The Echo Keeping you informed!
January 2013
Volume 11, Issue 5
IN THIS ISSUE
Single Protein Targeted as Root Biological Cause of Several Childhood Psychiatric Disorders NASET Week in Review, Volume 8, Issue 42
ScienceDaily (Oct. 31, 2012) — A new research discovery has the potential to revolutionize the biological understanding of some childhood psychiatric disorders. Specifically, scientists have found that when a single protein involved in brain development, called "SRGAP3," is malformed, it causes problems in the brain functioning of mice that cause symptoms that are similar to some mental health and neurological disorders in children. Because this protein has similar functions in humans, it may represent a "missing link" for several disorders that are part of an illness spectrum. In addition, it offers researchers a new target for the development of treatments that can correct the biological cause rather than treat the symptoms. This discovery was published in November 2012 print issue of The FASEB Journal.
ASCC Programs & Events Find information on upcoming programs and events in the enclosed program and calendar pages.
in the end, to better treatments for these disorders." Bartsch and colleagues made this discovery using mice with the SRGAP3 protein inactivated. Then they conducted several experiments comparing these mice to normal mice. The mice with inactive SRGAP3 showed clear changes in their brains' anatomy, which resulted in altered behavior similar to certain symptoms in human neurological and psychiatric diseases. An involvement of SRGAP3 in different brain disorders could indicate that these disorders are possibly connected, as SRGAP3 is a key player in brain development. These different disorders could be connected via the SRGAP3 protein because they all emerge from disturbed development of the nervous system.
"Since Freud put biological psychiatry on the map, we've slowly increased our un"Developmental brain disorders such as derstanding of how mental health is dictatschizophrenia, hydrocephalus, mental ed by chemistry," said Gerald Weissmann, retardation and autism are among the M.D., Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal. most devastating diseases in children and "Eventually we'll understand the complex young adults," said Dusan Bartsch, Ph.D., biology underlying most psychiatric illnessa researcher involved in the work from the es, from genes to proteins to cell signaling Department of Molecular Biology at the to overt behaviors. Along the way, as in Central Institute of Mental Health at the this report, we're likely to find single tarUniversity of Heidelberg in Mannheim, gets close to the roots of apparently differGermany. "We hope that our findings will ent mental illnesses." To read more, contribute to a better understanding, and please visit www.sciencedaily.com
See Pages 2/3
Camp Sunshine Camp Sunshine applications will be accepted from Wednesday, January 2, 2013—Thursday, January 31, 2013. See Pages 4-6
ASCC Board Development Are you interested in becoming a member of the ASCC Board of Directors? Learn more about the election process in this issue.
See Page 7
2013 ASNC Conference Learn more about the upcoming conference and ASCC scholarship opportunity! See Page 2/7
ASCC iPads for Autism Project The ASCC was awarded a Community Assistance Program Grant by the Junior League of Fayetteville! The funding will be used to launch the ASCC iPads for Autism Project in the spring of 2013. More information coming soon!
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ASCC Programs Parent Education Program Please join us on Monday, January 14, 2013, 6:30 pm at the Partnership for Children Resource Center 351 Wagoner Drive, Multipurpose Room 343 for a compelling presentation titled:
“Parenting Across the
Autism Spectrum” By
Ann Palmer, Parent of a child with autism, Author, and Faculty Member, Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities at UNC & Maureen Morrell, Parent of a child with autism, Author, and Director of Chapter Relations, Autism Society of North Carolina Maureen and Ann wrote the book titled “Parenting Across the Autism Spectrum. Unexpected Lessons We Have Learned” and will share their life experiences as well as their expertise during the presentation and the following discussion. 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.
ASCC Support Groups 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 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. 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 of Little Miracles Child Development Services. The workshops will cover different parenting topics every month.
