The Echo Keeping you informed!
October 2012 Join us this month for a fun evening of Bingo!
Volume 11, Issue 2
IN THIS ISSUE
Peer-Mediation Programs Possible Answer for Autistic Students in Rural Schools EDUCATION WEEK, Diette Courrege NASET Week in Review, Volume 8, Issue 32
Peer-mediation instruction and intervention programs could be a good option for rural schools that want to address the communication and social needs of their autistic students. A new paper, "Power-PALS (Peers Assisting, Leading, Supporting): Implementing A Peer-Mediated Intervention in a Rural Middle School Program," recently published in the Rural Special Education Quarterly highlighted one rural district's program as a "promising practice."
Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders. Teaching staff, supported by the national center, implemented a peer-mediation program with four autistic students and 18 of their peers for a semester. The students without autism were taught how to support their classmates' social skills both inside and outside of classrooms, and the group divided into teams and met weekly.
The paper's authors made it clear that they had little quantitative data, but they said the qualitative feedback from students, teachers, and parents showed this effort was worthwhile and beneficial to students with and without autism.
The program was so successful that it expanded to more middle school students and to the nearby elementary and high schools. One of the study's authors described it as "the most rewarding program that I have participated in thus far in my career. I have seen lives changed in so many positive ways for students in need of peer relationships."
They didn't name the middle school where they did their study, but they said it was in rural, northeastern Wisconsin. The district has three schools on the same campus with less than 1,000 total students, and the school selected was one of the state's model sites for the National Professional Development
The paper noted rural schools face challenges such as high poverty, a high percentage of students in special education, and higher program costs, and it cited this as "an excellent example of effective and relevant action research that addresses many of these challenges."
ASCC & Circle of Parents The ASCC is working together with the National Circle of Parents program to provide a support group program to parents of young children diagnosed with ASD. See Page 2
ASCC Programs & Events Find information on upcoming programs and events in the enclosed program and calendar pages. See Pages 2/3
Upcoming Fundraisers Are you ready to win beautiful Vera Bradley bags on October 12? Or how about a game of golf? See Pages 4—7
Welcome! Please welcome Katelyn Soja, ASCC Student Intern, coming to us from Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts. Katelyn is in her senior year of psychology studies and will work in the ASCC office during the fall semester.
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ASCC Programs—Opportunities for Parents & Children Parent Education Program Please join us on Monday, October 8, 2012, 6:30 pm at the Partnership for Children Resource Center 351 Wagoner Drive, Multipurpose Room 343 for a presentation titled “Cumberland County Special Olympics “ led by Jamie Scruggins Director, Gilmore Therapeutic & Massey Hill Recreation Centers Free respite care will be available on site through Community Based Developmental Services. Please contact Cynthia Billops at 488-5820 or 488-4584 to reserve your space at least 24 hours in advance.
The Autism Lunch Club (ALC) Support Group meets every second Tuesday of the month at various Fayetteville restaurants. Focus: Families of adolescents and adults with ASD. Childcare will not be provided. The Autism Breakfast Club (ABC) Support Group meets every third Wednesday of the month at the PFC Resource Center, Room 414. Focus: Families of children with ASD up to age 12. Childcare will be provided. The Preschool Support Group (The High Fives) meets weekly on Thursdays at the PFC Resource Center, Room 343. Focus: Families of young children with ASD ages 1-5 years. Childcare will be provided. While every group focuses on a specific age range, parents of children of all ages are welcome to attend all support groups!
Workshops Please call the ASCC office at (910) 826-3004/3005 to register for all workshops.
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. Please check the calendar on page three for meeting dates/times/locations. The HFA/Asperger’s Support Group meets every second Monday of the month, Sep—Nov, Jan—May, immediately preceding the Parent Education Program. This group meets in Room 414 of the PFC Resource Center. Focus: Families of children, adolescents, and adults diagnosed with HFA or Asperger’s. Childcare will not be provided.
The Newly Diagnosed Workshop led by Amy Perry, ASNC Parent Advocate, is held every first Thursday of the month from 9:30 am—12:00 pm. The Individualized Education Plan Workshop, led by Amy Perry, provides an opportunity for parents and providers to learn all about IEPs. It will be offered quarterly. The Parenting Children with Autism Workshop will be offered every fourth Wednesday of the month by Board Certified Behavioral Analysts. The workshops will cover different parenting topics every month. The Teaching Children with Autism Workshop will be offered twice a year, through the Partnership for Children of Cumberland County. This workshop is designed for early care and education providers.
