The Pathfinder, Fall 2008

Pathfinder
The
Improving
the lives of
individuals
with autism
– and their
Volume 7, No. 2
Fall 2008
Congratulatons to Michael Phelps
Honorary Board Member of Pathfinders for Autism
HHHHHHHH
Pathfinders for Autism extends
congratulations and continued
good wishes to our Honorary Board
Member, Michael Phelps, for his
amazing performance in the 2008
Olympic Games.
families –
through
resources,
referrals,
Announcements
& Updates... 3
Program
Highlights... 4
Employment
Supports... 5
"Show Me
Happy"... 6
Social Skills... 7
Since that time Michael has supported
Pathfinders with donations of autographed
items to raise funds to support our programs.
And, this fall, Michael participated (along
with his mother and sisters, Katie Hoff,
B.J. and Polly Surhoff, Brian Roberts, Bob
and Kendal Ehrlich and Jessica Long) as a
celebrity model in An Evening of Fashion
& Fun, sponsored by Bob Davidson Ford
Lincoln Mercury and hosted by Geppi’s
Entertainment Museum.
In response to inquiries we are pleased to
announce the creation of a Special Donor
Fund in Michael’s honor – collecting
contributions to support our continued
efforts to improve the lives of individuals
with autism and their families – through
information, resources, training, education
and awareness activities.
since 2000.
Letter from the
Executive
Director... 2
and training
Inside This Issue
Club. Mason and Michael became good
friends and Michael was eager to assist
when Pathfinders called upon him to
participate in a public service announcement
in 2004 to promote “Autism Awareness.”
We are honored that Michael and his mother,
Debbie, have supported our efforts to
improve the lives of individuals with autism
since 2003. Michael became involved
with Pathfinders for Autism through his
connection to Mason Surhoff. Mason, who
has autism, is the son of Pathfinders for
Autism founders - Baltimore Orioles Hall
of Fame member B.J. Surhoff and Polly
Winde-Surhoff, USA National Swimming
Team (1979 – 1986), four-time AllAmerican at North Carolina, and a member
of the Maryland Swimming Hall of Fame.
Michael and Mason met while swimming
together daily at North Baltimore Aquatic
Donations to the 'Michael Phelps
Honorarium Fund' will be used to support
program activities, such as our Training &
Education Program (offering workshops
and guest speakers for professionals serving
clients with autism and family members);
the Pathfinders for Autism Resource Center
(providing information and resources to
family members and professionals); and
our Early Detection Program (training
pediatricians and daycare providers in
recognizing the early warning signs of
developmental delay and the use
of standardized screening tools).
Phelps continued on page 2
Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Friends,
The mission of Pathfinders for Autism is to improve the lives of individuals with autism–across the lifespan.
In addition to our work with DORS and community service providers (see article page 5), and the Pathfinders for
Autism Resource Center, providing information and resources to family members and professionals, we also work
to promote the awareness and understanding of autism through a variety of programs:
■
Free Family Fun Days at local area attractions (click on Calendar of Events at www.pathfindersforautism.org
for upcoming events), we offer social and recreational opportunities for families to enjoy and we train the staff
at those attractions to be sensitive to the needs of individuals with autism. (Please see page 4 for photos from
our latest outing with CRAB Chesapeake Regional Boating at Sandy Point);
■ Autism Awareness Nights at local restaurants and our new “Dining Out with Autism–Restaurant Toolkit”, offering families the chance to dine where the staff has made a commitment to providing a welcoming and
accommodating environment (see article on Page 4 for more information and how to download a FREE copy
of the toolkit);
■ Special Events throughout the year – we raise awareness and funds to continue to provide these programs and
more. (Please see page 3 for highlights from our “Evening of Celebrity Fashion & Fun” and our 7th Annual
Golf Tournament); and
■
Numerous workshops and conferences including an appearance by Dr. Temple Grandin in March 2008. Pathfinders has sponsored trainings covering such topics as Autism 101; Vocational Rehabilitation; and
Assessments & In-take. We have received tremendous feedback from front-line staff and community service
providers who credit Pathfinders with sharing techniques that will improve the vocational and life skills for
their clients.
As you consider your year-end charitable giving, I hope you will keep Pathfinders for Autism and our many programs
in mind. Please use the enclosed envelope to make your tax-deductible contribution today. Thank you for your
continued support of our efforts and events – helping us continue to Find a Path for Our Children. Sincerely,
Dawn Koplos
Dawn Koplos
Executive Director
Phelps continued...
