Summer Autism Events

Welcome to the Autism in Connecticut Blog!

Due to the enormous growth in listings for the Autism in Connecticut Blog, we've made some changes that we hope will make this resource more helpful and easier to navigate. The blog is now broken down into THREE sections. The first section, Autism Announcements, continues to be a listing of announcements of research projects, multi-date classes and workshops and other items of interest. The second section is a listing of support groups (both specifically for autism spectrum disorders and those that are cross disability). Rather than a separate posting of each date that the group meets on the calendar of events, this section of the blog will provide a listing for ongoing groups that meet regularly (i.e. the first Monday, the third Thursday, etc) each month. Individual meetings dates that are events or speakers will continue to be listed in addition on the calendar of events. The third section will remain the Calendar of Events with programs, workshops, legislative hearings, speakers, conferences, etc. So feel free to scroll down to the listing section that is of interest to you. Check out the links to other resources here in Connecticut. Remember, the Autism in Connecticut blog is a resource for parents and professionals to find out what is happening around the state with relevance to autism spectrum disorders and a place to post your information. Send your information to autismblogger@sbcglobal.net. Please include contact information!

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AUTISM ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Social Skills Scholarship Program. The Autism Society of Connecticut announces a new scholarship program for girls ages 10-18 to participate in social skills groups and programming. Girls must be between 10-18 years of age and have a diagnosis of Asperger's or High Functioning Autism/PDD. The program must take place in one of the shoreline towns. Funds are also available to support the creation of such programs. Contact ASCONN at 888-453-4975 or asconn@sbcglobal.net for information and application materials.

Central Connecticut State University announces summer course offerings for graduate credit or CEU's. Autism Spectrum Disorders: Perspectives Along the Spectrum (August 4 & 5), Positive Behavior Techniques (August 12 & 13), Collaboration, Advocacy and the IEP (August 20 & 21). All programs are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. For more information and registration forms call CCSC at 860-832-2256 or www.ccsu.edu.

Bilingual Autism Resource Guide now available! Directory of the best web resource available in Spanish with site descriptions in both English and Spanish. www.asdatoz.com.

Creative Interventions, LLC announces summer skills social groups starting Sat. June 14. Call Christine Levine at 860-413-9538 to find out ages, times and to sign up.

Special Education Teacher (6th year pre-K) looking to provide extra support in the home with behavior modifications, communication systems, ABA programs and picture schedules. Contact Caitlin Wingardner, M.S., 203-376-8648.

Summer Camp in VT. June 20-23, 2008, Camp Kaleidoscope, hosted by Common Ground Center in Starksboro, VT presents a summer camp style retreat for families with children on the autism spectrum. Located on 700 acres in Northern Vermont. Food and lodging, cabins and tenting available. Sliding scale fee. Aides are welcome. Between breakfast and lunch adults and children are given the chance to pursue programs devoted to their own interests. Kidville will have activities that are more interesting to children on the spectrum and their siblings. Call 800-430-2667 and check out www.massfamiliesties.org.

Camp Akeela - a new overnight summer camp for boys and girls who are looking for a traditional camp experience with added support in the area of social skill development. Located in Strafford, VT, Akeela offers two 3 week sessions and a 1-week 'introductory' Mini-Camp. More information at www.campakeela.com or e-mail info@campakeela.com, 866-680-4744.

Behavioral Management has a day camp for children with emotional and/or behavioral challenges. June 23 through August 29. Before and after care available. Information about the camp at 860-663-0401.

Sexuality Education Video by Dr. Peter Gerhardt. www.talkautism.com/components/video/video.aspx?v=6.

Social Skills Groups for Children with ASD or Difficulties in Relating. June 21 - August 30. at Greenwich Education and Prep Offices, 64 Main Street, New Canaan. For ages 4-9 Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.; for 10-15 year olds Saturdays from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. The program focuses on helping children and adolescents develop greater awareness and understanding of perspectives different from their own as a means for improving conversation skills, developing relationships with peers, and dealing with emotions and behaviors. Children with work with an art therapist and a music therapist to facilitate expression of emotions. Groups will be organized by age and needs as to language, cognition and social awareness. Provided by Sound Foundation. Contact Stacy Lore at 203-594-1857 or stacylore@yahoo.com.

Daycare in Killingworth. Pansy Patch Daycare, 256 North Parker Hill Road, Killingworth. Local, convenient childcare that is safe, flexible, loving and understanding in a warm and relaxing environment. Care provided by a mom of a child with Autism and Sensory Integration Disorder. Infant - 12 years. Contact pansypatchdaycare@comcast. net or www.pansypatchdaycare.com.

