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It is hard to imagine that almost 15 years ago the two of us were planning a conference at our kitchen tables and now Milestones, with a staff of ten, has grown into a trusted advisor to those searching for the best resources to support individuals with ASD.
We're forever grateful for the opportunity to work with families and professionals every day, providing support and education. Autism resources have expanded exponentially, and we've been able to share our knowledge and expertise with a growing community through our robust website, our free helpdesk, and our expert counseling services.
None of this could have come to fruition, of course, without the dedication of our Milestones team and the generosity of our many corporate, foundation and individual sponsors. You've been our bedrock, and we know we can rely on you to help expand our services and outreach to improve the outcomes of everyone with autism.
In a season when we count our blessings, our hearts are full.
With thanks for your support and confidence in Milestones,
Ilana & Mia
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Myths About Voting and Voters with  Disabilities
The presidential election is here! Make sure you are ready to cast your vote and make a difference!
MYTH: People with disabilities cannot bring someone with them to help them vote.
TRUTH: If you cannot mark your ballot or if you need assistance because of your disability, you may bring someone with you to help you vote, or you may ask for assistance from precinct election officials.
MYTH: People who have a guardian are not allowed to vote.
TRUTH: Having a guardian does not take away a person's right to vote. As long as you meet eligibility requirements and have not been declared incompetent for voting purposes by a probate court, you are qualified to register and vote.
MYTH: A driver's license is required to vote.
TRUTH: All voters must bring acceptable identification to the polls in order to verify identity. Acceptable identification includes a current and valid photo identification; military identification; or a copy of a current (within the last 12 months) utility bill (including cell phone bill), bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document, other than a voter registration acknowledgement notification mailed by the board of elections, that shows the voter's name and current address.
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Thank you for attending!
A HUGE thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating our honorees at this year's benefit. Thank you to our amazing sponsors, tribute committee, host committee, donors, guests, and most of all, our honorees who have been instrumental in bringing Milestones to this point.
Carol & Scott, Barb & Lev, Gen & Bill, it was an honor to celebrate you and all that you've done for Milestones and the local autism community!
Check out our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram at Milestonesautismresources for photos of the evening's festivities!!
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Conference
Mark Your Calendar!
Accepting Evidence-based Proposals from Professionals, Parents and Individuals with ASD
Speaker Benefits:
 Attend the Conference for free or at a discounted rate
Network with leaders and colleagues in the field
Impact parents & professionals to expand their
knowledge of autism
Speaker registration includes CEUs
Discount available for An Evening with Temple Grandin
Registration information
coming soon!
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Thank you to our new 2017
Conference Sponsors
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Conference Corner: Meet 2017 Featured Presenter Peter Gerhardt, EdD
"...
E
verybody deserves to have a friend.
Everybody deserves to be included.
But I think what we have to do is not just continue to educate people with autism in how to be more social, but we need to educate the community about how to be social with people with autism.
We need to give them the tools to better understand what it's like to be on the spectrum. That this person may not respond right away with you. They may have an idiosyncratic question for you. They may not even say anything to you. But you can still say hi to them. You can still be their friend.
One of the things -- and this is somewhat of a generalization -- but I think when somebody with autism or somebody on the autism spectrum is your friend, they're just your friend. There's no ulterior motive. They're not after your hot sister. They don't like your car. They just like you.
And I think that's an incredibly valuable perspective that we've somehow lost. Some of my best friends are on the spectrum. And I value their friendship, their honesty, their intelligence, their humor. And the dignity and quality they bring to my life."
-PBS Newshour, April, 2011
Dr. Gerhardt has more than 30 years of experience utilizing the principles of Applied Behavioral Analysis in support of adolescents and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder in educational, employment, residential and community-based settings. He has authored and co-authored articles and book chapters on
the needs of adults with autism spectrum disorder, the school-to-work-transition process and analysis and intervention of problematic behavior.
He has presented nationally and internationally on these topics. He serves as Executive Director of the EPIC School, and President and Chair of the Scientific Council for the Organization for Autism Research. He is
on numerous professional advisory boards including Milestones Autism Resources.
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Consultation & Training
Teaching to Give Back
During family consultations, parents often ask about teaching their children and young adults how to give back to the community. In the Thanksgiving season, we're especially mindful that people with ASD can benefit from volunteering to instill the importance of helping others and reinforce that everyone -- including young people with autism -- have abilities and strengths to contribute.
