Fresh Thinking on Autism

Ten Best Things About Raising a Kid With Autism Today

Faulty use of data threatens early intervention for autism

Antianxiety drugs - often more deadly than opioids - are fueling the next drug crisis in US

Family and Others Looking for Help!!!

Conference: Love & Autism - Early Bird Pricing Ends August 15th!

NFAR Community Projects 2019

Self Determination Presentation in Fallbrook, 8/17

NEW: Engage & Connect Program 4 Week Series

Therapeutic Approach to Growth

Sing and Speak 4 Kids - Participate in Survey

Behavior in the Educational Setting

Now Enrolling: Sept-Oct Central San Diego Social Clubs!

Craft Workshop in Fallbrook

A Social Event for Parents of Children with Special Needs

E&CO's Film & Media Program

Brain Imagining Studies for all Ages with or without Autism

Home of Guiding Hands is looking for caring, empathetic people to be part of our growing team.

Southern California Law Office

The documentary film "Deej" challenges us all to live inclusion.

Deej, a Peabody Award-winning and Emmy-nominated feature-length documentary, offers fresh perspectives on autism, inclusion, disability, and neurological diversity. A collaboration between Director Rob Rooy and Writer/Producer David James Savarese, the film has aired on PBS and at festivals across the country, where it has garnered numerous awards.

Savarese-also known as DJ or Deej-is the primary subject of the film. While the film is about his experience and education as the first non-speaking graduate of Oberlin College, DJ expresses ambivalence about this role. His mission is a collective one, to "free my people"-in other words, to create a world of full inclusion for autistic people. In his words, "Inclusion should not be a lottery."

Savarese is acutely aware that he won the inclusion lottery. Abandoned by his birth mother at age 3, he was adopted by loving parents committed to his thriving. Many non-speaking autistic children, dismissed as unintelligent or simply too difficult to live with, are institutionalized-or simply don't have access to the care and education that makes a life like Savarese's possible. Deej offers a concrete portrait of one young man's experience with inclusion-and, importantly, makes it clear that we are a long way from Savarese's dream of full inclusion: "I have a lot of work to do. Neurotypical people have work to do too. Hope lives on, messy, imperfect." Read on...

As a mom of a terrific 20-year-old son on the high functioning end of the autism spectrum, it has recently occurred to me that as a young mom of a newly-diagnosed kid, I would have appreciated reading about all the great things that were ahead of me as my son worked his way through puberty and young adulthood all in his own unique way.

Yes, there will be challenges, yes there will be dark days (and nights) and lots of advocating and LOTS of therapy. Having said all of that­­­­­­­, this is what you have to look forward to:

1. Your child has a unique way of seeing the world, as you know. There is much he/she can teach you. Go where your child is and see if from his/her point of view. It's not wrong, it's just the way your child sees it. And it's interesting. Read on...

Early-intervention programs can make a huge difference in children's lives - particularly in the lives of those with autism or related conditions. We worry, though, that current procedures for assessing the performance of these programs could lead to cuts in financial support for the programs. Those assessment procedures need to change.

All U.S. states and territories provide services to infants and toddlers up to 3 years old who either have or are at risk of developmental delays. (The programs operate under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.)

The evaluations of the performance of early-intervention programs are based on reports that states submit each year to the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs. The office then determines whether the states need to take corrective actions. It might withhold funds from states whose programs are persistently rated as performing poorly, or it might require that the program modify its services1. Read on...

It is little wonder that stress levels today are higher than ever across the United States. Overloaded work schedules, juggling family and a career and making ends meet financially can all lead to anxiety and can affect nearly everyone from time to time.

Yet the kind of anxiety that strikes without notice for no apparent reason - such as panic attacks and social phobias - can be debilitating. And no one is immune. Not even celebrities like Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez, who have openly admitted their ongoing struggles with anxiety; Oprah Winfrey, who suffered a panic attack in 2013; and John Mayer, who suffered from severe panic attacks growing up and would often deal with his anxiety by isolating himself in his room to play guitar. In an interview with Katie Couric, musician Chance The Rapper said he used to be addicted to Xanax. Read on...

I wanted to put the word out about Sari Kuperstein, a really fantastic ABA therapist / behavior specialist. She is extremely energetic, loving but firm, patient, has tons of great ideas. She used to work for a school district and has many years of experience.

She is not presently a vendor for the regional center. We have been employing her several days per week for my severely autistic adult sister, who is now in a day program, so Sari has most days available. Her fees are quite reasonable.

She can be reached at (754) 215-2219 (texting is best) or [email protected]

We have several families (North County Inland) in our parent support group who are looking for day programs, or other providers, for young adults on the spectrum with challenging behaviors. The adults are around age 22 and have been classified as ASD with IDD as a secondary condition. We hope to find providers who are willing to take them out into the community fairly regularly and have ABA or similar background experience--or at least have the needed attitude and people skills! All suggestions considered! --- Thank you! [email protected]

Looking for a female caregiver for my adult daughter with high functioning autism. 14.5 hours per week. $10.72/hr (county min. Wage). Payment is through the county IHSS program. Light housekeeping, laundry, assist with food shopping, meal prep and medication refills/adherence. Must have reliable transportation, good DMV record, proof of insurance and background check. No drinking or other substance abuse. SDSU area.
Thank you so much!
Debra Berl [email protected]

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.

