May – June 2015 - Autism Support of Kent County

B u s in e ss Nam e
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A u t i s m S u p p o r t o f K e n t Co u n t y
M a y /J une 2 0 1 5
T HE V OICE
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Sensory Friendly Films
ASK Golf Classic
Conferences & Workshops
Summer Programs & Camps
Summer Programs & Camps
Sensory Showtimes
Teen/Young Adult Activities
Walk Photos
Walk Photos and Thank yous
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3
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Calendar:
Board Meetings
KISD Educ. Service Center
6:30 p.m., Public welcome.
• June 1, 2015
Events:
• Golf Classic
August 3, 2015
NEWS
FROM
ASK
As we wrap up this school year, I would
like to thank all of you for being part of
this amazing autism community. Autism,
to me, is parents helping parents, community supporting each other, and us all
working together for the good of individuals with autism.
As I look back on this school year, we
have much to be proud of: a new partnership with Puzzle Partners, a betterthan-ever Golf Event, record attendance
at our Walk Event, more scholarship dollars for CBI’s for low income students,
huge turnouts at our family events, Music Therapy in every ASD classroom that
wants it, art and sports programs for
“our” kids, new equipment for Project
Lifesaver, and much more!
Without the tireless efforts of some dedicated Board Members, none of what we
do would be possible. A few of our Board
Members are moving on, and I would
like to thank them for their service:
Thank you, Carol Lippert, for being willing to do what is needed, for countless
hours spent on the Walk Event, and for
your energy and enthusiasm for what
ASK does.
Thank you, Peggy Horan. We have appreciated your constant presence at events,
your creativity, and your willingness to
get things done.
Thank you, Evette Pittman, for sharing
your professional talents with us, for
bringing new ideas to the Board, and for
the many hours spent working at ASK
events.
Thank you volunteers, Board Members,
parents, families, and friends. Thank you
for being part of our work to make life
better for individuals with autism.
ASK Golf Classic
Monday, August 3, 2015
The Golf Club at
Thornapple Pointe
Grand Rapids, MI
1:00 p.m. Shotgun Start
See page 3 for details!
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Sensory Friendly Films Presents:
10:00 a.m.— AMC Star Grand Rapids
3000 Alpine Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, 49544
Tickets: $5.50
TOMORROWLAND
INSIDE OUT
MINIONS
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Saturday, July 18, 2015
The Sensory Friendly Films program provides a special opportunity for families to
enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment. The auditoriums dedicated to the program have their lights up, the sound turned down and audience
members are invited to get up and dance, walk, shout, or sing!
Heart of West Michigan United Way investors can
choose to designate all or part of their annual contributions to Autism Support of Kent County.
To designate your gift to ASK, use the United Way
Designation Form and write: Autism Support of
Kent County, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Thank you!
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Join us at the Autism Support
of Kent County’s
Golf for Awareness Event
on Monday, August 3,
at Thornapple Pointe!
Come join us for a great day: 18 Holes of Golf at a beautifully
manicured course, lunch AND dinner, team and individual awards,
raffle prizes, and lots of fun contests!
Proceeds from this event will be used to send kids with autism
to Indian Trails Camp this summer!
Help us send a kid to camp!
• Sponsor a Tee Box for $150. Includes company name & logo.
• Golf in the event for $95 which includes lunch & dinner.
• Donate an item to our Silent Auction or Raffle!
For more information on our Golf Event, please contact Pam Liggett, ASK,
at 616.752.8577 or by email at pam@autismsupportofkentcounty.org
ASK works to make life better for persons with autism and their families. We work to provide
programs and services—worth almost $50,000 annually---that make it possible for individuals
with autism to lead healthier and more productive lives!
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Conferences and
Workshops
AutismOne/Focus Autism 2015 Conference:
Focus. Think. THRiiiVE.
May 20 — 24, 2015
Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel, Rosemont, IL.
