Fwd: April Monthly Newsletter: Developing Play and Leisure Skills in Children & Adolescents with Autism/Aspergers (Final Copy)

April 5, 2011

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Date: Mon, Apr 4, 2011 at 10:31 AMSubject: April Monthly Newsletter: Developing Play and Leisure Skills in Children & Adolescents with Autism/Aspergers (Final Copy)To: deniseincoralsprings@...

Autism Newsletter

Articles Resources Books Teaching Tools DVDs Music April 2011

Proudly brought to you by www.AutismTeachingTools.net & www.AutismResourceCenterofSouthFlorida.com

April 2011

Autism Awareness Month

Developing Play & Leisure Skills

Member Articles

Developing Play Skills

in Children with Autism

By Margaret Motamed

When my son was two years old,

I desperately wanted him to communicate and play with other kids, but he was not yet ready. He would stay fixated on his train table for hours, unwilling and unable to participate in shared activities. We eventually found ways to draw him out.

Article continued at bottom of page...

Teaching Play Skills to Children

Click here to view all Play & Leisure Books

Tasks Galore: Let's Play

Tasks Galore Let's Play, the popular resource series for parents, teachers, and therapists, utilizes play as the program for learning. There is more and more evidence that direct teaching of play skills can increase young children’s symbolic understanding and, thus, have an impact on their imitation, language, and social skills.

Price: $59.95

Click here to learn more...

_______________________________________________________________

from the " Now I Get It " book collection

Two Social Stories in One Book:

Playing with a Friend

& Winning and Losing

Social stories have a track record of success. Children learn tact, cooperation and essential social skills. The first story teaches children to play cooperatively with peers. The second story shows children how to win and lose graciously.

Price: $9.95

Click here to learn more...

View all Social Story/Conversation Starters

View All 10 Books in the " Now I Get It " Series

__________________________________________

Playtime with Zeebo

Keeping Calm Activity Book

This activity book contains exercises that focus on ways children can learn to regulate their emotions. The characters in this book learn how their bodies look and feel when they are calm and when they are not. Activities will encourage your child or student to make better choices during times of stress, and will give them tools they can use to help them remain calm. This 40-page activity book contains coloring pages, mazes, and playing together games. Come learn along with Zeebu,

Neek, Jumby, and Banya, and have fun as they gain skills to cope with the unexpected events of life. Ages 3 and up.

Price: $6.99

Click here to learn more...

VIew Set of 4 Books with DVD & Puppet

_______________________________________________________________

from the " Talking Together " book collection

Two Social Stories in One Book:

Social Rules

and Having a Conversation

The first story teaches children to effectively handle social situations. The second story teaches children to converse with peers and adults. A perfect addition to the book is the included section of comprehension questions at the end of each story. This ingenious idea reinforces learning and helps the reader thoroughly understand what's expected. This book has a track record of success in helping children with autism and those with social delays.

Price: $9.95

Click here to learn more...

View all Social Story/Conversation Starters

View All 6 Books in the " Talking Together " Series

Support Autism Awareness

Click here to view all Autism Awareness Items

Show Your Support of Autism Awareness with the

Puzzling Piece Necklace

It's not just art. It's a statement.

More children will be diagnosed with Autism this year than with Aids, Diabetes and Cancer combined. A portion of your jewelry purchase will be donated to a charity that supports Autism.

Price: $19.95

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_______________________________________________________________

Autism Awareness Puzzle Car Magnet

Support autism awareness when you're on the go with this colorful car magnet. Measuring approximately 8 inches wide and 4 inches tall, this will get people's attention and hopefully, get them thinking. Don't be surprised when others in the autism community beep and wave!

Price: $6.00

Click here to learn more...