For those who need minimal support or can be assisted by parents or other family members, we suggest volunteering through general community agencies like
BVU-The Center for Nonprofit Excellence or
VolunteerMatch. For those who need more guidance, the Jewish Family Service Association's
YouthAbility program helps young people with disabilities participate in activities that enhance their community and provides them with rewarding opportunities to give back.
If you are looking for more in-depth guidance on volunteer opportunties for yourself or your family, please email
[email protected]
or call us at (216)464-7600 to get started.
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Helpdesk
How to Teach My Child to Be Thankful
During this time of year, people are often reminded to give thanks. Here are a few ways to teach your child or student on the spectrum how to be grateful:
- Model thankfulness in your daily interactions by making eye contact, demonstrating appropriate touch and verbal praise.
- Give positive reinforcement (such as a hug or a high five) when your child shows appreciation for gifts and kind gestures.
- Teach kids to pitch in around the house to gain a sense of ownership in earning what they want.
Don't expect children to understand this concept right away. It will take many examples, conversations and months to years for them to finally grasp the idea.
When in doubt, continue to model gratitude in your own life -- children are always watching.
If you have any questions on how to help teach gratefulness, contact our Helpdesk at (216) 464-7600 or
[email protected].
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Online Resources
New State Program for Vocational Rehabilitation
The Ohio Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) has introduced a new program called
OOD Works
. This new program will help adults with disabilities find employment through their easy-to-use website. To get started, visit OOD Works'
new website
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Practical Intervention Strategies
When Picky Eating Becomes a Problem: Feeding Issues Among Children with Autism
Presented by Cara Cuddy, PhD
November 9, 2016
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
UH Westlake Medical Center
Upcoming Presenters:
 Lisa Audet, PhD, CCC-SLP
Christine T. Barry, PhD
Christian Karter, MA
Kathy Maxwell, MSN, CNS
Beth Thompson, MSSA, LSW
Reduced rates available.
Presented by University Hospitals.
Co-sponsored by Milestones Autism Resources.
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2nd Annual Akron Autism Summit
Sponsored by The Autism Society of Akron
When: Thurs. Nov. 3 - Fri. Nov. 4, 2016;
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Where: Hilton Akron/Fairlawn
3180 W. Market Street, Fairlawn OH 44333
On Thursday, "The Art of Autism" includes a VIP reception and a showing of the movie "Life, Animated".
On Friday, you can hear Milestones' Program Director Beth Thompson presenting with Carl Brass, Executive Director of Monarch LifeWorks on "Making Ethical Decisions When Working With Adults With ASD Using Waivers". There will also be many other local experts (including past Milestones Conference speakers), talking about the many changes facing individuals with autism.
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Sensory-Friendly Performance
To kick off the holiday season, The Great Lakes Theater is proud to
present a sensory-friendly performance of
"A Christmas Carol".
When: Wednesday, November 23, 2016, 11:00 AM
Where: Ohio Theater, Playhouse Square, 1519 Euclid Ave.
Cost: $15.00 General Admission
This event is co-sponsored by Milestones Autism Resources; The Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities; and the Autism Theater Initiative.
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Turkey Trot
Join us on Thanksgiving Day
for the Turkey Trot!
Milestones is thrilled to be a Charity Partner of the
Hermes Cleveland 35th Annual Turkey Trot!
What:
1-Mile walk, a 5K run and a 5-mile run
When:
Thursday, November 24, 2016
Time:
Registration 7:00am
Starting Line:
Public Hall,
500 Lakeside Ave.,
Cleveland
Be one of the first 15 people to register
using our
discount code
MILESTONESTT16
to receive
$5 OFF your
race registration!
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Come visit Milestones at booth 314. We look forward to seeing you!
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Annual Fund
Help Us Serve the Community:
Support the Milestones Annual Fund!
Your donation to Milestones' Annual Fund, at any level, helps make our
FREE helpdesk, our conference, and our online resources
possible
.
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Do you shop on Amazon?
Remember Milestones as you shop on Amazon! Visit
smile.amazon.com and select Milestones Autism Resources as your charitable organization.
The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to Milestones.
It costs you nothing extra to give! Thank you!
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Research Opportunity
Dr. Tracy Masterson from the Department of Psychological Science at John Carroll University and the Research Lab at STEPS Academy in Parma are recruiting participants for a collaborative study on predicting the factors affecting the quality of life of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
They are looking for children between the ages of 12-17. Children and parents will be included in the study to fill out brief questionnaires.
