may2013 spectrum - Autism Support Center

VOLUME 21, ISSUE 11
THE
S PECTRU M
MAY 2013
BARBARA L’ITALIEN
TO PRESENT AT ASC
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE:
UPCOMING
EVENTS
2
DISCUSSION/SUPPORT
GROUPS
3
KITE DAY
4
SOCIAL SKILLS
11
AFAM
12
,
13
MOVIE
14
Page 2
THE SPECTRUM
UPCOMING EVENTS
Family Kite Day at Endicott Park
Sunday, May 5th, 12noon to 3 pm
Northeast Arc’s Autism Support and Family Support Centers invite you and your family to join us
for Family Kite Day at Endicott Park, 59 Forest St, Danvers. See flyer on page 4 for more details. Registration: ASC 978-777-9135 or Family Support 978-624-2381.
Check our
Facebook page
for program
updates.
Or search Facebook for
Autism-Support-Center-aprogram-of-theNortheastArc
Family Support Center Support Groups
May 14 at 10:00am. Location: Panera, 57 Dodge St., Beverly
May 23 at 10:00am. Location: Brothers Deli, 283 Derby St., Salem
Contact Fariba O’Donald at 978-624-2365 for more information.
The Massachusetts Autism Commission Report
Presenter: Barbara L’Italien
Date: May 15 at 10 to noon
Location: ASC, 6 Southside Road, Danvers
Register: Call Gloria Ricardi Castillo at 978-624-2301 or gcatillo@ne-arc.org
Save the Date!!!
Steampunkinetics Exhibit
at the Gallery @ Southside
In Collaboration With
ArcWorks and UMASS-Lowell
May 31, 6 to 7:30 pm.
Details to come!
Steampunkinetics is an arts and technology
program for adolescents and young
adults with autism at UMASS Lowell.
VOLUME 21, ISSUE 11
Page 3
SUPPORT GROUPS
Acton
ASC Sponsored; Target Group: Mandarin-speaking parents.
Acton Memorial Library, 486 Main St (Rt. 27) Acton; bi-monthly meetings TBA
Parent facilitator: Wen Li
Contact ASC 978-777-9135 or asc@ne-arc.org Month
Danvers
ASC sponsored; Target Group: Grandparents
6 Southside Road, Danvers; 3rd Mondays, 10-11:30 am
Contact facilitator Susan Gilroy 978-624-2302 or email sgilroy@ne-arc.org
Danvers
ASC/AANE sponsored; Target Group: Adults (18+) with Asperger’s syndrome
6 Southside Road, Danvers; 3RD Wednesdays, 6:45 to 8:15pm
Contact facilitator Gail Kastorf at 617-393-3824 ext. 42 or gail.kastorf@aane.org
Danvers
ASC Sponsored; Target Group: Parents of children with ASD
6 Southside Road, Danvers; 3rd Wednesdays, 6:30-8 pm
Contact facilitator Susan Gilroy at sgilroy@ne-arc.org or 978-624-2302
Danvers
ASC/AANE sponsored; Target Group: Parents of Adults (20-28) with Asperger’s syndrome
6 Southside Road, Danvers; 2nd Thursday, 6:30-8 pm.
Cost: $60/person; $30 for 2nd parent from same family; prior registration a must.
Contact facilitator Gail Kastorf at 617-393-3824 ext. 42 or gail.kastorf@aane.org
Lawrence
ASC sponsored; Target Group: Spanish-speaking parents of children with disabilities
Community Action Program, 112 East Haverhill Street, Lawrence; 2nd Friday, 12/14, 9:30-11:30am
Contact facilitator Gloria Castillo 978-624-2301 or gcastillo@ne-arc.org
Lynn
Family Resources/ASC sponsored;
Target Group: Spanish-speaking parents of children with disabilities
Operation Bootstrap, 20 Wheeler St, Lynn; 4th Friday at 10 am
Contact: Gloria Castillo at 978-624-2301 or Aymee Lucifora at 978-624-2381
Newburyport
ASC sponsored; Target Group: Parents of children with ASD
Newburyport 5 Cents Savings Bank, State St, Newburyport; 2nd Thursday, 7 p.m.