Developing Leisure Time SKills for Adults

Click here to view all Play & Leisure Books

Developing Leisure Time Skills for

Persons with Autism

Free time should be part of the day that all kids look forward to. But for many children on the autism spectrum, it is a painfully unstructured part of the day defined by anxiety and fear. This book provides comprehensive, structured strategies to help adults introduce meaningful activities to ASD children, which they can practice at school or at home. The first half of the book provides forms and charts that will help adults assess the child’s sensory needs, select age-appropriate activities, and then determine level of interest in specific activities. The second half provides numerous “Activity Cards " for going to the park, playing games, listening to music, and many more!

Price: $29.95

Click here to order

Activities for Children

Click here to view all Recreational Activity Books & CDs

Move About

Activity Cards

Winner of an iParenting Media Award, this colorful 64-card deck provides fun-filled activities that will help children develop their sensory-motor skills in a game-like format. These cards offer delightful activities for children of all ages and abilities. Many activities require no special equipment, while others make use of standard, classroom equipment to develop children's sensory-motor skills and improve their learning and behavior. A great tool for parents, teachers, or therapists to use at home, at school, or in the clinic! Includes 64 cards on a convenient a snap-ring

holder, " How to Use " pamphlet, and sturdy storage box.

Price: $19.95

Click here to order

_______________________________________________________________

My Turn, Your Turn

Songs for Building Social Skills

My Turn Your Turn, the seventh CD from award-winning singer-songwriter Cathy Bollinger, sparkles with thoroughly singable songs that gently address the needs of children who find social interaction confusing or challenging. Using descriptive, social story-like phrases to talk about concrete situations, My Turn Your Turn sings children through the tricky territory of engaging with others.

Songs touch on:

Looking towards others' eyes · Saying you don't understand ·Asking to play ·Saying please, thank you, and excuse me ·Showing empathy ·Asking for help ·Handling anger ·And other daily social skills!

Price: $19.95

Click here to order

Social Skills Package

Click here to view all Specialty Packages

Social Skills Package

This is your one-stop-shop for all things social! Written by social skills experts, these resources will help remedy (and prevent) social faux pas that can be devastating for a young person.

Price: $450.00

Click here to learn more...

Summer 2011 Advertising Specials

in this monthly newsletter!

Advertise in this monthly newsletter and

reach nearly 5,000 monthly subscribers!

3 months for only $99

(regular price if purchased monthly $135)

Advertisements will appear in May, June and July 2011 issues.

The deadline for submission is April 15, 2011.

Attention Autism Service Providers:

Do you provide Summer activities or services for children, adults and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders such as...

Summer Camps

Summer SchoolSocial/Play Groups

Babysitting ServicesRecreational ActivitiesMusic TherapyArt Therapy

Speech TherapyOccupational TherapyTutoring ServicesA.B.A. TherapyHorse Therapy

Martial Arts TrainingEmployment Support, etc.

....then advertise in our Monthly Autism Newsletter

and reach nearly 5,000 monthly subscribers.

Summer is a great time to advertise your services!

Don't know how to design an ad? Don't worry.

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We'll do the rest.

Click here to advertise.

Not familiar with our newsletter, then check out past issues at: http://community.icontact.com/p/autismteachingtools

Member Articles

Continued from top of page...

Developing Play Skills in Children

By Margaret Motamed

We took the time to teach him interpersonal and social skills that prepared him for interactions with others. When he was ready, we learned how to organize successful interactions with peers, a heartwarming sight I treasure to this day! Looking back, I now know I was so eager for him to play with others that I neglected to ask myself some very basic questions about his level of functioning, which ultimately affected the success (or failure) of these planned get-togethers.

Is my child ready for playdates?

According to Dr. Stanley Greenspan, author of The Child with Special Needs, “As soon as your child can open and close circles of communication most of the time… you can begin arranging playdates.” Greenspan is best known within the autism community as the founder of the DIR®/Floortime™ intervention strategy, which, in a nutshell is a way of playing very interactively and engagingly with your child. Circles of communication refer to the child’s ability to respond to our communication, even with a nonverbal look or a gesture.