October 13-14th, 2018
9:00AM - 4:30PM
Liberty Station Conference Center, San Diego, CA

We value neurodivergent leaders and reject the pathology paradigm because the development of healthy autistic identities matters. Allowing love to lead us, we create powerful change in the world. Don't settle for the status quo, trust your heart. This is Love & Autism

Click here for all the info and to register!!!

Autism affects one in every 59 children in the United States, and a growing number of families and their loved ones across San Diego County.

To help, NFAR hosts the Race for Autism each year to raise funds to help support initiatives that are making a difference and creating unique opportunities for those with autism. Funding will be distributed based on the following criteria; Impact; Reach; Immediacy; and Relevance.

APPLICATION DETAILS AND TIMELINE:

• Applications are due by September 30, 2018
• Awards will be announced on February 1, 2019
• Awards range between $2,500 and $10,000
• Proposed project should be a 3 - 12 month effort and start in 2019. (Certain types of projects may extend up to 18 months.)

For more info visit http://jeremiahsranch.org

Families of young children with autism, ages 2 - 8 (and their siblings) are invited to join us for a 4-week program series called "Engage & Connect".

Participants will sign up for a once-a-week program for four consecutive weeks. New, fun play activities will be facilitated by special education professionals and therapists designed to encourage engagement, communication and enjoyment.

The first series will be held at the Kid Ventures indoor recreational play center in 4S Ranch on Thursday evenings in October from 5 - 6:30 pm.

Register or learn more

Therapeutic Approach to Growth believes that every individual is unique and has the potential for significant growth. We assume and foster competence while honoring family values and priorities. Our holistic approach is built upon trusting, supportive relationships and collaboration between disciplines and families.

We specializing in the development and implementation of individualized comprehensive programs utilizing Relationship Development Intervention (RDI), Occupational Therapy, Sensory Integration, Sensory Processing, Applied Behavior Analysis, Art Therapy, and Life Balance Yoga Therapy.

Offering support in the San Diego, Carlsbad, Orange County, and the Inland Empire.

In addition to supporting our clients directly, we offer guidance to parents, grandparents, therapists, teachers, siblings, school staff, babysitters etc.

Therapeutic Approach to Growth
[email protected]
(858) 689-2027

We're preparing a NIH research grant proposal for the online program SING AND SPEAK 4 KIDS that helps children with autism and speech delays. We're offering a free trial of the program to clinicians, teachers and parents experienced in this area and willing to share their knowledge in a 3 minute online survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LXLW57H

NIH has requested info regarding current interventions, products and services that are being used for childhood speech-language delays or disorders.

For your contribution, the beta version of SING AND SPEAK 4 KIDS will be available to you for free, including 6 songs with 36 target vocabulary words. You can find more about it at iQsonics.com.

Thanks so much for your support!

Together Gateway Learning Group and attorney Jazmine Gelfand will be hosting a free workshop for parents, focusing on addressing behavior within the classroom. We hope to see you there on August 22, 2018! Jazmine will be hosting a free workshop for parents, focusing on addressing behavior within the classroom. We hope to see you there on August 22, 2018 at the Carlsbad's Dove Library, 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad, CA 92011.

Sign up deadline is 8/24!
Please contact 858-428-0222 or email [email protected].
http://www.xcitesteps.com

Please RSVP by August 15th to Karen Douglas at [email protected]. www.jeremiahsranch.org

"My Time For Dinner" And Little Italy Bar and Grill Invite you to A Social Event for Parents of Children with Special Needs

In Scripps Ranch
Monday, August 20, 2018
7:00 PM

Please R.S.V.P. with your host Bene' Raphael no later than Aug. 17th at [email protected] or for any questions please call (760) 845-4551

E&CO's Film & Media Program, a vocational program in partnership with Inclusion Films that assists individuals with developmental disabilities with learning the art of film production, multimedia development and supporting creative skills necessary in film and media industries. This program provides hands-on opportunities for program participants to develop the skills necessary to one day find employment in these industries! Click here for all the info on this program.

All Services Provided by E&CO:

• Film & Media
• Employment Services
• Independent Living
• Tailored Day Services (TDS)
• Aging Needs
• Autism Services
• C.P.I.C
• Education
• Microenterprise

At SDSU!!! To find out more, please call 619-594-0176 or email [email protected].

We are one of the largest providers of support services in San Diego County for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Please consider referring any qualified candidates who would enjoy a rewarding career with an organization that inspires, advocates, and empowers more than 3,200 infants, children, and adults.

Our mission is "to improve the lives of those we serve," and we stand by it every day.

We are currently hiring for the positions below. Click each title to read the full description.

- Residential Service Technician

- Residential Behavior Technician

- Residential Facilitator

- House Manager

Please contact Gina Stabile, Recruitment Coordinator, for additional information: [email protected] or (619) 938-2886.

Visit Us On The Web at www.guidinghands.org

At Southern California Law Office our legal services are focused on meeting the individual needs of every child. Our legal representation is designed to assist families in acquiring the educational services and classroom accommodations that will allow students to reach their academic potential.

Southern California Law Office was founded on both the personal experiences and professional expertise of our attorneys. Our foremost concern is to secure the educational benefits, afforded by law, to each child with academic, social, and behavioral challenges related to their specific disability and their educational environment. It is our goal to achieve this success in a manner that preserves the child and the parent's relationships with their teachers, service providers and school district.

Southern California Law Office
6540 Lusk Blvd., Suite C159
San Diego, CA 92121
T - (858) 215-4231
[email protected]
http://socal-lawoffice.com