WHAT WE`VE BEEN UP TO

AUG 2015 AUTISM IN MIND CHILDREN’S CHARITY
The transition from a laid-back summer schedule to
the school day routine is difficult for any student, but
for those affected by autism it can be particularly
challenging. Here are 3 ways to ease your child into a
new school year and avoid surprises.
1. Reintroduce Routine:
Adjusting bedtime and
morning habits to mimic the school schedule can
help prevent the physical and emotional shock of the
September routine change. Scheduling lunch and recess
time activities similar to that of the school schedule can
also help reduce stress and anxiety.
2. Sneak Preview: If possible, visit the school and
arrange a meeting with the teacher before the first day.
Having a mental image of the setting can help ease your
child in to the new environment, particularly for students
who are changing schools. Even visiting the building and
playground can be helpful.
3. Social Stories: Use social stories to familiarize
your child with routines and how to behave when the
unexpected happens. Creating a visual schedule about
morning activities including waking up, getting dressed,
brushing teeth, eating breakfast, packing a lunch, putting
on shoes and walking to school will help your child stay
focused and on task.
ISSUE 3
WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO...
Toonie 4 Autism
We kicked off Autism
Awareness Month this past
April with our Tonnie
4 Autism fundraising
campaign. Armed with
our donation boxes
and fundraiser leafs,
our volunteers took to
their school, work and local
community collecting donations.
Their support brought in a grand
total of $3814 which will assist
in the continuation of AIM
Children’s Charity programs
including IBI therapy
and our Saturday Social
Skills programs. Thank
you to all the fundraiser
volunteers who took part in
our campaign. Your contribution
not only supports children with autism but it
promotes autism awareness and acceptance
in our communities!
Recital
Our friends at Pro-Music performed at
our first benefit recital in support of AIM
Children’s Charity this past
June. The night was filled
with live classical and
jazz music played by
talented musicians from
Pro-Music. We shared
the story of AIM, talked
about the hurtful stigma
of autism and were grateful
to have two parents provide a testimony
of the work we have been doing and the
progress being made by each of their
children through the support of our
programs.
The over $4000 raised from
this event will provide more
hours of IBI Therapy and
support AIM Children’s
Charity programs. Thank you
to everyone who came out to
support our Pro-Music Benefit
Recital and a very special thank you to our
sponsors, volunteers and parents who made
this evening possible!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
www.autisminmind.org