A child ready for playdates:

Has a functional, reliable, communication system (either verbal, nonverbal or a combination of both)

Responds in some way to your communication most of the time

Shares in joint activities, i.e. helps spoon cookie dough onto a tray

Is able to be around peers without tantruming

What can I do if he’s not yet ready?

Before kids are ready for playdates, parents can begin setting the stage for playful, positive interaction. Find places where preschoolers in your community go to play: a nearby park, a playground near soccer fields on Saturdays, open time at the junior gym. Take a bag of toys that encourage interaction. Enlist the other kids: “Could you please go to the top of the slide and help him? Could you please go show him this bag of cookies and tell him it’s snack time?” Exchange contact information with the other parents for future playdates. You can do this! Think about and teach the social skills the child will need for basic interaction with one of his peers: turn taking, sharing, some measure of behavior control (i.e. no hitting, biting, etc.)

Finding a matchOnce you and your child are ready for playdates, it’s time to scout out candidates. According to Cindy on, a DIR® clinician and speech language pathologist, “It is important to consider your child’s individual differences when you are seeking out playmates. A child who is under reactive might benefit from an assertive, social child a few years older – a child who might be a little bit bossy to get them to engage. A child who is over reactive might do better with a child who is quieter, gentler and calmer. In the beginning you will need to be an active player to help your child engage.”

In my experience, schoolmates, especially typical kids, or kids partially " graduated " from special education make the best playmates! At first, limit playdates to just one visitor; we need to ease children into interaction with others. If your child appears to build a rapport with a new child, invite him or her over. Keep in mind that engaging play is more than words, especially at early developmental levels. Being engaged can be no more than shared sounds like “zoom zoom” with cars, shared toys, shared gestures, and shared glances. As Dr. Greenspan suggests, we want to woo the child with special needs, enticing them to communicate with us. That sense of valuing relationships, recognized by a “gleam in their eyes” as they play, is a much-treasured goal.

Get readyYour child will appreciate a bit of advance notice that a friend is coming. Talk about turn taking, what will happen, and choices in advance. A playdate is not the time for instructing and teaching. It is time for playing! So set the stage for your child’s success. Set out only toys and activities that both children already know and enjoy. As the parent your role is to facilitate the playdate; avoid the temptation to become one of the players! In advance decide what to tell the other family about your child. For us, it was natural to be open about his autism. However, this is a personal choice.

Plan for successThe purpose of the playdate is for your child to have a successful and enjoyable time engaging with a peer. Create an agenda with several built-in choices and a time limit for the structured play. I discovered that I could only stay engaged and actively facilitate for 1-2 hours. Effective facilitation is hard work! You are prompting the kids to engage with simple choices that put them in the driver’s seat. You are a helpful navigator, providing structure and great choices! Kids have similar limits, and some may only be able to engage for 15-20 minutes at first. Be flexible and go with the flow. You will also want to plan for contingencies. What will you do if one child does not want to play, or your child starts to tantrum, or the other child is getting too bossy? Having a “Plan B” for different situations

will ensure a successful playdate. Do not skip this step!

Setting the Stage for Peer Play

Set up the play area with toys that encourage reciprocity. Put away toys your child loves to play alone – trains often fall into this category for our spectrum kids. Here are some toys my preschooler enjoyed during peer play:

Stomp rockets

Water guns/ watering cans

Finger paint /wide handle brushes/large sheets of paper taped to a window

Outdoor bug hunt kits: jugs of water with 10% biodegradable soap

Sidewalk chalk

Sand toys and sand

Playdough pretend kits: ice cream sundaes, barber, cutout cookies

Obstacle courses - can be as simple as a path marked with flour, or a tunnel to crawl through

Fort building kits: sheets, clothes pins and chairs, stickers for decorating, flashlights

Decorating cupcakes or cookies

Foam swords or pool noodles as pretend " swords "

Marble run

Simple floor puzzles: Alphabet (26 pieces)

A Timetimer (www.timetimer.com ) helps kids with turn taking

Simple and silly board games: Cranium Cariboo, Go Away Monster by Gamewright, Honey Bear Tree (or Kerplunk)

Friends foreverToday, my son is nine. He is friendly, social and loves to invite friends over to play. Those early playdates, while a tremendous amount of effort and stress, yielded valuable results for us. learned to develop friendships, and several of those early playmates have become his lifelong friends!

