Saturday, October 12, 2013
Visit My New Page
Resources is a new page with many wonderful resources for Autism in Northeast Florida. Also, if you are interested in volunteering, there are also contacts for the main Autism events in this area!
Monday, August 26, 2013
Autism Friendly Store
I am proud to annouce that we are now an Amazon affiliate. I have launched a shopping site with Autism-Friendly products. Autism Friendly Store
Friday, August 16, 2013
Jacksonville Walk Now for Autism
At the Jacksonville Landing on Saturday, September 28th. I have a team in honor of my son.
If you wish to join my team (Team Kenny) we would love to have you.
Click on the Walk Now for Autism icon to join the team or make a donation. I look forward to spending a Saturday morning downtown.
If you wish to join my team (Team Kenny) we would love to have you.
Click on the Walk Now for Autism icon to join the team or make a donation. I look forward to spending a Saturday morning downtown.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Ride with Me for Autism 2014 - Planning Committee Needs Volunteers
The Jessica Green Foundation is seeking volunteers for the planning committee for Ride with Me for Autism 2014. This charity bicycle ride is usually in March and is usually held in Jacksonville Florida.
If you are interested in becoming involved in this amazing event that gives HOPE to families and individuals with Autism, and love to organize events, your talents will be greatly valued.
Sponsorship opportunities are available as well!
To express interest in these opportunities, contact Ms. Green at 904-357-0880 or email info@jessicagreenfoundation.org.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Florida Tax Holiday for School Supplies Includes Computers
Start making out your school supply list, clothing, and computers. Yes! Florida is including computers and accessories this year to the tax-free holiday.
However, mark your calendars and make your strategic shopping plan because it only lasts two days (August 2 - 4, 2013) and the malls will be packed.
Here is the link with the rules .
Happy shopping!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Autism "Fun-draising" Coming Up in Jacksonville, Florida (2013)
Little Star Center presents "Fire & Ice" a benefit Night to Support Autism Awareness, Jacksonville, FL - April 12 from 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm at Suite Jacksonville at the St. Johns Town Center.
HEAL Zoo Walk - Sunday April 21, Registration opens 7:30 walk starts 8:30 am Rain or Shine! At the Jacksonville Zoological Gardens
Jacksonville School for Autism's 9th Annual JSA Charity Golf Classic - Monday, April 22, Registration time is 7:30 with shotgun start at 9:00 at Deerwood Country Club.
Jericho School Charity Golf Tournament - Monday, April 29 Registration time is 8:00 with shotgun start at 8:30 at Deercreek Country Club.
Walk Now for Autism Speaks - Jacksonville - Saturday, September 28, 2013 at the Jacksonville Landing
Jacksonville School for Autism's 2013 Flounder Pounder Charity Fishing Tournament - TBA
Please send me an email at basorem@gmail.com for any Autism related special events in the Northeast Florida area.
HEAL Zoo Walk - Sunday April 21, Registration opens 7:30 walk starts 8:30 am Rain or Shine! At the Jacksonville Zoological Gardens
Jacksonville School for Autism's 9th Annual JSA Charity Golf Classic - Monday, April 22, Registration time is 7:30 with shotgun start at 9:00 at Deerwood Country Club.
Jericho School Charity Golf Tournament - Monday, April 29 Registration time is 8:00 with shotgun start at 8:30 at Deercreek Country Club.
Walk Now for Autism Speaks - Jacksonville - Saturday, September 28, 2013 at the Jacksonville Landing
Jacksonville School for Autism's 2013 Flounder Pounder Charity Fishing Tournament - TBA
Please send me an email at basorem@gmail.com for any Autism related special events in the Northeast Florida area.
Legacies For Our Autistic Children
Last summer, our family was greatly impacted by a layoff that lasted nine months. Yes, many of my fellow Americans have had a dry spell of unemployment for much longer than we have had. But frankly, nine months is way long enough. So what have we done about it?
