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Autism in Connecticut

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Happy New Year!

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!

Sponsored by the Autism Society of Connecticut.
Made possible by donations from YOU, our friends.

AUTISM ANNOUNCEMENTS
New Entries in Green
Please send all information to
autismblogger@sbcglobal.net
Include contact information


Having trouble paying your fuel bills? Check to see if you qualify for fuel aid here. If you have a family member with a disability you may qualify for "non shut off" meaning that the utility cannot shut off your power or gas during the winter season. Check with your local utility about flagging your account for non shut off and what is required to obtain this status.

Ski Sundown announces The Stride Program - adaptive skiing! More information at www.skisundown.com/adpative or www.stride.org.

Recreational Ice Skating! Sponsored by Wallingford Parks and Recreation Department and Choate Rosemary Hall. Jan, 11, and 25, Feb 1 and 15. 10:45 a.m. - 12:00 noon. Jan 18, 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Skates not necessary. Free! Rink is located on the Choate campus. Contact Kathy Rad at 203-294-2120 for more information.

Common Ground Center presents Camp Kaleidoscope: Celebrating Families with Kids on the Autism Spectrum. June 25-28, 2009 at the Common Gound Center, Starksboro, VT. More information e-mail info@cgcvt.org or go to www.cgcvt.org.

Final IDEA Regulations took effect on Dec. 31, 2008. These final regulations clarify and strengthen previously published regulations in the areas of parental consent for continued special education and related services; non-attorney representation in due process hearings; State monitoring; techinical assistance and enforcement and allocation of funds. The regulations also incorporate a statutory requirement relating to positive efforts to employ and advance in employment, individuals with disabilties. Go to www.disabilityinfo.gov for more information.

Kidspace: Adaptive Play and Recreation now open. 435 Buckland Road, South Windsor, CT. Contact Karen Peck, Certified Therapeutic Recreations Specialist, Owner and Program Director at 860-432-9923 or Karen@kidspaceadaptiveplay.com, www.KidspaceAdaptivePlay.com.

Need help with figuring out your finances? The CT Pro Bono Network is offering a free half hour session with a Certified Financial Planner to help you start to find answers to your financial questions. Contact the FPA CT ProBono Network at 860-721-PLAN or 1-800-490-4237. Income restrictions apply.

The Connecticut Tech Act's AT Loan Program is now OPEN FOR BUSINESS. More information about AT loans at www.CTtechact.com/loan or contact Therese Nadeau, AT Loan Program Manager at therese.nadeau@ct.gov or 860-424-5619.

Statewide Parent Leadership Training Available. Agents of Transformation: Community Mobilization for the Well-Being of Children, Youth and Families. Become an advocate to help your child and family and help the children of our state. For more information contact Lorna or Sherry at Families United at 860-343-7330 or email@familiesunited.org.

High School Transition Planning and Services: Presentations Available. Sponsored by SERC. Contact Karen Stigliano, Consultant at SERC, at 860-632-1485 x317 or Stigliano@ctserc.org.

ASRC announces a new service to help you design and implement Effective Secondary Education and Transition Plans. Workshops, Consultation Services, Professional Development. Contact ASRC at 203-264-7717 or www.ct-asrc.org.

Scholarship available for CT high school seniors with disabilities. Available for any student, family or organization who might have a high school senior with a disability who is looking for funding to attend either a 2 or 4 year degree granting college program or a vocational/technical program that is not necessarily being offered at a college. more information and application, contact Doralis Hernaiz at 860-418-6043 0r e-mail at doralis.hernaiz@ct.gov.

BOOM! Social Skills Groups at Greenwich Education and Prep. Focusing on the needs of the individual child, using reasearch based practices including ABA to increase appropriate social skills and play skills. For more information contact Greenwich Education and Prep at 203-661-1609 or e-mail
info@greenwichprep.com.

Summer Camps! For children aged 7-21 with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Chaplin, CT. Camp Eden is sponsored by Eden Family of Services. For more information visit www.camp-eden.org or contact the Camp Director, Todd Garmer at 609-426-8656 x33.

Summer Camps! New summer camp during August in Waterford for girls 11-15 with Asperger's Syndrome. Contact Linda Chamrad at 860-536-2787 or 860-912-4122 or e-mail lchamrad@snet.net.

KIDSTEPS Winter Classes now forming! Program highlights include: Baby Sign, Girls Night Out, Group Guitar, Handwriting Skills, Music Together, Parent Chat, Parents and Play Partners, Social Skills Groups and other parent workshops. Contact KIDSTEPS, Marion Roy at 203-218-3692 or mroy@sarah-inc.org for more information.