Pathfinders for Autism is extremely grateful to Michael
and his mom, Debbie Phelps, for their long-time support
of our organization.
If you would like to make a contribution to the
Pathfinders for Autism Special Fund in Honor of Michael
Phelps, please visit www.pathfindersforautism.org
Click DONATE NOW. For more information, please
contact Dawn Koplos, Executive Director, dkoplos@
pathfindersforautism.org or call 443-330-5370 x300.
Pathfinders participated in the Parade of Gold
honoring Maryland’s Olympic Athletes, including
Jessica Long and Katie Hoff who were also models
at the “Evening of Celebrity Fashion and Fun”.
Pathfinders for Autism offers our sincere appreciation
to Michael Phelps and wishes him continued success!
2
Announcements & Updates
Another Great Bartending Event!
Pathfinders Gets a New Home!
Pathfinders wishes to thank everyone who came out
to support us at the Mt. Washington Tavern Guest
Bartending Event in September as we defended our
2007 CHAMPIONS Title. We especially wish to thank
our Celebrity Bartenders:
Pathfinders for Autism is very excited to announce that
we have new office space. Our new home is located in a
state of the art office building in Hunt Valley, just minutes
off I-83. The fully accessible office provides space for
our current staff and volunteers. We are excited about the
possibilities the new space will bring, including a library
for parents and professionals and a playroom for their
children to enjoy while they visit.
B.J. and Polly Surhoff
Steve and Mindy Geppi
Mary Beth Marsden
Del. Jon Cardin
Del. Dana Stein
Mickey and Amelia from the 98 Rock Morning Show
As we move to our new home, we wish to express our
profound gratitude to Trinity Episcopal Church in Towson
who provided our office space rent-free for the past
five years. Their generosity enabled us to help so many
families and to grow to the point that we needed to find
larger space. We also wish to thank Wells Fargo Mortgage
and Opfer Auctioneering for their generous donations
of office furniture.
Fashion and Fun!
Pathfinders of Autism
wishes to thank our
Sponsors & Celebrity
Models for An Evening
of Celebrity Fashion
and Fun.
7th Annual GOLF Tournament
Biggest Success Yet!
The 7th Annual Pathfinders for Autism Golf Tournament
was an outstanding success, raising our highest net
proceeds ever! Over 150 guests joined us at the Hillendale
Country Club for an amazing day of Golf, Dinner &
Awards. We honored several long-time Pathfinders’
Volunteers with Citations from Governor Martin
O’Malley, including: Glenn Carr, Minor Carter,
C. Richard Chaney, Kathy & Dave Clemens, Greg Hall,
Kathy Hood and T. J. Zeller.
Celebrity Models:
Steve Ash (STASH)
Kelly Brown
Diana Chiafair
Robert & Kendel Ehrlich
Whitney Phelps Flickinger
Katie Hoff
Nicole Johnson
Jessica Long
Mary Beth Marsden
Deborah Phelps
Hilary Phelps
Michael Phelps
Brian Roberts
Lelsy Brown Sajak
B.J. & Polly Surhoff
Many thanks to the planning committee, especially
chairman, Ray Brusca, for their hard work. And thank
you to our many wonderful donors and volunteers.
The 8th Annual Golf Tournament will be Monday,
May 4, 2009 at Hillendale Country Club. Contact
Pathfinders today to reserve your foursome ($3,000
and $5,000 levels available.) This event is SOLD OUT
each year; DON’T WAIT.
Additionally, Pathfinders
would like to extend our
gratitude to the Show
Director, Vanessa Pivec,
for her extraordinary
efforts.
Thank you to our 2008 Golf Sponsors:
Bob Davidson Ford Lincoln Mercury
The Brandes & Jones Family
Presenting Foursomes:
CIGNA HealthCare
George Weiss Associates, Inc.
Jim Prey
The Wade Family
3
SPONSORS:
Bob Davidson
Ford Lincoln Mercury
Geppi Entertainment
Museum
WBAL TV
WBAL RADIO
Webb Mason
Pathfinders’ Program Highlights
Family Events - Sailing with CRAB
Early Detection
Pathfinders’
efforts to improve
early detection of
developmental delays
is moving forward,
thanks in large part to
our partnership with
the Maryland Chapter of the American Academy
of Pediatrics (AAP-MD). The partnership has five
sessions planned at pediatric grand rounds (continuing
education workshops) in Southern and Western Maryland
and the Eastern shore with the expectation of reaching
100 pediatricians by the end of the year. The training
will provide pediatricians with tools and information
to screen for developmental delays to ensure that early
intervention services may begin as soon as possible.
