Summer Planning Resources & Mental Health Month | |
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May is Here! Summer Planning for Families
As the school year comes to a close, many of our ASBC families have summer on their mind. Are you planning an Autism-friendly vacation for your family and you’re not sure where to start? Here are some valuable tips to help prepare for your upcoming adventure! Click here for link to helpful vacation tips!
Summer camps can also provide children with Autism to have fun and develop important life skills in a supportive and inclusive environment. Here is a list of national camp resources: Click here for list of inclusive camps!
Need funding for your summer plans?
Apply to our Burger King Financial Assistance Fund (see below)!
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Prioritizing Mental Health in May: Mental Health Month
Did you know: approximately 70 percent of those with Autism have at least one or more co-occurring mental health conditions?
Because of the prevalence, collaboration among the Autism community, health advocates, organizations, and policymakers is crucial for providing equitable mental health support. Read more here on the Autism Society's website, where they also list many mental health and suicide prevention resources for the community: Click here for the Autism Society's Health and Wellness page.
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Burger King Financial Assistance Fund | |
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Are you looking for financial assistance navigating the IEP and transition process? Could you or your loved one use Assistive Technology to provide adaptive tools? In need of respite and summer camp funds?
Apply today for up to $500 of funding by completing this free five minute application: Click here to apply!
Our many thanks to Luke Andrzejewski and the Burger King locations listed below for their amazing combined donation of $10,000 to our affiliate to support this fund!
Participating Burger King Locations:
8022 Liberty Rd
1333 Liberty Rd
6605 Reisterstown Rd
4400 Reisterstown Rd
1437 W Patapsco Ave
8304 Pulaski Hwy
4100 Pulaski Hwy
1241 Orleans St
555 W 29th St.
2401 Liberty Heights Ave (at Mondawmin Mall)
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Become an ASBC Member for $15 a Year! | |
The ASBC Membership Fee is only $15 a year!
Don't miss out to enjoy the membership benefits below - become a member TODAY for only $15 a year, sign up here: ASBC's Membership Page
Family membership includes:
- Access to member-only social events
- Up to $100 per family per year to attend Autism related workshops and conferences provided by the Charles J. Fowler, Jr. Memorial Fund
- Access to ASBC grants and funding opportunities (for families living in Baltimore City and County)
Your membership helps the Autism Society of Baltimore Chesapeake:
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Connect people to valuable information and resources through our phone line, website, calendar and info@baltimoreautismsociety.org email
- Provide monthly groups like our virtual discussion groups for adults with Autism, and parents/caregivers
- Provide monthly socials for those in the Autism community
Not a member yet? Don't miss out - become a member TODAY, sign up here: https://www.baltimoreautismsociety.org/get-involved/become-a-member/
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Making Autism Work in the Community Day: A Not So Typical Resource Fair - A HUGE Success! | |
ASBC wants to thank Coppin State University and Dr. Nicole Anthony on hosting and co-planning Making Autism Work in the Community Day - it was a HUGE success! Thank you to all our incredible vendors and resource providers for our "a not so typical resource fair" as we kicked off Autism Acceptance Month! We created space, made connections, and shared stories and information! The attendee feedback was overwhelmingly positive, so expect more events like this in the future! | |
Our Next By Autistics, For Autistics Event: A Day at The Movie! | |
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Calling all Autistic adults! Please join us for a free movie event on Saturday, May 20th at 1:30 PM. The ASBC is renting a theater at AMC Whitemarsh 16 (8141 Honeygo Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21236) to show Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume III to provide a safe and welcoming space for Autistic adults to gather and socialize. Register via the link below. Respectful supporters are encouraged to attend. Spots are limited. We hope to see you there!
Register here at this link!
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Virtual Groups, Meetings, Workshops
& Other Resources
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Upcoming ASBC Virtual Groups
Click the group name to register and receive the email reminders and login information.
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General Session
An inclusive space for all adults to learn and grow in their understanding
Tuesday, May 30th, 2023, at 7:00pm
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Parent / Caregiver Discussion Group
A supportive environment to meet other parents and share
Tuesday, May 16th, 2023, at 7:00 pm
Special Guest: "Guiding Lite, Inc. is a newly licensed DDA Provider in the Central Region! We are licensed to provide adult individuals community residential services, nursing supports, personal supports, respite, transportation services, environmental modifications, assistive technology and equipment, and transition services!"
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Autistic Adult Discussion Group
Every Thursday @ 9:00pm
For Autistic Adults (18+) Only
A casual, neurodiverse space to connect and share
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Check Out Our New Searchable Resources Directory (a Work in Progress)! | |
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In an effort to support our community even more, ASBC has created a searchable resource directory for both local and national organizations and businesses serving the Autism community! We are still testing out some of the features, so please pardon our dust while we continue to improve the directory. Check it out here: ASBC's Resources Directory
Have an organization you would like to recommend? Contact James Orman jorman@baltimoreautismsociety.org to make a suggestion!
