Autism Update January/ February - Macomb St. Clair Autism Society

Macomb/St. Clair County Chapter of the Autism Society of America
Autism Awareness Update
www.macombasa.org
SUMMER 2011
Autism Insurance Michigan Legislation~ 2011 Update
By now, I am sure you are all aware of AIM’s (Autism
Insurance Michigan) grassroots effort to pass autism insurance
legislation. You are, also, probably aware of just how close we
actually came to achieving this goal in 2010. We marched all the
way down that football field to the 1 foot line, but fell just short of
the goal. It was a devastating blow.
However, it is now 2011 and we are starting our effort
again because we know that we can get this done, if we all work
together. What you may not have known is that 2010 was an unprecedented election. Michigan has 38 Senators, 29 are in their
first term. There are 110 members of the Michigan House and 62
of them are new. What this means is that we have a lot of work to
do educating all these legislators who are new to our issue. This
is where you come in! Legislators are currently on their summer
break, which means they are ‘in district’ and you can meet with
them in your local communities. Please get involved and schedule a meeting to inform your legislators how important this issue
is to you and your family and why. Please ask your friends and
family to get involved, too.
The good news is that we have two bills currently introduced in the Senate, SB 414 – sponsored by Sen. Mike Green
– and SB 415 – sponsored by Sen. Tupac Hunter. Both bills are
in the Senate Health Policy Committee and are scheduled for a
hearing on Sep. 8th at 2:30pm in the Senate Hearing Room in the
Boji Tower in Lansing. Mark your calendars now and help us to
have a great turnout and a strong show of support! This is why
it is so critical that you contact your legislators, particularly in the
Senate and especially if they are a member of the Health Policy
Committee (lists and contact information can be found on either
AIM’s blog or Facebook page), while they are in district. The legislative session doesn’t begin again until Sep. 7th, which means
our issue is one of the first to be taken up when they get back!
Another piece of good news is that Lt. Governor Brian
Calley is a staunch supporter and ally. He is working hard to help
us achieve our goal. That goal, of course, is to get this legislation passed through the Senate as quickly as possible and then
focus all our effort on the House. Obviously, time is precious and
every year that passes is a year lost for our children. The sooner
we can get this done, the sooner our children will have access to
the treatments and therapies they need and deserve. Working
together we can succeed!
AIM is here to support you. If you or your legislator need
any facts, or even if you want someone to go with you to your
meeting, please let us know and we will get you what you need.
We can send the legislator any additional information they need
or make follow-up phone calls or visits.
To keep on top of what is happening with the legislation
and get involved, go to the AIM blog site http://autisminsurancemi.blogspot.com/ to sign up for updates or search for AIM (Autism
Insurance in Michigan) on Facebook . If you are not receiving
AIM alerts, please go to one of these pages and sign up because
this time we need to cross that goal line!
6th Annual “Out & About Autism” 5k run/ 5k walk
Ok, where do we start? WHEW! what a day. Perfect weather, tremendous turnout, over the top participation and we profited a bundle, over $25,000! WOW!
Yes, can you believe it, it was an “over the top” great day.
Our sponsors, volunteers, pledge donors, and YOU made it all possible.
We hope you enjoyed yourselves, and plan to join us next year to “do it all
again”. We cannot thank everyone enough for all their efforts that went into
this day, but please know you are special friends to us.
Photos from the walk are available through a link on our website, to see the
fun yourself. Please see the list of contributors and friends in the newsletter,
and patronize the businesses and thank them for their support of our children
& adults on the ASD spectrum.
Mark your calendar, June 16, 2012!
President’s Letter
Welcome to SUMMER!
MSCCC/ASA Board
President
Theresa Gabalis
Vice-President
Annette Duda
Treasurer
Robert Auten
Secretary
Amy Wallace
Directors
Michelle Dubiel
Laura Gayan
Kim Mize
Barb Stiers
What a wonderful summer we have been having. I hope everyone has been
enjoying the weather and relaxing a bit. Our board has been BUSY, but also taking a little
break, since our support meetings take a break for July & August.
