ASCEND: Asperger Syndrome

ASCEND is pleased to announce that four new directors have joined our board. Please join us in welcoming them! To read full bios for all ASCEND board members, click here.

Deb Dunn, Esq., is one of ASCEND's founding board members. She is the Outreach Director for the Center for Autism Research (CAR) at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania. Deb is the mother of two boys, including a teenage son with Asperger Syndrome.

Hillary D. Freeman, Esq., of Hinkle, Fingles & Prior, Attorneys at Law, is deeply committed to her work representing people with disabilities and their families. As the sister of a man with autism, she is able to combine personal experience with her legal training to help families advocate for services and supports.

Joseph Gousie, Sr., has worked in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities for nearly 40 years. He currently serves as the director of non-traditional services for Elwyn. Joe is inspired to serve on ASCEND's board by his personal experience of having a son and grandson diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome.

Dawn Hoyt is a stay-at-home mom raising a six-year old boy, diagnosed with PDD-NOS in 2006, and a four-year old daughter. She is an active fundraiser for national and local autism causes. Dawn participates in a Garnet Valley based support group and has served as a mentor to parents and grandparents raising children with challenges.

Reminder! Annual Picnic for Member Families
Sunday, July 18, Noon – 2:00PM
Wilson Farm Park, 500 Lee Road, Chesterbrook, PA
(Tredyffrin Township in Chester County)
For information about joining ASCEND, click here.

ESY for College Bound Students with AS
July 19-22 and July 26-29 (Monday through Thursday)
10:00AM - 12 Noon
This workshop is focused on self-advocacy and readiness skills for the transition to college life and is designed for high school students with an Asperger Syndrome diagnosis who are planning to go to college. Recommended for those completing 9th, 10th and 11th grade this school year. Special guest appearance by Scott Robertson, Penn State Ph.D. student and national speaker.
Tuition: $450.00
Location: 310 Swinehart Road, Glenmoore 19543
More info: Cindy Schneider at cindy@actingantics.org or 610-913-6018

ImagineAct Summer Social Skills Session

July 26 – 30, 2010, 4:00-5:30PM
The Miquon School, 2025 Harts Lane, Conshohocken, PA
This weeklong Social Skills Group Summer Session is being offered for 7-11 year old children with Asperger's or other social learning issues. Improvisational theater techniques are utilized to facilitate positive peer experiences and practice applying social skills in a playful context. It's a fun learning experience conducted by Carol Moog, Ph.D., an experienced clinical psychologist with a theater background, and Sarah Walsh, M.Ed., a talented teacher trained in theater.
Fee: $350
More info: 610-825-7767 or campdirector@miquon.org
http://www.imagineact.com/docs/summer2010_registration.html

New Member! Young Law Offices
Ilene Young, Esq., Principal Attorney
50 East Court Street, Doylestown, PA 18901
215-348-5448 or ileneyoung@ileneyoung.com
Young Law Offices specializes in representing families with disabilities in special education law, family law and life planning. Ilene Young has been a civil and family attorney since 1982, practicing in Philadelphia and surrounding counties.

New Member! Let's Learn How to Make Friends Social Skills Groups
Becky O'Hara CCC-SLP and Renee Hartey CCC-SLP
P.O. Box 562, Yardley, PA 19067
215-431-3032 or rahspeech@aol.com
Social skills/social thinking classes for children with Asperger Syndrome or High Functioning Autism. Classes are held weekends on a six-week cycle in Bala Cynwyd, PA.

Melmark's 3rd Annual Conference: Improving Life at
Home & School
6/17/2010, 8:00AM-4:00PM
One Liberty Boulevard, Malvern, PA
A one-day conference devoted to parents, professionals, students, and individuals with ASD, aimed at improving the life (socially, behaviorally, educationally, etc.) of individuals and their families through evidence-based ways. CEUs available: ACT 48 (5), ASHA (0.5), Social Work (5), and BCBA (6).
Fee: $25-$65
Contact: Michael Donovan at MichaelDonovan@melmark.org or 610-325-4740
http://www.melmarkcontinuingeducation.org

80% Autism Divorce Rate Debunked in First-Of-Its Kind
Scientific Study
Press release from Kennedy Krieger Institute, May 19, 2010: "Having a child with autism can put stress on the parents’ marriage, and a frequently cited statistic leads to a common perception that the divorce rate among these families is as high as 80 percent. But a study to be released at a news conference today by researchers from Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore found that a child’s autism has no effect on the family structure…"
http://www.kennedykrieger.org/kki_news.jsp?pid=8851

