Asher's Journal

What is Asher's Journal?  It is a web-based record keeping application that allows parents, teachers, therapists, doctors and other caregivers the opportunity to connect and collaborate for the common goal of the patients health. The mash-up of home data collection, therapy session notes, treatment summaries and biomedical observations provides a new and unique approach to best treating the patient.  As a parent of a child with Autism, you know the pounds of papers you have in your file from IEP's, to therapist visits from the moment of diagnosis and all throughout their life.

Asher Clark is a young boy recently diagnosed with Autism.  His parents, Tim and Nicole developed a system to help them keep up with all of Asher's paperwork and to be able to share with all those involved in his care.  They moved on to develop a website for other parents to be able to do the same thing. 

A big part of Asher's progress this year is due to ashersjournal.com.  The Clarks are just one special needs family reaching out to others. There is a 30-day free trial then a monthly fee.   Take a look and see if Asher's Journal can help your family.

Area Autism Discussion Board - Now Open!

Now open, my new discussion board. Feel free to start a discussion that pertains to the Autism community in the Jacksonville, Florida area.

Area Autism Search (First Coast) Discussion

Visit this group

$5000 Available - 2010 6 Days 6 Ramps Community Service Project!

Announcement from the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council

Volunteer Florida is pleased to announce the availability of four grants of up to $5000 to support the 6 Days 6 Ramps Community Service Project.

6 Days 6 Ramps is a multi-site collaborative service project between the Governor's Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, Volunteer Florida; not-for-profit organizations; organizations that serve persons with disabilities; volunteer enters;
faith-based organizations; AmeriCorps and National Service programs and the business community.

6 Days 6 Ramps seeks to achieve the following goals:

Exemplify and expand the role of persons with disabilities in improving their community through participation in national service programs and volunteering.

Bring attention to the need for barrier removal so that persons with disabilities
can remain independent and a part of their communities.

Help strengthen existing volunteer efforts to remove barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from participating in their community by building wheelchair ramps for local residents with disabilities whose income will not support the cost of building a ramp.

Volunteer Florida Reaches out to Veterans with Disabilities

This year Volunteer Florida, through our 6 Days 6 Ramps sites, will focus on including veterans with disabilities to be ramp recipients and to help build ramps in their community.

For further information and to download and application go to http://www.6days6ramps.org. If you have any questions please contact Paul Martell at 850-414-0093 or Erin Pantoja at 850-414-0095. You may also inquire by e-mail at everyoneserves@volunteerflorida.org [mailto:everyoneserves@volunteerflorida.org].

Events at CARD

Upcoming Trainings/Events: 

·         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.

·         CARD-Jacksonville Constituency Board Meeting: The next few meetings of the parent constituency board have been scheduled for February 16, 2010; April 13, 2010; July 27, 2010; September 21, 2010. The University of Florida at Jacksonville, Center for Autism and Related Disabilities has periodic meetings with its advisory committee. The public and individuals served by CARD are welcome to attend these Constituency Board meetings and provide input to the Board and CARD staff. All meetings will begin at 6pm and end at 7pm. Meetings will take place at The University of Florida, Developmental Pediatric Center located at 6271 St. Augustine Road, Suite 1, Jacksonville, Florida 32217.

·         “Developing Literacy in Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders” -  February 19, 2010: Presented by Erin Swenson, BS. Erin Swenson is a teacher for a self-contained autism classroom in Clay County public schools. During this workshop, participants will learn how to increase the reading and writing skills of children with autism spectrum disorders. This presentation will focus on the development of skills for early learners who are reading and writing within the Kindergarten to 1st Grade levels. Participants will learn how to capitalize on students’ unique interests and strengths in order to deliver effective and meaningful instruction. All events listed run from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and are provided at no cost to participants. Registration information and location will be available soon!

·         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.  

·         “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. Registration information and location will be available soon!

·         “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. Registration information and location will be available soon!

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

 

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  Feeding and Eating Clinic for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Dr. Mae Barker is collaborating with Lori Allen, MS, CCC-SLP and Emilie Balkman, MPH, RD, LDN to provide a comprehensive feeding and eating clinic for individuals. Children and their caregivers are taught strategies to improve their eating habits, behavior surrounding feeding times and overall attitude towards food. Please contact Dr. Barker for more information and available clinic dates at mae.barker@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. 

Autism Symposium Scholarship Announcement

If you are interested in attending this event and would like to receive a scholarship to help cover the cost of the event, please go to the link, complete the application http://www.hscj.ufl.edu/pediatrics/autism/events/2010_AutismSymposium.pdf and fax to 633-0751 or email to Yvonne Gaither at Yvonne.gaither@jax.ufl.edu before March 1.  We will notify recipients of scholarships on March 2. 

Thank you,

 

Center for Autism and Related Disabilities

UF College of Medicine - Jacksonville

(904) 633-0760

http://www.hscj.ufl.edu/peds/aut/

FAAST Transition Training Workshop Orlando, FL

Announcement from Florida Developmental Disabilities Council

Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology, Inc. (FAAST), in partnership with the University of Central Florida Toni Jennings Exceptional Education Institute presents a training workshop on individualized education planning (IEP) for family members of students with disabilities and other interested parties

WHEN: Saturday, February 27,2010 * 9:00 A.M. - NOON * Free parking
WHERE: University of Central Florida * Teaching Academy (Building 93) * 4000 Central Florida
Blvd. *Orlando, Florida 32816 *Room TA 117


FAAST, Inc. is pleased to present a comprehensive training on the individualized  education plan (IEP) process; also focusing on transition services and assistive technology and support services. The trainer sponsored by FAAST will be Ms. Constance Serafin. The workshop with training materials will be offered to parents of children with disabilities and other interested parties and will be hosted by the UCF Toni
Jennings Exceptional Education Institute.

Although there is no charge for this training opportunity, we do ask that participants RSVP to pre-register as spacewill be limited.  Individuals needing reasonable accommodations to participate in the training should
contact Mr. SteveHowells or Ms. Connie Serafin in advance and if possible no later than five days before the February 20, 2010 trainings. You can reach Mr. Howells  at 1-888-788-9216, ext. 102 or email at: showeIls@faast.org  [mailto:showeIls@faast.org]or Ms. Serafin at 352-942-1169 or e-mail at:connieserafin@yahoo.com [mailto:connieserafin@yahoo.com] To find out about the programs and services FAAST offers, go to: www.faast.org [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103018649300&s=541&e=001KM1mQvVHdEwoO1P6bmyIuosUs6VHAWPEv7gMBLDHACAqd3MvZ4NLzb-3XisgHW14DVqW9x8f3urmWzEULvQwxacPOIcWnEWnBQYRvzs9YMQ=]
and for more information on the work of the Toni Jennings Exceptional Education Institute, go to: tjeei@ucf.edu [mailto:tjeei@ucf.edu

Fund Raise With Avon

Did you know that you can raise money not only for a cause with Avon, but also for a neighbor in need? 
There are fundraisers as used in schools, sports associations, scouts, cheerleading, etc.
There are also fundraisers to collect money for a neighbor or nearly any reason by having an online event or a book party.

Contact Maggie at avonbasorejax@yahoo.com or go to www.youravon.com/mbasore for more information.