The Echo May 2012 Heidi Choice Editor
Calendar of Events: 

May 3 & Jun 7, 9:00am, Newly Diagnosed Workshop at PFC Resource Ctr. Room 414 May 14, 28, 6:00pm, Stedman Support Group, Stedman Recreation Ctr.
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May 14, 5:45 pm, HFA Support Group at Dorothy Spainhour Ctr.
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May 14, 6:30 pm, Parent Education Meeting, Dorothy Spainhour Ctr.
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May 8, 11:30 am, ALC Support Group at Luigi’s on McPherson Church Rd.
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May 16, 9:30 am, ABC Support Group at PFC Resource Ctr., Room 414
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May 24, 9:30 am, Preschool Support Group, PFC Resource Ctr., Room 414
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May 22, 11:00 am, Board of Directors Meeting, PFC Resource Ctr. Board of Directors: Anna Finch, President Warren Aronson, Vice President Gwen Scott, Treasurer Brandy Mello, Secretary Dr. Debra Gillum Cynthia Billops
Volume 10, Issue 9
~Monthly Parent Education Program~ On May 14, 2012,
Heather Wilkerson, LCSW Hope-Thru-Horses, Inc. Will Present:
Autism: How Can Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy Help? The learner will: 1. Identify ways that equine animals can benefit people with ASD. 2. Identify the differences between therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and equine assisted psychotherapy. 3. Learn about national and local resources for equine therapy. Please note that a brief membership meeting will begin at 6:30pm. The presentation will follow.
Join us May 14, 2012, at 6:30 pm at the Dorothy Spainhour Center 223 Hull Road, Fayetteville
For your convenience, free respite care is available on site through Community Based Developmental Services. Please contact Cynthia Billops at 4885820 or 488-4584 to reserve your space at least 24 hours in advance. You may leave a message to reserve your space. Please be aware that you will not receive a return phone call.
~For Your Calendar~
Joe’s Crab Shack Fundraising Night May 1, 2012 4:00 pm — 11:00 pm
Chris Leacock Dr. Suzanna Fletcher
Staff:
6th Annual Autism
Director of Programs and Outreach:
Awareness Golf Tournament
Heidi Choice
June 16, 2012
Program and Outreach Assistant:
King’s Grant Golf Course,
Alvita Blue
8:00 am, Fayetteville, NC More information on pages 6 and 7
The Echo Page 2
May 2012
~Camp Sunshine~ Camp Sunshine will be held from June 25—July 27, 2012 at Loyd Auman Elementary School. All spaces have been filled. If you are interested in volunteering at camp, please call (910) 826-3005 for more information.
Camp Sunshine
Congratulations to 15 Camp Sunshine families who received scholarships funded by the Ben Lucero Scholarship Fund this year. We are honored to share the Lucero Family’s generosity with you! Below please find a note from the Lucero Family: “We look forward to doing the Memorial golf tournament in Ben’s honor again in the fall (date TBA) and thank everyone for their support by donations, sponsorship, and service. We especially thank everyone for keeping Ben's memory alive with these efforts. We think of it as a celebration of Ben's life and a way of supporting the camp he loved and attended for 14 summers. Thank you again, Bob, Ann and Josh Lucero”
Thank you also to Gwendolyn Scott who sponsored a child to attend camp this year!
~Rhythm and Rhyme Sensory Story Time~ The Cumberland County Public Library’s Hope Mills Branch will offer a Rhythm and Rhyme Sensory Story Time for exceptional children and their families on Saturday, May 19 10:30 am — 11:00 am. For more information about this event, please call Vicki Sheeler at 425-8455, ext. 225.
~From the Desk of the Director~ Dear Friends: This is the last issue of The Echo newsletter for this fiscal year. All support groups will continue to meet as listed in the calendar on page 3. The HFA Support Group will be held at Nancy Williams’ house. Please RSVP for each HFA meeting at (910) 868-5114. The Preschool Support Group will begin meeting every Thursday effective July 5, 2012. Please visit our website at www.autismcc.org, or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/asccnc to stay informed of the latest information about our organization and upcoming events/meetings. Please expect the next Echo newsletter in your mailbox during the first week of September 2012.