To start with, we had an OVER the top Out & About run/walk this past June, with over 900
participants, including over 225 runners, which is a record for us!
THANK YOU isn’t enough to express our gratitude for everyone’s support of our Chapter’s
efforts, all year long!
To begin with, I have to acknowledge our NEW board members, Kim Mize and Barb Stiers
who were elected as new directors, on June 16, 2011, and a heartfelt thank you to our “retiring” board members, Steve Taravella, April Franchy and Roberta Schmidt, who are taking
a backseat for a time. Their dedication is greatly appreciated by our Chapter, and I KNOW
they will continue to be involved behind the scenes! We wish to thank all of you who have
shown interest and support of being apart of directing this Chapter. All of the board is of
course volunteering their time and energies, to making this Chapter “work”!
We have also just completed “granting” $10,000 in parent grants to over 25 families, to assist them in providing therapies for their children. These grants were possible because of the
tremendous response to our fundraising efforts this Spring & Summer. THANK YOU.
This coming August 6, 2011 is the 7th annual “Ride of Autism”, being held again in Taylor
Michigan and we have our FIRST bowling fundraiser on August 19, 2011.
(Please see information for both elsewhere in the newsletter.)
Also, as in year’s past, our Chapter is holding its 11th “Family Enrichment Camp” at the
Lion’s Club Bear Lake camp, in Lapeer Michigan. Members can join us for the weekend,
August 26 – 28th, but also, non-members are welcome for Saturday only, to experience the
swimming, boating, �shing and FOOD! We still have room for Saturday only families, so
please contact the Chapter as soon as possible.
This fall, includes some of our regular “events” beginning with our Chapter participating
again in the Romeo Parade on Labor Day (see info elsewhere) and the start of our bowling
league again on September 12, 2011. PLEASE join us for both events. We are also planning
a “movie in the parking lot” event at Bozymowski for late September, complete with an
oversized movie screen, popcorn and fun for everyone. Please look on our website for details
to come.
Ok, that’s it for now. MUCH
more elsewhere in the
newsletter. Our thanks to
ALL the wonderful sponsors, volunteers, friends &
family who have given of
their time & talent for our
kids. Please see our website
for more events planned.
Sincerely,
Theresa Gabalis
Lisa Zanoni
Newsletter Editor
Mary Jo Boughton
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Thank You to Our ‘Out & About 6’
Supporters
Platinum Sponsors
C & G Newspapers
UAW Local 2280
Richmond Moose Lodge # 2575
Gold Sponsors
Crawl, Walk, Jump & Run
Therapy Clinic PC
Fieldstone Winery - Rochester
Friends of Jacob Foundation
Jack’s Place for Autism Foundation
Kohls Cares for Kids - Shelby Twp
McKechnie Vehicle Components
McNaughton-McKay Electric Co.
Suburban Ford of Sterling
Heights
The Center for TLC
The Willy B Medical Team
Silver Sponsors
Acme Plating Inc.
Hanson’s Running
Hyperbaric Options
Kroger Corp.- Macomb Twp.