Haircuts at Home! Geraldine McKeon provides Haircuts at Home for children with special needs. She will travel anywhere in Connecticut! Call 203-901-2216 or check her out at www.haircutathome.com.

Yoga Class for Teens. One for girls and one for boys. Class will allow teens to socialize, improve self-awareness and self-regulation through yoga. Contact Teddi Barenholtz, PT, MS, E-RYT, RDI Certified Consultant at 203-354-1311 or email yogabilitation@aol.com.

The Friendship Circle is an organization that serves the Jewish community in Fairfield County. Friendship Circle, through the ongoing commitment of teenage volunteers, extends a helping hand to children with special needs and their families, involvig them in a full range of social and Jewish experiences including weekly home visits. Contact Mrs. Malya Shmotkin at 203-329-0015 x 414 or www.FrienshipCT.com for more information.

Child Care Available. Contact Jillian Turgeon at turgeonj@sacredheart.edu. Somers and Windsor areas. Weekends through May. Daily May through August. Student. contact for more information.

Social Skills Group Forming: At Creative Interventions, LLC, 11 Winter Village Road, Granby. Call Christine Levine at 860-413-9538. Seeking high-functioning children on the Autism Spectrum in the following age groups: 3-4; 5-6; 7-10: middle school and high school.

Want to be published? Research psychologist has been approached by a publisher to consider writing a book about parenting teenagers with Asperger's. Aim is to offer support to other parents and offer professionals a chance to see inside "real life". Book will take the form of an anthology consisting of six or more case histories written by parents in their own style. Looking for parents with one or more children with Asperger's who are willing to write honestly about their struggles. If interested contact Anna Gleave at annagleave@hotmail.com.

The Connecticut Tech Act Project in partnership with Southern CT State University's Center for Adaptive Technology has a new program: Computer Assistive Technology Loan Program. The goal of this program is to help CT School Systems have access to loans of laptop computers with adaptive software for students with disabilities. Loans can run as long as 6 weeks and can be used for evaluations; temporary replacement; trial software before purchase. For more information and specific software availability contact the CT Tech Act Program at 860-424-4881 or the Center for Adaptive Technology at 203-392-5799. CTtechact.com or cat.southernct.edu.

Speech and Language Consultants, LLC, Center for Communication, Behavior, Sensory Development, Literacy and Technology announces new programs in speech and language, social skills, summer camp. Go to www.speechandlanguageconsultants.org. Bridgeport and Norwalk locations.

Research Projects:

Looking for parents of children under the age of 10 with a diagnosis of autism. Parents will be invited to share their perspective on the diagnostic process while having a child diaganosed with autism. This study is looking at the earliest signs of autism seen by parents in the hopes of allowing for earlier diagnosis and thus, earlier intervention opportunitites. Participation will involve a one hour interview and follow up questions, if necessary. Contact Rhiannon Ducey at 860-877-9716 or Rhiannon_e@hotmail.com or more information.

Examining friendships for children with Asperger's Disorder. Recruiting children between the ages of 8-12 with a diagnosis of AS. The children will be asked to fill out a questionnaire to see how they view friendships. For more information go to www.geocities.com/angelayeung.

Looking for families interested in helping researchers understand the genetic causes of ASD. Sponsored by the Simons Foundation, Yale Child Study Center is one of 11 clinical centers around the US recruiting families. Looking for families with one child aged 5 or older with ASD or suspected ASD; one or more children aged 4 or older without ASD and both biological parents must be willing to participate. Interviews, questionnaire and blood draws will be required. Contact Monika Lau, at 203-785-3488 or monika.lau@yale.edu for more information.

Vanderbilt University is recruiting parents for an online study on the positive experiences of parenting a child with a developmental disability. The study is being conducted by Teresa Ulman, M.S., as a dissertation project under the direction of Dr. Elizabeth Dykens, PhD. Parent must be over 18 years of age and have a child between the ages of 8-25 with a diagnosis of one (only one) of the following: Angelmann Syndrome, autism or PDD-NOS, Down Syndrome, Prader-Willi Syndrome or Williams Syndrome. We know parenting a child with a disability is hard. But many people find that the experience has led to personal growth in unexpected ways. Benefits of the study include an opportunity to reflect upon the positive pyschological growth that you may have experienced following the birth of your child with a disability. The survey will take approximately 45-60 minutes and consists of a series of questions. At the end of the study you wil have the opportunity to write your thoughts in an unstructured format. For further information, contact Teresa.ulman@vanderbilt.edu or 615-414-9665. Link to the survey at kc.vanderbilt.edu/parentsurvey.