First, like many, signed up for unemployment benefits. Then, started the job search. Then, the wait for unemployment benefits to kick-in. Finally, they kicked-in. Just enough for groceries and gas. Eventually, we tapped our savings.
What happened next? We saw homes in our neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods, and then throughout our city, sitting abandoned and neglected and falling apart. We were sad. Sad because we were unemployed and because our city was a reflection of the aftermath of unemployment. The physical condition of these properties was a reminder of our own economic despair.
Then what? In looking around and seeing these properties, we decided to start a business to help clean up these properties. I had some internet savvy so I created a free website through Intuit, ordered really nice business cards, rack cards, and t-shirts through Vista Print. I also listed our business on online sites such as Hot Frog and Manta. Within days we received a call from a company who wanted us to be a contractor for them and we received three work orders immediately! We continue our partnership with the first company that gave us our first opportunity and we have since have been added as vendors with other companies. The work is on and off, and it is hard. But it has helped us keep up with the bills.
Our family learned many things together through this experience. We became closer and it taught our children, including our youngest child (with Autism) business, technical and survival skills and built in them a stronger work ethic. We have told our boys that this is the groundwork for future survival because in their lifetimes, it is likely they will live through at least a couple more economic recessions or depressions after this current one. Though we have since been hired by traditional employers, we want to keep our family business going. It is our legacy for our children's future.
Do you have a similar story?
Have you started a business because of your Autistic child?
Please share!
First, like many, signed up for unemployment benefits. Then, started the job search. Then, the wait for unemployment benefits to kick-in. Finally, they kicked-in. Just enough for groceries and gas. Eventually, we tapped our savings.
What happened next? We saw homes in our neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods, and then throughout our city, sitting abandoned and neglected and falling apart. We were sad. Sad because we were unemployed and because our city was a reflection of the aftermath of unemployment. The physical condition of these properties was a reminder of our own economic despair.
Then what? In looking around and seeing these properties, we decided to start a business to help clean up these properties. I had some internet savvy so I created a free website through Intuit, ordered really nice business cards, rack cards, and t-shirts through Vista Print. I also listed our business on online sites such as Hot Frog and Manta. Within days we received a call from a company who wanted us to be a contractor for them and we received three work orders immediately! We continue our partnership with the first company that gave us our first opportunity and we have since have been added as vendors with other companies. The work is on and off, and it is hard. But it has helped us keep up with the bills.
Our family learned many things together through this experience. We became closer and it taught our children, including our youngest child (with Autism) business, technical and survival skills and built in them a stronger work ethic. We have told our boys that this is the groundwork for future survival because in their lifetimes, it is likely they will live through at least a couple more economic recessions or depressions after this current one. Though we have since been hired by traditional employers, we want to keep our family business going. It is our legacy for our children's future.
Do you have a similar story?
Have you started a business because of your Autistic child?
Please share!
Social Skills Group Training for High-Functioning Autism
S.S.GRIN (Social Skills Group Intervention) HFA:
S.S.GRIN HFA is a small group intervention program designed to build the social skills and social relationships of children with high functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASD).
The program is suitable for children ages 7 to 12 and is divided into three modules: (a) Communication Skills, (b) Working with Others, and (c) Friendship Skills. Introductory, process, and review sessions are also integrated into the curriculum for a total of 15 weekly group sessions (see Table 1 on the next page). The sessions are structured and scripted for ease of use, including scripts complete with instructions and specific activities. Video and graphical (social comic scripts) elements are integrated with written materials (e.g., child workbook).
S.S.GRIN HFA sessions are written for a 60-minute timeframe and for groups comprised of 5 to 7 participants. Parent involvement in S.S.GRIN HFA is an integral part of the curriculum. Parents and children participate together in four of the group sessions: an introductory session (orienting families to the intervention goals and procedures) and at the conclusion of each of the three modules (to discuss experiences with community exercises and intervention progress).