Parent facilitator: Nancy Lucier
Contact: Susan Gilroy at 978-624-2302 or sgilroy@ne-arc.org
Reading
EMARC/ASC sponsored; Target: parents of children with ASD
The Reading Public Library, 64 Middlesex Ave., Reading; Date: TBD at 7 pm
Parent facilitator: Kim Gargano
Email kimgargs@yahoo.com or call 1-781-526-9171
The PAPC (ASC’s
advisory board) will
meet on May 6th
at 10 am. If you
want to know more
about serving on
the board, contact
Susan Gilroy at
978-624-2302.
Chair-Kathleen
Moline; Vice-chairNancy Lucier.
THE SPECTRUM
Page 4
VOLUME 21, ISSUE 11
Page 5
VOLUME 21, ISSUE 11
Page 6
Bike Clinic 2013
Many thanks to our wonderful volunteers! And congrats to all the
kids! There were many, many success stories!
THE SPECTRUM
Kite Workshop
Don McCasland of Kites Over New
England organized a great kitemaking workshop for our families
in anticipation of Family Kite Day
on May 5th.
Page 7
THE SPECTRUM
Page 8
Zumbathon 2013!!
Organizer extrordinaire, Judy
Doherty and
daughter, Caroline.
Gammons and
Dancin’ Divas
Hot, hot, hot!
Moline families
Nancy Lucier,
Exploring Claire
Griswold’s line
of Zumba-wear.
Elaine Johnson, Susan
Gilroy, Whitney Posada,
Gloria Castillo
Success! Our first Zumbathon was successful beyond expectations due to organizer, Judy Doherty’s energy and commitment.
She brought in so many wonderful instructors who donated their time for this 2 hour event. The participants were amazing,
many of whom stayed on the gym floor for the entire 2 hours! It seems Judy recruited her entire extended family for the
day. Our thanks to all whose time, energy, and donations contributed to the success of this fundraiser.
Page 9
VOLUME 21, ISSUE 11
SPOTLIGHT PROGRAMS
Spotlight Programs for Spring and Summer
For information, contact Chris Curtin at ccurtin@ne-arc.org
Teen Chat and Parent Support Groups
Teen Chat groups for youth ages 14-22 allow teens and young adults the opportunity to socialize
and share their interests in a supportive group environment. Groups are facilitated by Spotlight
staff who can support discussions around challenging topics when needed.
Parent Support Group allows parents to receive guidance and support from one another, as well
as from Spotlight staff, around issues relating to parenting a child with social-emotional challenges.
Wednesdays 6:15-7:15 pm, 6 Southside Road, Danvers. Teens: $15 per session, Parents: free
On Cue Summer 2013
On Cue groups encourage children ages 6-9 to learn and practice social skills in an activitiesbased setting, facilitating interaction and play amongst peers and counselors.
The curriculum includes movement and rhythm-based activities, field trips and swimming, in addition to group games and social stories.
July 1st - August 9th; 9 am - 2 pm Monday – Friday; no groups July 4th or July 22nd
$3850
Social Scenes Summer 2013
Social Scenes are therapeutic, drama-based social pragmatics groups for youth ages 9-22 with
social-emotional challenges. In addition to the intensive practice of social skills though drama
and improvisation, participants also produce a short film with fellow group members and participate in activities such as special interest clubs, swimming and weekly field trips.
July 1st - August 9th; 9 am - 2 pm Monday – Friday; no groups July 4th or July 22nd
$3850 Registration Deadline June 1st
Next Stage Summer 2013
Next Stage groups, for teens and young adults ages 14-22 transitioning into adulthood, address
skills such as independence, self awareness, identity, community living, dating and relationships,
education, employment and more. Groups incorporate community field trips, guest speakers and
support groups into the curriculum, in addition to improvisation games, role plays and group discussion.