2013 Autism Society of North Carolina Annual Conference Schedule Hilton University Place Hotel, Charlotte, NC Friday, February 8, 2013 Dr. Peter Gerhardt, Bridges to Adulthood: Planning for Lives of Competence and Inclusion 7:30 - 8:45 am: Check-in, Coffee Service, and Exhibit Hall open 8:45 - 9:00: Welcome Remarks/Keynote Introduction 9:00 - 10:30 am: Bridges to Adulthood: Planning for Lives of Competence and Inclusion, part 1 10:30 - 11:00 am: Break 11:00-12:30 pm: Bridges to Adulthood: Planning for Lives of Competence and Inclusion, part 2 12:30 -1:30 pm: Lunch and Book Signing 1:30 -3:00 pm: Bridges to Adulthood: Planning for Lives of Competence and Inclusion, part 3 3:00 - 3:30 pm: Break 3:30 - 4:30 pm: Bridges to Adulthood: Planning for Lives of Competence and Inclusion conclusion, questions and answers 5:00 pm: Exhibit Hall closes 8:00 - 10:00 pm: Exhibits open 7:30 - 8:30 pm: Check In open 8:00 - 10:00 pm: Welcome Reception in Exhibit Hall Saturday, February 9, 2013 7:30 - 8:45 am: Check-in, Coffee Service, Exhibit Hall open 8:45 - 9:00 am: Welcome Remarks/Speaker Introduction 9:00 - 10:30 am: John Thomas: Fostering a Lifetime of Learning 10:30 - 11:00 am: Break 11:00 - 12:30 pm: Leica Anzaldo, Amy Hobbs, & Louise Southern: Combining Best Practices for Optimal Results: Integrating Structured Teaching, Behavioral Principles, and Technology 12:30 - 1:30 pm: Lunch 1:30 - 3:00 pm: Julie Clark: Asperger's in Pink: Raising a Girl on the Autism Spectrum 3:00 - 3:30 pm: Break. Make final purchases in the Exhibit Hall as it will close when the final session begins. 3:30 - 4:30 pm: Linda Gund Anderson and Brent Anderson: Finding Humor While Living with Autism 4:30 pm: Adjournment For more information please visit: www.autismsociety-nc.org
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January 2013 Sun
Mon
Tue
1
PFCRC: Partnership for Children Resource Center, 351 Wagoner Drive, Fayetteville
Wed
2
Thu
Fri
39:30 am—12 pm 4
Newly Diagnosed Workshop, PFCRC, Submit Camp New Year’s Day Sunshine applications Room 414 ASCC Office Closed beginning today 5:30 pm—7:00 pm through January 31.
Sat
5
Preschool Support Group, PFCRC, Room 343
6
7
8
9
ASNC Conference Scholarship Autism Lunch Club Applications due ! (ALC) Support Group at the Carolina Ale House 11:30 am
13
145:45—6:30 pm 15 HFA Support Group, PFCRC, Room 414
10
12
18
19
9:30 am—11:00 am Preschool Support Group, PFCRC, Room 343
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9:30 am —11:00 ABC Support Group, PFCRC, Room 414
9:30 am—11:00 am
6:30 pm—8pm
11
10:30 am—11:00 am
Preschool Support Group, PFCRC, Room 414
Rhythm & Rhyme Story Time, Hope Mills Public Library
Parent Education Program, PFCRC, Room 343
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27
21
22
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24
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
11:00 am—1:00 pm ASCC Board of Directors Meeting, PFCRC, Room 414
10 am —11 am
9:30 am—11:00 am
Parenting Children with Autism Workshop, PFCRC, Room 414
Preschool Support Group, PFCRC, Room 343
28
29
30
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9:30 —11:30am Organize Your IEP Notebook Workshop, PFCRC, Room 414
9:30 am—11:00 am Preschool Support Group, PFCRC, Room 343 Last day to turn in Camp Sunshine Applications!
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Dear Families: Enclosed in this newsletter, please find the 2013 Camp Sunshine Application along with the 2013 Camp Sunshine Financial Assistance Scholarship Application. Camp Sunshine is a 5-6 week state-licensed developmental day camp providing services from 8:00am – 4:00pm, Monday through Friday, to campers, ages 3 years to young adult, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). All campers must have an evaluation with a diagnosis of ASD and must reside in Cumberland County. Please complete the application in its entirety and return it along with a copy of your child’s most recent IEP and diagnosis to our office. Applications will be accepted from Wednesday, January 2, 2013 to Thursday, January 31, 2013. The ASCC office is open Monday—Friday, 8:00 am—4:00 pm. If your child attended Camp Sunshine between 2007and 2012, a diagnosis is already on file in our office, and an additional copy will not have to be submitted. A $10.00 non-refundable registration fee must be submitted with the application.