The training, to be presented by volunteer pediatricians,
will cover standardized screening tools, changes to
billing/reimbursement procedures, and referral options.
Attendees will receive a copy of the National AAP’s
Autism TOOL KIT courtesy of Pathfinders for Autism.
Families with a child with autism enjoyed an afternoon
of sailing with the Chesapeake Region Accessible
Boating (CRAB) at Sandy Point on Saturday, June 14.
Pathfinders offers many thanks to Glenn Carr,
volunteer extraordinaire, for coordinating a wonderful
day of fun at the beach and FREE sailing for over 40
family members. We especially want to thank Capt.
Don Backe and CRAB’s wonderful captains, who were
fantastic. CRAB offers free sailing every last Sunday
of the month (May – October). To learn more about
CRAB visit, www.crab-sailing.org.
Passengers,
including event
organizer Glenn
Carr and his
daughter Susanna,
ready for an
afternoon sail on the
Chesapeake Bay
Awareness - “Dining Out with Autism
Awareness Restaurant Toolkits”
Dining out...
Kevin Jasper,
Renato Buontempo,
Mario Buentempo,
and Shelly
McLaughlin
Bel Air resident and parent of a child with autism,
Shelly McLaughlin, worked with Pathfinders for Autism
to create a user-friendly, “how-to” toolkit after her
phenomenal success in setting up an Autism Awareness
Night at the Main Street Tower Restaurant in Bel Air.
Shelly contacted Pathfinders in February after learning
of a similar event hosted by the Rockfish Restaurant in
Annapolis. “I learned about the Annapolis event and
thought it was a great idea. I wanted the same opportunity
for families in my community,” says Shelly.
This step-by-step guide includes:
• advice for the individual in approaching restaurants;
• tips for promoting the event;
• tips for wait staff serving individuals with autism;
• ideas for gluten and casein-free menu items (many individuals with autism follow restricted diets); and
• suggestions such as reduced background music
(to accommodate sensory integration issues) and
a quiet area in case of need.
Pathfinders provided Shelly with guidance on how to
approach restaurants with the idea and accommodations
to suggest. “I met with Mario Buontempo, co-owner of
the Main Street Tower, who was incredibly enthusiastic
about the idea and willing to do whatever he could to
accommodate families,” says Shelly. Pathfinders for
Autism provided free training to the restaurant staff to
ensure an enjoyable evening for all.
The kits were released in June and are a huge hit.
Pathfinders has received TREMENDOUS feedback
from as far away as California and Wisconsin thanking
Pathfinders for creating the toolkit and passing it along.
The FREE toolkit is available in PDF format at
www.pathfindersforautism.org or by contacting
Pathfinders at 1-866-806-8400 to request a copy.
The April and June events were a huge success. Shelly did
not stop there! She decided to create a step-by-step guide,
with assistance from Pathfinders staff, for others to use to
approach restaurants in their own communities.
4
Employment Supports for Individuals with Autism
From left - Melissa
Pemberton, Staff
Specialist, Division
of Rehabilitation
Services; Sherry A.
Moyer, NHS Human
Services and Robert A.
Burns, Assistant State
Superintendent, Division
of Rehabilitation Services
By Dawn Koplos, Executive Director
On the heels of National Disability Employment
Month, which celebrated its 20th Anniversary in
October, Pathfinders is taking the opportunity to help
employers embrace the special skills and strengths that
an individual with autism could bring to the workplace. Pathfinders for Autism has been working in partnership
with Maryland’s Division of Rehabilitation Services
(DORS) to train employment, vocational rehabilitation,
and transition specialists in the unique needs of their
clients with autism. Sherry Moyer, a consultant with
Northwest Health Services, presented a five-part series
teaching techniques used to discover the strengths of
individuals to assist in career planning. At the opening
session, Dr. Robert Burns, Director of DORS, reported
a 70% increase in the number of clients with autism
being served by DORS staff since our partnership
began in 2007.
At Pathfinders, we design our programs to address
the challenges that families face in helping their
loved ones grow to lead productive, fulfilling lives.
For many individuals, that may include employment;
and for many individuals, employment may require
supports. While “employment supports” are not legally
required of employers (as "reasonable accommodations"
may be), they can be critical to a successful match
between the employer and a prospective employee with
autism. Employment supports may include: a job coach
or mentor, assistance with transportation, visual schedules,
tasks broken down into step-by-step instructions, assistive
communication devices, and sensitivity training for
co-workers.
