ASCEND: Asperger Syndrome

Yup, it’s that time of year again. Kids are cringing every time they see a bright store banner announcing a back-to-school sale. Teachers are enjoying their final days of relaxation before gearing up to meet a new group of students. Parents are anxiously awaiting the first meeting with their child’s new teacher, hoping that this teacher will appreciate their child’s strengths and be able to deal with the quirks that come along with ASD.

To help you through the final weeks before school starts, this issue of ASCEND’s enews includes several education-related tips, news about an upcoming Wrightslaw conference, articles about best practices in education, and some cool websites for kids to help flex their brain muscles. Happy reading!

One Minute of Your Time for our Seminars Survey?
We're asking for your help as we plan our 2010-2011 lineup of seminars. Which topics are most important to you? What do you think about webinars vs. in-person seminars? How far will you travel to an in-person seminar? With your input, we’ll design a roster of seminars that meets the needs of the majority of our members and enews readers. Click here to go to the survey. Thank you!

Teen Game Night in Chesco
Friday, August 20, 2010, 7-9 p.m.
Snacks, board games, and socializing! Cindy Schneider, ASCEND board member and founder of Acting Antics, has received a generous grant from the CRRES to fund a new series of Teen Game Nights in Glenmoore, PA. Here’s information about the next event.
RSVP and more info: cindy@actingantics.org or 610-913-6018 or www.actingantics.org

CAR’s Distinguished Lecture Series
Abramson Research Center, Room 123ABC, 3615 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA
September 15, 7:00 pm
The Center for Autism Research at CHOP hosts Connie Kasari, Ph.D., who will speak about early intervention for children with autism and why targeted treatment of core deficits is important. Dr. Kasari is a Professor of Psychological Studies in Education and Psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Fee: FREE
More info: Julie Mesaric at autism@email.chop.edu or 1-866-570-6524 www.research.chop.edu/programs/car/events/

Social Learning Drama Workshop
Conducted by Carol Moog, PhD and Eric Mitchell, PhD
6810 Emlen Street, Philadelphia, PA (Mount Airy)
September 13 — October 18 (Mondays), 4:00-5:30pm,
Small group offered for adolescents (typically between ages 14 and 18) with social learning difficulties, such as Asperger’s Syndrome and similar differences that affect peer relationships. The workshops will draw from ImagineAct improvisational drama activities, as well as cutting-edge social skill development interventions designed to expand skills in verbal and non-verbal communication, social understanding and flexible thinking.
Fee: $600 per individual
More info: Carol Moog (610-667-1540) or Eric Mitchell (215-844-6482, ericmpsyc@yahoo.com) or www.imagineact.com

Penn Social Skills Seminar for Young Adults
Social Learning Disorders Program, University of Pennsylvania
Conducted by: Carol Moog, Ph.D., Clinical Director/Senior Instructor
3535 Market Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA
Starts September 15 (classes run weekly, 6-9pm, Wednesdays)
This innovative, 10-session seminar is designed to improve social skills and focuses on noticing and understanding nonverbal communication. In addition to role-playing and other activities designed to enliven in-class learning, each participant spends the last hour working individually with a social coach outside the classroom.
More info: www.med.upenn.edu/add/sldp_group or 215-746-7233

What’s New in Special Education? Chapter 14 Revisions
August 19, 2010, 11:00 am - 1:30 pm
Sponsored by: The Arc of PA, in partnership with PaTTAN
Vision For Equality, 718 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
What’s new to the Chapter 14 regulations and how will it affect you and your student? What are the Standards Aligned System and other valuable resources? Parents, family members, advocates, supports coordinators, providers, and guardians are invited.
Fee: FREE
To Register: Ana Pacheco at 215-923-3349 or apacheco@visionforequality.org

Autism Awareness Night at Please Touch Museum
Presented by Variety-The Children's Charity
August 21, 2010, 6-9 PM
4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA
From Variety: “Back by popular demand, children with autism of ALL ages and their families are invited to join us for a night of fun at the Please Touch Museum. A Resource Fair will also take place."
Fee: $25 donation per family (up to 5 immediate family members and TSS)
Contact: Marissa Tabak, 267-261-2113 or marissatabak@varietyphila.org
www.varietyphila.org

Sensory Friendly Films: Nanny McPhee Returns
Sponsored by: AMC Entertainment and the Autism Society of America
September 4, 2010, 10:00 am
AMC Neshaminy 24, 3900 Rockhill Drive, Neshaminy Mall, Bensalem, PA 19020 215-396-8050
AMC Painters Crossing 9, 112 Wilmington Pike, West Chester, PA 610-558-4814
This is a special opportunity for families to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting enviroment on a monthly basis. There will be no previews or ads; the movie will start at 10:00 am. Bring in your own food!
Fee: $5 - $6
More details: www.asaphilly.org

Wrightslaw Special Education Law & Advocacy Conference
October 21, 2010, 9:00am - 4:30pm
Springfield Country Club, 400 West Sproul Road, Springfield, PA
One-day special education law and advocacy programs focus on these four areas: special education law, rights and responsibilities; tests and measurements to measure progress and regression; SMART IEPs; and introduction to tactics and strategies for effective advocacy.
Fee: $120-155
More info: BarbZimmerman@delcofamilypass.com or 610-626-9511 or www.delcofamilypass.com

Rethinking Autism Workshop
Presented by: YAP, East Stroudsburg Univ. & Pocono Mountain SD
October 23, 2010, 8:30am - 4:00pm
200 Prospect Street, East Stroudsburg, PA
This workshop will emphasize the nature of sensory and movement differences, and the ways in which awareness of those differences can help us replace negative assumptions with a recognition of each person’s intellect, sociability, and communicative capacity. Break out session held in afternoon.
Fee: $30-$40 (early registration)
More info: Ann Branning, abranning@yapinc.org or 717-413-2266 or www.yapinc.org