Yale Child Study Center announces a study of speech treatment for preschool children with autism spectrum disorders who do not speak yet. Purpose of the study is to contrast two different treatment programs - one that uses very structured discrete trial methods and one that is more naturalistic and to try to determine characteristics of individual children that show us which program will work better for each individual child. Treatment will be assigned randomly. Treatments will be delivered for 12 weeks with three 45 min sessions per week by a specially trained speech pathologist. Parent training as well. To qualify the child must have a diagnosis of ASD, be between 2-6 years of age, use fewer than 10 spontaneous words and be able to attend sessions at Yale Child Study Center. Contact Elizabeth Schoen, M.S., CCC-SLP at 203-737-1267 or elizabeth.schoen@yale.edu or Moira Lewis, M.S., CCC-SLP, at 203-764-7490 or moira.lewis@yale.edu.

Online Research Survey to give your opinion on the causes of autism and the information sources and treatments you prefer. Conducted by Melanie L. Mack of the Western Washington University with the aim of improving communication between service providers, researchers and parents in a way that will enable children with ASDs to get safe and effective support that meets the needs of the families. Contact Melanie at mackm2@cc.wwu.edu. Survey available at www.acadweb.wwu.edu/psych/autismsurvey.htm.

Research project designed to look at stress and coping in African American parents raising a child with autism. Participation will require filling out a research packet (about 30 minutes to complete). Stipend available. Conducted by Nakia Taylor at DePaul University's Master's Entry Program in Nursing. Contact Nakia at nakialynise@yahoo.com or 773-715-8778.

Haskins Laboratories Child Language Studies is running a language study on language development in children with autism spectrum disorders. Looking for families interested in participating in a study of speech and language development. Sponsored by the NIH. Recruiting children from ages 5-14. Contact Julie Irwin at Julia.irwin@haskins.yale.edu or www.haskins.yale.edu/infant/asd.pdf or contact Dr. Irwin at 203-86-6063x311.

Yale Sibling Project for Children with brothers and sisters on the autism spectrum. A 10-session sibling support group, at no cost to families. Parents and children will be asked to complete some interviews and questionnaires before and after the group. For typically developing children and adolescents (age 6-17) who have a sibling on the autism spectrum. At the Yale Child Study Center. Groups for various ages are ongoing. Interested families may be placed on a waitlist until a group for their child's age becomes available. Contact Dr. Julie Wolf at 203-785-5337 or email julie.wolf@yale.edu.

AUTISM SUPPORT GROUPS AND MONTHLY PROGRAMS

Please send all information on ongoing groups to autismblogger@sbcglobal.net
include contact information

Can't find a group near you? Interested in starting a group? Send a posting with your inquiry to autismblogger@sbcglobal.net and include contact information.

Looking for a group? Check the inquiries and see if someone near you is interested in starting a group and contact them directly.

If you need help in starting a group,contact the Autism Society of Connecticut at asconn@sbcglobal.net.

While every attempt is made to keep the list up to date, group meeting dates and times may vary. Please call ahead of time to check.

It's summertime and many groups do not meet over the summer, please call the contact listed to check on summer meetings and activities.

Inquiries:

Support group forming for wives of husbands with Asperger's Syndrome. Contact Lois Rosenwald at ASRC at 203-265-7717 or lois.asrc@sbcglobl.net

New group forming for teen aged girls and adult women on the autism spectrum. Contact nzlj@juno.com for more information.

Ongoing Groups:

First Sunday of the month: Rhythms of Grace: monthly church services for children with special needs and their families/caregivers. Trinity Episcopal Church, Torrington from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. All are welcome. Contact Rev. Audrey Scanlan at asclanan01@yahoo.com for more information.

First Monday of the month: Wilton Parent Advocacy Team (WPAT) 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. For Wilton parents only. Forum for parents of children with special needs in Wilton who advocate to improve pograms within the school and community. At the Greens at Canondale, 435 Danbury Road, Wilton, RSVP to wiltonspedgroup@aol.com.