MNP Corporation
P2P Peer Support - Fraser Public
Schools
Pump it Up - Shelby Twp
Rite Aid Pharmacy - District 2305
Sensory Systems Clinic
Solstice Services
Two Men & A Truck
Walgreens
Pledge Donors
$500 or more
Bank of America Employees
Christina Maier & Willy B Medical
Team
Headlines Salon & Spa - New
Baltimore
Janet Williamson
Laura Gayan & Family & Friends
Marvin Bielec & Friends
Pledge Donors
$250 - $500
Lois Froias & friends
Michelle Coffey & friends
Reichenbach & friends
Pledge Donors
up to $250
Alisa & Friends
Ann Kulik & family
Annette & Mike Darnell
Constance Howe
David Carnillo
Deb Tannir
Dennis Rose & family
Diane Haskins
Elaine Robinson
Garrets Crew - The Parlow Family
Gloria Vernier
Jacob Azar & friends
Janet & Jackie Haskins
Jennifer Dombrowski & Friends
Jennifer Manning Family
Jessie Zurgable
Jet’s Pizza
Joey
Joy, Kaitlyn & Jacob
Kathleen & Mark Forbert
Kelly Yurgo & Friends
Khalil J. Shamley
Kim O
Kirt Loeffler
Lauren Fulks
Laurie Depasquale
Laurie Parrow
Leo C. Ziesmer
Linda Helfmann
Linda Probert
Lisa Dulinski & Friends
Lisa Dulrenski
Lisa Thombs & Friends
Lori Roberts & Friends
Lori Van Wormer
Marilyn Doebler
Marissa Witting & Garret’s Crew
Mark & Linda Dunn
Mark Olmstead in honor of
Christopher Donato
Mark Tombs
Martin Family
Michelle Yurgo
Mike
Paul Brucker & family
Rangel
Richard Ballinger
Robert Hammel
Ron Feiter
Sandra Granata
Sandra Surratt & friends
Service Eng
Shannon Robinson
Steve Novniair
Susan Haney
Trevor
Veteran’s Service Office
Vilma Opolinto-Cabal
L’Anse Creuse High School Volunteers
Special Thanks to All of
Our Wonderful Volunteers
Buff Whelan Chevrolet
Caribou Coffee - Shelby Twp.
Croc Store - Partridge Creek
Discovery Toys
Gary Olson & Race Timing
Services
L’Anse Creuse High School North
Cross Country members
Mary Jo Boughton Photography
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McDonalds - 26 Mile & Vandyke
McDonalds - Hall Rd & Romeo
Plank
N.W. Kaltz Nursery
National Coney Island
Nino Salvaggios - Hall Rd.
Oasis Hot Tub Gardens
Sandy’s Sewing
Sonya Hanson
Staples Corporation
Stony Creek Metro Park
Out & About 5K Run Winning Times
Sibling Outing~June 11th
Complete List of Run Times for June 18, 2011 2011 Out and About 6 Autism Run/Walk for Autism Awareness
Available at RunMichigan.com
Overall Female Open Winners
Total
Place /Name/ City/ Bib No /Age /Overall /Time /Pace
1 /Linda Gregory/ New Baltimore MI /328 /26 / 7 / 22:56/ 7:24-M
Overall Male Open Winners
Total
Place /Nam/e City/ Bib No /Age/ Overall /Time/ Pace
1 Trevor Creagh /Chesterfield M/I 279/ 15/ 1 /17:48/ 5:45-M
Female 19 and Under
Total
Place /Name /City /Bib No /Age /Overall/ Time /Pace
1 Christina Micale /Macomb MI/ 206 /16 /11/ 23:51/ 7:42-M
Male 19 & Under
Total
Place/ Name/ City /Bib No/ Age/ Overall/ Time/ Pace
1 Anthony Kowalchick Rochester MI 352 17 5 22:48 7:21/M
Female 20 to 29
Total
Place/Name /City/ Bib No /Age/ Overall/ Time/ Pace
1 Rachel Harrison Harrison Twp. MI 185 22 18 24:35 7:56/M
Male 20 to 29
Total
Place/ Name/ City /Bib No/ Age/ Overall /Time/ Pace
1 Justin Zanetti/ Chesterfield MI/ 278/ 27 /2 /19:18/ 6:14-M
Female 30 to 39
Total
Place/ Name/ City/ Bib No/ Age/ Overall/ Time/ Pace
1 Nicole Weir Washington MI 335 32 9 23:40 7:38/M
Male 30 to 39
Total
Place/ Name/ City/ Bib No/ Age/ Overall/ Time/ Pace
1 Jim Szymanski Shelby Twp MI 299 38 3 22:18 7:12/M
Female 40 to 49
Total
Place/ Name/ City/ Bib No/ Age/ Overall /Time/ Pace
1 Trina Jolley Holly MI 274 42 15 24:14 7:49/M
Male 40 to 49
Total
Place/ Name/ City/ Bib No/ Age/ Overall/ Time /Pace
1 Brent Levasseur Shelby Twp MI 200 47 20 25:01 8:04/M
Female 50 to 59