AutismOne: The Cutting-Edge Autism Conference® is
delighted to join forces with Focus Autism, the leader
of integrity in protecting children’s health from the
harmful effects of environmental and other neurotoxins, to become the AutismOne/Focus Autism 2015
Conference. www.autismone.org
The Arc Michigan Conference
June 18 — 19, 2015
University Marriott
300 M.A.C. Ave, East Lansing, MI
Highlights include presentations by Lt. Governor Brian
Calley and Sharon Ellis, State of Michigan's ADA Compliance Director.
www.arcmi.org
46th Annual Autism Society National Conference
July 8 — 11, 2015
Denver, CO
Each year, the Autism Society’s annual conference and
exposition features a keynote presentation, multiple
breakout sessions, a conference exhibit hall with autism resources and networking opportunities with conference attendees from around the nation.
www.autism-society.org
Michigan Autism Conference
October 7 — 9, 2015
Radisson Plaza Hotel
100 W. Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI
The Michigan Autism Conference is dedicated to
providing families, practitioners, and researchers with
information on a variety of topics related to the assessment and treatment of those affected by autism.
www.michiganautismconference.org
Summer Programs
and Camps
Artists Creating Together (ACT)
Youth Summer Camps
For elementary, middle, and high school students.
These programs offer opportunities for kids of all abilities to learn and grow together—meeting new friends
and building self-confidence through art!
www.artistscreatingtogether.org
Arts in Motion Adaptive Arts Summer Classes
Summer classes begin June 22 and run 8 weeks, unless otherwise specified. Classes offered in creative
arts, dance/movement, art camp, visual art, music,
and theatre! For more information, visit:
www.artsinmotionstudio.org or call Delight Lester,
Director, at (616) 446-1409, or email dalca@aol.com
BRAINS Presents:
A summer group to learn social skills and Interaction through drama.
Open to any child 6-12 years old who has difficulties in
social situations.
Mondays 9:00 am — 11:00 am June 8 — August 24
BRAINS, 3292 N. Evergreen Dr. NE, Grand Rapids
616-365-8920 www.brainspotential.com
Comprehensive Therapy Center
Summer Therapy and Fun
June 22 through August 7, 2015
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
9:00 am—12:00 pm
Therapy and Fun is a relaxed, integrated, and intensive
program that achieves maximum therapeutic progress
for children in pre-school through middle school. In addition to therapies, it includes a strong emphasis on
active learning, music, crafts, and supervised play.
2505 Ardmore SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(616) 559-1054 www.therapycenter.org
East Grand Rapids Branch of Kent District Library
Sensory Playtimes for All Ages
Drop in and explore a variety of sensory activities that
will stimulate your child’s mind. Sensory play, art experiences, discovery, and gross motor activities will be
provided for an hour and a half of sensory fun.
Fridays, March 20 – May 29, 9:30 am
Fridays, June 5 – August 28, 9:30 am
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Summer Programs and Camps
Horizons Developmental Remediation Center
Our programs are specifically designed for children with
ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Learning Disabilities,
Behavior Challenges, and Other Developmental and
Easter Seals—West Michigan Therapy Center
Mental Health Disorders
Sports Camps will be offered to children ages 5 -12 with
Collaborate and Create Camp: Ages 13-20. Call to disa diagnosis of gross motor delay, dyspraxia, visual motor
cuss your child’s specific needs if s/he is outside of this
deficits, Down syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, or
age range.
similar diagnosis. This camp will introduce them to the
Individual Instruction/Tutoring: Our team works with parskills and rules of each sport and also assist with gross
ents to design specific goals for the summer months,
motor and social skills!
and sessions are held on a schedule that works best for
Adventure Camp is designed and led by an occupational
the client and family.
therapist. It will focus on building the skills necessary to
www.horizonsdrc.com
go camping, hiking, increase environmental awareness,
and explore the outdoors in a fun-filled, multi-sensory
Indian Trails Camp
experience for children ages 7-12.
2015 Jack's Place Week Camp
Handwriting Without Tears is a fun, multi-sensory proSunday, July 26 to Saturday, August 1, 2015
gram designed to develop the fine motor and visual perIndian Trails Camp and Jack's Place for Autism Foundaceptual skills needed for written work.
tion are teaming up for an exciting week of camp experiSummer Sensory Camps aim to promote a child’s sensoences! Jack's Place Week is a traditional, overnight
ry processing and regulation, communication, selfcamp for campers ages 7 and up on the Autism Specconfidence, focus, and gross, fine, and oral-motor skills.
trum. To apply, download an application or call (616)
For more information or to register, contact:
677-5251 to have one sent to you.