New Group! First Monday of the month: Greater New Milford Area Parent Support/Resource Group for parents and caregivers raising children with special health care needs. 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., The United Methodist Church, 68 Danbury Road, New Milford. Contact Alice Buttwell at 860-355-6025 or alicemmbb@aol.com or Monika Nugent, 860-355-1179, monikan@sbcglobal.net. Sponsored by the CT Family Support Network - Northwest Region.

Every Tuesday morning: Parent Chat: A shoreline support group for families with special needs children birth - eight. 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Kidsteps - SARAH, Inc., 51 Boston Post Road, Unit 9, Madison. Children invited! Call Marian Roy, Family Support coordinator - Group Facilitator for registration information at 203-318-3682.

First Tuesday of the month: Pizza moms in Darien! 7:30 p.m. Post Corner Pizza in Darien. www.geocities.com/nanette618/pizzamoms.html. Pizza moms is a group of moms who have children with special needs in the Fairfield County area. We get together informally and have pizza, salad and beer in Darien. Everyone is welcome. This is a place where moms can talk with other moms who are having similar experiences. If you are interested, contact Nanette Jordan at nanette618@yahoo.com.

Every Wednesday, Parent/Child Playgroup for ages 2-4, 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., sponsored by Kidsteps, 51 Boston Post Road, Unit 9, Madison. Parent and child will have an opportunity to be involved in a variety of activities to increase large and small motor skills, experiment with a variety of materials and increase positive peer interactions. Parents share ideas and support activities. Facilitated by a special education teacher and counselor. Call Kidsteps at 203-318-3692 for more information.

First Thursday of the month: Families united Network - Northeast. A family support and advocacy group. 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. United Services, Wauregan. Call Families United at 860-537-6125 and ask for Lorna.

First Thursday of the month: Families United for Children's Mental Health. Support rap, share support, education, advocacy and refresments. Faith Christian Assembly, 46 Grandview Dr. Middletown. A monthly support group for families of children with emotional, behavioral or mental health needs and challenges. Sponsored by Families United, a statewide support, education and advocacy group, run by and for families of children and youth with emotional, behavioral or mental health challenges. For more information contact Lorna at Families United at 860-537-6125 x101 or lgrivois@familiesunited.org.

First Thursday of the month: CT Family Support Network, Northeast Parent's Group. 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., John Dempsey Regional Center, 376 Pomfret St, Putnam. Light refreshments, no childcare. Meetings include family support, resource materials and handouts, trainings to assist families, and our target audience is all families with children having any disability; birth through the lifespan. New families always welcome. Contact Mona Tremblay at 860-928-6514 or advocatefor2@yahoo.com or Ann Tetreault at 860-630-4033 or Ann.Tetreault@ct.gov.

Second Monday of the month: Parent Support Group for parents, grandparents and caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders. 7:00 p .m. Manchester Memorial Hospital. Sponsored by the East of the River Region of the Autism Society of Connecticut. Call Carolyn Schwartz at 860-644-0524 or www.asconn.org for more information.

Second Monday of the month: Parent Support Group. West Haven City Hall. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. For parents of special needs children. More information call Karen Muro at 203-937-3565 or e-mail KarenMMuro@aol.com.

Second Tuesday of the month: Wilton Parent Advocacy Team (WPAT). For Wilton parents only. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Forum for parents of children with special needs in Wilton who advocate to improve the programs within the schools and community. RSVP to wiltonspedgroup@aol.com.

Second Tuesday of the month: Parent Support Group for parents of children on the autism spectrum. 7:00 p.m. Small group with parents of children of all ages. Sponsored by Jewish Family Services, West Hartford. Contact Steven Broyde, PhD., LCSW, Child Clinic Director, JFC for more information at 860-236-1927 x16 or sbroyde@jfshartford.org.

Second Tuesday of the month: Helping Hands Support Group for Parents of Children with Mental Health Needs. Offering education, coping strategies, networking, support and resources. 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. South United Methodist Church (Education Wing), 1226 Main St (corner Main and Hartford), Manchester. Affiliated with NAMI-CT, East of the River Community Collaborative and Route 2 Community Collaborative. Contact Karen at 860-882-7354 or Cheryl at 860-882-7353 for more information. Childcare available with prior registration.

Second Wednesday and Fourth Wednesday of the month: Parent Support Group for children diagnosed with an ASD. 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. At Westbrook Youth and Family Services. 1163 Boston Post Road, Westbrook. Call 860-399-9239 for more information.