Total
Place/ Name /City/ Bib No/ Age/ Overall/ Time /Pace
1 Barbara Vasseur Sterling Hts MI 261 51 30 25:44 8:18/M
Male 50 to 59
Total
Place/ Name/ City /Bib No /Age/ Overall/ Time/ Pace
1 Joe Plotzke Chesterfield MI 371 50 13 24:00 7:45/M
Female 60 to 69
Total
Place/ Name/ City/ Bib No/ Age /Overall/ Time/ Pace
1 Elaine Widzinski Sterling Heights M 345 60 85 31:12 10:04/M
Male 60 to 69
Total
Place/ Name /City/ Bib No/ Age/ Overall/ Time/ Pace
1 Currell Pattie Shelby Twp. MI 282 67 79 30:46 9:55/M
Male 70 & Over
Total
Place/ Name/ City/ Bib No /Age/ Overall /Time/ Pace
1 Kingsley Sears Warren MI 356 83 204 49:18 15:54/M
by Michelle Dubiel
We had a great time at CJ Barrymores in Clinton
Township when we gathered to share our experiences with each other, on the topic of being a
brother or sister of a child affected by autism. The
Chapter treated the siblings to an afternoon of fun,
food and conversation, to show how important
their relationship is to their brother or sister, and
how much their parents appreciate all that they do
for the family! This event allowed the kids to share
their thoughts with each other and it was great to
see them interacting so well. Our Chapter is so
proud of these young people and want to thank
them for being such great kids. We will be hosting
another “sibling outing” in the winter season for
Chapter member’s families. Watch the website for
details, we would love for you to join us!
11th Annual Family Enrichment Weekend
Bear Lake Camp
Lapeer, Michigan
August 27, 28 & 29, 2011
Coming in August is our 11th camping weekend in
Lapeer, where we enjoy the great outdoors and have
one last “great time” before heading back to school.
Members of the Chapter are welcome to join us for
the weekend , and non-members are invited to come
up for Saturday only, August 28th , for swimming,
fishing & boating in the beautiful setting at Bear Lake.
Members have already received their brochure, but
if you are interested in joining us for the weekend
or the day, please contact the voice mail as soon as
possible so we can include your family. Bear Lake
offers family cabins, a beautiful dining hall and a safe,
relaxing atmosphere for families to enjoy each other.
Weekend cost is $100 for a family of four, and Saturday only is $30, which includes all your meals for the
day and all the fun too!
Call the voice mail and leave a message if you are
interested in more info.
586-445-4915.
Thank you to the following donors.
We appreciate each and every one of you!
Knights of Columbus
Acme Plating
Anesthesia Revenue Management (ARM)
Graebner Elementary (Utica Schools)
Kirk and Janet Loeffler
Lawrence and Karen Sachalski
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Autism Awareness Puzzle Piece Campaign
by Amy Wallace
7th Annual Crop & Craft for Autism Awareness
by Lisa Zanoni
The Macomb/St. Clair County Chapter of the ASA would like to
thank all the local businesses who sponsored our Autism Puzzle
Piece Campaign this spring. In an effort to spread autism awareness across Macomb County, area businesses posted ribbons
throughout their businesses. If you, or someone you know, would
like more information on our Puzzle Piece Campaign, please
contact the Chapter.
Our Chapter held the 7th Annual Crop & Craft for
Autism Awareness, on Saturday, May 21, at the
beautiful MISD building on Garfield. One hundred and
twenty five scrapbookers and crafters attended. They
were provided yummy morning snacks, a pizza lunch
from Louie’s Pizza, and a delicious pasta dinner from
Dominic’s Catering, while working on preserving their
family memories, and other projects.
