THIS MONTH'S SPONSORS
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| Falling Off the Cliff |
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As children with disabilities age into adulthood and well beyond, their families face a crisis that will impact us all.
It has been decades since the state closed notorious institutions that warehoused people with disabilities. We have yet to adjust to the fallout.
On a bitter March morning in 2014, I picked my way across an icy corner in Point Breeze and knocked on Patricia Sankey's storm door. I heard slow, heavy steps and the rattle of keys, and then Sankey opened the inside door.
She was a short, round, older woman dressed in a pink housecoat. Tendrils of cigarette smoke pushed through the storm door's vents; the air inside the home was cloudy with it. She appeared wary. Read on... |
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| Tormented by a Student's Sexual Assault, a Teacher Falls |
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A special education student was sexually assaulted by a classmate at Lincoln High. The victim's mother says she wasn't given the full story right away. The school's response tormented a teacher at the school.
Warning: This piece contains graphic descriptions of a sexual assault.
On the morning of Aug. 3, 2016, with summer school classes in session, a teacher's aide at Lincoln High school walked into the bathroom and saw what looked like one boy sexually assaulting another.
The teacher's aide - the single eyewitness to the incident - later told police he saw both boys with their pants down, the suspect "right on (the victim), touching him skin to skin."
The victim was a 17-year student with cerebral palsy and a condition that requires a tube in his head so excess fluid can escape. He can't speak more than a few simple words at time and needs help with most daily tasks. (VOSD is withholding the names of the students involved because they were both minors at the time of the incident.) Read on... |
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| Peer partners help students with autism join playground fun |
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Evan stands close to a teacher who is supervising recess while the other children play. Sometimes Evan paces back and forth, flaps his hands and recites lines from the television show "SpongeBob SquarePants" to himself. Other times, he pretends that he is a ninja fighting an imaginary adversary, or repeatedly asks the teacher when it will be time to go back inside. (I have left out Evan's last name to protect his privacy.)
Occasionally he stops to look around at his peers, who are playing soccer, chatting, swinging, shooting baskets or chasing each other on the playground. A 10-year-old with autism, he simply does not know how to approach or interact with his peers. To him, it seems like all of them naturally know how to talk and play with one another.
Evan feels much more comfortable in the classroom, where there is explicit structure and clear expectations. By contrast, recess is an unstructured jungle where Evan is not quite sure what he should be doing. Read on... |
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| Casting Call: ATypical Looking For Autistic Actors |
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Casting Call
There are couple roles in this season of the Netflix show Atypical that are written for or could be cast with actors on the Autism spectrum.
Below is the character description and the sides for the two roles we are currently seeking, but there will likely be more to come!
Please let me know if they would come in for us here in Beverly Hill or if they should self tape at home. Read on... |
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| Family and Others Looking for Help!!! |
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Hi! I am wondering if anyone has a name of a Medical marijuana doctor in San Diego(north county preferred) not a recommendation doctor- but a real doctor who can give advice for strains and doses. Also any info for trials would be appreciated. Please email me at: [email protected]
Thank you!
Can you recommend someone in San Diego to establish a special needs trust for my 2 children on the Autism Spectrum. We live in Carmel Valley area.
[email protected]
Hi im from chula vista my son is autistic and im having so much problems with his school theres any way you can give information about an advocate on this area please.
[email protected]
Hello! I am a mom of an 12 yr old in an out of state residential placement. I am trying to find moms in a similar situation for support and questions. Please contact me at [email protected]
Our pediatrician/family doctor is an ok doctor and is pretty good with my son with ASD. However, he did not understand the impact of ASD on our family well enough to adequately complete the health form for IHSS. Can anyone recommend a Sharp pediatrician for my son with autism (or another one who takes Health Net HMO insurance)? Please email me at [email protected] with your recommendation. I would greatly appreciate it.