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News of Note
Source: The Mighty
Source: Disability Scoop
Source: Washington Post
Source: Disability Scoop
Source: EdWeek.org
Source: New York Magazine
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SOCIAL & RECREATION
60+ SOC & REC EVENTS
in NOVEMBER!
11/1 Special Needs Jump, Skymax Arena, North Canton
11/1 YogaReach, Mayfield Adaptive Recreation, Mayfield Village
11/1 Adapted Floor Hockey, Lake Metroparks Adapted Programming, Mentor
11/1 Adaptive Dance, Dancing Wheels Company
, Twinsburg
11/3 Fantastic Fishing, Lake Metroparks Adapted Programming, Kirtland
11/3 Gingerbread House Building, Solon Blue Ribbon Program, Solon
11/3 Indoor Water Exercise, Mayfield Adaptive Recreation, Mayfield Village
11/4-6 Rotary Camp Respite Weekend, Akron YMCA, Akron
11/4 Sensory Storytime, Westlake Porter Library, Westlake
11/4 Pizza Bowl, Mayfield Adaptive Recreation, Solon
11/5 Backstage Playhouse Square Tour and Lunch, Solon Blue Ribbon Program, Cleveland
11/5 Build a Hat and Scarf Rack, Orange Recreation, Pepper Pike
11/5 Making Pizza at Pizza Roma, Mayfield Adaptive Recreation, Mayfield Village
11/5 "Finding Neverland" at Playhouse Square, Mayfield Adaptive Recreation, Cleveland
11/7 YogaReach, Solon Blue Ribbon Program, Solon
11/9 4H Social Group, Out of the Box Behavioral Solutions, Akron
11/10-12 Yachad "Shabbos Project" Shabbaton, Beachwood
11/10 Drip Drip Drop - Preschool Science, Parma Public Library, Parma
11/11-13 Camp Cheerful Weekend Respite, Achievement Centers for Children, Strongsville
11/11-13 Catholic Charities Weekend Respite, Catholic Charities Disability Services, Akron
11/11 Dinner at Play Arcade + Kitchen, Autism Personal Coach, Mayfield Hts.
11/11 Game Night, Mayfield Adaptive Recreation, Mayfield Hts.
11/11 Monthly Dance, Catholic Charities Disability Services, Cleveland
11/12 Build a Hat and Scarf Rack, Mayfield Adaptive Recreation, Pepper Pike
11/12 Sensory Friendly Film: "Trolls", AMC Ridge Park Square Cinema 8, Brooklyn
11/12 Sensory Storytime, North Royalton Public Library, North Royalton
11/12 Sensory Storytime, Bay Village Public Library, Bay Village
11/12 Sensory Storytime, Parma Public Library, Parma
11/12 Indian Museum of Lake County and Crepes, Solon Blue Ribbon Program, Willoughby
11/13 Rotary Camp Day Respite, Akron YMCA, Akron
11/13 Fall Fling Dance, Lake Metroparks Adapted Programming, Wickliffe
11/14 Everyone Wins Basketball, Solon Blue Ribbon Program, Solon
11/14 Sensory Storytime, Westlake Porter Library, Westlake
11/15 Every Child is Beautiful Modeling Camp, Barbara Stitzer Photography, Hudson
11/15 Everyone Wins Basketball, Empower Sports, Independence
11/15 Sensory Friendly Film: "Doctor Strange", AMC Ridge Park Square Cinema 8, Brooklyn
11/16 Ready Renegades Social Skills Group, ABA Outreach Services, Independence
11/16 Everyone Wins Basketball, Empower Sports, Medina
11/17 Teach Me to Play, Connecting for Kids, Westlake
11/18-20 Rotary Camp Respite Weekend, Akron YMCA, Akron
11/18 Teach Me to Play, Connecting for Kids, Westlake
11/18 Board Game Night, Autism Personal Coach, Cleveland
11/18 Karaoke and Dinner, Solon Blue Ribbon Program, Solon
11/18 ReCharge Respite Ministry, Strongsville United Methodist Church, Strongsville
11/19-20 Young Life Capernaum 2016 Fall Weekend at Kalahari, The Kalahari Resorts, Sandusky
11/19 Kitchen Connections, North Olmsted Recreation Center, North Olmsted
11/19 Sensory Storytime, Akron, The KIDnections Group, Akron
11/19 Sensory Storytime, Westlake Porter Library, Westlake
11/19 Thanksgiving Day Craft, Lake Metroparks Adapted Programming, Willowick
11/19 Young Life Capernaum Turkey Bowl, Medina
11/20 Basketball Clinic, Mayfield Adaptive Recreation, University Hts.