During community exercises, children have the opportunity to practice new skills in a naturalistic setting with the help of their parents as coaches (e.g., children are asked to order a meal at a restaurant) to increase generalization of learned skills beyond the intervention setting. In addition, parents have access to relevant web-based resources (e.g., reading lists, tip sheets) to use at home and share with teachers.
Please visit http://www.selmediainc.com/ssgrin/hfa for more information and to order.
Regards,
David Debs
S.S.GRIN HFA is a small group intervention program designed to build the social skills and social relationships of children with high functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASD).
The program is suitable for children ages 7 to 12 and is divided into three modules: (a) Communication Skills, (b) Working with Others, and (c) Friendship Skills. Introductory, process, and review sessions are also integrated into the curriculum for a total of 15 weekly group sessions (see Table 1 on the next page). The sessions are structured and scripted for ease of use, including scripts complete with instructions and specific activities. Video and graphical (social comic scripts) elements are integrated with written materials (e.g., child workbook).
S.S.GRIN HFA sessions are written for a 60-minute timeframe and for groups comprised of 5 to 7 participants. Parent involvement in S.S.GRIN HFA is an integral part of the curriculum. Parents and children participate together in four of the group sessions: an introductory session (orienting families to the intervention goals and procedures) and at the conclusion of each of the three modules (to discuss experiences with community exercises and intervention progress).
During community exercises, children have the opportunity to practice new skills in a naturalistic setting with the help of their parents as coaches (e.g., children are asked to order a meal at a restaurant) to increase generalization of learned skills beyond the intervention setting. In addition, parents have access to relevant web-based resources (e.g., reading lists, tip sheets) to use at home and share with teachers.
Please visit http://www.selmediainc.com/ssgrin/hfa for more information and to order.
Regards,
David Debs
Monday, November 19, 2012
Free Online Diet Plan - Spark People
Hi Folks!
Quite some time ago (2008 to be exact) I joined Spark People. I have been an on and off Weight Watchers person and was not successful and spent money that I did not have. When I stumbled upon Spark People, I realized that the format was similar with all the content that Weight Watchers has. Only difference is that you are not tracking points. Instead, you are watching calories, fats, proteins, carbs, etc. It is easy to use and I frequent it to track my food intake and there are also many exercise videos.
For caregivers of special needs kids, I understand the need to cut costs but also the importance of taking care of yourself. Give yourself, the caregiver this gift and explore Spark People. There is no cost involved at all! Try today:
Free Online Diet Plan at SparkPeople.com
Quite some time ago (2008 to be exact) I joined Spark People. I have been an on and off Weight Watchers person and was not successful and spent money that I did not have. When I stumbled upon Spark People, I realized that the format was similar with all the content that Weight Watchers has. Only difference is that you are not tracking points. Instead, you are watching calories, fats, proteins, carbs, etc. It is easy to use and I frequent it to track my food intake and there are also many exercise videos.
For caregivers of special needs kids, I understand the need to cut costs but also the importance of taking care of yourself. Give yourself, the caregiver this gift and explore Spark People. There is no cost involved at all! Try today:
Free Online Diet Plan at SparkPeople.com
Friday, November 2, 2012
November Dates in Jacksonville
Santa Arrives
Orange Park Mall Sat Nov 3rd
Avenues Mall Fri Nov 9th
St Johns Town Ctr Fri Nov 9th
Regency Square TBA
Nov 3rd Turn Clocks BACK when you go to bed; gain an hour of sleep.
November 23rd – Black Friday
Nov 23rd Tree Lightening & Fireworks @ the Landing
Nov 24th Turkey Trot Car Show in Daytona
Nov 24th UF vs FSU Game in Tallahassee
Nov 25th Boat Light Parade & Fireworks @ the Landing
Orange Park Mall Sat Nov 3rd
Avenues Mall Fri Nov 9th
St Johns Town Ctr Fri Nov 9th
Regency Square TBA
Nov 3rd Turn Clocks BACK when you go to bed; gain an hour of sleep.