Positive Behavior Support (PBS) Team Leader Training
Presented by: Eastern Region ASERT
Starting in September
Lehigh Univ. College of Education, 111 Research Drive, Bethlehem, PA
The purpose of this new training is for leaders to develop expertise in leading PBS teams and others in their organization in the PBS process. It is open to a limited number of behavioral healthcare agencies providing supports for individuals with ASD. Starting in September, five half-day training sessions will take place approximately every 3 weeks.
More info: Cathy Kunsch, ckunsch@lehigh.edu

STARS After 3 Program
Central Bucks Family YMCA, 2500 Lower State Road, Doylestown, PA
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 3:00-5:00 pm
For ages 12-21
This program was developed in response to a need for a place after school that STARS kids can go. They don’t need ‘babysitting’ but can’t really be left on their own. The daily schedule includes: Greeting, Snack, Opening Circle, Social Times, and Specialty of the Day. What to bring: Daily snack; comfortable shoes for physical fitness activities; swim suit, towel and flip flops for swimming on Wednesdays. Space is limited; max 20 participants.
More info: Brooke Johnston 215-348-8131 ext. 141 or bjohnston@cbfymca.org

Will make eye contact: How to write social skills IEP goals that work
Great Schools website, July 2010

From the site: “Ben Greene, 9, was at recess when a classmate asked him to play. ‘I would, but you smell really bad,’ he replied. The girl walked away hurt. Ben, who has Asperger’s syndrome, had no idea why his remark bothered the little girl (‘It’s a fact,’ he said with a shrug). The next day, at the insistence of his aide, he apologized to her. ‘I’m sorry I made a personal remark, but you really do smell bad,’ he said.”

Picky Eating by Autistic Kids Won't Affect Growth
WebMD, July 19, 2010
From the article: “Children with ASD tend to be extremely picky when it comes to what they will or won't eat, but new research shows that it doesn't seem to affect their growth and development. The findings appear in the August issue of ‘Pediatrics.’”

Young adults with Asperger's syndrome struggle to find jobs
Columbus Dispatch, July 12, 2010
From the article: “Her resume attracted plenty of attention. Hospitals, technology companies and a major research organization indicated that Chelsea Ridenour - computer and math whiz, summa cum laude graduate of Capital University - looked good on paper. Some called for interviews. And then, suddenly, it didn't seem to matter that she is intelligent and dependable and tenacious. Ridenour can communicate with a computer in six languages, but she can't chat her way through a face-to-face meeting with a stranger.”

From the article: “David Shunkey is autistic and doesn't speak. Around the start of the recession, he got laid off from two jobs. Now he's trying to run his own business. More mentally and physically challenged adults are looking to entrepreneurship as they get closed out of an exceptionally competitive job market, according to several organizations that help the disabled, including Community Options Inc., a nonprofit based in Princeton, N.J.”

From the article: "Madison, Wis. — Garner Moss has autism and when he was finishing fifth grade, his classmates made a video about him, so the new students he would meet in the bigger middle school would know what to expect. His friend Sef Vankan summed up Garner this way: ‘He puts a little twist in our lives we don’t usually have without him.’”

From the article: “Advice from two professionals who are coping with the condition. … People with Asperger's syndrome have trouble reading social cues. They can be long-winded, insensitive and impolite, often failing to look people in the eye. They can also produce remarkable creative breakthroughs.”

"Organizing Your Life with the iPOD Touch: Making Cognitive Connections at Home, Work, and School" is a workbook developed by the PDA 4 Memory Project . Topics covered in the workbook include: Making Cognitive Connections, iPod Touch Basics, The Clock App, The Calendar App, The Contacts App and The Notes App.

The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) has announced the development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) Checklist iPhone application. The new IEP application helps parents of students with disabilities become better informed by making IEP information easier to access. This tool is for parents and teachers to consider as they develop an IEP.

“Making the Move to Managing Your Own Personal Assistance Services (PAS): A Toolkit for Youth Transitioning to Adulthood” is a new tool for teens. Whether moving from school or a home setting to work, college, or living on their own, transition-age youth and their families or friends may benefit from the information and guidance offered by this toolkit.

Academic Support (AND FUN!) on the Web

Put down that remote or DS and tune in to some great online resources that provide help with homework and more! Why wait until school starts? Start flexing those brain muscles now.

Fact Monster
www.factmonster.com
Tons of facts for fact-loving kids.

SoftSchools.com
www.softschools.com
Online worksheets, games and quizzes.

Starfall.com
www.starfall.com
Excellent website for young emerging readers.

FunBrain
www.funbrain.com
Games to improve grammar skills.

Education Place
www.eduplace.com/tales
Like an online Mad Libs; promotes reading/writing skills.

Children's Hospital Boston: Genetic Factors of ASD
Researcher: Dr. Ingrid Holm
Children’s Hospital Boston is trying to better understand the genetic and environmental factors involved in the development of ASD. From this gained knowledge we hope to one day have earlier diagnoses and better treatments. Eligibility: 1) 18 months of age or older, 2) have an ASD diagnosis, 3) be willing to give a blood or saliva sample, 4) have a parent willing to answer some medical and family history questions. No cost to participate/ no compensation for participating. No need to travel to Boston. Informed consent and questionnaires completed by telephone and mail. Study takes about 2 hours to complete Samples can be collected at the your home or doctor’s office.
Contact: Caitlin Kreitman, caitlin.kreitman@childrens.harvard.edu

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.