Hello! I am a graduate student studying speech-language pathology and am planning to one day work with adults who are on the autism spectrum. I am currently seeking a summer practicum placement with the adult population that would last for 6 weeks and consist of 10 hours per week. If you are or know of someone who is a certified speech-language pathologist and would be open to supervising me, please contact me at [email protected]. Many thanks!
Kathleen Winger
Looking for someone to mentor and support my high functioning adult on the spectrum. Need someone at least over 25 and available weekends and possibly open to overnight stays. We are in east county, La Mesa area. [email protected]
Looking for a primary care physician for my 18 year-old severely autistic son -- non verbal with intense self-injuries behaviors and aggression. Prefer internal medicine specialty. Must have patience and compassion; must understand that autistic individuals manifest illnesses and pain with "behaviors"; must respect the parental point of view and expertise in developing treatment plan. Anthem Blue Cross PPO. Please send suggestions to: [email protected]. Thank you.
If you have a question or request for this newsletter group, please send your email request to [email protected]. People who can help you will email you directly with their responses. |
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| Our First SPARKforAutism Live-Registration Event |
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Our first SPARKforAutism live-registration event will be held at our center in La Jolla! We will help you enroll in the largest, genetics study of autism with over 23,000 families already participating nationwide!
Join the UCSD ACE team on either SATURDAY OR SUNDAY, APRIL 7-8! We will provide free parking, drinks, child care, games, and giveaways.
Staff will help guide families through the online registration process and assist with saliva collection. Child care will be provided while parents complete registration. Families who complete the study will receive up to a $50 Amazon e-gift card. Help us understand the genetic causes of autism so we can develop better, more effective treatments!
Time: 9 AM- 5 PM (select one 45-min time slot)
Where: UCSD Autism Center of Excellence
8110 La Jolla Shores Drive, Suite 201/202, La Jolla, CA 92037
To reserve a registration spot, please RSVP by March 29th by calling 858-534-6906 or emailing Hannah Kaplan at [email protected]. RSVP is required for attendance and additional gift card giveaways.
BOTH biological parents and the individual/child diagnosed with ASD are highly encouraged to attend this event as this is a genetics study. Families must be able to consent and complete registration in English. We can't wait to see you there!
Unable to make the event? You can still participate online at www.sparkforautism.org/UCSD.SARRC, or make an appointment at the UCSD ACE by calling the number above. |
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| Developmental DIR Autism Therapy in Your Home! |
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Real Connections Child Development Institute
Supporting and partnering with families of children on the autism spectrum through understanding, engagement and relationships.
Developmental Play Therapy - 1:1 developmental therapy in your child's natural environment. Evidenced- based, emotional, cognitive and neurobiological therapy that assists your child in developing meaningful relationships.
Parent Coaching & Support - Real-time training and education in your child's individual profile. Learn new ways to engage and connect, while focusing on communicative and cognitive/ social emotional development. Maximize your child's developmental growth through both daily interactions and parent-child intervention sessions.
A "Whole Child" Program
- Flexible Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Scripting
- Perserveration
- Meltdowns
- Executive Function Skills
- Regulation
- Sensory Integration
- Spatial Processing
- Individualized Program
Real Connections San Diego
415 North Highway 101, Suite C
Solana Beach, CA 92075
619-840-0015 or 858-768-0313
http://realconnectionsinstitute.com/blog1/services/ |
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| Sage Learning Center |
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A TAG Academic Program
Thank you for your interest in Sage Learning Center, a unique educational opportunity for families who are committed to the principles of the RDI® Program for their student with special needs. RDI ® is a developmental and cognitively based family focused program dedicated to treating the core deficits of individuals with special needs. Parents are guided to provide their child with opportunities for growth during daily life moments. Some commonly targeted areas include: flexible and independent thinking, creativity, real world problem solving, and sharing opinions, thoughts and perspectives. Click here for all the info!!! |
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| YOU can be a SUPERHERO for Autism! |
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You can be a SUPERHERO for those with autism on Saturday, March 24th!