Camp Sunshine
Camp Sunshine slots fill up quickly, sometimes before the submission deadline, and applications are accepted on a firstcome first-serve basis. Once the maximum number of campers has been reached, a waiting list will be established. Families will be notified of their acceptance or placement on the waiting list no later than March 8, 2013. It is our intent to provide individualized quality services to your child. Field trips to various locations including bowling, skating, and swimming, along with special camp visitors will also be offered. Upon acceptance into Camp Sunshine 2013, parents will be required to complete a detailed parent packet and visit the ASCC office for an in-depth parent intake interview. The purpose of the interview is to get to know you, the parent, as the first teacher of your child. Upon the completion of required forms, you will receive the Camp Parent Handbook, and with your help, we will create an individualized service plan carefully taking into consideration your child’s IEP and your expectations for camp. Combining these two most valuable elements will ensure a positive camp experience for your child. Due to the changes in the Cumberland County Mental Health Department’s contracting with the Durham based Alliance Behavioral Healthcare as part of the latest state reforms, the ASCC is expecting a new contract from the Durham Alliance Behavioral Healthcare to help fund Camp Sunshine. Please bear with us as we are adjusting to new registration and reporting guidelines. While dates and camp fee information will be provided along with the parent packet at a later time, payment of parent fees will be due during the Parent Intake Interview to be held during April 2013. Payment options will be available. If you are experiencing financial difficulties in your family, please complete the Camp Sunshine Financial Assistance Scholarship Application printed on the back of the camp application and return it along with supporting documents no later than January 31, 2013. Scholarship funds are available. The ASCC Scholarship Committee will carefully select scholarship recipients based on their needs. Scholarship recipients will be notified prior to the Parent Intake Interview and will have to pay either partial or no camp parent fees. We are honored to offer this program as a result of the Ben Lucero Scholarship Fund established by Bob and Ann Lucero in memory of their son, Ben. In an effort to reduce the administrative costs and tasks in our office, we are asking that you please share your email address on the application. We hope to correspond with you via email to ensure all administrative requirements are met. Please keep this letter in your files and return the camp application, scholarship application, supporting documents, your child’s IEP, the most recent diagnosis (if your child is new to Camp Sunshine) along with the $10.00 non-refundable application fee to the ASCC office at 351 Wagoner Drive, Suite 410, no later than January 31, 2013. For more information, please call (910) 826-3004/3005.
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Autism Society of Cumberland County Camp Sunshine Developmental Day Program Application 2013 Child’s Full Name _________________________________________________________________________ Child's Age ________________________________ Date of Birth ___________________________________ Current School/Program/Teacher’s name _____________________________________________________ Parent Name __________________________________ _________________ Cell # _________________ Place of Employment _____________________________________________ Work #_________________ Parent Name____________________________________________________ Cell # ___________________ Place of Employment ______________________________________________ Work #_________________ Home Address ___________________________________________________ Zip Code _______________ Email Address____________________________________________________ Home # ________________
Is your child in a traditional or year-round school? (Circle one) year-round traditional How many days per week will your child attend?
(Circle one) 3 days
Which days will your child attend? (Circle all that apply) Is your child a new/returning Camp Sunshine client?
Mon
Tue
4 days
5 days
Wed
Thu
New
Fri Returning
Does your child receive CAP/NC Innovations services? Yes No If yes, what is the name and phone number of the provider? _________________________________ Is your child a resident of Cumberland County?
Yes
No
Is your child’s IEP enclosed?
Yes
No
Is your child’s evaluation enclosed?
Yes
No
Parent/Guardian Signature _________________________________________ Date ____________________ Please drop off or mail this application, copies of most recent diagnosis and IEP, and the $10.00 non-refundable registration fee to: Autism Society of Cumberland County, 351 Wagoner Drive, Suite 410, Fayetteville, NC 28303. Applications will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis, from January 2, 2013—January 31, 2013. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Families will be notified of their acceptance or placement on the waiting list no later than March 8, 2013.