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The Autism Hiring Program | |
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The Autism Hiring Program was created by the Howard County Autism Society to advance workplace neurodiversity and acceptance, connecting businesses to an untapped workforce of skilled Autistic adults and targeting jobseekers not supported by existing systems. The program connects businesses to an untapped workforce of skilled Autistic adults and targets
jobseekers not supported by existing systems. The results translate into meaningful
career opportunities for skilled workers; access to talented employees for businesses;
and a more inclusive workforce in Maryland!
To learn more, email linda.hoyt@howard-autism.org or call 410-290-3466.
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR SUMMER AND FALL SESSIONS!
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Hire Autism: Support for Autistic Job Seekers
Finding jobs just got easier with Organization for Autism Research’s Hire Autism program! Hire Autism is a free program led and run by the Organization for Autism Research. With an active jobs board, and by offering resources for employers and job seekers alike, Hire Autism aims to expand opportunities for autistic individuals and serve as a continuing resource for them in their workplaces.
Visit Hire Autism's Webpage HERE!
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SECAC Parent Webinars and May Meeting on 5/1: IN PERSON!! | |
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Baltimore County SECAC
NEXT Meeting: Monday, May 1st, 2023
7:00-8:30 PM
Topic: Stakeholder Feedback & Updates on the BCPS Department of Special Education Strategic Planning Process
PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR FIRST
IN-PERSON MEETING IN 3 YEARS!!
The meeting will be held on the Greenwood Campus in Building E, Room 114. The Greenwood Campus is located at 6901 N. Charles Street, Towson, MD 21204. We hope to see you there!
Click link below to review SECAC's updated Recommendations for SY 2022-2023:
SECAC Recommendations for SY 2022-2023
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SPRING 2023 Parent Webinars
Overcoming Depression: Functional Coping Skills for Teens & Tweens
Thursday, May 11, 2023 12:00 - 1:30 PM https://OvercomingDepression2023DAY.eventbrite.com
OR Thursday, May 11, 2023 7:00 - 8:30 PM https://OvercomingDepression2023.eventbrite.com
Understanding Dyslexia
Tuesday, May 16, 2023 6:30 - 8:00 PM
https://UnderstandingDyslexia2023.eventbrite.com
Understanding Your Child's IEP
Thursday, May 18, 2023 12:00 - 1:30 PM https://UnderstandingYourChildsIEP2023.eventbrite.com
Bullying, Harassment & Intimidation of Students with Disabilities
Wednesday, May 31, 2023 12:00 - 1:30 PM https://BullyingofStudentswithDisabilities2023.eventbrite.com
For more information, access the webinar flyer here: SERC Spring 2023 Parent Webinars
All parent trainings are free and brought to you by the BCPS Special Education Resource Center! Register via links or QR codes and login information will be emailed to you one day in advance. Questions? Email: SERC@BCPS.ORG
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Spectrum Support
Founder: Joy F. Johnson, M.Ed., M.S., BCBA, LBA
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Spectrum Support's focus is to help Autistic people develop awareness and recognize the value in their differences. "Our aim being to help individuals learn to embrace their differences in a manner that allows them to successfully navigate the world yet remain authentically themselves. In doing this we also aim to discover strategies that address challenges, while allowing individuals to become aware of their strengths, realize their potentials, and improve their quality of life. Additionally, we always hold the mission of promoting neurodiversity, facilitating acceptance and inclusion via a spectrum of support services we provide to individuals, families, and organizations."
Interested in learning more about Spectrum Support's services? Contact spectrumsupport@joyfjohnson.com or visit http://Joyfjohnson.com
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Join The Autism Society of Howard County's Latino/Latina Parent Support Group!
GRUPO DE APOYO PARA PADRES LATINOS
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GRUPO DE APOYO PARA PADRES LATINOS (Virtual Support Group)
May 15, June 19, July 17
7:00-8:30pm
Virtual via Zoom.
Para más informatión llame o envie un correo-e a:
Marianela Estrada, emailnella22@gmail.com, 973-223-1024
Alex Arevalo, ax.areval1@gmail.com, 240-374-3368
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Thank You for Your Support During Autism Acceptance Month... and Beyond! | |
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Just because Autism Acceptance Month has ended doesn’t mean that we stop practicing acceptance because…
Acceptance happens every day.
Acceptance means more than a designation for a month; it is an act of embracing the different and unique experiences across the Autism community. Thank you to everyone who contributed to and participated in our Autism Acceptance Month efforts! Your support makes it possible to make connections that empower everyone within the Autism community to live fully. If you haven’t yet, it’s not too late to make a gift!
Donate Here!
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