Mid-Atlantic Multisport is offering a "Triathlon Boot Camp
For Kids"
For ages 7-14 to introduce the sport of triathlon in a safe and fun environment, this one-day camp is on Saturday, 6/12, at Briarwood Day Camp in Bucks County, PA. Under the direction of a USA Triathlon certified coach, this comprehensive clinic will help kids learn the fundamentals of swimming, biking and running while motivating and inspiring them to lead active and healthy lifestyles. All ability levels are welcome, including kids with Aspergers, PDD, or High Functioning Autism. Clinical and sport psychologist, Dr. Mitchell Greene, who has vast experience working with kids with ASD in a sport environment, will be on hand all day to help support campers who might have questions or need additional guidance or reassurance. Please indicate if you register that you have a child who carries an ASD diagnosis so that Dr. Greene can discuss your child’s participation before the actual camp day.
More Info: http://www.midatlanticmultisport.com/camps_2010_kids.html or Dr. Greene via www.greenepsych.com

From the article: "The random encounters of Chatroulette buck

a decade-long trend that has made the Internet feel progressively more ordered."

From the article: "Next fall, when millions of kids tune into Cartoon Network to watch Bugs Bunny, Scooby-Doo and other favorites, they'll encounter something new — an ambitious campaign to enlist them as foot soldiers in the fight against bullying."

From the article: "The families of seven autistic students who were abused by their teacher in a northeastern Pennsylvania classroom have agreed to a $5 million settlement of their federal lawsuit."

From the article: "Next week, Teddy Graubard would have graduated from Dalton—a brilliant teenager, with a mild form of Asperger’s, whose path seemed almost limitless. So what led him to the window?"

From the article: "One of the hardest things about parenting older kids who are on the autism spectrum is recognizing that the issues they're dealing with as teens are very different from the ones they dealt with in elementary school. It's so much easier -and more comfortable--for us to think about birthday parties and playground friendships than it is to tackle the prom and dating, isn't it?"

From the article: “Would you travel to the other side of the world without a road map? No! Going from elementary school to middle school is one thing. Going from middle school to high school is another thing. Then comes the moment you have been waiting and planning for: College!”

Lisa says: “I'm thrilled to announce that my new book, ‘Get Out, Explore, and Have Fun!: How Families of Children With Autism or Asperger Syndrome Can Get the Most Out of Community’ is now available from Jessica Kingsley Publishers! This book has been a labor of love, and inside you'll find a wealth of information I've collected from parents, pastors, instructors, Scout leaders, museum professionals, camp directors and many others.” Lisa has been an ASCEND supporter and member since 2000. Congratulations, Lisa!

We are an online community-based support for spouses and partners of someone who has Asperger's Syndrome, High Functioning Autism or a related diagnosis (NLD, ADHD and learning disabilities included). We provide an opportunity to relate to others in similar situations, share experiences to gain better understanding, explore answers to questions and address concerns about the future. Many of the group members are from Greater Philadelphia/Tri-State area. (Those living locally meet in person from time to time.) However, online membership currently includes and is open to those nationally and internationally. Also, one's spouse or partner does not have to have a professional diagnosis in order to join the group. For more info: Alison Larsen at alilars@erols.com

Penn School of Nursing Transitioning to Community by Adolescents/Young Adults with AS
This research is a joint effort between the Center for Autism and the UPenn School of Nursing. The purpose is to describe practical strategies to improve transitioning to independent living among adolescents with Asperger Syndrome. Adolescents and young adults with AS, aged 18-26 years, along with a parent, will participate in an interview and complete a survey. Participants will receive a $50 gift card for their time.
Contact:Ellen Giarelli, EdD, RN, CRNP, Giarelli@nursing.upenn.edu, 215-746-0041 or Andrea Segal, ansegal@nursing.upenn.edu, 215-898-5519

ASCEND Group Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. We do not endorse any specific professional or therapeutic treatment. We are not meant to be a replacement for medical or legal advice. Our mission is to raise public awareness about Asperger Syndrome and related disorders, to advocate for improved education and services, and to provide support and information to the Asperger and autism community.

This newsletter is for informational purposes only. Any link or mention in our newsletter should not be construed as an endorsement or recommendation.

The official registration and financial information of ASCEND Group Inc. may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.