11/20 Meet-Up! Connecting for Kids, Westlake
11/20 Artz-Quest, The Center for Applied Drama and Autism, Akron
11/23 Sensory Friendly Performance: A Christmas Carol, Playhouse Square, Cleveland
11/23 4H Social Group, Out of the Box Behavioral Solutions, Akron
11/25 School's Out Program, Akron YMCA, Akron
11/26 Sensory Friendly Film: "Fantastic Beasts", AMC Ridge Park Square Cinema 8, Brooklyn
11/26 Sensory Storytime, Solon Public Library, Solon
11/26 Cinema Cruisers, Solon Blue Ribbon Program, Solon
11/28 The Learning Groove Parent & Child Class, Beyond Words Music & Dance, North Royalton
11/29 Sensory Friendly Film: "Fantastic Beasts", AMC Ridge Park Square Cinema 8, Brooklyn
12/1 Indoor Water Exercise, Mayfield Adaptive Recreation, Mayfield Village
12/2 Camp Cheerful Weekend Respite, Achievement Centers for Children, Strongsville
12/2-4 Catholic Charities Weekend Respite, Catholic Charities Disability Services, Akron
12/2-4 Rotary Camp Respite Weekend, Akron YMCA, Akron
Weekly Events -
Mondays- Special Needs Jump, Sky Zone, Westlake and Highland Heights
Tuesdays- Big Dog Bounce Autism Night, Ashtabula
SUPPORT GROUPS
11/1 Moms' Meet, Friendship Circle, Pepper Pike
11/1 Coffee and Chat: Marriage Under Pressure, Connecting for Kids, Westlake
11/3 ASPIES Adults | My Life, My Way, Akron
11/7 Coffee, Tea & Autism Group, Autism Society of Greater Akron, Medina
11/7 Empowering Epilepsy Support Group with Yoga, Pepper Pike
11/8 Moms' Meet, Friendship Circle, Pepper Pike
11/8 EPIC Support Group for Parents, SST9, Canton
11/9 Parent Support Group, Out of the Box Behavioral Solutions, Akron
11/10 Parent Coffee Hour, SST9, Jitters Coffee House, Millersburg
11/10 Coffee, Tea & Autism Group, Autism Society of Greater Akron, Uniontown
11/12 Coffee, Tea & Autism Group, Autism Society of Greater Akron, Akron
11/12 RISE: Special Needs Family Support Group, Christ the King Vineyard Church, North Olmsted
11/13 Autism Personal Coach Adult Group, Rocky River Public Library, Rocky River
11/14 Parent Exchange, Autism Society of Greater Akron, Akron
11/14 Coffee, Tea & Autism Group, Autism Society of Greater Akron, Wadsworth
11/16 SWAN Autism Support Group, Kent
11/16 Empowering Epilepsy Support Group with Yoga, Fairlawn
11/17 The Lake & Geauga County Autism Support Group, SST4, Painesville
11/17 Serenity Support Group, Cleveland
11/17 Moms' Meet, Friendship Circle, Pepper Pike
11/17 ASPIES Adults | Surviving the Holidays, Canton
11/20 Autism Personal Coach Adult Group, Beachwood Public Library, Beachwood
11/21 Ashtabula County Autism Group Meeting, Jefferson
11/22 Moms' Meet, Friendship Circle, Pepper Pike
11/22 Coffee, Tea & Autism Group, Autism Society of Greater Akron, Ravenna
11/23 Parent Support Group, Out of the Box Behavioral Solutions, Akron
Weekly Event -
Sundays- Parent's Morning Chat, AutismNE, Online
WORKSHOPS
11/1 Bullying: A Legal Perspective, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Cleveland
11/1 Empowering People with Disabilities to Recognize and Report Abuse, CFILC, Webinar
11/1 ASPIES Parents: My Child's Rights to FAPE & A System for Organizing Records, Canton
11/1 Understanding Extended School Year Services (ESY), Zane's Foundation, Silver Lake
11/2 Obesity and Failure-to-Thrive Concerns in Children with ASD, The Johnson Center, Webinar
11/3-4 Autism Summit: The State of Autism in Northeast Ohio, Autism Society of Greater Akron, Akron
11/3 Parents' Rights in the Special Education Process, OCECD, Parma
11/5 Independence Clinic: Transportation, KidsLink Neurobehavioral Center, Twinsburg
11/5 Red Cross Special Needs Babysitting Class, SHC/The Arc of Medina County, Seville
11/5 Elementary Experiences: Fine Motor Fun
, Connecting for Kids, Westlake
11/8 ASGC Parent/Professionals Meeting: ABLE Accounts; Advantages and Risks, Independence
11/9 UH Seminar Series: Feeding Issues Among Children with Autism, Westlake
11/9 True Grit Teaching, OCALI, Webinar
11/10 Functional Communication: Reducing & Replacing Challenging Behaviors, Monarch, Webinar
11/10 Accessibility and UDL: Tips and Tricks Every Educator Should Know, OCALI, Webinar
11/12 The Doctor is In: Now Let's Make it Work for All Ages, Autism Society of Greater Akron, Akron
11/12 Speaker Series: No Body is Perfect, Connecting for Kids, Westlake
11/14 Affordable Care Act, Partners for Community Connections, Maple Hts.