Easter Seals Michigan, 4065 Saladin Dr., Grand Rapids
www.indiantrailscamp.org
(616) 942-2081 (ext. 2201) www.essmichigan.org
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Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding
“Saddle Up and Ride” Horsemanship Day Camp is available for all horse lovers of all abilities, beginning through
advanced riders. Our ultimate goal is to teach each participant what it would be like to have a horse of their
own.
“Special Star” Summer Horsemanship Day Camp is designed for those who need a more individualized schedule with 1:1 assistance.
www.equestcenter.org
YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin
Day Camps for Individuals with Special Needs
Ages 7-18 and 19-26. Exciting camp activities are
adapted from our traditional camp, and made accessible
for those with special needs.
Therapeutic Riding Day Camp, for ages 8-18, exposes
a person with special needs to the joy and benefits of
horseback riding, while simultaneously providing the
opportunity to achieve goals that enhance physical, social, cognitive, behavioral and educational skills through
therapeutic interventions.
For information, call the camp at (888) 909-2267 or
visit www.grymca.org
Visit our website to view and/or download
the ASK Community
Resource Directory:
www.autismsupportofkentcounty.org
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Lights up! Sound down! Enjoy the BIG SCREEN experience in an accepting environment!
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Lights will dim, but remain on.
Volume will be lowered.
Movies begin at show time with limited previews.
Shown in 2D with open captioning.
Cheering, calling out, or even strolling around the theatre is
welcome!
Developed in partnership with Family Hope Foundation, Sensory
Showtimes make movies extra welcoming to guests with special
needs, including autism. So come relax, be yourself, and enjoy a
movie at Celebration! Cinema!
Celebration! Cinema is opening the doors even wider to
guests with special needs with their new Sensory Showtimes
program.
time with limited to no previews. This "lights up, sound
down" atmosphere is designed to be more relaxed, and reduces the intensity present on the screen.
These movie-going experiences are designed specifically
for individuals and families with special needs, including
autism. Previously, the movie theatre chain conducted similar private events in conjunction with groups like the Family
Hope Foundation. The success made Celebration! Cinema
recognize the need for a different kind of movie presentation.
"All the families who show up are gracious and welcoming to
each other," Loeks said. "It's a culture of movie-going where
cheering, getting up and responding to the screen is okay."
"We've come to better understand what the movie experience is like for special needs families," said Emily Loeks,
director of community affairs at Celebration! Cinema. "We
made basic modifications to make it more welcoming and
comfortable."
Modifications for Sensory Showtimes include a lower volume
level and the house lights dimmed, but on for the film's duration. Open captioning also scrolls on screen throughout the
film for everybody to read. The movies start directly at show
Saturday, June 27th
10:30 a.m.
Saturday, July 18th
10:30 a.m.
Working with Family Hope Foundation helped Celebration!
Cinema better understand the stress of managing a child's
disability and how they are received by society. It's often a
barrier for parents and they opt to stay home. Sensory Showtimes is designed for families to have fun together, worryfree, while at the movies.
All shows Saturdays at 10:30am at:
Celebration! Cinema Grand Rapids North
Celebration! Cinema Grand Rapids South
Celebration! Cinema Crossroads Portage
Celebration! Cinema Mt. Pleasant
Celebration! Cinema Lansing
Cinema Carousel Muskegon
Saturday, August 15th
10:30 a.m.
Saturday, August 15th
10:30 a.m.
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Thank you Mitten Brewing Company!
During the entire month of April, National Autism Awareness Month, The Mitten
Brewing Company at 527 Leonard Street
NW in Grand Rapids donated a portion
of its sales to ASK. In addition, on Monday, April 20, the Mitten hosted a day for
our families in which 50% of food sales
were donated to ASK!
Thanks to the generosity of The Mitten
and the support of our wonderful families and friends, we were able to raise
$2,415.00 for ASK. This donation will
help fund music therapy in ASD classrooms, summer camp at Indian Trails,
aid to disadvantaged students, workshops, holiday events, and more!