Employers may be able to offset the cost of providing
certain employment supports and making their businesses
more accessible to persons with disabilities by taking
advantage of federal and local tax incentives.
Employers can get information and resources on
employment supports and reasonable accommodations
in the workplace through the Job Accommodation
Network (JAN) (http://www.jan.wvu.edu/). JAN
is a free consulting service, funded by the federal
Office of Disability Employment Policy, designed to
support the hiring and career advancement of people
with disabilities by providing individualized worksite
accommodations solutions.
Another great source of information about how to
make employment-related accommodations for
persons with disabilities is DisabilityInfo.gov
(http://www.disabilityinfo.gov). The site offers
information on accommodations, employment
resources, tax incentives, and more.
Pathfinders is heartened by the increased recognition
of the need for improved vocational training and
employment supports for individuals with autism.
With the interest of community service providers and
government agencies such as DORS, Maryland is well
on its way to better meeting the increasing demand
for employment-related services by thousands of
individuals affected by autism in our state.
8th Annual Pathfinders for
Autism Golf Tournament
Monday, May 4, 2009
Hillendale County Club
Foursomes starting at $3,000.00
For information contact Dawn Koplos at 443-330-5370
5
"Show Me Happy"
• The best thing that I have today is my learner’s John Ford’s Speech from the 7 Annual Golf Tournament
permit. The hardest thing about driving is anticipating all the things that can happen, but
th
There were many special guests at the 7 Annual
I am doing all right. When I get my license, I Pathfinders for Autism Golf Tournament in May 2008.
will drive to school everyday, but I will have to Among the speakers were Mason Surhoff and John
pay for my own gas. I think I will need to make Ford, two young men who know the challenges of living
more money!
with autism. Both shared a little bit about their life and
accomplishments over the past year. Below you’ll find
My mom and dad say that when I was five years old
an excerpt from John Ford’s speech, which reminded
they never could have imagined that I would be doing
everyone that though there are challenges along the
these things today.
journey, there can also be many, many “Happy Moments”.
Thank you for helping Pathfinders for Autism to help
Excerpt, May 5, 2008 Remarks by John Ford
families like ours.
th
Good night.
Good Evening.
John Ford, May 2008
Let me tell you some of the things that I am doing with
my life now that I am sixteen years old:
•
•
•
•
•
•
I am a sophomore at Dulaney High School, and I
have a class ring – Class of 2010. Next year, I will
be a junior.
I have a job at the Safeway store in Jacksonville.
I play first base on my baseball team.
I am a Boy Scout and will have my Eagle Board
of Review in a few weeks.
I am a member of Young Life, which is Christian fellowship with lots of nice people.
I love to volunteer at the Food Pantry at my church and usher on the fifth Sunday.
A very happy
John Ford upon
obtaining his
learners permit
Pathfinders is very happy to report that John passed
his Eagle board of review in July and is now an
Eagle Scout. He also received his Driver’s License
in September. Congratulations to John and the entire
Ford Family.
Information and Resources
What is the DDA Waiting List?
Children and adults with developmental disabilities
throughout Maryland need essential services to remain
in their communities. These services have not been
adequately funded, so individuals with developmental
disabilities and their families have been placed on
a Waiting List for community services kept by the
Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA).
The list has grown to crisis proportions.
We are proud to announce that the Pathfinders for
Autism Resource Center has directly served more than
2,000 individuals with autism, parents, caregivers, and
professionals. In addition, through conferences, expos
and community fairs we have had contact with more
than 6,000 people already this year.
Resource Center Testimonials…….
….I can’t thank you enough for your help! I appreciate
how quick and thorough your responses have been.
Truly an answer to prayer! I will keep you posted on
how our search for assistance goes!
H.S. Anne Arundel County, daughter 13
The DDA is the primary agency within state
government that funds community services for people
with developmental disabilities and their families. DDA
makes decisions about eligibility; places eligible people
in priority categories on the Waiting List; determines
who on the Waiting List will receive services; and funds
services – most of which are provided through licensed
community agencies. DDA is located within the
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
….Thank you again for your time and energy, and the
compassion you show to the many of us who are
fighting this battle.
Anonymous
6
Social Skills Treatment Works
By Lauren Presti, Trellis Services, Inc.
Director of Therapeutic Integration /Social Skills Program
What are social skills and why are they important?