November 23rd – Black Friday
Nov 23rd Tree Lightening & Fireworks @ the Landing
Nov 24th Turkey Trot Car Show in Daytona
Nov 24th UF vs FSU Game in Tallahassee
Nov 25th Boat Light Parade & Fireworks @ the Landing
Partners in Policy Making Seminar
Announcement From The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council
Click here to see the annoucement for this 6-month advocacy training in 2013 in Orlando and Tallahassee!
Click here for detailed information.
Click here to see the annoucement for this 6-month advocacy training in 2013 in Orlando and Tallahassee!
Click here for detailed information.
Learn About Rural Routes to Employment
Announcement from the The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council
Click here to read about this training opportunity on November 29, 2012 in Okechobee, Florida!
Click here to read about this training opportunity on November 29, 2012 in Okechobee, Florida!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Register for Self-employment and Resource Ownership Training
Announcement From The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council
Click here to learn more about this training taking place on November 5, 2012 in Tallahassee and Orlando!
Click here to learn more about this training taking place on November 5, 2012 in Tallahassee and Orlando!
Friday, October 26, 2012
Please Vote on November 6th
Here is my one and only opinion during this election cycle.
There is more to this election than the Presidency:
1. New laws and referendums.
2. Senators and Representatives for your own State Legislature. These folks in the State Legislature vote on laws that affect you.
3. Local representatives in whatever your municipality or community calls them...Alderman, City Council Representative, etc.
4. Your U.S. Senator and Congressional Representative.
The Presidency is very important, but please remember, these other elections are also very important because they affect you and your community at home.
If you elect to sit out this election for President because you cannot decide, that is fine. But keep in mind there is more on your ballot than the Presidential candidates. Consider voting for issues in your community that are important to you.
There is my two cents on this issue.
New Look for the Blog!
I just changed the format to make it easier to read the articles. What do you think?
Read About FAAST's Financial Resource Guide
This came from an Announcement From The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council
FAAST's New Horizon Loan Program Director, Ms. Melanie Quinton, along with FAAST, Inc., through support from the Florida Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, is pleased to announce the completion and development of a comprehensive (click to see the guide) 52-page general self-help resource guide designed to provide basic tools to find sound financial resource information.
Tools for financial independence within this guide are designed to assist individuals with resources on the how- tos of budgeting, establishing and maintaining credit, repairing credit, student loan resource information, home ownership resources, establishing and maintaining small businesses, state and federal tax information, savings plans, retirement planning, and much more.
For your convenient reference, the financial resources within this guide have been hyperlinked to provide easy access to informative websites, frequently asked questions (FAQs), factsheets, articles, tutorials, and other relevant financial resources. To find a financial resource that may be of assistance to you, please refer to the Table of Contents that includes a detailed list of financially relevant topics and subjects, along with page numbers.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
This self-help resource guide is not a substitute for legal advice
As with many other FAAST self-help resource guides, this guide contains hyperlinks to an array of helpful reference materials and is available on the New Horizon Loan Program website at www.newhorizonloanprogram.org and on the FAAST website at www.faast.org/resources/library.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Invitation to become a Guest Blogger!
Parents, medical providers, teachers, therapists, and especially those on the Spectrum, Area Autism Search is extending an invitation to you to become a guest blogger.
Who: For everyone!
What: Tips, insights, anecdotes, latest research, events, work opportunities, travel, etc.
When: Anytime
Where: From anywhere in the world
Why: Those touched in some way with ASD seek to understand and to be understood.
How: Email me your article (basorem@gmail.com). You will be featured as a guest blogger!
~Maggie
Who: For everyone!
What: Tips, insights, anecdotes, latest research, events, work opportunities, travel, etc.
When: Anytime
Where: From anywhere in the world
Why: Those touched in some way with ASD seek to understand and to be understood.
