September 2015 - Northeast Arc

The Spectrum
The Spectrum is a monthly electronic publication of the Autism Support
Center. This newsletter is published to inform parents and professionals
of resource information, upcoming events, and other autism-related
topics. ASC is funded primarily by the Mass. Dept. of Developmental
INFORMED. EMPOWERED. CONNECTED.
Services. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the funding source. ASC
does not endorse any product, service or theory referred to in this newsletter. Articles, resources and announcements are included for information only.
Anyone wishing to contribute information for this newsletter should send
it to asc@ne-arc.org or to our mailing address Parent contributions are
encouraged. Announcements are included as space is available.
The Autism
Support Center
is celebrating
23 years of
supporting and
empowering
families in
northeastern
Massachusetts.
VOLUME 24 SEPTEMBER 2015
The Autism Support Center
The Spectrum
Preparing for the Back-to-School
Transition
PLEASE CONTACT
ASC AT 978-777-9135
OR VISIT HTTP://NE-ARC.ORG/SERVICES/AUTISM-SERVICES/
ISSUE 3 Contact us:
By Emily Mandel, BCBA
Northeast Arc Behavioral Health Services
FOR MORE INFORMATION.
SUSAN GILROY
CO-DIRECTOR
978-624-2302
GLORIA RICARDI CASTILLO
CO-DIRECTOR
978-624-2301
6 SOUTHSIDE ROAD, DANVERS MA 01923
WHITNEY RYAN POSADA
SENIOR COORDINATOR/BROKER
978-624-2305
STACEY CRUWYS
COORDINATOR/BROKER
978-624-2347
INSIDE:
3rd Annual Family
Harvest Festival!!!
For many children, returning to school after the summer can be intimidating. They
spent the summer sleeping in, going fun places, and spending time with family
and friends. But soon it will be time to return to Fall, and with it, the structure of
the classroom. Now that September is approaching, here are some tips to make
the back-to-school transition a little easier.
For new students (as well as many returning students), a new school year
means a new classroom and new teachers. If your child’s school allows for it, plan
a tour of the school and the classroom prior to the school year. This will make the
transition more predictable and your child will be able to familiarize him or herself
with the new setting. You can also take pictures of the classroom and teachers to
use when talking to your child about school.
Another way to make the back-to-school transition easier is to create a
social story to read with your child prior to and during the transition. You can include elements such as classroom rules and expectations, names of teachers,
and so on. If your child will be riding the school bus, you can also make a separate social story for that.
It is also helpful to provide daily reminders and activities pertaining to
school in the days leading up to the transition. One way to do this is to create a
visual calendar to mark down the days before the start of the school year, and go
over it with your child on a daily basis. You can also buy school-related toys so
you can “play school” at home to make the transition more fun.
Switching from summer vacation back into the school routine can be challenging for all of us. But if we take the time to address these anxieties, it can
make the transition a little bit easier, and possibly even fun. Enjoy the rest of your
summer, and an early “happy fall!”
For more information on Behavioral Health Services, call program director,
Stacey Villani at 978-624-2340.
IT’S A FACT:
Autism is the fastest growing serious
developmental disability in the United States.
46th Annual Golf
Tournament
SUPPORT GROUPS
46th Annual Mike Frangos
Commodore
Invitational Golf Tournament
September 21st at 11:30 am to 8:00 pm
Myopia Hunt Club
435 Bay Road
South Hamilton
Join us for the longest-running continuously held charitable golf tournament in the nation!
11:30 am lunch
12:30 pm shotgun start
Bramble format
Dinner reception immediately following
Raffles, auction, and awards
Contact us for sponsorship information
Pam Silva 978-624-2403
TRANSITION FROM SCHOOL TO ADULT
LIFE
Creating a Vision for the Future
A Statewide Conference for Families
Acton
ASC Sponsored; Target Group: Mandarin-speaking parents.
Acton Memorial Library, 486 Main St (Rt. 27) Acton; bimonthly meetings TBA; Parent facilitator: Wen Li
Contact ASC 978-777-9135 or asc@ne-arc.org for info.
Burlington NEW GROUP IN OCTOBER
ASC sponsored; Target Group: Parents of children with
ASD
Burlington Public Library, 1st Mondays, Time TBD
Parent facilitator: Christine Curtin
Contact ASC at 978-777-9135
Danvers
AANE/ASC sponsored; Adults with Asperger’s
Pizza and Game Night
6 Southside Road, Danvers, 1st Thursday, 6-8 pm
$12 for pizza, salad, dessert, beverage. Prior registration
required.