Second Thursday of the month: Families United Network, Thompson, A family support and advocacy group for families of children with behavioral, emotional or mental health challenges. 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Thompson Public Library. For more information, call Lorna at Families United for Children's Mental Health at 860-537-6125 or lornagrivois@sbcglobal.net, or Suzanne Witkowski at TEEG, 860-928-1569 or ARCHES@teegonline.org.

Second Friday of the month: Adult Asperger's Support Group. For Adults on the Spectrum. 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Meets at the CT Autism Spectrum Resource Center at 101 North Industrial Road, Wallingford. Call Dave Tipping at 203-484-2937 or e-mail NZ1J@juno.com for more information.

Second Saturday and Fourth Saturday of the month: Play for All! A playgroup for children of all abilities. Special needs play group giving parents an opportunity to talk, support and encourage each other, while allowing their children time to play and socialize. 10:30 a.m. 12:00 noon. Children's Programming Room, Lucy Robbins Wells Library, Newington. Sponsored by the Library and Newington UNICO. Call the library at 860-665-8720 for more information.

Third Monday of the month: Building Blocks Support Group. 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m . Multi-Purpose Room, Colchester Elementary School. A support group for parents or caregivers of children with social or emotional challenges aged birth - five. For more information contact: Dana at 860-434-4890x349 or Rachel at x311. Sponsored by Families United for Children's Mental Health and Building Blocks Social Emotional Wellness for Young Children.

Third Monday of the month: Parent Support Group - Bloomfield. 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at 1st Congregational Church, Bloomfield. Contact Sheila Harris at 860-297-4358. Sponsored by AFCAMP (African American Caribbean American Parents) and PEETA (Parent Empowerment Through Education Training and Advocacy).

Third Tuesday of the month: Parent Support Group for parents, grandparents and caregivers of children with an ASD. 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Groton Public Library. Call Danielle Greene at 860-445-9765 for more information.

Third Tuesday of the month: Tamale Tuesday. 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. SPED*NET, Special Education Network of New Canaan, Ltd., invites all parents and guardians of students who receive special education services in the New Canaan Public Schools to the Tequila Mockingbird restaurant on 6 Forest St., New Canaan. Please join us to share strategies on negotiating the special education maze. RSVP to Judi Anders at 203-801-0784 or e-mail judianders@sbcglobal.net.

Third Tuesday of the month: Manchester IEPs. A group of parents who meet monthly to discuss the ways to help and support our children to get the services they need to become successful in school and in life. For more information contact manchesterieps@cox.net.

Third Tuesday of the month: NOTE THE NEW DATE: Parent Support Group for parents and caregivers of a child with ASD. 7:00 p.m. Sterling House Community Center, Main St., Stratford. Sponsored by the Stratford Region of the Autism Society of Connecticut. Contact Kim Wardlow at bischon03@yahoo.com for more information.

Third Wednesday of the month: Pizza Moms, Greenwich! Held at Bella Nonna's in Cos Cob, 371 East Putnam Ave. www.geocities.com/nenette618/pizzamomsg.html for more information. Pizza moms is a support group for moms who have children with special needs in the Fairfield County area. 7:00 p.m. We get together informally for food, drink and networking. Everyone is welcome. Please contact Philippa Orszulak at 203-531-6471 or angelmanmom@aol.com.

Third Wednesday of the month: Parent Support Group. 6:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. (parents of children 0-12) and 7:30 p.m . - 8:30 p.m. (parents of children 13+). Family Resource Center Annex, 110 High Street, Enfield. Contact Kate Faherty at KFaherty@enfield.org for more information. Contact Kate for information and location changes!

Third Thursday of the month: Parent Support Group for parents and caregivers of a child with ASD. Preston Public Library. 6:30 p.m. Contact Joan Bachelder at abddjm@aol.com for more information.

Third Friday of the month: Parent Support Group - Hartford. 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. HARC, 900 Asylum Ave., Hartford. Contact Sheila Harris at 860-297-4358. Sponsored by AFCAMP (African American Caribbean American Parents) and PEETA (Parent Empowerment Through Education Training and Advocacy).

Fourth Sunday of the month: Rhythms of Grace: monthly church services for children with special needs and their families/caregivers. Church of Our Saviour, Plainville. From 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. All are welcome. Contact Rev. Audrey Scanlan at ascanlan01@yahoo.com for more information.

Last Monday of the month: Friends of Autistic People. Presentations, informal conversation, refreshments. Christ Church Parish House, 250 East Putnam Ave., Greenwich. Contact Brita Daranyi at 203-661-8510 or bdiranyi@aol.com.