11/14 Making the Holidays Happy, Silver Lining Group, Westlake
11/15 Teaching Emotional Regulation: Essential Skills for Students with Disabilities, CEC, Webinar
11/15 Speaker Series: The Wonderful World of Waivers, Connecting for Kids, North Ridgeville
11/15 ASPIES Parents: Transition 101, Autism Society of Greater Akron, Akron
11/16 Parent Access Collaborative: Those Teenage Years, SST8, Cuyahoga Falls
11/17 Johnson Center Research Update, Webinar
11/17 Our Spectrum on the Spectrum: From Uncertainty to Purpose, Lake Erie College, Painesville
11/17 Third Thursday: Family Online Learning Series, OCALI, Webinar
11/19 Independence Clinic: Accessing Free Resources, KidsLink Neurobehavioral Center, Twinsburg
11/20 Summit DD Provider Fair, Akron
11/21 People First of Cuyahoga County, The Arc, Independence
11/22 How Ernst & Young is Educating Their People About Mental Illness & Addiction, Respect Ability, Webinar
11/30 Ask the Clinician: Live Q & A, Autism Research Institute, Webinar
11/30 Effective Early Intervention, Summit Professional Education, Beachwood
THERAPY GROUPS
11/2 Ready Renegades Social Skills Group, ABA Outreach Services, Independence
11/4 Music Therapy and More with MTEC, Connecting for Kids, Westlake
11/4 Buddy Building Social Skills Group, ABA Outreach Services, Independence
11/5 Music Therapy and More with MTEC, Connecting for Kids, Westlake
11/6 Art Therapy Group, Autism Personal Coach, Cleveland
11/7 Buddy Building Social Skills Group, ABA Outreach Services, Independence
11/8 Asperger's Boot Camp (ABC) for Adults, Autism Society of Greater Akron, Cuyahoga Falls
11/9 Social Skills Group: Energetic Steam Engines, Meghan Barlow & Associates, Rocky River
11/9 Social Skills Group: Terrific Tugboats! Meghan Barlow & Associates, Rocky River
11/9 Asperger's Boot Camp (ABC) for Teens, Autism Society of Greater Akron, Akron
11/9 Music Therapy and More with MTEC, Connecting for Kids, Middleburg Hts.
11/9 Social Skills Group: Superheroes! Meghan Barlow & Associates, Rocky River
11/12 Music Therapy and More with MTEC, Connecting for Kids, Lakewood
11/18 Buddy Building Social Skills Group, ABA Outreach Services, Independence
11/21 Buddy Building Social Skills Group, ABA Outreach Services, Independence
11/23 Asperger's Boot Camp (ABC) for Teens, Autism Society of Greater Akron, Akron
11/24 Asperger's Boot Camp (ABC) for Adults, Autism Society of Greater Akron, Cuyahoga Falls
12/2 Buddy Building Social Skills Group, ABA Outreach Services, Independence
Weekly Events -
Saturdays and Sundays- Social Butterflies Social Skills Group, ABA Outreach Services, Independence
Saturdays- Little Language Learners Social Skills Group, ABA Outreach Services, Independence
FUNDRAISERS
11/5 Circle of Caring Hattie Larlham Benefit, Aurora
11/6 Arts for Us Concert and Reception, The Music Settlement, Cleveland
11/7 Center for Music Therapy 50th Anniversary Celebration, The Music Settlement, Cleveland
11/7 NOEAG Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Fahrenheit, Cleveland
11/12 Sparkle, Shimmer & Shine Gala, Achievement Centers for Children, Cleveland
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