BIOMargaret Motamed is a Floortime, biomed, you-name-it-we-want-to-try-it mom to two wonderful kids and blessed wife to a supportive husband.

Reprinted with permission from Autism Asperger’s Digest magazine, July/Aug 2009 issue. AutismDigest.com

Reproduction or sharing of this article via print or electronic means requires prior written approval of publisher. Contact editor@... for permission.

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Circle Time,

Everybody Wins!

ative and non-competitive games for kidsby Kathy

Take a roomful of kids under the age of seven, throw in a couple of games, add some really cool prizes for the winners. What have you got? Well, you could very well end up with a couple of really happy kids, a bunch of not so happy kids, and maybe even one sobbing kid who really wanted one of those really cool prizes but didn't get one. Save the competitive games for when your kids get older, and try some of these games for right now.

Music games -- about the only props you need for these games are a tape player, a tape of upbeat music, and, for un-musical chairs, a few

chairs. Freeze Frame -- the object of this game is to get the kids to loosen up, have fun, and giggle a little. Have everybody stand in a large room or wide open space. Explain that when they hear the music, they can dance any way they want, but when the music stops, they must freeze immediately. Wait a few seconds to see if they can hold their positions, then start over.

Monkey See, Monkey Do -- Gather all the kids in a large room or wide open space. Tell the kids that they can start dancing any way they want to, and you will pick different kids to be leader. The leader will stand facing the group and do any movement they want. The other kids have to follow. After a minute or so, pick a new leader. Make sure everyone gets a turn to lead.

Un-Musical Chairs -- Unlike the traditional version of the game, in this version no one is out. Instead, you remove one chair each time, and the kids have to

all sit on each other's laps when the music stops. The object is to see if you can eventually pile everybody on one chair (and have fun, of course). Running-around games

Treasure Hunt -- This game involves a some advance preparation, but it's such a hit with my kids that it's worth the extra effort. You can direct kids to the proper clues by writing the clues out, or drawing or using photographs for non-readers. Before the party, decide where you want to kids to hunt, then carefully hide little clues throughout the house, out of the way where no one can see them easily (under the sofa cushion, on the underside of the coffee table, etc.) Each clue will direct them to the next one. For example, the word " couch " or a picture of a couch will lead the kids to the couch, where you've hidden a clue with the word " bookshelf " or a picture of the bookshelf on it. If you can stand it, zigzag the

kids all over the place, until, five or ten clues later, they find the treasure (some party favors, some candy bars, whatever, as long as there is enough for all of the kids to share). Barnyard Bash -- This is a fun game to play with a lot of kids. Think of some animals that make distinctive sounds, such as dogs, cats, pigs, ducks, and horses. Very quietly whisper the name of one of those animals to each kid, making sure that every animal is represented at least twice. Then, at the count of three, have the kids find their own kind of animal by making the noise and joining together in a group. This game is also fun to play with older kids, especially if you give them some more difficult animals, such as turtles, rabbits, or fish.

Slightly-less rambunctious games Tell Me a Story -- for the non-reader version, have all the kids sit in a circle. You might need to

start things off by saying, " Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess. . . " or " Back in the olden days when cowboys roamed the range. . . " Go with something you know the kids are interested in. Going around the circle, let each kid add a bit of action or a few details. You may need to go around the circle more than once, and you may need to help out along the way. If possible, tape record or video tape the story and play it back to the kids.

For the reader's version, have each child sit at the table and give them some paper and pencils. You can start off as in the non-reader version, or let each child think up their own story. Let them write for a minute or two, then tell them it's time to move. They all move into the chair to their right and continue the story their neighbor started. Switch again in another minute or too. When it's time to finish the story, tell them to quickly get to the happily ever after part. Have

everyone read the story they end up with out loud. Animal Charades -- Giving each child a turn, have one child come up to the front of the group and whisper the name of an animal to them. They then act out what the animal does. The rest of the kids try to guess the name of the animal. To make it more fun, have the kids make the animal sounds instead of calling out the name.

