION IN AUTISM: Organized by Autism Speaks grantee Ved Chauhan, Ph.D., a special colloquium in conjunction with the annual American

Society for Neurochemistry conference was held on March 3, 2008. Five speakers presented their perspectives on the evidence for a metabolic component in autism to a large international audience. The goal of these presentations was to promote broader exploration in autism by investigators specializing in neurochemistry and related subjects, with emphasis on the importance of developing research to address the functional impact of metabolic changes, and of clinical practices to recognize the metabolic consequences of subtoxic environmental insults. 5. AUTISM INSURANCE BILL INTRODUCED IN LOUISIANA: Legislation has been introduced in Louisiana to require insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders. The bill was introduced by State Representative lin Foil (R-70) of Baton Rouge. The bill would require Louisiana healthcare policies to cover applied behavior analysis (ABA) and other medically

necessary, evidence –based treatments prescribed by an insured's treating physician with annual coverage for up to $50,000 per year. The Louisians Session kicked off on Monday, March 31, 2008 and residents of that state had a tight turnaround of fewer than 90 days to push this bill through both chambers to Governor Bobby Jindal's desk for signature. 6. AUTISM SPEAKS AND THE AUTISM SOURCEBOOK PARTNER TO RAISE GLOBAL AWARENESS: A special edition of The Autism Sourcebook: Everything You Need To Know About Diagnosis, Treatment, Coping and Healing-From a Mother Whose Child Recovered, by Siff Exkorn, was released on April 2, 2008, in honor of the first World Autism Awareness Day. The book featured the Autism Speaks blue puzzle piece logo on the front cover, with a special forward by Suzanne and Bob , co-founders of Autism Speaks. These special edition books were donated by Autism Speaks to countries all

over the world, to offer help and hope to families and practitioners worldwide. 7. START ON SUCCESS: This program helps high school students with disabilities transition into the workforce. For more information about the program, please visit http://www.startonsuccess.org/. 8. "MAKE A DIFFERENCE" NOW AVAILABLE ON CD: Sotelo is the Assistant Director of UM-NSU CARD's Broward Satellite Office. She and Albert Nigro collaborated to write this beautiful anthem for autism research and awareness, with accompanying musicians Nick Neuberg, Ethan Neuberg and Olaf Andersen. This CD is available with a donation of $10 to benefit autism research. I will continue to use this column to exchange

information and ideas about autism and related disabilities. I can really use your help. If you read an interesting book, article or magazine which discusses new developments relating to autism research, or watch a television show, documentary or movie with an autism-related theme, please let me know about it, so I can share this information with our fellow constituents. I would greatly welcome your comments, suggestions and feedback on this column. Thank you for your continued support of CARD. You can send your information via e-mail to: Bruce A. Blitman at my e-mail address which is: BABmediate@... or call me at . Thanks for your assistance. Best wishes for continued good health, happiness, success and hope. Have a safe and enjoyable summer. Concor38 *If you would like to be added to our email list or if you would like to be removed from our email list, please click here: http://www.umcard.org/contact.php UM-NSU CARD is a state-funded resource and support program dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with autism and related disabilities including deaf-blindness and pervasive developmental

disorders. UM-NSU CARD does not endorse specific programs or points of view presented in this email.-- ACE Chair