The Kennedy Center Autism Project announces Winter/Spring programs including social activity groups for different age/developmental levels and a parents gathering. The social activity groups are designed for children 3-21 whose social, communication and behavioral skills require direction and support, but do not require intensive behavioral intervention. These small groups provide opportunities for children to learn social skills through age appropriate activities and are facilitated by staff with volunteer support. groups for students include in-house programs that encourage inclusion and independence. Contact the Autism Project at 203-332-4535. Programs held in Trumbull.

Teen Driving. Easter Seals has a program to help determine if your Asperger's teen is ready to learn to drive. contact the Easter Seals Mobility Center in Meriden at 203-630-2208.

New Resource for After School Programs: The Connecticut After School Network offers training and professional development for school staff and program directors in working with students with disabilities in after school settings. Go to www.ctafterschoolnetwork.org or call 203-483-9757 for more information.

ASRC Advocacy Training Series: Starts Feb.4 and runs through April 15. Will be held at ASRC in Wallingford on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Fee. Register by Jan. 12. Contact ASRC at 203-265-7717 or www.ct-asrc.org.

Social Skills Groups in Waterford. Run by Jonathan Dean, LMFT, Connections Counseling and Wellness Center, 163 Boston Post Road, Waterford. Contact Jonathan at 860-444-8774 x 107 or jondean13@yahoo.com.

Martial Arts. Master Alain German runs a Martial Arts School in Montville with programs for children on the spectrum. Contact him at 860-848-7827 or germankarate@att.net.

New resource for off-site and clinic based occupational, speech and language therapy services. Advanced Therapy Solutions, 465 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield. Insurance Accepted. Call 860-7221-9903 or advancetherapysol@att.net, www.advancetherapysolutionsct.com.

Yale Child Study Center announces the opening of the Yale Academic Skills Clinic to work with children from pre-k through college age who are experiencing or are at risk for academic difficulties. Including children with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, speech and language difficulties. Evaluation and psychoeducational reporting. Contact Cheri Stahl, clinical coordinator at 203-785-4239 to find out more about the program including the cost and fees.

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.

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.

GRASP en Espanol! The majority of the GRASP (Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership) is now available in Spanish! www.grasp.org/spanish.

Research Projects:


Dr. Deborah Fein at UCONN is conducting the first NIH-funded study to document recovery from autism. The study is looking for children who have lost their diagnosis of an ASD (or who may lose it in the future). Also looking for children who currently have an ASD diganosis between the ages of 8-17 who are able to read at a third grade level. Looking to learn more about factors that may predict outcomes in order to better inform treatment possibilities. Study involves two home visits (or at the lab in Storrs), where the child is given a battery of tests on language, memory, executive functioning, reasoning, etc. $100 stipend for your participation and receipt of a neuropsychological report on the test findings. Parent interviews also required. Additional MRI study also involved for additional stipend if you are interested. Contact Molly Helt at mollyhelt@aol.com or 860-456-2077.

Yale Child Study Center: Study of Speech Treatment for Preschool Children with ASD Who Do Not Talk Yet. Purpose is to contrast two different treatment programs, one that uses very structured discrete trial methods and one that is more naturalistic to find the characteristics of individual chilren that show us which program will work better for each. Random assignment to the program. 12 week program, plus parent training. Child must have an ASD diagnosis, be between 2-6 years of age, using fewer than 10 spontaneous words and be able to come to Yale 3 times a week for 12 weeks. For more information and to sign up contact Elizabeth Schoen, M.S. CCC-SLP at 203-737-1267 or elizabeth.schoen@yale.edu or Moira Lewis, M.S., CCC-SLP, 203-764-7490 or moira.lewis@yale.edu.

Study on the relationship of parenting stress and parent's health. This study looks at how parenting stree and relationships with a spouse affect the health of parents of children with ASD. To participate you will complete 4 questionnaires online. For more information contact Norah Johnson, RN, MSN, CPNP, PhD(c) at hjohnson@chw.org or 414-337-7718 or visit the website at www.mommyruns.com and click ont the link to the survey website.

Study regarding early intervention. Are you the parent of a child who received early intervention or a professional in this field within the last 15 years? Early intervention inclucdes assessment/evaluation, intervention and/or service coordination for children at risk or with developmental delays or disabilities. To learn more or to take the survey go to www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=eI1yuKYxFNtYCoRWt502uw_3d_3d.


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.