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Autism Society of Cumberland County 2013 Camp Sunshine FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION Child’s name attending camp:___________________________________________________________________________ Parent/Caregiver name(s):______________________________________________________________________________ Number of people in household: ________________________________________________________________________ Number of child dependents: ___________________________________________________________________________ Number of individuals earning income:____________________________________________________________________ Place(s) of Employment:________________________________________________________________________________ Does anyone in the household receive SSI?
_________ YES
_________ NO
If yes, please list everyone who receives SSI________________________________________________ If yes, how much SSI is received per month (total amount): $__________________________________ Household monthly net (after taxes) of all sources of income: $_________________________________
Please explain any extenuating circumstances which you feel should be taken into consideration when financial aid decisions are made:
________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________
By completing this application, I understand that financial aid is not guaranteed for my child who is attending Camp Sunshine. If I am selected for assistance, I will be notified prior to the Camp Sunshine Parent Intake Interview. In order to be considered for financial aid, you must submit proof of income in the form of: a copy of your most recent 2 months of paycheck stubs or your most recent 2 months of Leave and Earning Statements (LES) for all sources of income, including SSI. If you have no income, you must supply a notarized letter stating that you have no source of income. Please call (910) 826-3004/3005 for more information. Please be aware that we will not contact you for proof of income if it is not included with your application.
___________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature
_________________ Date
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Membership Drive Become a member of the Autism Society of Cumberland County and you will help sustain our programs! Your $10 annual membership fee will ensure your eligibility to become a member of the ASCC Board of Directors, voting privileges in matters discussed during Parent Education programs, priority selection for scholarships, as well as the continuity of all programs offered by the ASCC. You will also receive a free 8”x4” “Autism
Awareness” car magnet as displayed in the picture box on the left. Please mail your $10 membership fee to the ASCC, 351 Wagoner Drive, Suite 410, Fayetteville, NC 28303 today. Thank you! Your membership will be for one year upon receipt of membership dues. Questions? Please call (910) 826-3004.
The ASCC Supports Children and Teachers in Cumberland County Schools Treats for Children!
Grants for Teachers!
On December 7, 2012, several ASCC volunteers came together to stuff The ASCC distributed grant applications to all Cumberland County Schools goody bags and delivered them to 444 children assigned to 53 self- teachers assigned to self-contained AU classrooms. Completed contained AU classrooms in 29 Cumberland County schools. applications are due to the ASCC no later than January 18, 2013. Please accept our heartfelt gratitude for your help and support in our We hope that this opportunity will provide some assistance to teachers as outreach efforts! You are the best! they are serving students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders.
ASCC Scholarship Opportunity The 2013 Autism Society of North Carolina Annual Conference, Autism Grows Up, will be held February 8-9, 2013, at the Hilton University Place Hotel in Charlotte. The 2013 conference will focus on preparing for adulthood and all that comes with it: family transitions, living and working in the community, and the goal of independence. Participants will also learn from teaching and behavioral experts on best practices, gain insights about raising girls on the spectrum, and share the lighter side of autism through humor. The ASCC will offer scholarships for parents to attend this most interesting conference.
If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, please contact our office at (910) 826-3004/3005 or email: autismcc@ccpfc.org no later than January 9, 2013.
FY 2013/2014 ASCC Board of Directors Nominees The ASCC is seeking interested individuals who would like to serve as members of the ASCC Board of Directors beginning July 1, 2013. If you are willing to serve, you must be a member of the ASCC and notify the ASCC office of your intent to serve no later than Thursday, February 28, 2013. You will then receive an application which must be completed and submitted to the ASCC no later than March 15, 2013. The ASCC Board Development Committee will review all applications and recommend nominees to the Board of Directors. The nomination/election of the Board of Directors will be held at meeting of the general membership on May 13, 2013.
The Echo
January 2013
Volume 11, Issue 5
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
Address:
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!
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
Funded In Part By:
Alvita Blue Program and Outreach Assistant
Brandy Mello Secretary Cynthia Billops Chris Leacock
Editor:
Dr. Suzanna Fletcher
Heidi Choice
Cumberland Community Foundation