Thank you to the following participants in our
Puzzle Piece Autism Awareness Campaign for April 2011:
I want to thank everyone for another successful crop,
especially Acme Plating, Nancy Berdy-Jurban, Anita
Rinehart, Kiley Duff, Amanda Osborne, the MISD,
and the MSCCC/ASA board members, who helped
with set-up, clean up, and support. Your assistance
is always very much appreciated. A special thank
you to the croppers who attended the event, because
without you and your charitable contributions, for this
and through other events, our Chapter couldn’t have
provided over $15,000 of equipment and supplies to
our WishList Grant recipients.
Joe Duda with the Puzzle Piece Display
at Macomb Academy
Kingswood Lanes
TLC
Country Inn
McKernan Chiropractic
Mama Vicki’s
Strawberry Fields
Something Special
Hallmark
Lakeshore High School
Macomb Mall
Shannon Stermer
Gratiot Auto Center
Big Joe’s
Ai’s Hideaway
Naldrett Elementary
Sequoyah Elementary
New Haven Elementary
Wolfe Elementary
Jack Harvey Elementary
Centerline High School
Wilde Elementary
Bozymowski Center
Sensory Systems
Macomb Academy
Oakland University
Staples
Sam’s Club
Special Thanks to those who donated items and
services for the Crop:
Acme Plating, Inc.
B&B On the River
Nancy Berdy-Jurban
Chebella Designs
Julie Decker- CTMH
Dominic’s Catering
Susan Donnellon
Kiley Duff
Hook Farms Greenhouse
Cyndi & Tedi Jensen
Louie’s Pizza, 22 Mile/VanDyke
MISD
Osborne, Dora
Osborne, Amanda
Remember When Scrapbooking, Chesterfield
Anita Rinehart
Roberta Schmidt
The Scrapbook Zone
ScrapHappy- Ohio
Scrapbook Emporium
Scrappy Chic
Texas Road House, Roseville
Zanoni Family
MSCCC/ASA Board Members
Don’t miss this opportunity!
Property Tax Millage Vote – November 8, 2011
Macomb County voters will be asked in November to
approve a 1.2-mill property tax hike to finance special
education.
With unanimous support from the county’s 21 public
school superintendents, the Macomb Intermediate
School District announced Tuesday it will put the question on the ballot Nov. 8th.
Approval of the increase would raise the county’s special
education millage rate from the current 2.74 to 3.94 mills.
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2011 OUT& ABOUT
5k WALK/RUN FOR AUTISM AWARENESS
See other photos and details on purchasing
prints of photos @ macombasa.org
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Photos by Mary Jo Boughton Photography
Aspergers Is Beautiful
Aspergers Syndrome
A special gift often misunderstood by those who do not have it. This makes it difficult for those who live with it everyday.
Children who have Aspergers get teased in school and the teachers think that they are bad kids. Their relatives talk of
what a tragedy it is, and they always find themselves saying things like, “Why does he/she have to have Aspergers Syndrome”? The tragedy is not Aspergers, but rather the inability of people to understand and be tolerant of the people who
are unique and special in their own way.
Aspergers is a special gift. The people who have it are lucky they have it, and we should consider ourselves lucky that
we are fortunate enough to share our world with these beautiful people. Aspergers is something to be proud of. People
who have Aspergers have extraordinary talents and abilities. They tend to vigorously pursue their interests and they are
revolutionary thinkers who are always redefining our ideas of what is possible. Many people who have Aspergers become visionary leaders in their professions, and change the whole course of history. Under the right conditions, people
with Aspergers can have a very bright future.
People with Aspergers have problems socially; they think and act differently than most people. Sometimes, life can be
hard for people with Aspergers; the world can be a very scary, confusing and frustrating place for them. They are special
people who need help to find their place in a world in which they are outnumbered, misunderstood, and even sometimes
blatantly discriminated against.
However, there is much hope! People can ease the hardships of those who have Aspergers by simply giving them
the unconditional love and acceptance they need, and the understanding they deserve. People with Aspergers need our
love and support. We owe them our gratitude for all the gilts that they have given the world and for all they will give us in
the future. IF you have someone with Aspergers in your life, you should take a time out to explore and get to know the
Asperger world; people with Aspergers will greatly appreciate this and it will give them a sense of comfort and belonging. Then you will come to realize that the person with Aspergers is not misbehaving or being weird, but rather is thinking
and behaving in a way that is natural to him/her. Think about it; if Aspergers people were the majority, than no Asperger
people would need help from the Asperger people to live in the Asperger world.