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 Wednesday of the month: Parent Support Group. 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Fairfield Woods Middle School, Fairfield, Sponsored by The Pilot House and facilitated by Laurel Carey, Psychologist. Call The Pilot House at 203-610-3877 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. The Community Health Center's Family Wellness Center, 635 Main St., Middletown. 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 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. Contact Chris at Families United at 860-537-6125.

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. Contact Jean Bajorek at 860-645-1940 or Bajorek2@cox.net 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 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.

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 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. - 7:30 p.m. Alcorn Family Resource Center Annex, 110 High Street, Enfield. Contact Kate Faherty at
KFaherty@enfield.org or 860-253-5144 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
New Entries in Green
E-mail to autismblogger@sbcglobal.net
include contact information

Sat. Jan. 3, 2009: Sensory Friendly Movies at the Gallery Cinemas, 396 old Hartford Rd, Colchester presents "The Tale of Desperaux" at 10:30 a.m. Movies will be shown in a comfortable environment with sound turned down slightly and lights turned up. No commercials or previews! Movement during the show is permitted. You may bring your own snacks. Please RSVP to Colleen Poliner at colleenpoliner24@hotmail.com.

Tues. Jan. 6, 2009: Temple Grandin speaks on her new book, "Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals". 7:00 p.m., Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Westport. Free.

Wed. Jan. 7, 2009: Temple Grandin speaks on her new book, "Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals". 7:30 p.m., New Canaan Public Library, New Canaan.

Sat. Jan. 10, 2008: Auditory Training Seminar. 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Christ Church Episcopol Parish Hall, Roxbury, CT. With Annabel Stehli and her daughter Georgianna Thomas. More information at www.georgianainstitute.org.

Wed. Jan. 14, 2009 (snow date: Thurs. Jan. 22, 2009): "Bullying and Social Discrmination: Proactive Approaches for Home and School". With Julie Swanson, Educational Advocate. 7:30 p.m. IDEA Training Center, 20 Washington Ave., North Haven, CT. Sponsored by the South Central Region of the Autism Society of Connecticut. Free, but seating is limited, contact Sally Brockett at 203-234-7401 0r sally@ideatrainingcenter.com.

Wed. Jan. 14, 2009: Strategies and Accomodations for Learning and/or Attention Difficulties. Presented by CPAC. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Norwalk City Hall, 3rd Fl, Room 333, 125 East Ave., Norwalk. Participants will become familiar with strategies, ideas and tools that can help children with learning diabilities or attention deficit disorders succeed at home and in the regular education classroom. Participants will learn how to contribute to the development of IEP's and how modifications and accomodations can support a child in the general education curriculum. Spsonored by NorwalkSEEKS and CT Association of Children and Adults with LD. Free and open to the public. More information at info@norwalkseeks.org or 203-846-2501.

Wed. Jan. 14, 2009 Learning Disabilities Association of Connecticut Inc. (LDA) Annual Conference –“IDEA and NCLB: What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You” - (Snow date Jan. 15) –- 9:00 am - 4:30 pm, Holiday Inn Hotel, 3580 East Main Street, Waterbury. Wayne Steedman, attorney from Wrightslaw www.wrightslaw.com will speak on IDEA and NCLB. The program includes: the interrelationships between IDEA 2004 and No Child Left Behind, and how to use these laws to get better special education services for children with disabilities. A limited number of scholarships for parents are available. Please contact the LDA for details. www.ldact.org, 999 Asylum Avenue, #504, Hartford, CT 06105 or call 860-560-1711.

Thurs, Jan. 15, 2009: Round-Table on Special Education: Myths and Realities. 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Ridgefield Community Center, Lounsbury House, 316 Main St. Ridgefield. Speakers are special education attorneys Anne Eason and Nora Belanger. Sponsored by Maverick Minds, LLC and SPED-NOR of Ridgefield. RSVP to Ruthann Short at Shortstp557@aol.com or Sheryl Knapp at sknapp44@sbcglobal.net.

Wed. Jan. 21, 2009: Help! My Child is Struggling in School. 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., North Haven Public Library, 17 Elm St., North Haven. Presented by CT Parent Advocacy Center. The training will explore regular education strategies used to support children having academic or behavioral difficulty. Participants will gain an understanding of Response to Intervention (RTI) an approach to supporting all children in school. The session will conclude with a review of the special educationr referral process. Free, but registration is required, contact CPAC at 1-800-445-2722 or cpac@cpacinc.org.

