Tuesday, February 23, 2010

CARD Weekly Update

“A door opened and I went through it.”

- Temple Grandin



Last night, I finally watched the HBO movie Temple Grandin. The movie fabulously portrayed the life of Temple Grandin – an inventor, a scientist, and a remarkable individual with autism. Temple’s writings, her presentations, and now her movie have greatly added to the public’s understanding of autism. Temple is a testament to the remarkable strengths and potential of individuals with autism. I highly encourage you to see the movie and allow yourself to see the world through the eyes of Temple Grandin. http://www.hbo.com/movies/temple-grandin/index.html



Best regards,



Mae Barker, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Clinical Director

Center for Autism and Related Disabilities

UF College of Medicine - Jacksonville



Upcoming Trainings/Events:



· Rising Stars Baseball: Registration Now Open. Practice begins February 27th and games start on March 13th. The Rising Stars Baseball Division of Ponte Vedra Athletic Association is created to give girls and boys 8-15 from the Jacksonville area who are unable to "SHINE" in our traditional little league an outlet to have fun with baseball, build self confidence, teamwork skills, lasting memories and friendships. By creating ability-specific levels and a high coach to child ratio, RISING STARS BASEBALL is able to support a range of abilities: from mild coordination concerns to moderate gross motor planning challenges. For kids that have been apprehensive about baseball or didn't feel they were skilled enough, RISING STARS is also a great way to start playing the game. After two instructional practices the kids will be playing baseball in a "sandlot" format. The cost to participate in RISING STARS is FREE due to league support and contributions of our sponsors; Microsoft, HEAL, and the Greenwood School and many individual supporters. For more information go to www.risingstarsbaseball.org.

· Third Annual Ride with Me for Autism: On Saturday, March 6, 2010, the third annual Ride with me for Autism Bike Tour begins and ends along the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail in Jacksonville, Florida. This event raises funds and awareness for the Jessica Green Foundation for autism support. The ride has choices of 10-mile, 29-mile, and 100k/62-mile bicycling routes, as well as shorter fun rides, so the entire family can come out and participate. A healthy breakfast is served for all riders. There will be vendors, food, music, and ToeKnee the clown. www.ridewithmeforautism.org

· “Inclusive Education for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders” - April 19, 2010: Plot a Course, Set Sail, Have a Guide, Keep Learning,” Presented by Dr. Dennis Mozingo, BCBA-D. Dr. Mozingo is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Community Consultation Program of the Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities, Division of Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center. During this workshop, participants will learn how to plan for the inclusion of students with ASD in general education settings, prepare students for inclusion in ESE settings, support students with ASD in the general education setting, and monitor student performance. . All events listed run from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and are provided at no cost to participants. The First Coast Association for Behavior Analysis will be partnering with CARD to offer CEU’s for two upcoming workshops. You will need to preregister (registration is free) online. CEU’s can be purchased at the event.

· “Using Video Based Interventions to Support Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders” - May 14, 2010: Presented by Dr. Linda LeBlanc, BCBA-D. Dr. Le Blanc is an Associate Professor in Psychology for the University of Auburn. Video modeling is an instructional technique that can be used to teach social skills, academic skills, and daily living skills and play skills to children with autism. This workshop will review the important components of effective video models, examine the research support for use of video models, and demonstrate ways to incorporate video when using other instructional procedures. . All events listed run from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and are provided at no cost to participants. The First Coast Association for Behavior Analysis will be partnering with CARD to offer CEU’s for two upcoming workshops. You will need to preregister (registration is free) online. CEU’s can be purchased at the event.

· Survey for Parents of Students with an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) in Exceptional Student Education (ESE). Beginning Feb 01 and ending July 01, 2010, the Florida Department of Education will be collecting parent surveys on “How well is your school supporting your involvement in your child’s education?” Follow this link to complete the survey: www.ESEsurvey.com. Results, which are reported directly to the United States Department of Education, will contribute to Florida’s Annual Performance Report and will be posted for the public at www.fldoe.org/ese.