We must remember that truly great people may have had their own set of problems particular to Aspergers, many people
achieved greatness because the benefits of having Aspergers far outweigh the difficulties. People with Aspergers have
used and will continue to use their special gift to make this world a better place to live in.
Beyond Aspergers, these people are pure of heart, honest, loyal, sensitive and sweet. People with Aspergers can
be very kind, loving, compassionate and caring people. It hurts to see another living thing in pain or suffering. It hurts to
see injustice in the world. It hurts to see the destruction of the environment. It hurts to see that the people of this world
who share the planet together cannot accept each other’s differences and live in peace so they fight and go to war. Also,
people who have Aspergers want people to realize that Aspergers is a gift that enhances an already beautiful person..
People with Aspergers have all different personalities and interests; even the Aspergers shows itself differently in each
individual who is blessed with it. It does not matter 2who you are or how Aspergers might affect your life, one think is
certain, Aspergers is a gift; it is a gift to the whole human race.
These beautiful people have overcome great hardship to share their gifts with the world. These beautiful people
face ridicule and rejection with dignity because they believe in themselves and what they stand for. These beautiful
people face the fear the fear and uncertainly of being a minority with great courage, because they know that they have to
in order to make a positive difference in the world. These beautiful people face failure and disappointment with a perseverant spirit that they any human can admire because they know that if they give up on themselves, they give up on the
opportunity to share their special gifts and talents with the world. These beautiful people have accomplished so much already and they will continue to be a driving force for positive progress. Our society should love and nurture these beautiful
people and appreciate them for the treasures that they really are. Aspergers is good! I am glad that there are Aspergers
people in my world, helping to make things better.
Aspergers is beautiful!
by Elizabeth E. Hofer, e-mail: [email protected]
Ms. Hofer was the guest speaker at our June 2011 support meeting.
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Spread the word as widely as you can!
“No to Medicaid Cuts!”
Walk in the Romeo Peach Parade!
by Dee Dee Eberle and Ralph Scott
The Arc of the United States
It’s almost here! The third annual Romeo Peach
Parade walk is fast approaching. The mile and a
half parade route heads straight through downtown
Romeo on Monday, September 5th. A shuttle takes
walkers from the parking area in Fiddlers Cove at
33 Mile Road and Van Dyke to the starting point and
then returns them at the
end of the parade.
What an amazing turnout
we had last year! At least
100 folk carried signs,
handed out magnets and
tossed candy to promote
our Chapter and autism
awareness. Join us again
this year and bring a friend or two. Be sure to wear
any one of our many “Out and About” t-shirts. We
are looking for a volunteer with a van to drive in the
parade. Thank you to all who help make our events
a success. Remember to watch facebook and the
website for updates. Feel free to post questions or
comments. See you then!
Last week, there was a very powerful, nationwide response to our calls for action to protect Medicaid from
significant cuts. While there has not yet been a resolution to the immediate crisis (deciding what federal
programs will be cut to resolve the federal debt ceiling
crisis), a plan must be devised and will happen in the
next several days. Thus, it’s absolutely critical that
we do everything possible this week to tell Congress
not to balance the budget on the backs of people with
intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) by making cuts to Medicaid, a program that truly is a lifeline
for so many.
If you have not contacted your two US Senators and
House Member, please do so promptly. Phone calls
are the most effective means to do this, and it only
takes a couple of minutes per call.
Once you have made you own calls, we urge you to
spread the word to your network of friends, relatives
and other connections:
Email contacts: Who do you know who might make
calls to their federal legislators to protect Medicaid if
you asked them? Think about all of your networks,
including other friends, family members, leaders of
organizations to which you belong, people where you
worship, and so on. Send your contacts an email,
briefly telling them why protecting Medicaid from
devastating cuts is important to your family. Include a
link to The Arc’s page that provides background and
instructions on calling Congress - http://capwiz.com/
thearc/callalert/index.tt?alertid=50781796.