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Playdate Activities StatueSkills worked on: turn taking, listening, following simple directions, gross motor skills, peer interaction, generalization of receptive instructions

Materials required: a stereo with child's favorite music, balloon, egg timerRules/Directions:· Therapist turns on the music and or throws the balloon in the air and or turns on the timer for 1 minute

· Therapist tells all the players to run around the room demonstrating simple actions such as clapping, waving, hoping, etc.· When the music stops, the balloon touches the floor or the timer goes off then all players need to freeze like a statue

· Continue game again by following the above steps

Spoon RaceSkills worked on: turn taking, following simple directions, fine motor skillsMaterials required: a spoon for each player, a plastic egg or a golf ball for each player, a marked starting and finishing line

Rules/Directions:· Give each player a spoon and place the plastic egg/golf ball on the spoon· Tell all players that when the signal " Ready Set Go " is said that they are suppose to race to the finish line holding the spoon

· If the egg/golf ball falls off the spoon the player must stop place the egg back on the spoon and continue to the finish line· Winner is the first player to make it to the finish line

ParachuteSkills worked on: turn taking, gross motor, attention and cooperationMaterials required: parachute, beach ball or plastic foodParachute activities are great to use for cooperative play. Children can take turns to lift and run under it before it falls, bounce beach ball or play " salad " by tossing plastic fruits and vegetables on it.

Memory GameSkills worked on: turn taking, cognitive memory recall, writing, generalization of expressive labelsMaterials required: a tray, a tea towel or a small blanket that can be placed over top of the tray, egg timer, several known objects to the child (e.g. pencil, crayon, coins, small book, etc.), a piece of paper and pencil for each player

Rules/Directions:· Therapist places all objects on the tray· Therapist holds up each object one at a time and tells all players what the objects are· Therapist gives all players 1 minute to look at the objects on the tray

· Therapist then covers up the objects with the tea towel or blanket· Therapist sets a timer for 1 minute then tells all players to write down as many objects as they can remember· Winner is the person who has the most

correct objects on their list

Hula Hoops GameAsk all children to stand in the line. Put one hula hoop at each end of the line. Put a pile of plastic food or any other items into the hula hoop at the beginning of the line. Children have to pass all the items from one hula hoop at the beginning to the other one at the end. Now, the FUN part - children can use anything but their hands to pass the items.

Shoe GameSpread little plastic cards or coins all over the room. Ask children to take one shoe off and put their shoes in line. Start playing by turning on a fun music and having children to pick up the cards or coins and put them in their own shoes (ones that are in line). You will have your children running around in one shoe picking up the cards or coins one at a time (they can't have two or more cards in their hands at once). Stop the music when almost all the card or coins are picked up and have children to empty their shoes and count all the cards or coins they got.

Red Light, Green LightChoose someone to be the " signal " and ask other children to line up. When the " signal " says: " green light " , everybody can run forward. When the " signal " says: " red light " , everybody has to freeze until the " green light " . Whoever moves has to go back and start over. Whoever reaches the " signal " first is the winner.

FirefightersYou will need a chair for each child. If you have 5 children playing, then have 5 chairs and put them in line across the room. Ask children to dance around the chairs while playing their favorite song. When you stop the music each child must stop in front of the closest to him/her chair and put one piece of clothing on that chair. It helps to put more clothing on children before starting the game (socks, hat, mittens, scarf, etc.) Repeat several times until there are little piles of clothing on each chair. The trick is that each time you stop the music children stop in front or different chairs, so they will have their clothes laying around everywhere and not only on one chair. Suddenly ring the bell meaning " fire emergency " . All the " firefighters " have to find their own clothes and get dressed as soon as possible.

