Autism Parenting: 9 Ways to Solve Your Babysitting Dilemma

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Thank you to our 2022 e-news underwriter:

Solving Babysitting Dilemmas

Autism Parenting: 9 Ways to Solve Your Babysitting Dilemma

Read Jim Walter's Article Here

The Grandin Award

The Grandin Award, named after Dr. Temple Grandin, is given to acknowledge the individual who has most clearly contributed to “maximizing the potential and possibilities of children, adolescents and adults with autism in Pennsylvania.”

Submit Grandin Nomination Here

Joseph Vernon Smith Benevolence Award

Joseph Vernon Smith is an autistic friend and colleague living in Pittsburgh. Being kind, and encouraging the rest of us to act and think in benevolent ways, is his "mission critical". Please think of the people in your life who think and act like Joe Smith, and nominate them for this award! Their actions could be a one time achievement or an ongoing quest.

Submit JVS Benevolence Nomination Here

Articles by Jim Walter

11 Ways to Prepare for Summer

How to Make an Autism Cheat Sheet

for the Babysitter

Is a Weighted Blanket Helpful for Autism?

Research

Developing a Student Respite Provider System for Children With Autism

Transitioning to Adulthood from Residential Childcare During COVID-19

Workshops and Webinars

Beyond Self-Care: The CE-CERT model for Secondary Trauma and Burnout

Wed, Jun 15th, 2022 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM

This talk will discuss concepts and tools for addressing secondary trauma and burnout with an emphasis on the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. A strong emphasis will be placed on the CE-CERT (Components for Enhancing Clinician Experience and Reducing Trauma) model and how this specific trainer applied the principles and tools with himself and his team.

Events and Activities

Monday - Friday

9:30am = 3:30pm

ESY and OVR approved

Student Enrichment & Enrollment Program

Evolve Coaching is recruiting low-income, neurodiverse students with an interest in applying to at least one post-secondary program in 2023.

Applicants can be rising high school seniors, recent graduates, or community college students from Allegheny and neighboring counties.

Coaching and workshops will take place from June 2022 - April 2023

both online and in-person.

Bus passes can be provided.

Chosen participants will receive (at no cost):

135 hours of individualized support via one-on-one coaching sessions, group meetings, and workshops for students & parents
An overnight campus experience at a local Pittsburgh University
Support with applying to at least one postsecondary program
Help navigating resources for future support

Learn more about Student Enrichment & Enrollment here

Interested in advertising your event, program, research study or employment opportunities here?

Details HERE

Quarterly Newsletter advertising also available

Upcoming Support Group

ACHIEVA'S EMPOWERED VOICES LEADERSHIP GROUP

A group comprised of self-advocates learning new things, have fun, and meet new people. Future topics will include Person-Centered Planning, Self-Advocacy Skills, and Overall Wellness.

Empowered Voices meets virtually on the first and third Thursday of each month. Beginning April 7, the group will meet from 6 - 8 p.m. Click here for the Google Meet link for May 19.

Please contact Melissa Skiffen, Achieva Advocacy and Family Supports, at mskiffen@achieva.info or 724-837-8159 x 114 with any questions.

Participants Needed

PENN STATE UNIVERSITY AUTISM SOCIAL SKILLS INTERVENTION

PSU Lab of Developmental Neuroscience

Participate in a computer game intervention designed to alleviate social symptoms and foster more independence in autistic adolescents (10-18 years). Families come to Penn State Univ. 3 times over 6 months to play computer games, answer survey questions, and have eye movements observed. Adolescents play a computer game at home 3 times/week for 3 of the months.

Families are paid for lab visits and game play time and reimbursed for travel costs. Scheduling is flexible. For more information go to http://sagaintervention.com or email: psu.asd.gameintervention@gmail.com

EXPLORING POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE DIMENSIONS IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS (EXPAND)

The University of Pittsburgh is seeking individuals ages 3 to 11 to participate in exciting research to help create a new assessment for autism spectrum. For this study, researchers are looking for participants with autism spectrum disorders who are willing to come to our center and participate in various assessments, and whose parents will complete questionnaires and interviews. Some testing can be completed remotely, over the phone and/or by Zoom.

If you are interested in participating, or know someone who might be interested, please contact: autismrecruiter@upmc.edu, or call 1-866-647-3436

Participants will be compensated for their time.

EASE: EMOTIONAL AWARENESS AND SKILLS ENHANCEMENT STUDY FOR ASD

The University of Pittsburgh is conducting a research study to evaluate a treatment for adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who struggle with handling their emotions. We are enrolling 12-21 year old individuals with an ASD diagnosis and IQ of 75 or higher who also have difficulties with their emotions.

Participants will be randomized to either EASE Therapy or Supportive Therapy. Each therapy involves 16 weekly sessions, which can be completed in-person following all Covid-19 safety guidelines. There is no cost for this program and we offer payments for completing assessments.

If you would like more information concerning the research, please email: autismrecruiter@upmc.edu or phone toll free 1-866-647-3436.

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Autism Connection of PA disclaims and does not endorse or support any individual or entity included in this publication, makes no representations, warranties, guarantees or promises on behalf of or for those listed, and assumes no liability nor responsibility for any service or product provided or advertised. We strongly recommend that readers of this e-blast and related publications such as newsletters, exercise their own best judgment when making the decision to use the services, products, interventions or advice from any entity listed herein.