How: Email me your article (basorem@gmail.com). You will be featured as a guest blogger!
~Maggie
Calling All Doctors in Northeast Florida
As a public service, I wish to open a page listing medical people, doctors, pediatricians, dentists, orthodontists, optometrists, and other specialists who are trained in working with patients who are Autism Spectrum Disorder in the following counties: Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Nassau, Baker.
Please send me an email (basorem@gmail.com) to include the following:
Practice name
Physician's name
Address
Telephone number
Website (if applicable)
A summary of how you are qualified to work with patients on the Autism Spectrum.
As you are well aware, the number of cases is growing and many parents need direction. Please help me connect those parents to you so that you can help their children.
Thank you for your contribution
~Maggie
Please send me an email (basorem@gmail.com) to include the following:
Practice name
Physician's name
Address
Telephone number
Website (if applicable)
A summary of how you are qualified to work with patients on the Autism Spectrum.
As you are well aware, the number of cases is growing and many parents need direction. Please help me connect those parents to you so that you can help their children.
Thank you for your contribution
~Maggie
Resource for ASD Social Development
From Dr. Deb Childress, Ph.D. and Dr. Ron Anderson, Ph.D. of SEL Media came the following email I received that I wish to share:
With the rising number of students receiving an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, we are faced with the challenge of finding cost effective, accessible and quality supports for these children and their families. 3-C Institute for Social Development and SELmedia have been working to fill this need for over ten years. Recently we developed a workshop aimed at parents of children on the autism spectrum designed to provide practical information, ideas and activities for helping their children develop core social skills. The workshop is set up as a 3 hour on-line course that is broken down into modules for ease of use for parents with busy schedules.
The course is an overview of foundational social skills that children use every day. Using a live audience of parents of children with an autism spectrum diagnosis, the course seeks to raise and answer questions parents often want to ask about social skill development.
If you would like to learn more about this new resource as well as other programs developed at the 3-CInstitute for Social Development visit our website .
We are making this course available directly to parents as well as through partnership opportunities with organizations. If you are interested in working with us to distribute this workshop please contact me via email.
Additionally we have developed a free resource for educators and parents whose children on the autism spectrum are entering a regular classroom for the first time. To get this free series of lessons, set up a free account at our online resource center. Create an account by creating a password and adding your email. This free resource and others that will be posted monthly are available to you at any time.
Thank you for considering this opportunity.
Regards,
Dr. Deb Childress Ph.D. and Dr. Ron Anderson Ph.D.
Website: http://www.selmediainc.com/resources/practical-tools-hfa
With the rising number of students receiving an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, we are faced with the challenge of finding cost effective, accessible and quality supports for these children and their families. 3-C Institute for Social Development and SELmedia have been working to fill this need for over ten years. Recently we developed a workshop aimed at parents of children on the autism spectrum designed to provide practical information, ideas and activities for helping their children develop core social skills. The workshop is set up as a 3 hour on-line course that is broken down into modules for ease of use for parents with busy schedules.
The course is an overview of foundational social skills that children use every day. Using a live audience of parents of children with an autism spectrum diagnosis, the course seeks to raise and answer questions parents often want to ask about social skill development.
If you would like to learn more about this new resource as well as other programs developed at the 3-CInstitute for Social Development visit our website .
We are making this course available directly to parents as well as through partnership opportunities with organizations. If you are interested in working with us to distribute this workshop please contact me via email.
Additionally we have developed a free resource for educators and parents whose children on the autism spectrum are entering a regular classroom for the first time. To get this free series of lessons, set up a free account at our online resource center. Create an account by creating a password and adding your email. This free resource and others that will be posted monthly are available to you at any time.
Thank you for considering this opportunity.
Regards,
Dr. Deb Childress Ph.D. and Dr. Ron Anderson Ph.D.
Website: http://www.selmediainc.com/resources/practical-tools-hfa
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