Race includes a commemorative medal, T-shirt or cape and includes a fantastic Resource Fair, children's activities, music, dancing & lots of fun!
100% of the Race proceeds stay in San Diego and help to fund early identification and education efforts, technical training in software testing for young adults, parent programs, instructional workshops and has funded more than 700 community programs and classrooms, benefiting thousands of local children and families.
Please join us in making a difference on March 24th. Because everyone can be a SUPERHERO! Register Today at www.raceforautism.org |
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| NFAR: North County Mom's Group - Mar 15 |
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Thursday, March 15, 2018
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Tio Leo's Mexican Restaurant
3510 Valley Centre Dr.
San Diego, CA 92130
Dinner: Mexican Food (GF available)
Dinner is provided
Join us for the NFAR Mom's Group! It's an evening for Moms to come together in a fun and relaxed setting. The group will meet for dinner and guest speakers. It's an opportunity to share resources, experiences and enjoy being with other moms of individuals with autism.
March Topic: What Your Child Can Learn Through ABA
Click here for all the info!!! |
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| Community Transition Academy now accepting students for the 2018-19 school year |
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Community Transition Academy (CTA) of Include Autism, our Transition NPS is accepting a limited amount of students, 11th grade through transition age, with moderate to severe disabilities, ages 17-22. CTA is a community-based program located in the heart of the centrally located Hillcrest neighborhood.
The school day at CTA will balance classroom learning, with hands-on community experiences led by highly skilled staff trained in ABA techniques and supports. Our academic focus is enhanced with vocational, life-science, social skill, and inclusive post-school community opportunities that tie into the classroom lesson plans. Enrollment is very limited to keep the class size very small affording our staff the opportunity to personalize each student's educational transition program. The CTA Team upholds the philosophy that every student at CTA is entitled to the support necessary to maximize his/her potential as an active adult in the greater community with the least possible restrictions and most possible chosen opportunities. With roots in the community, our students flourish!
We wish to invite you to call us at (858) 360-0282 for more information or to schedule a site visit. We look forward to hearing from you soon! Click here for all the info!!! |
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| Cara Lucier & Associates |
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At Cara Lucier & Associates we believe in the ability of every person to reach their potential. We believe that education is the key to opportunity. We advocate for the rights of individuals and their families:
- IEP team meetings
- Mediation
- Due Process Hearings and Appeals
- 504 Meetings and Appeals
- Regional Center Meetings and Appeals
- IHSS Appeals
- Civil Rights Litigation
For a free 60-minute initial consultation, please contact us at (760)505-2498.
Law Offices of Cara Lucier
Civil Rights and Education Law
701 Palomar Airport Road, Suite #300
Carlsbad, CA 92011
[email protected]
Phone: (760) 717-3451
http://www.caralucier.com |
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| Author of the Month: Saturday, April 7, 1:00 - 2:30 pm at the San Diego Central Library |
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Join a wide-ranging, inspiring conversation about stories, families, and compassion with award-winning children's author, Sally J. Pla, and therapist/founder of the Love & Autism Conference, Dr. JennyPalmiotto, Saturday, April 7, at 1:00. - 2:30 at the Central Library. Their talk is entitled "Kids & Books & Love & Autism."
Humans make sense of the world through story-telling. We all love good stories, but they may be especially meaningful for those whose brains operate just a bit differently - and for those of us who know and love them.
Award-winning San Diego author Sally J. Pla has written two highly acclaimed books that touch upon what life is like with a slightly different neurology: The Someday Birds, and Stanley Will Probably Be Fine. She is eager to share why she felt compelled to write them, and what her ongoing literary mission may be.
Dr. Jenny Palmiotto's nationally renowned Love & Autism Conference is held annually in San Diego. Its theme this year is "Stories." We'll hear from Jenny about why this theme is important to her conference, her practice, and her clients.