~Did You Know?~ Autism Mutations, Scattered Across Many Genes, Merge Into Common Network of Interactions UW researchers have announced their findings from a major study looking into the genetic basis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) with an approach piloted at the UW. The researchers have been studying ASD in children who have no family history of this or related impairments -- so called "sporadic autism" -- and also why autism varies in its symptoms and severity. By focusing on "sporadic autism," the researchers sought to evaluate a specific genetic model for ASD risk, namely the appearance of new mutations (termed de novo) in children with ASD that were not found in either parent. To read more, please visit: www.sciencedaily.com. (NASET, Volume 8, Issue 15, April 2012)
Children with Autism Born Preterm, Post-Term Have More Severe Symptoms For children with autism, being born several weeks early or several weeks late tends to increase the severity of their symptoms, according to new research out of Michigan State University. Additionally, children with autism who were born either preterm or post-term are more likely to self-injure themselves compared with autistic children born on time, revealed the study by Tammy Movsas of MSU's Department of Epidemiology. Though the study did not uncover why there is an increase in autistic symptoms, the reasons may be tied to some of the underlying causes of why a child is born preterm (prior to 37 weeks) or post-term (after 42 weeks) in the first place. To read more, please visit: www.sciencedaily.com. (NASET, Volume 8, Issue 15, April 2012)
The Echo Page 3
May 2012
June 2012 SUN 3
MON 4
TUE
WED
5
6
THU 7 Newly Diagnosed
1
FRI
SAT
2
8
9
15
16 Autism Awareness Golf
Workshop, 9:00am
10 17
11 HFA Support Group,
12 ALC Lunch Club,
7:00pm-9:00pm; Stedman Support Group 6:00pm
11:30am, O’Charley’s
18
19
13
14
Tournament, King’s Grant Golf Course, 8:00am
20 ABC Support Group,
21
22
23
28 Preschool Support Group, 29
30
9:30am-11:00am
24
25 Camp Sunshine begins; 26
27
Stedman Support Group, 6:00pm
9:30am-11:00am
July 2012 1
SUN
8 15 22
2
MON
3
TUE
9 HFA Support Group,
10
7:00pm-9:00pm; Stedman Support Group 6:00pm
Ruby Tuesday (Skibo)
16
17
ALC Lunch Club, 11:30am,
23 Stedman Support Group, 24
WED
4 Camp Sunshine is closed
5
11
12 Preschool Support
Newly Diagnosed Workshop, 9:00am; Preschool Support Group, 9:30am-11:00am
6
FRI
SAT
7
13
14
20
21
27 Camp Sunshine ends.
28
Group, 9:30am-11:00am
18 ABC Support Group,
19 Preschool Support
9:30am-11:00am
Group, 9:30am-11:00am
25
26 Preschool Support
6:00pm
29
THU
Group, 5:30pm—7:00pm
30
31
August 2012 SUN
MON
TUE
WED
1
THU
2 Newly Diagnosed Workshop, 3
FRI
SAT
4
9:00am; Preschool Support Group, 9:30am-11:00am
5
6 Stedman Support Group,
7
8
6:00pm
12 19
13 HFA Support Group,
14 ALC Lunch Club, 11:30am, 15 ABC Support Group,
16 Preschool Support Group, 17
7:00pm-9:00pm
Smokey Bones
9:30am-11:00am
9:30am-11:00am
22
23 Preschool Support Group, 24
20 Stedman Support Group, 21 27
11
9:30am-11:00am
6:00pm
26
9 Preschool Support Group, 10
5:30pm—7:00pm
28
29
30 Preschool Support Group, 31 9:30am-11:00am
18 25
The Echo Page 4
May 2012
~Thank
You ~
We are grateful for the following donors who have supported the ASCC with monetary contributions during the months of January 2012—March 2012: Cathy Summers
Joe’s Crab Shack
Eric Williams
Lamb Foundation of NC, Inc.