Facilitator: Gail Kastorf 617-393-3824
Danvers
AANE/ASC sponsored; Target Group: Parents of adults
with Asperger’s
6 Southside Rd, Danvers; 2nd Thursdays, 6:30 to 8pm
Facilitator: Gail Kastorf 617-393-3824
Fee: $90 for 6 sessions,
$45 for 2nd parent of
same adult
Danvers
ASC sponsored; Target
group: Parents of children with Intensive
Needs
6 Southside Rd, Danvers; 3rd Wednesday, 10
-11:30 am
Contact: Susan Gilroy at
978-624-2302 or sgilroy@ne-arc.org
October 3, 2015
8 to 4 pm
Best Western/Royal Plaza, Marlboro
Registration deadline: September 22
$75 per person, scholarships available
For full details, go to www.thearcofmass.org
Or call 781-891-6270 x109
Danvers
ASC sponsored; Target
6
Group: Parents of children under age 5
Southside Road, Danvers; 3rd Thursday,
5:30-7pm
Contact: Allie Keough at 978-624-3721
Danvers
ASC/AANE sponsored; Target Group: Adults (18+) with
Asperger’s syndrome
6 Southside Road, Danvers; 3rd Thursdays,
6:45 to 8:00pm. Contact facilitator Gail Kastorf at
617-393-3824 or gail.kastorf@aane.org
Lawrence
ASC sponsored;
Target Group:
Spanish-speaking
parents of children
with disabilities
Community Action
Program, 112 East
Haverhill St., Lawrence; 2nd Friday,
9:30-11:30am
Contact facilitator
Gloria Castillo 978-624-2301 or gcastillo@ne-arc.org
Lynn
Family Resource Center sponsored; Target
group: Spanish-speaking parents of children with
disabilities
Contact: Aymee Lucifora 978-624-2381
Newburyport
ASC sponsored; Target Group: Parents of children with
ASD
Newburyport 5 Cents Savings Bank, State St, Newburyport; 2nd Thurs., 7 p.m. Parent facilitator: Nancy Lucier. Contact: Susan Gilroy at 978-624-2302 or sgilroy@nearc.org
IT’S A FACT:
Kathy Kelly’s
Transition Tip
Autism is the fastest growing serious
developmental disability in the United States.
MassHealth Update
TRANSITION TIP #1
A “Vision” for a young person’s future after high
school is based on that person’s interests, aspirations and dreams.
You should begin developing a realistic vision for the
future during the teen years. It is important that
goals, objectives, and strategies developed on the
IEP during later school years support the student’s
Vision for the future!!!
*The Vision is a starting point and can be revisited
over time
Kathy Kelly is the director of Transition Services at
Northeast Arc. She may be reached at 978-6242342.
BOWLING LEAGUES
Cape Ann Lanes, Gloucester
North Shore Bowling League
Ages 22+
Ages 13+
Wednesdays, 6:30-8 pm
Sunnyside Lanes, Danvers
$10/week
Mondays 6-7:30 pm
$10/week
Heritage Bowling League
Beverly Bowl-O-Mat
Ages 13+
Contact the Rec Department for details
978-624-2308
Metro Bowl, Peabody
Thursdays, 3-4:30 pm
Wednesdays, 4-5:30 pm
Ages 22+
$10/week
$10/week
(continued from page 1)
IT’S A FACT:
Autism is the fastest growing serious
developmental disability in the United States.
Ask the
Advocate
Fathers Needed for Study
Ask the Advocate!
Question: “My child who is on an IEP is failing
one of his regular education classes. I want him to
be pulled out for services but the school refuses,
because they said a separate setting would not be
“least restrictive environment.”
Answer: If he cannot be educated in the general
education classroom, even with the use of supplementary aids and services, than that would no
longer be considered the least restrictive environment for him.
Nancy Lucier is Northeast Arc’s Advocate. If you need the
services of an advocate, please call the Advocacy Intake
Coordinator at: 1-978-762-8352.
NORTHEAST ARC DANCES!
September 18, 6:30 to 8:30
Knights of Columbus
96 Main Street, Peabody
Open to all
Join us at our new site, KoC banquet hall
in Peabody. Dress to impress! Dance to
your favorite songs played by the one
and only, DJ Dave. $15 per person.
