Friday, February 24, 2012

Michigan Budget Proposal Includes Autism Spending | LifeHealthPro

Social Group for 6-8 year olds

I talked to Dr. Gary Wautier, a clinical psychologist at Marquette General, this morning about a group he is trying to form. I heard about it from another parent. He is interested in working on social skills with a group of six to eight-year-olds who are either ADHD or high-functioning ASD. His plan is to meet weekly for 10 weeks on Tuesday's after school for about an hour and a half. The kids would have a snack and play games. If you are interested in learning more, you can reach him at 225-3985.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Minutes for February 2012 Meeting

Just me and another mom at the meeting this afternoon, but I left with a whole lot to think about so I am glad I showed up.

We talked a bit about Autism awareness coming up in April. I have some ideas of how to expand it for next year. One thought that's been circulating is having a walk or a run. I understand that would take about six months's worth of advance planning and a certain amount of cash upfront to print off t-shirts and take care of other expenses. Another thought I had was a puzzle party, maybe hold it in the Marquette Commons. Right now the idea is kind of rough in my mind, but it would involve a game and everyone would have a puzzle piece-- make it a fun event for families.

Right before the meeting I ran into the library events planner and she informed me that we have the display case for March and April, not April and May as I had thought. Lucky I found out sooner rather than later. I had brainstormed some ideas and Heidi had some :

Autism stuff: Wilbarger Protocol brush, weighted vest, picture of swing, what else?

Autism books: 10 things, sensational kids, what else?

Little signs shaped like puzzle pieces with factoids: How to be a friend to a child on the spectrum, How to support a family, Why Autism awareness is important to everyone, Why early intervention is important, Autism as spectrum, Why the puzzle piece, where to get screening, ages to stages questionnaire online, what does sensory friendly mean.

Information about the group

Posters for upcoming sensory friendly and autism awareness movies

Next we went through the following list of up and coming events:

Thursday-Friday Feb 23-24: Special Ed. Conference at NMU—Thursday presentation on Aspergers, free for parents, register on MARESA’s website

March

Monday 12^th: Young Athletes

Thursday 15^th: SEPAC meeting Dr. Erika, pediatric dentist guest speaker. Heidi added that they are planning to introduce Skype technology so people living in more remote districts can participate.

Sunday 18^th: Family fun at YMCA for all special ed kids and families

April

Autism resource guide will be available

Sunday 1^st: Library display, next support group meeting with Kirsten Matthews, OT specializing in sensory integration

Tuesday 3^rd: Sensory friendly film Charlotte’s Web

Monday 23^rd: 7:00 pm Autism awareness movie: Autism the Musical (co-sponsor is Michigan Rehab)

May

Thursday 3rd-Saturday 5th: Wisconsin Autism conference in Green Bay

Thursday 3rd-Friday 4th: Autism Society of Michigan workshop in St. Ignace

I told about how I had this idea of doing online virtual meetings for those who have a hard time balancing meetings with everything else they need to do on a Sunday afternoon. That way we could have them when the kids are in bed or at least otherwise safely occupied in our own homes. Heidi said I really needed to get the group on Facebook and that we could manage it all through that venue. So....

...Introducing Marquette Area Autism Spectrum Support Group now on Facebook!

Wisconsin Conference May 3-5

For those who are curious about the conference in Green Bay in May, there is now detailed information about the breakout sessions in the Autism Society of Wisconsin winter newsletter.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Minutes for Autism Summit

The minutes for the Autism Summit held on 20 January 2012 in Marquette are now available. I created a separate page (http://marquetteasdsupport.blogspot.com/p/autism-summit-1202012-minutes.html) to post them as they are quite long. I've got them organized organized according to the worksheet we used where we listed resources and needs by life stages. Following this list is an attempt to reproduce some of the discussion that took place during the summit. Following the discussion is some of the follow-up that has taken place since the summit.

We hope to have a resource directory available for distribution by April 1. If you have questions about the summit, more ideas to add to the discussion, or if you'd like to request a directory, please feel free to leave a comment to this post or contact me through the guestbook.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Pump-up the Dome

I was a little wary of this event last year as I was afraid it would be too crowded for us, but reports from other moms who went said their special needs kids had fun and that it was a great physical outlet for them. We have our support group meeting that day, but we might hit this early, before the meeting at 1:00.

Pump up the Dome! Sunday, February 19, 11:00 - 6:00pm

$10-General admission, $7-Four years and younger, Adults FREE when accompanying a child

Enjoy inflatable games and activities, including bounce houses, slides and obstacle courses,

AND Wildcat Willy!

227-2519 for more info

Transition tool

Just learned of this neat guide called Getting My Own Address from Oakland County California full of tips for independent living. I've added it to the List of lists page.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Interesting goings on in California

Blue Shield agrees to cover autism therapy . Wonder what the fallout will be nationally. Hmmmm.