Gwendolyn Scott
Nancy Williams
We treasure our volunteers. Your efforts and your willingness to make a difference in the services we provide, make the ASCC shine. You are truly amazing and we are thankful for your continued support. The following individuals volunteered a total of 184 hours at the ASCC during the months of January 2012—March 2012: Anna Finch
Colleen Quinn
Jenna Estep
Angie Smith
Cynthia Billops
Julie Aul
Brandy Mello
Debbie Gillum
Julie Gerard
Chris Leacock
Gwendolyn Scott
Mary Potter
Last, but certainly not least, we would like to thank you, our friends, families, and professionals who faithfully support us by participating in the many fundraising events held in our city in support of our organization. As a non-profit organization, we not only depend on grant funding that we must apply for every fiscal year, we also greatly depend on donations and fundraising events to sustain our programs. Thank you all for eating dinner with us at Joe’s Crab Shack during the past months! Thank you for visiting the Northwood Temple Mothers of Preschoolers Twice is Nice Sale and showing your support! Thank you for joining us to “Walk A Mile For Autism” on a beautiful Sunday morning. You played Bingo with us and you joined us for a fun “Zumba for Autism” evening. We are thrilled that you continue to support all of our efforts. Thank you!
… and then ….
The Echo Page 5
May 2012
Comments on Proposed DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria The Autism Society of North Carolina Blog, February 10, 2012: “In recent weeks national and local media outlets have reported about proposed changes to diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders version 5 (DSM 5). The proposed changes have not been formalized and that process is expected to be completed by December 2012. – Editor What will the proposed changes to the diagnostic criteria mean for families and children with ASD? That is certainly a question that many have asked and just as many are researching. While there are several major changes that include the elimination of diagnostic labels such as Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder not Otherwise Specified, and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, the intent of these changes is not to limit the eligibility of individuals, but instead to eliminate an overlap in the criteria that is currently being used. Presently, there are inconsistencies in the distinctions among disorders. The anticipated changes would allow a single diagnostic category, Autism Spectrum Disorder, to represent each individual’s clinical specifiers and associated features. My hope is that there would be a shift in focus from diagnostic labels to an individual’s characteristics and symptoms, which would lead to more appropriate and specialized treatment. There is great concern by some that reducing diagnostic domains from three to two and requiring both criteria to be completely fulfilled might result in individuals who, by today’s criteria, would receive a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome, not receiving this diagnosis in the future. It is also possible that the broadening of criteria would allow some who have not previously been diagnosed to receive a diagnosis due to the fact that fewer symptoms overall would be required. The Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) is closely monitoring these changes in an effort to ensure that no individual on the autism spectrum is negatively impacted. In addition, ASNC will continue to provide services and supports for all individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. As the debate around proposed changes continues and the new DSM V is completed, we will keep you informed and welcome your feedback. Leica Anzaldo is Training Manager for the Autism Society of North Carolina and can be reached via email at lanzaldo@autismsociety-nc.org.”
ASCC Support Groups: Support Groups provide an opportunity to share, learn, and connect. Parents, caregivers, guardians, and professionals are welcome to participate in all of our support groups. The HFA/Asperger’s Support Group will meet on Monday, May 14, 5:45pm, at the Dorothy Spainhour Center. Focus: Families of children, adolescents, and adults diagnosed with HFA or Asperger’s. The Autism Breakfast Club (ABC) Support Group will meet Wednesday, May 15 at 9:30 am at the PFC Resource Center, Room 414. Focus: Families of children with ASD up to age 12. Childcare will be provided. The Autism Lunch Club (ALC) Support Group will meet Tuesday, May 8 at 11:30 am at Luigi’s. Focus: Families of adolescents and adults with ASD. The Preschool Support Group will meet on Thursday, May 24 at 9:30 am at the PFC Resource Center, Room 414. Focus: Families of young children with ASD ages 1-5 years. Childcare will be provided. The Stedman Support Group will meet on Monday, May 14 and May 28 at 6:00 pm at the Stedman Recreation Center. Focus: Families of children, adolescents, and adults with ASD. For more information, please call JoAnn Bass (910) 705-5360.