Perhaps someone you love, someone you teach, someone you work with, or live with is somewhere on the spectrum. Or perhaps you care about compassion, acceptance, and the celebration of differences in our world. Or perhaps you just love good books and good stories from a unique perspective. In any case, we hope you join us for what's sure to be an enlightening talk.
Refreshments will be served during a meet-and-greet after the talk. Sally's books will be available for sale.
Resource information on autism also will be available.
THE SOMEDAY BIRDS -- Winner of the 2018 Dolly Gray Children's Literature Award. Junior Library Guild Selection. "Nerdies" Book Award Winner. A New York Public Library Best Kids Book of 2017.
"Offering a mixture of suspense, mystery, tragedy and humor, Pla's story captures both the literal and figurative meanings of journey." -Publishers Weekly Starred Review
"Pla gives us a memorable hero in this lyrical and funny book." -Shelf Awareness Starred Review
The Someday Birds is a debut middle grade novel perfect for fans of Counting by 7s and Fish in a Tree, filled with humor, heart, and chicken nuggets. Charlie's perfectly ordinary life has been unraveling ever since his war journalist father was injured in Afghanistan.
When his father heads from California to Virginia for medical treatment, Charlie reluctantly travels crosscountry with his boy-crazy sister, unruly brothers, and a mysterious new family friend. He decides that if he can spot all the birds that he and his father were hoping to see someday along the way, then everything might just turn out okay.
Author Sally J. Pla has written a tale that is equal parts madcap road trip, coming-of-age story for an autistic boy who feels he doesn't understand the world, and an uplifting portrait of a family overcoming a crisis.
This is a free event and all the info is here. |
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| Support & Information for Adults: Department of Rehabilitation Services |
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Tuesday, March 13, 2018
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Autism Society of San Diego
United Way Building
4699 Murphy Canyon Road
San Diego, CA 92123
This month will feature two presenters from the Department of Rehabilitation. They will discuss training programs and services and how the DOR can assist individuals with autism and disabilities to find employment.
Megan Contreras, M.S,CRC
Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Qualified Rehabilitation Profession
CA Department of Rehabilitation
San Diego District Office
Megan has a Master's Degree through the San Diego State University's Rehabilitation Counseling program and am is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC).
Click here for all the info!!! |
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| Autism Awareness Night with the San Diego Gulls! |
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Join the San Diego Gulls for Autism Awareness Night on March 30th! This year, the San Diego Gulls will be warming up in specialty Autism Awareness jerseys that are being auctioned off after the game to raise funds for Autism Tree Project, Autism Speaks and Autism Society! Jerseys will also be available at auction through DASH Auctions which can be downloaded to your mobile device by texting 'DASH' to 66866. All tickets purchased through this link will be sat together in Terrace level, section T9A.
This section is strategically located close to restrooms (located at every turn/corner), a quiet room (First Aid, located in section 6) and the Autism Information table (located in section 10).
Click here for all the info and to purchase your tickets!!! |
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| Sports 4 Exceptional Athletes Surf Camp April 20-22 at YMCA Camp Surf |
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S4EA Surf Camp Session #1 on April 20-22 at YMCA Camp Surf in Imperial Beach offers surfing & other beach activities. Athletes spend 2 nights in cabins under the guidance of chaperones/camp counselors. Persons with disabilities, families, friends, volunteers, coaches & supporters are all welcome to join S4EA at the Camp. Session #1 is not wheelchair accessible. Click here for Surf Camp Flyer.
The S4EA Surf Camp Registration Fee is $170 per session to help pay for lodging, meals, insurance, supplies, etc. Mail Fee & S4EA Camp Registration Form by March 30th to S4EA (9575 Aero Drive #B, SD, CA 92123). A non-refundable deposit of $70 will reserve your spot in S4EA Surf Camp. For more info, please call S4EA at (858)565-7432 or go to the S4EA website at www.s4ea.org. |
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| Autism Accessibility Morning at the Fleet! |
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The third Saturday of every month, Fleet invites the Autism Spectrum Community to enjoy our museum through this special opportunity. Adults and families with children with autism can enjoy the Fleet's exhibit galleries in a quieter setting, an hour before regular open hours to the general public and with access to a special cool-off space. Visitors are welcome to stay and enjoy the museum all day. Admission includes a special IMAX film screening at 10 a.m. with the house lights on and a lower soundtrack volume.
