The Echo INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Parent Education Presentation-
Autism on Marriage
Discussing how to preserve the marriage/ partnership while caring for someone with autism!
ASCC Calendars
Cape Beard Pig Pickin’ Golf Tournament Information
Donor and Volunteer Thank you!
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…...Keeping You Informed M A Y
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Preschoolers with Autism Gain when Teachers Foster Shared Attention -Autism Speaks In a new study, researchers showed that preschoolers with autism gain more language and initiate more communication when teachers learn to use a simplified version of a behavioral therapy that emphasizes shared attention and child-directed play. The study is among the first to show that an early intervention for autism – proven effective for one-on-one behavioral therapy with an autism specialist – can be successfully adapted for classroom use. “These results are exciting since few studies have demonstrated such benefits when moving an intervention into the community,” says the study’s senior author, psychologist Connie Kasari, of the University of California, Los Angeles. “The success can be attributed partly to the commitment and enthusiasm of our community partners.” Kasari developed the autism intervention – dubbed JASPER for “Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement and Regulation – over the last 15 years. JASPER emphasizes joint attention, or shared focus, by engaging children in play routines rich in both verbal and nonverbal communication. It differs from many autism interventions in that the facilitator follows the child’s lead rather than directing his or her attention. The facilitator also encourages the child to initiate interactions rather than simply respond to questions and other prompts. Earlier studies showed that JASPER significantly improves sociability and communication in children with autism when delivered one-on-one by highly trained behavioral therapists. Most preschoolers with autism receive the majority of their intervention services in just such a group setting. In a typical special education preschool, a teacher and aide must divide their attention among at least 8 to 12 students. Compared with the wait-listed students, the preschoolers who received the intervention showed more shared attention with others and also initiated communication more often – using gestures, language or both. These children also used longer strings of words, on average, when communicating with their teachers. The researchers emphasize that these improvements persisted when they returned to the classrooms three months after the eight-week intervention to reassess the students’ social communication skills. To read more about this article, please visit: https://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/preschoolers-autism-gain-whenteachers-foster-shared-attention
Parent Education Presentation- Autism on Marriage Every couple struggles with maintaining intimacy, and kids always add stress. But few people—including the parents themselves—understand the unique effect raising an autistic child can have on a union. Join us on Monday, May 9, 2016 from 6:30-8:00 pm to discuss how to preserve the marriage/partnership while caring for someone with autism. Presented by Eric Williams, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Nationally Certified Counselor. Partnership for Children Building, 351 Wagoner Drive, Multipurpose Room
*ASCC Board of Directors* The nomination and election of the Board of Directors will be held at the meeting of the general membership on May 9, 2016
ASCC Programs & Opportunities for Parents and Children
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 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.
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ASCC Golf Tournament– 11:30 Gates 4 Country Club
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9 HFA Support Group 5:45 Rm 414 Parent Education Meeting —6:308:00 pm Multipurpose Rm
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After the Diagnosis 9:30– 12:00 Multipurpose Rm
ABC Support Group– 9:3011:00 @Trade Street Sweets– Hope Mills
Preschool Support Group 10 am– 12 pm Multipurpose Rm
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ALC Support Group Red Robin11:30 am
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14 Cape Beard Annual Pig Pickin’ 11 am– 6:00 pm Rock Shop
Preschool Support Group 10 am– 12 pm Multipurpose Rm
iPads for Autism 1-4 pm Rm 414
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Dragon’s LairFree Comic Book Day
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Preschool Support Group 10 am– 12 pm Rm 414
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Thank You, ASCC Donors! Thank you to donors who have supported the ASCC with monetary and in-kind donations during the months of January, February and March 2016:
Coastal Family Service Don and Donella Lucero Frances Branch Carmike -501st Carolina Owen and Tonya Butler Grace Roman David and Cathy Howell Tildon Downing Hank and Anna Finch Bank of America Lamb Foundation of NCKnights of Columbus
Jenny & Rudolph Singleton Highland Pediatric Dental United Methodist Men Valley Regional Imaging Square One Counseling Community Based Developmental Services Highland Family Practice
Gill Security Systems Katherine Fasul In-Kind Donations: Priscilla McCall's Bravery Kids Gym Bottom Line Accounting PJ Rolow
Comic
Thank You, Volunteers! We treasure our volunteers. Thank you for your volunteer support during the months of January-March 2016.
Elizabeth Byars Adam Jackson Misty Surles Eric Williams John Allen Gwen Scott Chris Leacock Crystall Harrell Anna Finch Brandy Mello Melissa Reed Theresa Thomas Bianca Boston
Stop by the Book Dragon’s Lair Event Comic Book Store on Saturday, May 7 to get a free comic book and to show your support for the Autism Society of Cumberland County! The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will feature a raffle, face painting, and food. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the ASCC. Dragon’s Lair Comic Book Store is located on Yadkin Rd. in Fayetteville. For more information call 910491-5747.
Please join us for the
5th Annual Pig Pickin’ fundraiser by Cape Beard: Follicles of Freedom! This event will be May 14th from 11 am-6pm at the Rock Shop. Live Music! Local Vendors! And Family Fun! $5 BBQ Plates!
Have you ever wondered what happens to the money you donate to the Autism Society of Cumberland County? These charts illustrate the expenses and revenues of Camp Sunshine, our five week developmental day program; just one of the services that we provide. It takes many hands to make a non-profit successful; this is why we have to fundraise! As you can see from the first chart, parent fees only make up a small portion of what the ASCC spends to make Camp Sunshine as great as it is. The second chart is a breakdown of how much ASCC spends on Administrative Expenses (i.e. printing, accounting, office supplies, etc.) versus Operational Expenses (i.e. field trips, transportation, personnel wages, etc.). We want our camp participants to have a fun and educational summer; field trips are planned, transportation is provided, great staff is hired (which means background checks, wages, and insurance), arts and crafts are supplied along with an abundance of technology available! The fees that parents are charged cover less than 20% of the total cost for camp! The only way ASCC is able to keep this service affordable and other services like support groups and parent education meetings free to families is to rely heavily on donations, grants, and other various fundraisers to offset these costs.
Camp Sunshine Income *Fiscal Year ending June 2015
Camp Sunshine Expenses *Fiscal Year ending June 2015
May 2016
Volume 14, Issue 9
Autism Society of Cumberland County 351 Wagoner Drive Suite 410 Fayetteville, NC 28303 Phone: 910-826-9100 Fax: 910-868-5881
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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
____ Phone:____________________________________ Address:___________________________________ Email:____________________________________
FY 2015/2016 Board Members and Staff 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.
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!
John Allen Cynthia Billops Eric Williams Melissa Reed Staff:
Meg Dizon, Director of Programs & Outreach Kiana Spencer, Administrative Coordinator
Annual Membership ($10.00)
Donation $__________
Funded In Part By