Flyers for these events can be accessed online @ http://www.hscj.ufl.edu/pediatrics/autism/calendar_events.asp



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Ongoing Clinics & Programs:



Ø CARD Toy Bank Program: UF-Jacksonville CARD would like to build a Toy Bank where families in need can get toys and educational materials for use with their child. Please consider donating any of your slightly or unused toys, books, educational items, folder games, visual supports, or other materials to our center to support other families. To donate, please drop your materials to the front office at: UF-Jacksonville CARD, 6271-1 St. Augustine Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32207, For more information please call 633-0760



Ø Social Skills and Support Groups: Dr. Maria Tapia, Licensed Psychologist with the UF/Jacksonville's CARD program, runs several groups for adolescents and adults with Asperger Syndrome, as well as, for their siblings and mothers. If you are interested in joining any of these groups or gathering additional information, such as date, time and ages, please contact Dr. Tapia at maria.tapia@jax.ufl.edu or 633-0760.



Ø Dr. Barker has developed a parent training program to address the topic of, “Learning to play with your child with autism.” Log onto http://card-usf.fmhi.usf.edu/online_training.asp and click on the PowerPoint presentation entitled: “Learning to play with your child with autism”. Be sure you have reviewed the appropriate directions which are attached to this update. If you are a parent or caregiver, download play training directions and if you are a professional or trainer, download play training professional letter. Please email mae.barker@jax.ufl.edu with any questions or concerns.



Ø “Promoting Positive Behavior Change”: This clinic will be replacing the Positive Parenting series that was previously being run Dr. Mae Barker. This clinic is an overview of Pivotal Response, using reinforcement, addressing challenging behaviors and setting up the home environment. This would be great for families of children who have been recently diagnosed on the autism spectrum or parents of older children who simply need a refresher on the basics. Contact Dr. Barker at mae.barker@jax.ufl.edu.



Ø “Behavioral Detective” Social Skills Camp: This clinic offered by Katrina Ressa, B.S., BCaBA, & Anthony Rhodes, M.S., CARD Educational Coordinators, is a 7-week long camp for children diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome or HFA ages 6-12. This camp targets skills such as conversational skills, anger management, accepting making mistakes, being more flexible and more. For more information on signing up for our spring camp, please contact Katrina at katrina.ressa@jax.ufl.edu.



Ø Pre-K Social Skills Clinic: This clinic, offered by Elise Bowers, M.A., CARD Educational Coordinator is offered in two sessions: emergent-language and verbal. Parents will learn strategies for engaging their child, promoting communication and conversation, turn-taking, developing joint attention and other social skills. Parents will also learn how to practice, prompt and reinforce their child’s socialization. For more information, please contact Elise at elise.bowers@jax.ufl.edu.



Ø Two Feet Forward: This clinic, offered by Anne Wilson, MST, BCaBA, CARD Educational Coordinator, is for parents of a student in transition. During the meetings parents will learn about transition issues including IEPs & Transition IEPs, Self-Determination & Self-Advocacy, Portfolios, Interest Inventories & Assessments, Post-Secondary Options, Government Benefits, Service Providers & Changes in Services , Barriers, Work Related Issues, and much more! For more information, please contact Anne at anne.wilson@jax.ufl.edu.



Ø Discovering Capabilities: This clinic will be offered by Anne Wilson, MST, BCaBA, CARD Educational Coordinator. This is a student and parent support group. Students discover who they are, what their strengths and talents are, what they want to do in the future, how will they get where they want to be, and who will provide their supports. Discovery provides direction for future career development. Information gathered is placed in a Student Profile for the purpose of sharing the information for job development. The information guides the selection or creation of future jobs in the community. Discovery is for students: between the ages 16 – 19, in transition, planning their future or need guidance planning their future, developing a future plan, identifying individual strengths, needs, etc., writing goals, and identifying supports. For more information, please contact Anne at anne.wilson@jax.ufl.edu.



As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us should you have any questions.

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