The Echo…...Keeping You Informed V O L U M E
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Parent Education ASCC Calendar Vera Bradley Information! Golf Tournament– Save the Date!
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Dollar Days Challenge– Gearing up for Autism Awareness Month! Our mission at the ASCC is to provide support and to promote opportunities which enhance the lives of individuals within the autism spectrum and their families. In order to provide the best support for our families we are dependent upon fundraisers, donations, contributions, and grants to ensure our families continue to receive the quality services we provide each year. April is Autism Awareness Month and the ASCC has an Autism Awareness Challenge for you… the DOLLAR DAYS CHALLEGE! During the month of April, we’re challenging YOU to help us by donating and spreading awareness online by challenging others through social media platforms, which will have a big impact on our community. This challenge is simple! It’s fast and you can make a big difference with just a few dollars. Every day in April will present with a new challenge. We will need the same number of donors to donate the dollar amount matching the calendar date. For example, on April 1st, we’re challenging one person to donate $1.00. On April 2nd, we’re challenging two people to give $2.00, and so forth throughout the entire month. And if you don’t feel like waiting until the 30th of the month, that’s great, you can donate any amount at any time…no matter what day! To donate, you simply have to go to our website, www.autismcc.org, starting April 1st, and click the link to the calendar to donate or follow our link of our Facebook/Twitter page! Donations will be accepted online or through our office. At the end of each week, the ASCC will hold a raffle for the donors that gave throughout the week! With weekly drawings, that means four amazing prizes! These include our Vera Bradley Bingo Tournament packages, our Annual Golf Tournament player fees, and ASCC merchandise! Help the ASCC continue to make a difference in Cumberland County through the Dollar Days Challenge. Challenge your family, your friends, and coworkers. Use our hashtag, #ASCCdollardayschallenge, on social media to spread the word and let everyone know you’re making a difference by giving graciously! With people like you supporting Autism Awareness, the ASCC can better support our families and provide quality services.
Parent Education Meeting Do you have questions about speech therapy? Is your child a “picky eater”? Would you like to know tips and tricks to aid in meal time preparation? Please join us to hear from Sonya Evans Oats, MSCC-SLP/IFTS from Need Speech? in order to learn all about speech therapy and diet and nutrition when it comes to Autism Spectrum Disorder. The meeting will be held on March 14th from 6:30 pm8:00 pm at the Partnership for Children building, Room 314 located at 351 Wagoner Drive Fayetteville, NC 28303.
ASCC Support Groups ASCC Programs & Opportunities for Parents and Children
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 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 Re-
Workshops The After the Diagnosis Workshop is led by Amy Perry, ASNC Parent Advocate, and is held every first Tuesday of the month from 9:30 am— 12:00 pm. (odd calendar months)
source Center. Focus: Families of children, adolescents, and adults diagnosed with HFA. 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 first and third Wednesday of the month at the PFC
Resource Center, Room 414. Focus: Families of children with ASD up to age 12. Childcare will not be provided. The Preschool Support Group 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!
Working Workshops– IEPs and More! is led by Amy Perry, ASNC Autism Resource Specialist, and is held every first Tuesday of the month from 9:30 am-12:00 pm. (even calendar months)
The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Workshop, led by Amy Perry, provides an opportunity for parents and providers to learn all about IEPs. It will be offered quarterly.
March 2016 VOLUME
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After the Diagnosis 9:30-12:00 Rm 414
ABC Support Group- @ Just Claying Around 10 am
Preschool Support Group 10 am– 12 pm Rm 343
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ALC Support Group Carolina Ale House11:30 am Preschool Support Group 10 am– 12 pm Rm 343
iPads for Autism 1-4 pm Rm 414
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ABC Support Group- @Just Claying Around 10 am
Preschool Support Group 10 am– 12 pm Rm 343
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HFA Support Group 5:45 Rm 414
Parent Education —6:30-8:00 pm Multipurpose Rm
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Preschool Support Group 10 am– 12 pm Rm 343
ASCC Board Meeting– 11 am– 1pm Rm 414
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Camp Sunshine will return to Loyd Auman Elementary School this summer! Camp dates will be June 27, 2016 through July 29, 2016. Notifications of acceptance into camp will be mailed either via traditional mail or email by mid March. Parents, please complete the Parent Intake Form and return it to our office no later than April 1, 2016. Parent Intake Interviews will be held in April/May. Please call our office once you receive notification of acceptance to schedule your appointment. Applications for employment at Camp Sunshine will be sent out March 1st and must be received by our office no later than March 31, 2016. Volunteers are needed to make Camp Sunshine a great success. Please contact our office at (910) 826-9100 ext 2268/2266 to find out how you can make a difference in this valuable program!
Congratulations to our 2015-2016 Teacher Mini-Grant Recipients! “ A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite imagination, and instill a love of learning.” -Ward The ASCC is pleased to announce four Cumberland County Schools teachers who received mini-grants up to $200.00 each to improve their classrooms. All teachers work with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders and are assigned to self-contained AU classrooms. Congratulations to the following teachers:
Alison McNeill, Westover High School Anita Ritter, New Century International Elementary School Kendra Adams, Westover High School Danyl’ Bush, Ireland Drive Middle School
ASCC is happy to announce that we have NEW car magnets and t-shirts available for purchase in the ASCC office! T-shirts come in pink and blue and in both youth and adult sizes. Come by the office to get your merchandise today!
March 2016
Volume 14, Issue 7
Autism Society of Cumberland County 351 Wagoner Drive Suite 410 Fayetteville, NC 28303 Phone: 910-826-9100 Fax: 910-868-5881
“ Follow us on all our social media outlets! Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest
The Autism Society of Cumberland County is an affiliate of the Autism Society of North Carolina.
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.
Supporting Individuals within the Autism Spectrum�
Membership and Donations Please make checks payable to: Autism Society of Cumberland County 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! ____
Phone:____________________________________ Address:___________________________________ Email:____________________________________
FY 2015/2016 Board Members and Staff
Annual Membership ($10.00)
Donation $__________
Funded In Part By
Anna Finch, President Gwen Scott, Vice President Brandy Mello, Secretary Chris Leacock , Treasurer
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.
John Allen Cynthia Billops Eric Williams Melissa Reed Staff:
Meg Dizon, Director of Programs & Outreach Kiana Spencer, Administrative Coordinator Cumberland Community Foundation