spirit meeting info

[Guest guest]

FYI

Hello to all families and professionals!

I'm pleased to send you the final revised flyer of meeting dates for

Group S.P.I.R.I.T.! for the New Year.

Please note that although we meet on the first Thursday of every month, we

will have a special date for January as the first Thursday falls on New

Year's Day and the library will be closed. We will have many guest speakers

in addition to open forum meetings and I encourage you to make suggestions

regarding the topics you'd like to have presented.

New for this year, we will be offering PLAYGROUPS! (divided into

various age ranges) - details will follow! And, a Parent-2-Parent volunteer

program to offer guidance to parents from others who have already been in

their shoes - details to be provided at a later date.

I want to again remind everyone that our group is under the 501c3

(non-profit) umbrella of Autism Family Tours with na, Inc

(www.autismfamilytours.org) which provides a range of therapeutic,

educational, recreational programs for children on the spectrum and their

immediate families. The web site will soon be updated with our new offerings

for 2009 so check it out!

Also, I hope all members of the group have received their invitation to

join the private, online, group that has been formed for you! It

will contain links to other supports, files summarizing our meetings and

containing any printed information that you may like to download (in case

you were unable to attend), and message boards so that you can all remain in

touch with each other between meetings.. This will be a great way to share

your experiences and advice! There will also be files containing results of

polls that I take in response to certain questions parents submit.

I hope you'll all take advantage of this information and the resources

as we all are:

Spectrum Parents Inspired with Resources, Information, & Teamwork!

Group S.P.I.R.I.T.!

Special thanks to all of those who have helped us serve others in our

community in 2008!

Heartfelt wishes for peace, love, joy and good health over this holiday

season and in the coming New Year!

Gee-Lowrey

Group S.P.I.R.I.T.!

On behalf of Autism Family Tours with na, Inc.

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UPCOMING MEETINGS

Location:

Scotch Plains Public Library

1927 Bartle Avenue

Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

Meeting facilitator:

Gee-Lowrey

Time:

7:00 to 8:30pm

2009 dates:

January 7

February 5

March 5

April 2

May 7

June 4

July 2

August 6

September 3

October 1

November 5

December 3

For More Information:

(908) 889-8173

GroupSPIRIT@...

Welcome Families !

As parents, guardians and caregivers, our task is to protect and

provide for our children. But as parents of children with autism, we

have unique and challenging demands placed upon us and can

always use more support and understanding.

The Group SPIRIT! family-centered autism support group has

been established to serve our neighbors in many ways. For those

new to the diagnosis, the group offers important information from

friends who have walked in their shoes. For those with young

children on the spectrum, this group can offer guidance for the

many daily functions and intricacies that are seemingly

unmanageable. As our children approach their teens, support group

members can offer support for these particularly unique challenges.

Group SPIRIT! enables local families to share their experiences

with others who have similar experiences. The group meetings are

opportunities for parents to know that they are not alone with these

challenges, and that there is help.

Group SPIRIT! is dedicated to supporting, educating, and

empowering families of children with autism by providing support,

resources, family-oriented activities, and guidance. Monthly

meetings are designed to unite families so that we can help each

other along the way. We can offer helpful tips and short-cuts,

important community resources, and ways to avoid common

oversights. Many meetings offer guest speakers who provide

valuable information for all participants.

Discussions take on many areas of interest including, information

exchange, advocacy, education and literacy, therapies, nutrition,

safety, transportation, siblings, travel, community awareness,

recreation and much more.

Meetings are informative, yet provide a safe and comfortable place

to express feelings and pressures, share experiences, and explore

solutions. Don't worry if you need to come late or leave early.

Come and meet some special families and friends.

Remember, you are not alone!

Be sure to visit the Autism Family Tours with na web site

at: www.autismfamilytours.org This organization offers many

family-centered programs in our community.