July 1st - August 9th; 9 am - 2 pm Monday – Friday; no groups July 4th or July 22nd
$4250 Registration Deadline June 1st
August Intensive Week
August 19th – 23rd
Social Scenes: Therapeutic drama-based social pragmatics groups for youth ages 9-22; 9 am-2
pm $625
On Cue: Therapeutic play-based friendship skills groups for children ages 6 - 9
August 19-23 9 am-12 pm $375
THE SPECTRUM
SENSORY-FRIENDLY MOVIES
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.
June 1, 2013 - EPIC 2-D
All shows are at 10:00 am local time. Dates and films are subject to change.
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 DATE, TIME & PRICES.
AUTISM INSURANCE RESOURCE CENTER
Join us for a Webinar
Space is limited. To reserve your space contact, info@disabilityinfo.org
(if you require accommodations, please let us know at least 1 week prior to the date the webinar
is scheduled)
Title: "Autism Insurance in Massachusetts, aka ARICA": The Autism Insurance Law in Massachusetts and the Autism Insurance Resource Center at INDEX
Date: Thursday, May 9 2013 Time: 9:30 PM - 11:00 AM
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the
Webinar.
Amy K. Weinstock, Director
Autism Insurance Resource Center
Clickable Web links: http://www.disabilityinfo.org/arica/ Clickable E-Mail addresses
info@disabilityinfo.org
FREE FEDERATION WORKSHOPS
You may register for workshops by either calling the Federation for Children with Special
Needs at 617-236-7210 or in Massachusetts toll-free at 800-331-0688 OR if you would
like to register electronically, send an email including your name, address and telephone number
along with the information about the specific workshop for which you are registering. We will
verify your registration and provide you with contact information at that time. Send your email
to: info@fcsn.org Federation workshops are free and open to the public. Please register for
specific workshops so that Federation staff can notify you in case of any date, time, or location
change in your workshop selection.
May 2013
5/6 Lynn, Basic Rights, Lynn Housing Authority, 10 Church Street, 6-8pm
Page 10
THE SPECTRUM
Page 11
CAPE COD INSTITUTE
Karen Levine, Ph.D.
Autism Spectrum Disorders: Current Treatment Approaches Through an Affective, Relationship Based Lens
July 22-26, 2013
Monday
Diagnosis
Family centered diagnostic process and instruments
Linking core diagnostic features to treatment
Differential diagnoses
Comorbid diagnoses
Impact on families
Tuesday
Comprehensive treatments I:
DIR/Floortime
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)
Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)
Wednesday
Comprehensive treatments II:
ESDM (cont’d); RDI; SCERTS
Treatments for co-morbid challenges I:
Anxiety, mood dysregulation, ADHD, behavior disorders and depression (Replays; Positive Behavioral Supports; Social Affective Diet; Role of medication)
Thursday
Treatments for co-morbid challenges II:
Children with autism in school: Autism treatments and IEPs
Friday
Children and teens with Asperger's disorder
Treating issues of identity and self esteem Drama based social skills treatments
More information: call 888-394-9293 or email institute@cape.org
http://www.cape.org
FREE AUTISM SEMINAR
Free at iTunes! Yale Autism Seminar by Yale Child Study Center
The Yale Seminar on Autism and Related Disorders is the United States' first undergraduate
course of its kind. The goal of this series is to make all of the lecture content and supporting
materials available online for free for anyone who desires to learn about Autism Spectrum Disorders. For Yale undergraduates, the class consists of a weekly seminar on diagnosis and assessment, etiology and treatment of children, adolescents and adults with autism and related disorders of socialization. This collection contains the full video of the course.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/yale-autism-seminar-video/id392283098
Prof. Fred Volkmar
Page 12
VOLUME 21, ISSUE 11
AFAM’S GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
2013-14 Legislative Priorities
H.78 An Act to Permit the DDS to Provide Services to Persons with Developmental Disabilities Lead Sponsors: Rep. Khan and Rep. Flanagan
This Bill expands eligibility to add persons with Developmental Disabilities consistent with the
federal definition. Reflects the rise in autism, and will assist those with Prader-Willi, cerebral
palsy and other conditions. Expansion subject to appropriation. The bill also addresses language
not yet changed to “intellectual disability” in statute.