For many of us, social skills are abilities and cues that
we pick up as we observe and interact with family, friends,
and even strangers. For others, however, these funny little
nuances are difficult to sort through and use appropriately
in an array of situations. Although these skills are
something that most individuals collect over time, they
are very complex social norms that everyone struggles
with now and again. “When is it okay to hug someone
and when should I just shake hands? How should I act
when someone is crying? How do I tell this person that
I don’t care about what they are talking about? Is it okay
to feel angry?” These are all questions or circumstances
that are brought to the table during social skills groups
over a course of a school year. As a facilitator of social
skills groups, the joy of watching the participants discover
their social world and what we may take for granted has
been wonderful.
The groups at Trellis Services are made up of five to six
individuals with Autism, ADHD, Aspergers and other
socially challenged individuals. Groups participate in ten
themed-sessions: Communication Skills, Self-Awareness,
Friendship, Team Work, and Relaxation and Movement.
In each session, the theme, daily social situations, and
coping strategies are discussed.
Initially, the group experience is challenging for this
population. However, with supervision and a careful
subtle structure within the group, we work together
to draw a curriculum full of mini-adventures, team
planning, and silly games to accompany the themes.
For example, during the last session, the participants
split into three teams of two to create a menu for our
last session. Team 1 was put in charge of Appetizers;
Team 2 took control of the Main Course, and Team 3
had Desserts and Beverages. On the day of our last
session, each team prepared and served their courses
with such pride and compassion. They asked each
other, “Did you like it?” and noticed simple cues
like someone not touching anything on the plate and
asked “Did you already eat today?” During this same
session, instead of being group leader, I sat back and
watched the participants lead the group!
In each theme set, the clients bonded, shared more
about their days and emotions, and began truly
showing an interest in their peers. They called each
other friends! To some this may seem trivial or even
non-consequential, but for them it was most likely the
first time they owned with self determination a sense
of social bonding and accomplishment. Social Skills
groups are essential for, if nothing else, the feeling of
taking part in the little silly nuances that our clients,
children, or even we have witnessed, but never really
understood.
“End the Wait” By Cristine E. Marchand, Executive Director, The Arc of Maryland
New Waiting List numbers for Developmental Disabilities
Administration (DDA) were released in July 2008. There
are now 18,024 children and adults and their families on
the DDA Waiting List for Community Services, per the
Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration
(DDA). The numbers grew by nearly 400 in just the past
4 months. That’s a growth of 86% from 2004 to 2008.
The Arc of Maryland has joined with the
Developmental Disabilities Coalition on the End the
Wait Now! Campaign. The campaign is a targeted
effort by individuals with developmental disabilities
and their families in collaboration with the Coalition.
Made possible by funding support from the Maryland
Developmental Disabilities Council and volunteer
efforts by families, the campaign coordinates public
education and grassroots advocacy to obtain the
needed funding for the Waiting List. Maryland must
make funding for the Waiting List and for quality
community programs a priority.
■ 51% of these individuals are deemed by the state to
be in crisis categories; 43% have a current need for
services; 6% have a future need for services. Many are
living with elderly caregivers, single parents or young
families with no help. Many have been waiting for years.
You can help! If you'd like to get involved, go to
www.endthewaitnow.com for the latest information
and to sign up! Or contact Cristine Marchand at
The Arc of Maryland: 410-974-6139 or
[email protected].
■ 22,000 people currently receive services from DDA.
However, many have outdated and under-funded budgets
that do not meet their current needs, including people who
face growing needs due to changing medical and aging
conditions.
7
Nonprofit
Organization
Permit #549
U.S. Postage
Paid
Cockeysville, MD
303 International Circle
Suite 110
Baltimore, MD 21030
Address Services Requested
Your Donation Makes a Difference!
Please consider a contribution to Pathfinders for Autism – a great gift idea to honor
a loved one or colleague. See the enclosed envelope for details. Thank you!
Board Members
New Contact Info
Alisa Rock
President
303 International Circle, Suite 110
Hunt Valley, MD 21030
B.J. Surhoff
Vice President
Bruce L. Schindler
Treasurer
Rebecca Faye Smith Galli
Secretary
Polly Winde Surhoff
Linda Carter-Ferrier
H. Bradley Donovan
Michael R. Ford
Stephen A. Geppi
John W. Kamauff
Rick Opfer
Stuart Spielman
Honorary Board Member
Michael Phelps
Address
Administrative Offices
443-330-5370
Resource Center Help Line
443-330-5341
Toll Free Help Line
866-806-8400
Pathfinders For Autism Resource Center
HELP LINE: (443) 330-5341
Toll-free (866) 806-8400
www.pathfindersforautism.org
“Our mission is to find a path for our children.”