The Echo Page 6
May 2012
Sixth Annual Autism Awareness Golf Tournament Saturday, June 16, 2012 King’s Grant Golf Course, Fayetteville, NC Sponsorships & Donations Name of Sponsor/Donor: Company Slogan: Contact Person: Address: Phone number:
Please choose one or more of the following sponsorship/donation opportunities: Corporate Sponsorship:
$1,000
$
$500
$
(Includes hole sponsorship, Two 4-man-teams, logo on t-shirts, and print media)
Corporate Sponsorship:
(Includes hole sponsorship, 4-man-team, logo on t-shirts and print media)
Hole Sponsorship:
$100
$
In honor of by
Donation:
$
Gift Certificates and/or Door Prizes:
$
Gift Certificates: Door Prizes: For more information, please call (910) 826-3004/3005. Please makes checks payable to the Autism Society of Cumberland County and mail completed form to the address below. We will gladly pick up gift certificates and door prizes.
Autism Society of Cumberland County 351 Wagoner Drive, Suite 410 Fayetteville, NC 28303 The Autism Society of Cumberland is a non-profit incorporated organization as described in section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All donations are tax deductible to the extend allowed by law.
The Echo Page 7
May 2012
Sixth Annual Autism Awareness Golf Tournament Saturday, June 16, 2012 King’s Grant Golf Course, Fayetteville, NC Team Application Team Captain:
Phone:
Mailing Address:
T-shirt size:
2nd Player:
Phone:
Mailing Address:
T-shirt size:
3rd Player:
Phone:
Mailing Address:
T-shirt size:
4th Player:
Phone:
Mailing Address:
T-shirt size:
Fee per Player:
$60
$
$100
$
(includes golf cart, green fees, range balls, raffle ticket, t-shirt, and lunch)
Hole Sponsorship: In honor of by
Donation:
$
For more information, please call (910) 826-3004/3005. Please makes checks payable to the Autism Society of Cumberland County and mail completed form to the address below. Autism Society of Cumberland County 351 Wagoner Drive, Suite 410 Fayetteville, NC 28303
The Autism Society of Cumberland is a non-profit incorporated organization as described in section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
May 2012
Return Service Requested
351 Wagoner Drive, Suite 410 Fayetteville, NC 28303 Tel: 910-826-3004/3005 Fax: 910-868-5881 E-mail: autismcc@ccpfc.org Web: www.autismcc.org
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Winner of the Autism Society of North Carolina affiliate of the Year Award—1996, 2002, & 2003
“Supporting Individuals Within The Autism Spectrum”
The Autism Society of Cumberland County is an affiliate of the Autism Society of North Carolina.
~Donations~ Please remember the ASCC with your tax-deductible charitable contribution. Make checks payable to:
Mission Statement: The Autism Society of Cumberland County is committed to providing support and promoting opportunities which enhance the lives of individuals within the autism spectrum and their families.
Vision Statement:
Autism Society of Cumberland County 351 Wagoner Drive, Suite 410 Fayetteville, NC 28303 Name:
The Autism Society of Cumberland County strives to create a community where people within the autism spectrum and their families receive respect, services, and supports based on individual differences, needs, and preferences.
Address: Amount of Contribution:
Disclaimer: The Autism Society of Cumberland County does not take any position regarding studies of ASD, nor endorse any particular form of treatment, intervention, or therapy. This newsletter allows us to pass along current information in the field of ASD to our families and organization members.
Funded In Part By:
~Membership~ Autism Society of Cumberland County 351 Wagoner Drive, Suite 410 Fayetteville, NC 28303 Name: ________________________________ __ Parent/Caregiver
__ Professional
__ Sibling
__ Individual with ASD
Annual Membership Categories:
__ Local ASCC Membership only: $10.00 (Make your check payable to: Autism Society of Cumberland County
OR __ Combined State & Local Membership: $45.00
Cumberland Community Foundation
Address: _______________________________ _______________________________ Telephone: _____________________________ Email: _________________________________
(Make your check payable to: Autism Society of NC) __ Yes, I would like $10 to be returned to the ASCC for local membership fees.