Pass the PackagePrepare a package in advance by wrapping a small toy or candy in pieces of paper. Do not use too much tape or it will be difficult for children to undo the package. Ask you children to sit in circle and tell them that you receive a package but have no idea who is it for. Children need to pass the package to each other by unwrapping only one piece of paper. Whoever unwraps the last piece of paper gets to keep what's inside (make sure to reinforce other children for playing and sharing).

RESOURCES

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Activities

Announcements

Conferences

Workshops/Classes

Meetings

Events

Search for a Resource or Service Provider

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Add a Resource or Service Provider

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Our May issue will highlight all Special Needs Summer Camps that are available in Florida for 2011.

Please submit all Summer Camp listings to the link above.

Advertisements

Summer 2011

Advertising Specials

in this newsletter!

Advertise in this monthly newsletter and reach nearly

5,000 monthly subscribers!

3 months for only $99

(regular price $135)

Advertisements will appear in May, June and July 2011 issues.

The deadline for submission is April 15, 2011.

BOOK TOPICS

In this issue...

Teaching Play Skills

Developing Leisure Time

Activities for Adults

Recreational Activities

for Children on the

Spectrum

Social Skills Package

ARTICLES

In this issue...

Developing Play Skills in Children By Margaret Motamed

Circle Time, Everybody Wins! ative and non-competitive games for kids

by Kathy Playdate Activities

Click here for

Conversation Starter

Flipcards

(Topics include: daily living skills, everyday conversation, home & family, school, things

I like to do and more...)

Click here for

Florida

Parent Support Groups listed by county

Click here for

" WH " Question Series

Flashcards

SOME SKILLS YOU CAN TEACH WITH THESE ITEMS

Asking questions

Answering questions

Responding appropriately

Preparation for activities in the community

Question sequences

Click here for

Florida

Asperger Support Groups listed by county

Click here for

Learn to Talk About...

Flashcards

(Topics include: games, animals,

household items, nature, toys, play, vehicles and more...)

Click here for

Florida

Vocational Assistance

listed by county

Click here for

Responsibilty

Checklists

for Home & School

SOME SKILLS YOU CAN TEACH WITH THESE ITEMS

Responsibility

Independence

Organization skills

Following a schedule

Elementary skills in the home or school

Planning

Click here for

Florida

Social Skills Groups

listed by county

Click here for

Social Story Books

for

Home, School & Play

SOME SKILLS YOU CAN TEACH

WITH THESE ITEMS

Social skills

Personal safety

Reading & comprehension

Respect, negotiation & cooperation

Preparing for success

(Topics Include: fire drills, assemblies, beach, playground, manners, answering questions, greetings, school, bedtime,

asking for & giving help and playing with friends)

Support Groups Listed below...

Asperger Syndrome Support GroupFor Parents, Caregivers, Educators and Other Individuals Working with Children

with Asperger’s Syndrome Contact: Hugo

(954)746-9400 x2120Please note Respite Care needs at the time of registration.-------------------------------------------

Mane HIT Autism Support GroupThis group gives an opportunity to network. Our members are knowledgeable in the school system, your rights, IEP's, Legislative Process & homeschooling. Our parents have children of all ages who have been through different regiments & are willing to share their experiences & tips. Questions regarding Hemispheric Integration Therapy & Biomedic Interventions. will be answered by Dr. Mane, DC

Tampa 2nd Thu 6p.Green Iguana Bar & Grill2520 N. Dale Mabry Hwy Contact: Marilyn Santiago

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South Florida GFCF/SCD Group

This dietary support group is to assist parents that are seeking to pursue dietary intervention for the treatment of ASD. Mo. meetings include recipies, food saples, & help with shopping & food selection.

3rd Tue, 7p-9p Free.

