New federal legislation proposed

ABLE - The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act

Got an e-mail from Pam regarding this new bill. Sounds like a no-brainer to me -- hope it passes as easily as it should. Read more about it on this page from Autism Speaks. Probably wouldn't hurt to contact Rep Benishek and Senators Levin and Stabenow.

Thinking ahead: May Conferences

There are two intriguing autism conferences planned for the same dates in early May-- one in Green Bay and one in St Ignace. 

Autism Society of Wisconsin's 2012 Annual Conference:  "From Stepping Stones to Milestones”
Early bird registrations ends December 23
May 3rd – 5th, 2012
Hotel Sierra, Green Bay

Thursday Pre-Conference Keynote: Kari Dunn Buron
Friday Opening Keynote: “Wretches and Jabbers” Larry, Tracy, Pascal and Harvey
Saturday Closing Keynote: Nicole Beurkens

Autism Society of Michigan Focus Workshop
Deadline for registration is May 1st, 2012
Workshops include the following topics:
May 3rd, 2012: Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder—9:00a.m. to Noon
May 3rd, 2012: Visual and Social Supports—1:00p.m. to 4:00p.m.
May 4th, 2012: Advocacy and the IEP—9:00a.m. to Noon
May 4th, 2012: Transitions—1:00p.m. to 4:00p.m.

online documentary: Making our way: Autism

Thought this little documentary about autism was pretty good-- it was produced by the state of Maine.  It lasts about an hour and might be useful if you are trying to describe autism to someone who doesn't know much about it.  (I got the link from the Autism Society of America's newsletter.)

Young Athletes tonight

Got a call from Heidi Dougan that there will be some special guests at the Young Athletes program visiting from down state who may be able to help fund this program.  We'll be there-- hope to see you too.  (That's kids up through age 8, 6:30 tonight at the Sandy Knoll Gym.)

Minutes for November meeting

Had a small but productive meeting today.  We all seemed to think our kids were extra rambunctious this fall.  Might have to do with less light, less outdoor time, maybe it's the planets-- hard to say!

I brought the other two moms who were there up to date with some of the things I've been working on.  There have been two planning meetings so far on the autism summit.  I have an awesome organizational committee made up of a member from the medical community who sees clients on an outpatient biasis, an educator, and a social services professional.   Looks like it's really going to happen, probably in late January.  The theme will be autism "over a life span," and the goals will be to create a complete list of available resources that can be distributed to families and professionals during autism awareness month and to brainstorm ways to improve resources in our area.  This support group will have another meeting in early January, before the summit, so if you have ideas you'd like me to present at the summit, you can bring them up at the next meeting.

We talked a bit about all the people that we work with as parents, and I have to say sometimes I am in awe of all the people in this community who work with individuals on the spectrum on a daily basis and either "get it" or are really trying hard (I see myself in the later category).  We'll be inviting just over 20 people to the summit, and we could easily invite five times as many if we were to include all the talented teachers, aids, SLPs, psychologists, social workers and other professionals we encounter. 

Also in the works are two upcoming sensory films at the Peter White Public Library.  The turn out for Toy Story 3 was good.  I was a little frustrated with the sound quality as it was hard to hear the dialog without getting blown away by the music levels and sound effect levels.  For the next two movies I decided to choose "classics," hoping the sound might be on a bit more even keel.  On Saturday January 7 we'll show Mary Poppins and in April, on the Tuesday of Spring break, we'll show ET. 

We discussed Autism Awareness Month, coming up in April.  I was really pleased with the response to the screening of the Temple Grandin movie with Clare Danes.  We had a good turn out and the audience seemed sincerely moved.  I'd like to show another movie this year and have been previewing possible candidates.  Right now my favorite is Snow Cake with Sigourney Weaver playing the role of a grown woman with autism.  Her character is intelligent without being savant, mostly but not completely independent.  Please let me know if you have other suggestions.  I'm a little reluctant to show movies that focus on a woman two years in a row, when statistically autism affects more males.  I also wonder if we might be better off sticking with documentaries or docu-dramas as it makes the experience seem more real to some people. 

Amy brought up the idea of having an awareness walk in April.  I've had this suggested by another member recently.  I've balked at the idea of having to organize such an event on my own, but Amy has volunteered to look into what would be required to make this happen.  Perhaps the summit would generate a good project for us to try to raise funds for.  This support group as it exists is not an official 501C3 nonprofit but perhaps we could partner with a group that is.

It would be really nice to make autism awareness really happen in this area.  I talked about how the one bit of press we got last April when I was interviewed on Doug Garrison was a little bit of a let down for me.  He wanted to steer the topic towards early intervention, which for most parents is a bit of stressor, I think.  I see autism awareness as an awareness in the community of what autism is, how prevalent it is, and how it affects individuals and families.  It would be nice to get some real momentum behind this.  I think there is still a stigma to autism, maybe leftover from the refrigerator mother days, or maybe having to do with behavioral issues.

Heidi had a great idea about seeing if we can set up a display in the case on the main floor of the Peter White Library that month.  I should be able to find out if it's available tomorrow.  I have to say that my mind was blank when she mentioned the idea, but now I've got a whole bunch of ideas of things we can display from pec's to fidgets, to a weighted vest.  And there is certainly a lot we can say.

Also discussed:  Superheros on the spectrum-- the climbing, seeking out heights, the loner qualities, and do they wear tights for the proprioceptive input?  Think about it.

11/14/11 Update:  the library display case has been reserved for April-May for Autism Awareness-- contact me if you have an item or idea for the display.

This coming week

Lots of stuff going on in Marquette:

Sunday 1:00 is our support group meeting at Peter White Public Library

Monday at 6:30 is Young Athletes

Thursday at 7:00 is the SEPAC meeting