The Autism Society of Cumberland County is partnering with the national Circle of Parents program in providing a weekly support group to parents of young children, ages 1-5 years, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. The Preschool Support Group, “The High Fives,” meets every Thursday in Room 343 of the Partnership for Children Resource Center. Childcare is provided. The Circle of Parents program is a national, evidenceinformed, and promising program supported by Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina (PCANC). We work closely with PCANC to ensure successful program implementation and administration. PCANC provides us with training, technical assistance, materials, support, and evaluation to ensure program fidelity. The objectives of the Circle of Parent program include creating and enhancing social connections, reducing isolation, increasing knowledge, and linking parents to community resources. The Preschool Support Group is a self-help, parent-led, professionally facilitated group based on a shared leadership model. This model encourages everyone in the group to take on leadership roles. It also assumes that everyone in the group has something of value to contribute. Research supports the Circle of Parents Program and contributes to the evidence base for this program as an important strategy in building strong families. Proven outcomes include (1) improvement in parent-child relationship, (2) increased awareness and use of support systems, and (3) improved personal self-management skills. The ASCC is excited to offer this weekly program to our parents. While this group focuses on parents of young children diagnosed with ASD, parents of older children are welcome to join. Please review the calendar on the next page for meeting times. To learn more about the Circle of Paren ts pr ogra m ple ase v isit www.circleofparents.org.
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October 2012 Sun
PFCRC— Partnership for Children Resource Center, 351 Wagoner Drive, Fayetteville
Mon
1
Tue
Wed
Teaching Children With Autism Workshop for Providers
85:45—6:30 pm 9 11:30 am HFA Support Group, PFCRC, Room 414 6:30 pm—8pm
Fri
2 6:15 pm—8:30 3 4 pm—10 pm 49:30 am—12 pm 5 pm Fundraising Night at Texas Roadhouse, Sycamore Dairy Road, Fayetteville
Autism Lunch Club (ALC) Support Group at Moe’s Southwest Grill on N. McPherson Church Road
Newly Diagnosed Workshop, PFCRC, Room 414
15
10
11 9:30 am— 11:00 am Preschool Support Group, PFCRC, Room 343
12 5:00 pm
13
Vera Bradley Autism Awareness Bingo, St. Patrick’s Church, 2844 Village Drive, Fayetteville
ASNC Triangle Run/Walk for Autism
(800) 442-2762
16
17 9:30 am — 11:00 am
18 9:30 am— 11:00 am
Autism Breakfast Club (ABC) Support Group, PFCRC, Room 414
Preschool Support Group, PFCRC, Room 343
19 9:30am
20 12:00 pm
Ben Lucero Memorial Golf Tournament, Bayonet at Puppy Creek Golf Club
Hooter’s Charity Golf Tournament, Gates Four Golf and Country Club
(910) 643-2787
22
Durham, NC For more information, please call:
For more information, please call:
21
6
Preschool Support Group, PFCRC, Room 343
Parent Education Program, PFCRC, Room 343
14
Sat
5:30 pm—7:00 pm
(910) 860-2277 x 2537
7
Thu
2311 am-1 pm 24 10—11 am ASCC Board of Directors Meeting, PFCRC, Room 414
Parenting Children with Autism Workshop, PFCRC, Room 414
25 9:30 am— 11:00 am Preschool Support Group, PFCRC, Room 343
26
For more information, please call:
(910) 868-0070
273 pm—6 pm Partnership for Children Pumpkin Patch Party, PFCRC Parking Lot Free and fun family event!
28
29
3010 am-11 am 31 Introduction to Sensory Processing Workshop, Room 414
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The Echo
October 2012
Volume 11, Issue 2
351 Wagoner Drive, Suite 410 Fayetteville, NC 28303 Tel: 910-826-3004/3005 Fax: 910-868-5881 E-mail: autismcc@ccpfc.org 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.
Membership & Donations Please make checks payable to: Autism Society of Cumberland County
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: 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. 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.
351 Wagoner Drive, Suite 410 Fayetteville, NC 28303 Name: Parent/Caregiver
Professional
Sibling
Individual with ASD
A great way to help support our program is to become a member. As a member of the ASCC, you enjoy voting rights during membership meetings, you are eligible for election to the Board of Directors, and you receive priority for conference scholarships. Membership is effective for one year. Please remember the ASCC with your tax-deductible charitable contribution. Thank you!
Address:
Annual Membership ($10.00)
Telephone:
Donation $_________
Email:
FY 2012/2013 Board of Directors & Staff Board of Directors:
Staff:
Anna Finch President
Heidi Choice Director of Programs and Outreach
Warren Aronson Vice President Gwen Scott Treasurer Brandy Mello Secretary Cynthia Billops
Funded In Part By:
Alvita Blue Program and Outreach Assistant Katelyn Soja Student Intern Endicott College, Beverly, Ma
Chris Leacock Dr. Suzanna Fletcher
Cumberland Community Foundation