For more information, visit www.fleetscience.org/events/autism-accessibility-mornings.
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| San Diego Sibshop |
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October 2017 - August 2018
WANTED: Siblings who have a brother/sister with special needs
AGES: 7 - 12 years old
Older siblings are welcome to attend as "Junior Leaders"
WHAT: A fun-filled opportunity geared to the specific needs of siblings with brothers/sisters with special needs. Join us for games, crafts, hikes, cooking, and art. Meet other sibs - lunch provided
TIME: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
DATES:
March 25: Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center
May 20: Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center
August 19: Santee Lakes, 9310 Fanita Pkwy, Santee, CA 92071**
DONATION: $5.00 - $10.00 per meeting per family for craft materials, supplies and lunch for the kids
REGISTRATION: Pre-registration requested by email (if possible) the Thursday before the event.
CONTACT: Email [email protected] for a Sibshop registration form and / or additional information.
Sibshop Leaders:
Jody BonDurant-Strong, Administrator
Ndoto BonDurant-Strong - adult sibling & CSUSM student
Gina Clifton, ECSE Medically-Fragile Teacher, Special Education
Pat Moulton, Retired
Directions for Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor's Center (MTRP):
1 Father Juniper Serra Trail (92119). Interstate 8 to 15 North / East on Friars Road.
Stay to left - turns into Mission Gorge Road / Turn left on 1 Father Juniper Serra.
https://www.facebook.com/sandiegosibshop/
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| Join UCSD Autism Center of Excellence on either SATURDAY OR SUNDAY, APRIL 7-8 for our first SPARKforAutism live-registration event! |
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Join UCSD Autism Center of Excellence on either SATURDAY OR SUNDAY, APRIL 7-8 for our first SPARKforAutism live-registration event! There will be free parking, drinks, child care, games, and giveaways. Come out, join the fun, and enroll in the largest, genetics study of autism with over 9,000 families already participating nationwide! Staff will help guide families through the online registration process and assist with saliva collection. Child care will be provided while parents complete registration. Families who complete the study will receive up to a $50 Amazon e-gift card. Help us understand the genetic causes of ASD and develop better, more effective treatments so that each child can reach their full potential!
Time: 9 AM- 5 PM
Where: UCSD Autism Center of Excellence- 8110 La Jolla Shores Drive, Suite 201/202, La Jolla, CA 92037
To reserve a registration spot, please RSVP by March 29th by calling 858-534-6906 or emailing Hannah Kaplan at [email protected].
RSVP is required for attendance and gift card giveaways. BOTH biological parents and the individual/child with ASD are encouraged to attend this event as this is a genetics study. Families must be able to consent and complete registration in English. We can't wait to see you there!
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| Spring 2018 Therapeutic Recreation Services Calendar |
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Click here for our new Spring 2018 calendar. Please note the following important dates:
>>First day of registration for Spring activities
Saturday, February 17 at 10:00 a.m.
>>First day of registration for Summer Camps
Saturday, March 3rd at 10:00 a.m.
You may sign up online at
SDRecconnect.com or at our office 3325 Zoo Drive, 92101.
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| Vanderbilt Kennedy Center: Residential and Respite Care Services Survey |
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The survey will take less than 30 minutes to complete. The survey is anonymous and voluntary and the responses are confidential. The responses will be helpful in determining issues and supports related to residential and respite care services. We will raffle ten $25 gift cards at the close of the survey for participants who complete the survey.
Click here to take the survey and help with research to improve lives!!!
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| Parents Who have a Child with Autism Wanted for an Online Survey |
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