Whole Foods

7720 s Rd

Plantation, 33324

Contact: Wallitsch

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Hernando Autism Parenting & Personal Experience Network

This is a support group for parents & other relatives of children on the Autism Spectrum, as well as for those who are seeking a diagnosis

120 Fountain Ct

Spring Hill, FL3rd Wed 7-9p

Contact: Bolen

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Parents Helping Parents Florida

PHPF Helping Hands support group for parents/families of children with autism & related disabilities. Ocala Last Wed 6-8p, Free

Ocala Public Library, 2720 East Silver Springs Blvd.

Contact: Sylvia

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Southwest Florida

Autism Coalition

Monthly support group for parents & professionals facing autism. Topics include Financial Planning, Sensory Integration, Social Skills Training, Communication, & more.

3rd Thu, 7-8:30p

At the Pinnacle Academy

6215 Lorraine Rd

Bradenton, FL

Contact: Dr. Kirstina Ordetx

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CAREGIVERS Support GroupThe group will provide support

as well as discussion topics

that are meaningful today

and for planning the future.

MAR-JCC’s Zelcer board room18900 NE 25 Avenue, NMB 33180

Tuesdays, 6–7pmJanuary 4

Wednesdays, 10–11am, on the following dates:January 12, 19 & 26

Open to all, free of chargeContact:

, ext. 118 / @...

, ext 135

-------------------------------------------Autism Monthly support group

for those affected by Autism

Various topics & speakers ranging from diet, therapy, & advocacy. 1st Tue

5740 Moog Rd.

Pasco County

Contact: Bice

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Parental Encouragement for Autistic Children Everywhere Our mission is to educate, empower & provide a positive support environment to Families with children on the Autism Spectrum. Lakeland 1st Tue 6p-8p, 1021 Lakeland Hills Blvd. 33805,

Contact:

ext. 228

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Parent to Parent of MiamiParent Resource Center7990 SW 117th Ave

Suite 201Miami, FL 33183Parent to Parent of Miami is a community parent resource center for families of children and adults with all disabilities. Located in Miami, Florida, our program serves families in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, as well as the nation. With the help of Parent to Parent of Miami's specialized team, parents and professionals can find information, workshops, and other resources to help make decisions about early intervention, early childhood, education, vocational training, employment, college opportunities, as well as the laws that protect the rights of children and adults with disabilities.

Contact: Isabel C.

info@...

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BFOCASD Support Group for families, educators & therapists

of children & adults with

Autism spectrum disorders

7-9p - Free

1st Wed

First Baptist Church of Melbourne

3301 Dairy Road

West Volusia, FL

--------------------------------------------Aware 4 Autism- Support group

for all people affected by autism & the autism spectrum.

Speakers monthly. 1st Sat 2-4p. First Congregational Church, 7900 Fort King Rd.-, Zephyrhills

Contact: Johanna O'Toole

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Homeschool group for special needs families in the Central Florida area: Our Amazing Kids is a group for families in the Central Florida area who are homeschooling their special needs child(ren). We welcome families of every ability, focusing on providing resources to parents who are new to the homeschooling community. We are open-minded and have an interest on living and learning naturally.

Contact: Dory HubbardWinter Haven, FL(863)318-9461

Call for Articles

We are currently looking for

article submissions for our May 2011 Newsletter.

The deadline for all submissions is

April 15, 2011

Topic:

Preparing for Summer 2011

Please paste all text directly into your email.

(Do not send your article

as an attachment.)

You may also submit any free:

Autism Support Groups, Activities, Announcements,

Conferences, Meetings, Events,

and Workshops/Classes

Submit all info to:

AutismResourceSF@...

(Be sure to include your contact phone number, event address, county, event date(s), and email.)

The deadline for all submissions is

April 15, 2011

-----------------------------------

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Reach nearly 5,000

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Activities

--------------------------------------------

Tampa 'Playdates' Support Group

This time has been reserved for our support group members who have children on the spectrum only.3rd Tue 6p to 8p

$6 per child

Come Join Us at

Gator Fred's Party Center!