H.77 An Act establishing an integrated confidential data system among state agencies to
track diagnosis, treatment, services and outcome of individuals with autism.
Lead Sponsor: Rep. Bradley
This Bill will establish and maintain an integrated confidential data system among all state agencies that interact with individuals with autism. The data system will track diagnose, treatment,
services, and outcomes of services accessed by individuals with autism.
H.1026 An Act relative to MassHealth providing medically necessary treatments for members diagnosed with autism.
Lead Sponsor: Rep. Gregorie
This Bill would cover medically necessary treatments for members diagnosed with autism. Treatments covered will include but not be limited to Applied Behavior Analysis supervised by a Board
Certified Behavior Analyst. MassHealth will take necessary actions such as seeking approval
from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in order to cover the medically necessary
treatment.
H.344 An Act to increase capacity of teachers to address the complex needs of students
with autism.
Lead Sponsor: Rep. Bradley
This Bill would provide an endorsement in autism which shall include both coursework and field
experience for licensed special education teachers to acquire the competencies necessary to
conduct assessments, develop appropriate individualized education programs, provide specially
designed instruction and related services, and consult and collaborate with other educators,
including general education teachers, in order to meet the unique and complex educational needs
of students with autism in the least restrictive environment.
H.3364 An Act to promote housing creation for persons with disabilities.
Lead Sponsor: Rep Lewis
This Bill addresses “Long-term subsidized housing for persons with disabilities”, any housing
subsidized by the federal or state government under any program to assist the construction of
low or moderate income housing as defined in the applicable federal or state statute, whether
built or operated by any public agency or any nonprofit or limited dividend organization; in such
housing, each individual resident with a disability shall be counted as one unit of housing regardless of the state or federal agency through which supportive services are provided, provided
that the project meets Project Eligibility Criteria of the Subsidized Housing Inventory.
(Continued on the next page.)
THE SPECTRUM
AFAM’S GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS (CONT’D)
2012 Budgetary Priorities for Fiscal Year 2013
Increase funding for the Division of Autism (Including the Children's Autism Medicaid
Waiver) DDS Line 5920-3010
AFAM calls for an additional $2 million in FY14 to serve over 100 additional young children with
autism at risk of institutionalization waiting for intensive in-home services, to bring the total to
$6.6 million. The Commonwealth’s Autism commission recommended initially increasing the capacity of the Children’s Autism Medicaid Waiver to serve 500 children. We recognize that it will be
necessary to phase in the Commission’s specific recommendation for the expansion of the Children’s Autism Medicaid Waiver. We propose increasing the capacity of the Autism Waiver to
serve 500 children over 3 years. The Waiver is presently fully enrolled at 157 children with an
extensive waiting list. The Commonwealth will receive federal reimbursement for approximately
50% of the cost of these critical Waiver services.
Increased Funding for Family Support DDS Line Item 5920-3000
The dramatic growth in the number of children with ASD is resulting in a greater demand for
Family Support. Funding for this program supports the seven autism support centers throughout
the Commonwealth. Thousands of families who receive family support use it to pay for respite
and community programs for their children and young adults with autism. This program is a lifeline for many of these families. Any reduction in funding for this program would be a tremendous
hardship on families already facing difficult challenges.