American Psychiatric Association Revising
The Diagnostic Criteria
for Autism in DSM-V
The American Psychiatric Association is in the process
of revising the guidelines, known as the Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The revisions will be published in the DSM’s fifth edition, due
in May 2013. The manual has implications for how
psychiatric drugs are developed and prescribed, what
treatments get covered under insurance plans, and
which approach doctors take in treating their patients.
Facebook: If you have a Facebook page, please post
Anyone who has received a diagnosis from a mena status update asking your friends to act to protect
tal health professional has most likely had his or her
Medicaid and link to The Arc’s take action page.
symptoms defined by the guidebook. The proposed
changes can be viewed at www.dsm5.org.
Twitter: Do you Tweet? A short post to your TwitThe Autism Action Network, a national, non-partisan
ter account can reach all your followers. (Suggested
political action organization formed by parents in supTweet: Medicaid: a lifeline for people with disabilities.
port of children with neurodevelopmental and commuTell Congress, No to cuts! http://bit.ly/qJ2646)
nication disorders, is concerned that the redefinition
will lead to a whole range of negative impacts for the
Blogs: If you blog, The Arc has a model posting that
autism community ranging from the loss of access to
you may use (and add your own voice, if you’d like)
services and placements in autism specific programs,
and post to spread the word to your blog audience.
to delaying definitive epidemiology for another twenty
years, to the loss of insurance coverage, to diluting
Spread the word even further: Finally, ask your
the
definition of autism to include people who may be
friends who use Facebook, Twitter and who blog to
socially awkward but completely functional. To read
share this message with their friends, followers and
more about their position visit their website
blog audiences, too. This can spread the word even
at www.autismactionnetwork.org
more far and wide!
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Autism Society National Conference
by Annette Duda
CREATIVE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Creative Employrment Opportunities, Inc., Macomb County
Autistic Program is looking for some assistance. They are
building resources to serve individuals at their location in
Clinton Township and are in need of the following items:
Weighted Blanket
Water Table
Bookshelves
Tables
Blocks
Bean Bags
Art Easel
Magazines
Floor/exercise mats
Puzzles
CREATIVE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
“Empowering People for Success”
www.creative-employment.org
Community Skills Training – Individuals participate
in social skill development activities (museums, libraries, parks, dancing, etc.) in small groups. The program is
designed to build basic social and interaction skills as a
foundation for the future.
Employment Services – Individuals are provided
direct support in a variety of employment situations and
volunteer sites which build experience/skills towards employment goals.
Adaptive Skill Building – Individuals in a structured
setting will continue to build their strengths as described in
their Person Centered Plan. Individuals will be offered a
variety of choices in daily activities:
•Creative Expressions – a center of artistic media to explore creative talents
•Music Class – an outlet for personal expression
•Social Recreation – through interaction in social settings
provides the opportunity for social skills growth
•Sensory Integration – exploring textures, movements,
sounds which teach relaxation techniques.
•Computer Lab – an educational and social stimulus
•Library
Being at the National Conference in Florida this year, there
seemed to be an overall theme. The Autism Society is striving for a unified voice (National, State & Local). To create a
unified voice within each state rather than individual Chapters. They want a delivery system that provides for every
person to achieve success.
We had our first Society Assembly meeting at the National
Conference. A representative from each State was invited
to attend to assist the National organization. The Society
Assembly will provide direct input into board decisions. The
Assembly will meet twice a year to discuss issues relating to
the Chapters and the National organization.
The Autism Society is putting a Tier System in place for all
Chapters. Tiers 1 – 3 will be required by each Chapter to
be a Chapter in Good Standing. Our Chapter is in the process of completing Tier 1 (Compliance Requirements) and
we are on our way to Tier 2. Again, this will make all the
Chapters more unified.