Tues. Jan. 27, 2009: Train the Trainer: Learn How to Become Your Child's Social Skills Coach.
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, The Greens at Canondale, 435 Danbury Road, Wilton. Presented by Jannetta Bolander, MLFT. Sponsored by SPED*NET Wilton. RSVP to Pam at 203-563-9994 or rsvp@spednetwilton.org.

Wed. Jan. 28, 2009: State Advisory Council on Special Education. 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., SERC, Middletown. The council holds monthly meetings that are open to the public and they welcome your attendance. SAC meetings provide an opportunity for the public to help the Council identify the unmet needs of children with special education needs, which are then reported to the General Assembly, State Board of Education and the Commissioner of Education. For more information www.ctsac.org.

Wed. Jan. 28, 2009: The Importance of Identifying and Developing Areas of Strength for All Students. Speakers are: Dr. Lesley Hart and Dr. Tina M. Newman of the Yale Academic Skills Clinic. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., First Congregational Church, 137 Derby Ave., Derby. Sponsored by NorthStar. Contact Cathy Adamczyk at cathya@ntplx.net for information, directions and to RSVP.

Thurs. Jan. 29, 2009: Using Everyday Technology to Help a Student Succeed at School and Homework. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. Waveny House, Waveny Park, New Canaan. Speaker is Shelley Lacey-Castelot, ATACP, MS, founder and director of Literacy Solutions and reading and language arts consultant. Sponsored by SPED*NET New Canaan. RSVP to Judi Anders at 203-801-0794.

Mon. Feb. 9, 2009: "Survivor Trusts" Presentation by MetLife. 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Manchester Memorial Hospital, Manchester, CT. Sponsored by the East of the River Region of the Autism Society of Connecticut. for more information and directions, contact Jean Bajorek at 860-645-1940 or bajorek2@cox.net.


Thurs. Feb. 12, 2009: "What Does a Good Neuropsychological Exam Look Like?"
With Dr. Cristina Ciocca. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., HARC, 900 Asylum Ave., Hartford. Sponsored by the Hartford Region of the Autism SOciety of Connecticut. For more information and directions, contact Melissa Dumont at Mdumont312@cox.net.

Wed. Feb. 18, 2009: State Advisory Council on Special Education. 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Charter Oak College, New Britain. The council holds monthly meetings that are open to the public and they welcome your attendance. SAC meetings provide an opportunity for the public to help the Council identify the unmet needs of children with special education needs, which are then reported to the General Assembly, State Board of Education and the Commissioner of Education. For more information www.ctsac.org.

Mon. March 9, 2009: "Is Special Education Meeting Your Child's Needs?". With Beth Reel.
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Manchester Memorial Hospital, Manchester, CT. Sponsored by the East of the River Region of the Autism Society of Connecticut. for more information and directions, contact Jean Bajorek at 860-645-1940 or bajorek2@cox.net.

Tues. March 10, 2009: Autism 101: Autism Orientation Workshop for Parents and Community Members. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Sterling House Community Center, Main St., Stratford. Sponsored by the Stratford Region, Autism Society of CT. Free, but seating is limited, RSVP and more information to Kim Wardlow, bischon03@yahoo.com, or 888-453-4975.

Wed. Mar. 18, 2009: State Advisory Council on Special Education. 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., SERC, Middletown. The council holds monthly meetings that are open to the public and they welcome your attendance. SAC meetings provide an opportunity for the public to help the Council identify the unmet needs of children with special education needs, which are then reported to the General Assembly, State Board of Education and the Commissioner of Education. For more information www.ctsac.org.

Wed. March 18, 2009: A Parent's Guide to Bullying. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Norwalk City Hall, 3rd fl, Room 333, 125 East Ave., Norwalk. Presented by Connecticut Appleseed. The speaker will discuss what the definition of bullying is and what a parent and school can do. Co-sponsored by NorwalkSEEKS and CT Association of Children and Adults with LD. Information at info@norwalkSEEKS.org or 203-846-2501.

Thurs. March 19, 2009: Panel Presentation: Autism Legislation in Hartford 2009. With panelists from ASCONN, ASRC, CT FEAT, Autism Speaks and others. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. HARC, 900 Asylum Ave., Hartford. Sponsored by the Hartford Region of the Autism Society of Connecticut. For more information and directions contact Melissa Dumont at MDumont312@cox.net.

Wed. March 25, 2009: Neuropsychologist Dr. Michael Cohen speaks on Ethical Considerations in Assessing Students with Disabilities. 10:00 a.m - 12:oo noon. Waveny House, Waveny Park, New Canaan. Sponsored by SPED*NET New Canaan. RSVP to Judi Anders at 203-801-0794.