I got an e-mail today from Barb at MARESA about a generous family in the Ann Arbor area that has created a foundation to give Ipads to families with non-verbal kids on the spectrum.  You can learn more about it and find their application on their Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/notes/jasmynns-ipads-cost-money/application-to-become-an-ipad-recipient/437601882959272

More Halloween Tips

Kirsten our outpatient OT recommended this link from the American Occupational Therapy Association to me; it's full of ideas for a sensory friendly holiday. 

Love and Logic Parenting Workshop

Marquette General's Women and Children's Center is sponsoring a Love and Logic Workshop for parents.  The following information is from their poster:

Saturday  November 17, 2012, l0:30 am - 3:00pm
Cost: $25 per individual or $35 per couple
A workbook and lunch will be provided.

Peter White Public Library  Community Room

What is Love and Logic® all about? The Love and Logic Institute is dedicated to making parenting and teaching fun and rewarding, instead of stressful and chaotic. We provide practical tools and techniques that help adults achieve respectful, healthy relationships with their children and help them prepare their kids for the real world. All of our work is based on a psychologically sound parenting and teaching philosophy called Love and Logic®. Love and Logic® is easy to use, raises responsibility in kids, and changes lives.

Why does it work:

• Uses humor, hope and empathy to build up the adult-child relationship  
• Emphasizes respect and dignity both for children and adults 
• Provides real limits in a loving way
• Teaches consequences and heallthy decision-making

Please call the Women’s &  Center to register - 225-3081.

Sensory Freindly Family Films

I've planned another round of Sensory Friendly Family Films at Peter White Public Library for this year.  The first one will be next Wednesday, Halloween at 2:30.  I'll be showing Wallace & Gromit and the Curse of the Were Rabbit.  (That Wednesday is an early release day for Marquette Schools.)

At Peter White Public Library, sensory friendly means:
• Sound: moderate volume
• Lights: on at low level
• Restlessness: expected
• Closed caption: on for readers 

All Sensory Friendly Family Films are shown in the Community Room in the lower level and are free and open to all. 

Copper Country Autism Awareness

Recently I spoke with one of the founders of the new Copper Country autism support group.  Their group was started by four individuals with grandchildren on the spectrum.  They've been able to really tap into the community and get some things happening for their community.  If you are in the area, I would definitely check them out.  Here's their website:  http://www.ccautismawareness.org/.

SAIL Bowling Fundraiser

SAIL has an event approaching on Saturday October 2, 1-4:00 pm.  It is the first ever Bowling Fundraiser Match with AMVETS. SAIL is looking for participants to bowl for FREE!  They will have 6 teams for their organization with three people on each team.  Any bowler at any skill level is welcome to participate.  Come out and support two fantastic organizations and enjoy food, friends and of course, FUN!  The event will take place at Superior Entertainment Center here in Marquette.

If you’d like to join a team and bowl for FREE, please contact Jessica at 228-5744

Halloween Tips

The Autism Society of Michigan's October Newsletter contained a link to an article called Trick-or-Treat Safely with Autistic Children.  I thought it might be helpful for some. 

Understanding health care options

Michigan Family to Family is hosting a day-long workshop at MARESA next Monday, October 15. 

Accessing Health Care Coverage & Services for My Child provides family members and anyone who serves as a support person to parents of children with special needs with information and resources
necessary to assist parents in:
• Understanding Their Insurance Policy
• Identifying Types of Public Health Care Coverage Available to Children and Families: MI Child, Healthy Kids, Children’s Special Health Care Services
• Applying for Benefits On-line
• Gaining Information and Access Coverage for Mental Health Services
• Being Familiar with Social Security
Programs for Young People Including Medicare and Medicaid

To Register For This session visit www.bridges4kids.org/f2f
or Families May Register by calling (800) 359-3722
Workshop: $10 (Includes Meal) • CEUs: $15

October 15, 2012
9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Marquette-Alger RESA
321 East Ohio Street
Marquette, MI 49855

Back to school resources

Maybe the dust has settled on the start of the school year, but for those of you still struggling to create an ideal school situation for your child, both of the big national autism advocacy organizations have updated their school support materials.  Check out the School Community Tool Kit from Autism Speaks here.  And Autism Society Back to School Resources are online here.