Increased Funding for the Turning 22 Program
DDS Line Item 5920-5000
There has been a dramatic increase in young people with severe disabilities "Turning 22" and
moving from the locally funded school programs into the state funded DDS system. It is thought
that the rising rates of autism are contributing to this increased need. Funding for this vital
transition program must be increased to reflect the growing number of students with ASD turning 22. AFAM seeks funding of $10.5 million for the Turning 22 Program, a $5.5 million dollar
increase to ensure necessary services are available.
Increase Funding for Special Education Circuit Breaker
Line Item 7061-0012
Due to the economic crisis, state special education funding was reduced by approximately 40% in
FY10 and FY11. Fortunately, the legislature was able to utilize federal stimulus money to make up
the difference. When the federal stimulus funding ended in FY12, the legislature increased the
circuit breaker line item by $80 million to $213 million. Despite this increase, more funding is
needed if school districts are to be reimbursed for their special education costs at the 72%
rate previously established. Moreover, funding for the DESE/DDS program is provided for in the
Special Education Circuit Breaker Line Item. The DESE/DDS program enables families with children with severe disabilities requiring intensive supports to continue to live at home and avoid
LETofYOUR
VOICE who
BE HEARD!
costly residential placements. Many
the children
receive these services have ASD. AFAM
seeks Please
fundingrespond
in the amount
of
$243.5
million
for
the
Special
Education
Circuit
Breaker.
when we send out alerts regarding legislative
and
budget
issues.
Special thanks to The Arc of Massachusetts for their assistance in the development of these
Be prepared
with Priorities.
contact information for your legislators. You may click on the link
written
Budgetary
below to find your state representative and your state senator.
http://www.malegislature.gov/people/findmylegislator
Page 13
VOLUME 21, ISSUE 11
TRANSITION TO COLLEGE
I’m Ready for College But I Can’t Find My Backpack:
Executive functioning strategies for transition to and success in college
Thursday May 16, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
AT Charles River Center, Needham; 59 East Militia Heights Road
(located at the top of Dwight Road off Central Street)
Paul D. Merritt Building, basement conference room
www.charlesrivercenter.org
Margaret Dillon Katz is the CIP National Presentation Coordinator and the Transition Counselor
at The College Internship Program. Margaret has been working with families for over twenty
years as they consider and search for the right educational choice for their student. She works
with students and families during the critical transition from high school to college
Travis McArthur, Admissions Coordinator CIP Berkshire, Ma, Before doing admissions at CIP he
was our CIP residential coordinator for our Berkshire CIP program and he did one on one sessions on Executive Functioning with students as well as groups. He is also getting his masters
with an emphasis in Autism.
Registration required.
To register, please contact: Julie O’Brien, MEd, LMHC, Family Sup-
port Clinician, Lurie Center; Phone: 781.860.1726; Email: jobrien20@partners.org
THE STORY OF LUKE
Movie presentation of The Story Of Luke
Presented by Susan Parziale
Tuesday, May 21 7:30pm - 9:30pm
In Danvers, atAMC Loews Liberty Tree Mall 20$12.00 General
Luke, 25, is autistic and has lived a sheltered life with his grandparents. But his world is turned
upside down when his grandmother dies and he is forced to live with his dysfunctional relatives
who have no patience for him or his senile grandfather, who they quickly force into a nursing
home. Luke is left with his grandfather’s final semi-coherent words: “Get a job. Find a girl. Live
your own life. Be a man!” For the first time in his life, Luke has a mission. He is about to embark
on a quest.
78 people must RSVP! The date is Tuesday, May 21 at 7:30pm at the AMC Loews Liberty Tree
Mall in Danvers. Price is only $12.00! Join me to watch this great film.
To see the trailer and ticket info, click here: http://www.tugg.com/events/3811
CONFERENCE
Mass. Early Intervention Consortium Conference: May 8th and 9th, Marlborough. For Service
providers and caregivers of children ages birth to three with developmental delays, or at risk for
developmental delays, and their families. Practitioners, researchers, physicians, higher education faculty, families and policy makers learn and network together. Keynote presenter is Nancy
Carlsson-Paige, author of Taking Back Childhood. Workshops will cover Behavior, iPad applications, sensory techniques, adoption, special needs financial planning, social media, food and eating
challenges, trauma, music therapy and more. To register email services@percs.info or call 508473-3882 x319.