It was announced at the Conference that Scott Badesch
was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer for the
Autism Society. He was the interim President and was happy to accept the appointment. Badesch has more than 30
years of experience in nonprofit organizations, particularly in
fundraising, chapter outreach, advocacy and public policy,
and transformation of organizations. We wish him well.
Those in attendance at the Conference were able to see the
movie, Wretches and Jabberers about 2 men with Autism.
Larry & Tracy travel the world to change attitudes about disability and intelligence. I was able to purchase this movie
on DVD and we will be showing it at a later date. Its something everyone should see. Very touching and inspiring.
Copies of several of the presentations from the Conference
will be at the September Support Meeting
on September 15, 2011. See you then.
“What would happen if the autism gene was eliminated from the gene pool?
You would have a bunch of people standing around in a cave, chatting and socializing and not getting anything done.”
— Temple Grandin (The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger’s)
Parent Assistance Grant June 2011
Ride For Autism
By Annette Duda
Our Chapter offered Grants to parents to assist with therapies or treatment for their child
affected by Autism. We are proud to announce
we gave grants totaling almost $10,000.00. We
are happy to be able to assist these families.
We will have another Grant period in the future,
watch for details.
by Amy Wallace
On Saturday, August 6, 2011, bikers from all over Metro Detroit
will gather in Pinckney and Southfield, Michigan for the 7th Annual
Ride for Autism. Bikers will end their ride at Biker Bob’s in Taylor
after their parade across southern Michigan raising money and
awareness for autism. Ride for Autism is non-profit organization
that began in 2005.
For more information, please see their website at
www.rideforautism.com.
We hope to see you at Biker Bob’s!
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RAFFLES!
50/5 0 !
DOOR
PRIZES!
BOWLING FUNDRAISER
AUGUST 19, 2011
“KINGSWOOD LANES”
BOWLING CENTER!
FUN!
Lane #
DO NOT WRITE
IN THIS BOX
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CHECK IN BEGINS @ 6:30 pm – BEGIN BOWLING @ 7:00 pm
Includes 2 games of bowling ( 9 pin – No tap) & bowling shoes
PLUS ---- Pizza & Pop included
$20.00 per BOWLER – ALL AGES
ALL AGES – FAMILIES WELCOME TO BOWL TOGETHER
RESERVATIONS CAN BE IN TWO LANE FORMAT – ONE LANE NO BUMPER;
SECOND LANE – BUMPER IF NEEDED (not necessary)
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LIMIT 5 BOWLERS PER LANE
We will put you on a lane with others if you don’t have a full lane!
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MSCCC/ASA Events
July 23, 2011 - Autism Society Wayne County 2011 5K walk - Belle Isle Park, in Detroit Michigan off of Jefferson Ave & Grand Blvd.- Register
11am, Walk 12am http://waynecountyautismsociety.net/39083.html.
August 6, 2011- Ride for Autism – www rideforautism.com for details- PROCEEDS benefit Macomb/St. Clair County Chapter.
August 19, 2011 –FAMILY BOWLING FUNDRAISER – Kingswood Lanes – Flyer available in July @ www.macombasa.org
-contact @ 586-445-4915 if interested in sponsorship or to reserve a lane!
Sept 15, 2011-Parent Support Meeting. St. Ephrem’s.
Oct. 20, 2011-Parent Support Meeting. St. Ephrem’s.
November 17, 2011-Parent Support Meeting. St. Ephrem’s.
The Macomb/St. Clair County monthly support meetings are held at St. Ephrem’s Catholic Church Activity Hall, 38900
Dodge Park (corner of 17 Mile Rd. & Dodge Park) For up-to-date information about events consult our website @ www.
macombasa.org or follow us on Facebook.
REMINDER!
Please do not forget, our Chapter is co-hosting a parent
support meeting at the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Warren, the first Wednesday of every month. The group meetings are rotating locations between the church hall and
Kennedy Elementary in the Van Dyke School district.
Please watch our website for the location of each meeting.
Macomb/St.Clair County Chapter
of the Autism Society of America
P.O. Box 182186
Shelby Twp., MI 48318-2186