aspen newsletter

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Visit www.aspennj.org for additional information and links

Important Info:

o The Family Support Center (www.fscnj.org) is a " One-Stop Shop "

clearinghouse, offering you the most up-to-date information on all types of

disabilities as well as national, state and local support programs and

services for individuals and families seeking such information. The Family

Support Center (FSC) offers a comprehensive array of FREE services. You can

also access their FREE New Jersey Information Center by calling

1-800-372-6510. Students with developmental disabilities age 14 -19 and

their families are encouraged to attend the Pathways to Adult Life session

on April 21, 2008.

Events:

o Today's Man, a film about Nicky Gottlieb, a child of extraordinary

talents and odd behavior. At age 21, he was diagnosed with Asperger

Syndrome, a high functioning form of autism. This film will air on PBS on

January 11th at 10 pm. See http://www.pbs. org/independentl ens/todaysman/

for more info.

o The next monthly meeting of the ASPEN Bergen County chapter will be

held on Monday, January 14th from 7:30-10:00 pm at the Lutheran Church of

the Good Shepard in Glen Rock. Please join us for an attendee sharing

session.

o Transition & What Comes AFTER High School for Children with Special

Needs, Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 7:30pm at JCHS, Room 406, Westville

Ave., W. Caldwell. Presented by Cestero, Vocational Services

Coordinator, Allies Inc. Please call Pam Donovan at 973-364-0717 to RSVP.

o On Wednesday, January 16th (7:30-9:00 pm), the Learning Services

Home and School Association is sponsoring a discussion with Jane M. Healey,

PhD, a Ridgewood Pediatric Neuropsychologist. Dr. Healey will discuss the

benefits of neuropsychological testing that help identify underlying reasons

why children do not learn or perform in certain areas of development at the

expected rate. She will speak about the structure of a comprehensive

neuropsychological evaluation and some of the tests that are used to assess

important learning functions such as language processing, retrieval,

sequencing, short-term memory, organizational skills, attention, and motor

coordination. Dr. Healey will discuss how to apply this information to

assist the teacher in improving the child's functioning in the classroom and

what parents can do to enhance improvement as well. Modifications for

improvement would normally be set forth in a 504 or IEP to achieve best

results in all arenas. This meeting will take place at the Ridgewood Board

Of Education, 3rd Floor Conference Room, 49 Cottage Place, Ridgewood , NJ.

o Zosia Zaks, author of " Life and Love: Strategies for Autistic

Adults " will present some of her insights for adults with Asperger's

Syndrome and other Autistic Spectrum Disorders. This session will take

place on January 17th from 7-9 pm at the West Bergen Mental Healthcare

offices at 120 Chestnut Street in Ridgewood, NJ and is exclusively for

individuals on the spectrum; it is not intended for parents, siblings or

spouses. If you have any questions, please contact Meyer, ASPEN

Coordinator, Adult issues Chapter, 201.825.3286, marymeyerbb@...

o Dr. Gutstein, founder of the Relationship Development

Intervention Program will be presenting an introductory 2-day workshop at

Seton Hall University on January 18 and 19th. Please visit the link below

for more details.

http://rdiconnect.com/workshops/viewAssessment.asp?wid=141

o Asperger's Disorder & Autism: Advances in Understanding and

Interventions presented by Celine Saulnier, Ph.D. Yale Child Study Center,

New England Educational Institute, East Hanover, NJ on Tuesday, January 22,

2008 at the Ramada Inn & Conference Center, 130 Route 10 West (right off Rt

287 South). Seminar Objectives: Recognize key features of autism spectrum

disorders, Describe differences between autism and AS, Understand the

heterogeneity of symptoms and presentation across age and level of

functioning, Identify multidisciplinary assessments and diagnostic

procedures useful in evaluating individuals with AS, Describe key elements

in appropriate educational programs, as well as specific teaching strategies

for the varying presentations of individuals with ASDs, Identify various

social skills interventions and communication strategies for younger and

older individuals with ASDs, Identify appropriate long-term goals, including

vocational training and adaptive living skills, Identify common pitfalls in

treatment and intervention services, Recognize the importance and

implications of both research and media influences on classification,

assessment and treatment. Celine Saulnier, Ph.D., is a researcher and

faculty member at the Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of

Medicine. Working with Drs. Fred Volkman and Ami Klin, Dr. Saulner

coordinates, supervises and conducts clinical evaluations at the Yale Autism

Resource Program, the Infant and Toddler Clinic, and a transdisciplinary

training clinic. To register go to www.neei.org; the cost is $149.

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