Pictured from left to right: Levi Knoll, Mitten Brewing Company; Larry Andrus, ASK Volunteer; Pam Liggett,
ASK Executive Director; Rick Elias, ASK President; Jude Andrus; Shannon Andrus, Mitten Brewing Company;
Chris Andrus, Mitten Brewing Company; and James Yarbrough, Mitten Brewing Company.
Are you a teen or young adult with autism?
Are you looking for fun things to do?
Check out these great opportunities!
YMCA Family Hope Program
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Teens (age 17 & up) and young adults
Fun, recreational activities designed just for individuals
with autism that consist of directed physical activity and
social time
Typically take place on the 3rd Friday of each month
Spartan Stores YMCA, 5722 Metro Way, Wyoming
Contact familyhope@grymca.org or call 885-5500 for
more information
Kentwood Parks and Recreation
Leisure Club
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Teens (age 15 & up) and young adults
Fun, recreational activities like outings, game night,
crafts, outdoor activities, bowling, swimming, and more
Typically take place twice each month
Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th Street, Kentwood
Contact Lauren at 656-5279 or at
mackel@ci.kentwood.mi.us for more information
Kentwood Parks and Recreation
Bowling League
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Teens (age 15 & up) and young adults
Non-competitive fun league
Wednesdays, from 6:30—8:00 pm
Eastbrook Lanes, 3500 Lake Eastbrook Drive
Contact Lauren at 656-5279 or at
mackel@ci.kentwood.mi.us for more information
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Thanks to all who attended the
2015 Walk for Autism Awareness!
Special thanks to our generous sponsors:
Platinum — Kent Record Management, Inc.
Gold — East Grand Rapids High School
Girls Soccer Team
Silver — Baker Book House, Meijer, and
Trendwell Energy Corporation
Bronze — True North Sales LLC
Thanks to … our Emcee Kim Carson; The Franciscan Life
Process Center for providing the music; Shannon Austhof
of Gymco; Eric Roosma of Kuyper College; Bugbee’s DJ
Plus; Strike Percussion Ensemble and Don Raaymakers;
East Grand Rapids High School Girls Soccer Team and Lisa
Goldsmith, Coach; East Grand Rapids Middle School
Connect Students and Jill Fouch, ASD Teacher; The Walk
for Awareness Committee (Carol Lippert – Co-Chair, Celia
Andrus – Co-Chair, Brad Andrus, Nicole Gessner, Peggy
Horan, Marti Knoll-Loader, Pam Liggett, Jan Lippert, Ann
Wildey, and Bill Wildey); the ASK Staff, Board and Event
Workers (Scott Dwyer, Rick Elias, Jenny Harrell, Lynne
Kindy, Jodi Mitchell, Tasha Oltman, Tanya Paas, Evette
Pittman, Dr. Anthony Richtsmeier, Marne VanGemert,
and Robert VanGemert)
Congratulations to our top pledge solicitors:
Wyatt's Warriors (Lippert family)
Team Henry (Simmons family)
Noah’s Crew (Kabelman family)
Team Tyler (Fischer family)
Team Maggie and Christopher (VanDommelen family)
A BIG thanks to all those who formed teams this year!
A ut i s m S u p po rt o f K e nt C o un t y
P. O. Box 150348
Grand Rapids, MI 49515-0348
Phone: 616-752-8577
E-mail: info@autismsupportofkentcounty.org
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Disclaimers
Articles, conferences, workshops, presenters or information contained in this newsletter or at meetings
are not endorsed by Autism Support of Kent County.
Articles occasionally offer information about medical/pharmacological research, treatment and therapies or legal issues. This information is given for informational purposes and is not intended to act as a
substitute for professional advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with their own practitioners for
individual or specific advice.
Autism Support
of Kent County
Autism Support of Kent County (ASK) in Grand
Rapids, Michigan, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization of parents, school staff, and others who actively
seek to support and advocate for persons with Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families.
ASK is committed to partnering with local schools and
agencies to promote the welfare of individuals with ASD
in our community.
Please note that Autism Support of Kent County does
not endorse any specific therapy, product, treatment,
strategy, opinions, service, or individual.