Page 14
THE SPECTRUM
RESEARCH
PEDI-CAT for Autistic Spectrum Disorders
The purpose of this project is to develop an efficient and comprehensive measure of adaptive
behavior of children and youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Adaptive behavior is the
performance of everyday activities that children are expected to complete in order to be active members in their family, school, and community. These activities include self care (toileting
and dressing), getting around, taking care of personal belongings, making friends, and communicating needs and feelings. The extent to which the core symptoms of ASD interfere with a
child’s ability to perform these activities is a significant concern of parents of children with
ASDs. This study will revise a widely used measure of adaptive behavior, the PEDI, and validate
the tool for use with children and youth with ASD.
This study will use a simple form of artificial intelligence to create a computer-based version of
the PEDI specifically for children and youth with ASD. This is known as a ‘computer adapted
test’. The PEDI ASD-CAT will minimize the number of items parents answer while maintaining
the accuracy common to longer assessments. The PEDI ASD-CAT will enable clinicians and researchers to compare the adaptive behavior of children and youth with ASD to other children
with and without disabilities. In addition, changes in adaptive behavior over time can be easily
tracked by examining changes in an individual child’s criterion-based scores, or scores that
indicate the number of activities the child can perform.
Parents of children and youth with ASDs who are interested in participating in research to
validate this measure are invited to email us at asdcat@bu.edu or call us at 617-353-7492.
ADULT DANCE IN LYNN
Put on your dancing shoes and join us! The Knights of Columbus of Lynn, MA, and the Northeast
Arc have partnered to sponsor dances for adults age 18+.
When: May 28
Time: 6:30 to 8:30
Location: Knights of Columbus, 177 Lynnfield Street (Rt. 129), Lynn
Cost: Admission $5; drinks $1
Should you have questions, call the Northeast Arc Recreation Department at 978-624-2308.
UPCYCLE AND HELP ASC
Have you upgraded your cell phone recently?
Do you have iPods, DVD's,video games that are collecting dust in your drawers?
Please donate them to the Northeast Arc to support a new technology program at the Autism
Support Center.
Please post this page to your facebook page, tweet about us, and share our link with your
friends, family and colleagues. Together we can make a difference! To learn more, go now to:
www.causesinternational.com/donate/chapter/northeast-arc
Page 15
The Autism
Check our website!
Support Center
www.NE-arcAutismSupportCenter.org
is celebrating
Autism Support Center
21 years of
Center for Developmental Excellence
6 Southside Road
supporting and
Danvers, MA 01923
empowering
Phone: 978-777-9135
families in
E-mail: asc@ne-arc.org
northeastern
Massachusetts.
THE SPECTRUM
The Spectrum is a monthly
the Mass. Dept. of Develop-
tions are encouraged. An-
electronic publication of the
mental Services. The views
nouncements are included as
Autism Support Center:
expressed do not necessarily
space is available.
6Southside Road
reflect those of the funding
source. ASC does not en-
Danvers, MA 01923
dorse any product, service or
978-777-9135 or 800-7-
theory referred to in this
AUTISM (in Eastern MA)
newsletter. Articles, re-
E-mail: asc@ne-arc.org
Www.ne-arcautismsupportcenter.org
This newsletter is published
to inform parents and professionals of resource information, upcoming events, and
other autism-related topics.
ASC is funded primarily by
sources and announcements
NEWSLETTER STAFF
Susan Gilroy, Editor
Contributors:
are included for information
Gloria Ricardi Castillo
only.
Scott Buchanan
Anyone wishing to contribute
Whitney Ryan
information for this newsletter should send it to asc@nearc.org or to our mailing address above. Parent contribu-
Stephanie Gammons