Last Tuesday of the month: Autism Parents Club. A group of parents (dad's too!) of children on the autism spectrum. Open to parents from all over CT. 7:30 p.m. at Francesco's Restaurant, Rte 7 in Wilton. For more information, contact Patti Sylvia at 203-761-0248.

Last Tuesday of the month: Farmington Valley Asperger's Network. Parent support group for parents or extended family members or professionals working with a child with an ASD. Discussions and networking meetings. Lending Library. Farmington Senior/Community Center, 321 New Britain Ave, Unionville. FAVAN. Call Lee McFadden at 860-589-0097 or www.favan.org.

Last Wednesday of the month: Families United Network - Plainfield. A family support and advocacy group. For families of children with behavioral, emotional or mental health challenges. 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Plainfield Town Hall, 8 Community Ave., Plainfield. For more information contact Lorna at Families United for Children's Mental Health at 860-537-6125 or lornagrivois@sbcglobal.net.

Last Wednesday of the month: New London Autism Parent Support Group. 6:30 p.m. at the Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School Library, New London. For more information call Kathryn at 860-444-3199 or Reginia at 860-271-3649.

Last Thursday of the month: Family Support and Networking Group for Parents Raising Children who have Disabilities. Sponsored by the Southwest Family Support Network and the Family Center at St. Vincent's Special Needs Services. 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at St Vincent's Special Needs Services Family Center, 95 Merritt Blvd., Trumbull. Pizza, conversation and networking. Contact Lisa Sheppard, lnshep@aol.com, 203-556-7317, SW Regional Coordinator, CT Family Support Network, or Donna Kennedy, dkennedy@stvincents.org, 203-386-2790.

Last Thursday of the month: Parent Support group for parents and caregivers of children with an ASD. 7:00 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Society, Boston Post Rd., Madison. Sponsored by the Shoreline Region of the Autism Society of Connecticut. Call 888-453-4975 or asconn@sbcglobal.net for more information.

Last Thursday of the month: Kinship Coffee Chats. 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Guilford Youth and Family Services, Guilford, CT. Are you a grandparent or other relative caregiver caring for kin children? Program open to all towns. Kinship care refers to temporary or permanent arrangement in which a relative (such as a grandparent, aunt or uncle) or any non-relative adult who has a relationship or bond with a child is caring for that child in place of its parents. Kinship care includes relationships established through an informal arrangement, legal custody or guardianship o rder, foster care placement or kinship adoption. Call Guilford Youth and Family Services for more information at 203-453-8047.

Last Thursday of the month: Parent Support Group for parents of children with an ASD. Preston Library, Preston, CT. Call the library at 860-886-1010 for times and more information.

Last Thursday of the month: Puzzled Sibs - a support group for brothers and sisters of siblings with autism. Discuss feelings, know we are not alone and have a good time. Open to ages 6-13. 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. South Windsor Community Center, 150 Nevers Road, South Windsor (across from South Windsor High School). Contact Melissa Dumont at 860-214-2903 or puzzled_sibs@cox.net.

Additional groups in Danbury, Glastonbury, Southbury/Middlebury, Watertown, Cheshire and Wallingford. Sponsored by CT Autism Spectrum Resource Center. Contact Lois Rosenwald at 203-265-7717 for information, membership requirements, dates and times of meetings.

AUTISM IN CONNECTICUT COMMUNITY CALENDAR
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Mon., June 2, 2008: Giant Steps Annual Conference. "Translating Autism Spectrum Disorders: Bench to Bedside and Beyond". 7:00 a.m. - 5:15 p.m., Fairfield University Regina A Quick Center, Fairfield. Fee. For more information and registration call 203-254-3491 or www.giantstepsct.org.


Mon, June 2 - Wed. June 4, 2008: "Introduction to Verbal Behavior: Teaching Communication Skills to Children with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities." 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Ramada Inn, Stratford. With Dr. Vincent Carbone, BCBA. Sponsored by Speech & Language Consultants. For more information contact Landria Seals, Clinic Director at 203-374-3100 or www.speechandlanguageconsultants.org.

Tues, June 3, 2008: "Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports: What Parents Need to Know". 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Guilford Community Center, 32 Church St., Guilford. Presented by CPAC and sponsored by the Special Education Committee of the Guilford PTA. Open to the public. Families will be introduced to a new way of thinking about their child's challenging behaviors and about the need to advocate for behavioral supports. It introduces and provides an overview of the concepts of functional behavioral assessment and positive behavior interventions. For more information and registration, contact Jennifer Ryan at 203-988-5496 or e-mail jpryann33@comcast.net.