September 22, 6:30 to 8:30
Knights of Columbus
177 Lynnfield Street, Lynn
22+ years
This dance is open to adults 22 years and
older. We dance and have a lot of fun.
Drinks are provided for everyone in the
downstairs reception room, and we provide the snacks.
$10 per person (support staff free).
Contact the Rec Dept for more info
978-624-2308.
AANE CONFERENCE ON ANXIETY
Accepting the Challenge:
Practical and Effective Strategies for Students with Anxiety
IT’S A FACT:
Northeast Arc is the fourth largest Arc in the coun-
Sensory friendly
movies at AMC
theatres
Join AMC Theatres and the Autism Society special showings of
the following movies. Movies will be shown at 10 a.m. local time in
participating theatres nationwide.
MOTHERS’ RETREAT
All shows are at 10:00 am local time. Dates and films are subject to change.
Saturday, July 18, 2015 - MINIONS
Saturday, Sep 26, 2015 - HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA
Saturday, Oct 17, 2015 - THE JUNGLE BOOK
Saturday, Nov 14, 2015 - THE PEANUTS MOVIE
Saturday, Dec 5, 2015 - THE GOOD DINOSAUR
Local theatres:
AMC Burlington, 20 South Ave, Burlington
AMC Braintree, 12 Grandview Road, Braintree
AMC Framingham 15, 22 Flutie Pass, Framingham, Mass. 17014
AMC Tyngsboro 12, 440 Middlesex Road Tyngsboro, Mass. 01879
AMC Loews Methuen 20, 90 Pleasant Valley St. Methuen, Mass.
01844
AMC Theatres (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to
bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis with the "Sensory Friendly Films" program.
PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL THEATER TO CONFIRM
CTIA CONFERENCE
Current Trends in Autism Conference
A conference focused on translational research and multi-disciplinary approaches to treatment
November 13-14, Hilton Boston/Dedham (25 Allied Drive, Dedham)
The Current Trends in Autism® Conference strives to present the most upto-date, scientifically sound information in the field of autism research to
parents and professionals who care for individuals of all ages with the living
with ASD. CTIA encourages and facilitates parent-to-professional relationships through panel discussions, an ongoing vendor and information room,
and group dinners that accessorize two days of interactive autism learning.
Neurobiological and clinical research, as well as strategies for autism diagnosis and therapy, have advanced dramatically over the past several years.
Our distinguished faculty from some of the leading autism treatment centers will present what is now known, how what we know can be applied to
the education and care of those with autism, and what direction future research needs to take in order to advance our knowledge and understanding of autism disorders.
For more info and to register, go to www.ctiaconference.org
During a
IT’S A FACT:
Autism is the fastest growing serious
developmental disability in the United States.
AANE Conference
Family Meet & Greet
The Daniel W. Rosenn Annual AANE Conference
Featuring internationally known speakers on Asperger
BY ADAM QUINN, DIRECTOR
Syndrome and related conditions
October 23-24, 2015
Four Points by Sheraton, Norwood
34 workshops over 2 days plus:
Keynote Speakers:
Friday—Sarah Hendrickx: Living, Laughing, and Loving on the Autism Spectrum
Saturday-Ron Suskind: Autism Affinities: Prison or
Pathway?
For registration fees and other information, call
AANE at 617-393-3824.
ADVOCACY BOOTCAMP
MASS. FAMILIES ORGANIZING FOR CHANGE
Life for your family not what you expected?
Still adjusting to your child’s needs?
Want time to rejuvenate while preparing for the future?
Need a reminder that possibilities for your child are endless?
Join others raising young children with developmental disabilities and chronic illnesses for an exciting training where you’ll learn how to utilize your strengths to
make you child’s world bigger and his or her future brighter.
ADVOCACY BOOTCAMP
Saturdays, 9am-12pm
Lexington
September 19, 26, October 3, 17, 24, 31
Applications can be found online and are due August 19. www.mfofc.org
Questions? Contact Sophia Johansson at o.sophia.johansson@gmail.com
Limited funds for respite care may be available.
It is hard to believe that it has already been six months since I
Thanks!
Adam Quinn
Director of Recreation and Leisure
Northeast Arc
(978) 624-2308
AQuinn@ne-arc.org