West Village Commons

5360 Ehrlich Rd. 33625.

Contact:

Kim Larochelle

Marilyn Santiago

Announcements

Free Autism Screening

For Toddlers

The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida in Lee County, in partnership with the Mc House Charities® of Southwest Florida, offers a free monthly autism spectrum disorder screening for toddlers 18 months to 36 months of age.

The ASD screening is conducted by the Neurosciences Center at The Children’s Hospital, under the guidance of pediatric neurologist Colon, MD, MPH, and pediatric psychiatrist nne Krouk, DO. The screenings are administered by an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, who has extensive training and experience in typical child development and developmental disorders.

A physician referral is not required

Contact:

--------------------------------------------

Free Autism Screening

15 Months through 4 years of age

Face Autism, Inc. is providing free autism/ASD screenings to children 15 months through 4 years of age, in Sarasota/Manatee/Charlotte counties who show signs of autism/ASD.

The screenings will be performed by a certified Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist / certified Floortime Therapist. The tool used for the screening will be the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). If a child is at risk for autism/ASD, they will then be referred back to their pediatrician, pediatric neurologist, child psychologist, or developmental pediatrician for further evaluation/diagnosis. Early detection leads to early intervention.

Contact:

Conferences

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Autism Society 42nd National Conference & Exposition

Jul 6-9 2011 OrlandoGaylord Palms Hotel & Convention Center

$250 early bird, $295 regular,

$325 onsite -

The Autism Society recognizes that families & individuals living with an autism spectrum disorder have a range of issues & needs. The National Conference of the Autism Society is the only conference that addresses the range of issues, including early intervention,

education, employment, behavior, communication, social skills, biomedical interventions & others, across the entire lifespan.

Contact:

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Workshops/Classes

Families, Schools and Community - Working Together

to Improve Outcomes:

A Series of Informative Workshops to Help You Plan.

Open to families & professionals Light snacks and refreshments

Childcare will not be available

Location:

B. s Exceptional Student Education Center Multi-Purpose Room,2935 County Rd 193,

Clearwater, FL

April 12, 2011

Topic and Presenters:Community Resource Fair

Meet agencies, organizations

& other community resouces.

May 17, 2011

Topic and Presenters:Employment Supports and Benefit Coordination. Vocational Rehabilitation & Benefit Planning Outreach and Assistance: Coordination of Employment and Benefits.

Featured Presenter: Representatives from Vocational Rehab & WIPA.

-------------------------------------------- Helping Our Toddlers --

Developing Our Children's Skills

HOT DOCS classes are available in both English and Spanish, and are offered several times a year at various sites in the community, including our USF site located in the Children's Medical Services (CMS) building. HOT DOCS has been recognized as an outstanding community resource, and has received awards from Early Steps, Early Childhood Council, and the Hispanic Heritage Committee. HOT DOCS is funded by the Children's Board of Hillsborough County. Funded by the Children's Board of Hillsborough County.

Contact: 974-1189

Meetings

Autism Society of the Panhandle's Evening Meetings

The Autism Society of the Panhandle meets the 3rd Tue of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Pollak Training Center of the ARC Gateway on 10th Avenue in Pensacola. Sitters available with reservation 3 days prior to event.

Pensacola 3rd Tues. 6:30p, no cost Corner of 10th Avenue & Fairfield Drive

Contact: Byram

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Puzzle Peace Web Forum

Puzzle Peace is a web meeting place for parents trying to define themselves without having a developmental disorder do it for them. Join the movement!

Contact: Kristi Vannatta

-------------------------------------------- Autism Society of

Broward Meeting

Support groups meet monthly* where parents & guest speakers, specializing in the area of autism, share information & resources.Our meetings are open to all that are interested in autism.

3rd Wed 7:30p

ARC Broward

10250 NW 53rd Street

Sunrise, FL

Contact:

Events

www.AutismResourceCenterofSouthFlorida.com

www.AutismTeachingTools.net

Local Phone:

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Fwd: April Monthly Newsletter: Developing Play and Leisure Skills in Children & Adolescents with Autism/Aspergers (Final Copy)

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