Wed. June 4, 2008: "Creating Social Opportunities for Individuals with ASD". 7:30 p.m., IDEA Training Center, 20 Washington Ave, North Haven. Dr. Jim Loomis will speak about the importance of social skills and the key skills on which to focus. Difficulties with generalization and maintenance will be addressed. Sponsored by the South Central Region of the Autism Society of Connecticut. Free, but seating is limited, contact Sally Brockett at 203-234-7401.

Wed. June 4, 2008: Help Me Grow Community Networking Breakfast - discussion of Autism Resources in the State with Mona Tremblay, CT Family Support Network Northeast Regional Coordinator and Sara Reed, Executive Director, Autism Society of Connecticut. 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Killingly Public Library, 25 Wescott Road, Killingly. Register by calling Luz Rivera at 860-418-8770 or e-mail Luz.M.Rivera@ct.gov.

Wed. June 4, 2008: "Easy as 123 . . . Mastering New Motor Skills". 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., CCMC's Farmington specialty center at 399 Farmington Ave, Farmington. with Paula Dorschied, OTR/L, Joshua Goodman, OTR/L and Nicole Napolitano, OTR. Discussion about children who have difficultiy learning new social skills, and learn strategies to help your child achieve success in attempting new tasks and completing difficult activities. RSVP and more information call 860-545-8600.

Thurs. June 5, 2008: "The Medical Home Program: Children and Youth will Special Healthcare Needs". 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., John Dempsey Regional Center, 376 Pomfret St., Putnam. Sponsored by the CT Family Support Network. Learn about the services that are available within the Medical Home Program and how to access them. Some services include: care coordination, respite funding and coverage for durable medical equipment. Free and open to the public. For more information and registration, contact Mona Tremblay at monatremblay@sbcglobal.net or 860-928-6514.

Thurs. June 5, 2008: "IEP Goals 101" 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.. New Britain Library Community Room. Presented by CPAC. The training will teach about how to identify key information to incorporate into the present levels of academic and functional peformance and how to use present levels to create measureable goals and objectives. Free. To register call 860-739-3089 or 800-445-2722 or e-mail cpac@cpacinc.org.

Thurs. June 5, 2008: Winston Prep Open House. 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Winston Prep, a private school for students with learning disabilities, grades 6-12 hosts an open house. RSVP to Monika Shah at 203-229-0465 x 642 or mshah@winstonprep.edu.

Thurs. June 5, 2008: "To Speak or Not to Speak" 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., CCMC's Glastonbury specialty center, 310 Western Blvd, Glastonbury. With Jennifer Twachtmann-Reilly, MS, CCC-SLP. This presentation provides a framework for determining when to work directly on speech production and when to work on other areas of communication and social behaviors that are prerequisite to the development of verbal language. Specific strategies for fostering speech production will also be offered. Free. RSVP and more information call 860-545-8600.

Fri. June 6, 2008: Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Current Issues in Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment. 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., The Children's Center of Hamden. ASD often present clinicians, educators, families and other human service professionals with diagnostic and behavioral challenges. The current rise in the frequency of these disorders demonstrates a need for well informed assessment and treatment. Presented by Celine Saulnier, PhD of the Yale Child Study Center. The seminar will detail clinical interventions based on the latest research and findings. www.childrenscenterhamden.org.

Fri. June 6, 2008: "The Medical Home Initiative for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs" 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., The Hospital For Special Care, South 1 Conference Center, 2150 Corbin Ave., New Britain. Medical Home is a model for health care delivery that ensures that families and children receive accessible, continuous, coordinated, comprehensive, family-centered and culturally competent services. The focus of the presentation is to educate and inform parents, school staff, community workers and healthcare providers about the services that are available under this program and how to access them. Free and open to the public. Please register by contacting Laura Knapp at lauraknappseven@sbcglobal.net or 888-410-1068.

Sat. June 7, 2008: FOCUS Festival for Autism. 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m. FOCUS, Canton Stprings Rd, Canton. Fun, Dunk Tank, Bounce House, Free Games and Activities, food and drinks, pony rides. More information at www.focusalternative.org or call 860-693-8831.

Sat. June 7, 2008: PATH (Parents Available To Help) presents a Day of Family Fun. 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., East Haven Town Green. Lots to see and do. Carnival games, bounce houses, stuff-a-bear, face painting, Meet B.B. the Bluefish mascot, Peabody Museum's "hands on" table. Plenty for everyone to do.

Tues. June 10, 2008: Parent Resource Support Group for Parents Raising Children From Birth to Three and Beyond with Developmental Delays and Special Care Needs presents "Summer Fun Activities to do with your Child with Special Care Needs". 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. Central Park - Indoor Kids' Play Place, 74 Central Ave (side entrance of Salvation Army), Waterbury. Meet other parents and kids, information, networking and socializing. Co-sponsored by CT Family Support Network-Northwest Region & CT Lifespan Respite Coalition. Contact Alice Buttwell at 860-350-6025, 203-709-3850 or alicemmbb@aol.com or Joy Liebeskind at 203-772-9058 or SJSJL@cox.net.

Wed. June 11, 2008: "Addressing Your Child's Sensory Needs" 9:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Hope Center for Autism and Related Disorders, 19 Ludlowe Road, Suite 202, Westport. Part of a workshop series presented by the Hope Center. Fee. Limited enrollment. To register or for more information call 203-227-3383.

Wed. June 11, 2008: Greater Danbury Child and Family Network/LICC meeting presents "Strengthening Marriage and Family Relationships When You Have a Child with Special Needs" with Marriage and Family Therapist Paula Levy. 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the United Way Conference Room, 83 West St., Danbury. RSVP to Caroline LeFleur at 203-797-8088, www.danburychildrenfirst.org.

Thurs. June 12, 2008: "Pencil Points" 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., CCMC's Glastonbury specialty center at 310 Western Blvd, Glastonbury. With Diane Archambault, OTR and Sandra Rodregue, MS, OTR. Discussion about why children have difficulty with handwriting and learn strategies to improve your child's handwriting skills. RSVP and more information call 860-545-8600.

Fri. June 13, 2008: AfterSchool Partnerships for Success Conference. Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford. Register online at www.eastconn.org, e-mail conferenceoffice@eastconn.org or call 860-455-0707.

Sat. June 14, 2008 and Sat. June 21, 2008: Lighting the Way presents Families as Partners Training workshop. Topics include family/school collaboration, understanding the challenges of IDEA, appropriate evaluations, FAPE, LRE, providing related services across educational settings, inclusion, curriculum modifications, effective advocacy and more. Free. Participants must attend both Saturday sessions. Space is limited, register by contacting Ginger Spiers at vgingers@aol.com or call 203-846-1064.

Wed. June 18, 2008: "Beyond the Bed-Time Story: Components of Effective Sleep Programs" 9:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Hope Center for Autism and Related Disorders, 19 Ludlowe Road, Suite 202, Westport. Part of a workshop series presented by the Hope Center. Fee. Limited enrollment. To register or for more information call 203-227-3383.

Thurs. June 19, 2008: "How to Use Positive Behavior Support Plans: An Overview for Caregivers and Case Managers". 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. NEAT Marketplace, 120 Holcomb St, Hartford. For family caregivers, case managers and direct support staff. Presented by Joan Beasley, PhD. Positive Behavior support planning is important. It offers providers the opportunity to work together in collaboration with the use f a common language and consistent methods to support individuals. The participant will learn the essential aspects of an effective positive behavior support strategy, how data is used to assess progress and improve planning, to incorporate skills and strengths along with support needs in the planning process, how the "positive" is incorporated. For registration and more information contact Julie Bouchard, CT DDS, at 860-418-6050 or julie.bouchard@ct.gov.

Wed. June 25, 2008: "Designing Individual Education Programs" 9:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Hope Center for Autism and Related Disorders, 19 Ludlowe Road, Suite 202, Westport. Part of a workshop series presented by the Hope Center. Fee. Limited enrollment. To register or for more information call 203-227-3383.

Fri. July 25, 2008: "How to Use Positive Behavior Support Plans: An Overview for Caregivers and Case Managers". 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. Keeney Center, 200 Main St., Wethersfield. For family caregivers, case managers and direct support staff. Presented by Joan Beasley, PhD. Positive Behavior support planning is important. It offers providers the opportunity to work together in collaboration with the use f a common language and consistent methods to support individuals. The participant will learn the essential aspects of an effective positive behavior support strategy, how data is used to assess progress and improve planning, to incorporate skills and strengths along with support needs in the planning process, how the "positive" is incorporated. For registration and more information contact Julie Bouchard, CT DDS, at 860-418-6050 or julie.bouchard@ct.gov.