ANTS Training in Fort Smith in July - Free

ADVOCATES NEEEDED TODAY INC (ANTS)

proudly presents Peter Leidy whose musical talent is known nationwide. Peter is from Wisconsin and is on the most powerful advocates for individuals with disabilities and their families that Arkansas has seen!

Doing Our Best Work: 10 Ingredients of Quality Support & Creating Quality Support through Individual and Family Driven Supports and Services

Featuring: Peter Leidy, Syed Ali, PhD. & Shawn Ali Erik Riggs & Rebecca Riggs, Christian Smith and Debra Smith, Vickie Oxford, Jessica Ladd & Sue Beckford, as well as other advocates and family members.

TOPICS FOR THE DAY

-Believing in positive possibilities and supporting community membership

-Listening, working as a team, embracing curiosity

-Language, attitudes and supporting people through relationships with them

-Our roles as allies and ethical dilemmas

-Remembering why we do this work

-Personal stories from individuals, their families and their support staff

CEU’S ARE AVAILABLE FOR THIS TRAINING


Need to Know

Friday, July 24, 2009

Registration & Snacks 3:30pm

Training Begins 4:00pm

Training Ends 8:00pm


Location

Elvin & Sally Frick

Community Center:

5812 Remington Circle

Ft. Smith, AR 72903


REGISTRATION DEADLINE -JULY 15, 2009

RSVP SOON AS SEATING IS LIMITED

Rebecca Riggs 501-960-0333


THIS TRAINING HAS BEEN FUNDED BY THE AR GOV’S DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COUNCIL AND IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE

Brain Gym 101 in Clinton, AR - July 15-17

Brain Gym 101

*Research proven to improve test scores and behavior

July 15, 16, 17 2009

Topic: Brain Gym ® 101 Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.


Location: First Service Community Room, 486 Hwy 65 N,
Clinton, Arkansas 72031

Fee: $300 if received by 7/1/09 / $350 late registration


Reviewers Only Fee: ½ price early or late registration fee


Instructors: Your licensed Brain Gym instructors, Debbie Smith and Brenda Wood, are educators at Shirley (AR) Elementary School.


Special Notes: Dress is casual and comfortable. We will experience all 26 Brain Gym ® activities. Bring a pillow, exercise mat or beach towel for floor activities and bring your favorite sports drink container or bottled water.


To register: Send Registration and Tuition or Purchase Order to Debbie Smith, 244 Douglas Lane, Clinton, AR
72031; Home: 501-745-4529 Cell: 501-592-1271
Butterflydreams53@hotmail.com

Attended Autism Resource Meeting Saturday

Yesterday I attended the the Autism Resource Center of Arkansas’ June meeting at New Life Church in Conway. Childcare was provided - so I was able to attend. It was a small meeting, but lots of great discussion. Community Connections has several great programs coming online soon. I encourage you to check out their webpage http://www.communityconnectionsar.org/ One thing not listed on the webpage that we heard is starting soon is Flag Football. They have great speakers lined up for the next few months so I expect to see a large turnout in July!

Contact information:
Courtney Leach
Executive Director, Community Connections
Pediatrics Plus Therapy Services
2740 College Avenue
Conway, AR 72034
Cell: 501.733.1627
Fax: 501.325.1378

SCERTS training in Arkansas

*SCERTS Model-Barry Prizant-a two day implementation training, Sept 24-25 at the Airport Holiday Inn in Little Rock, $360 per person, lunch included, registration closes on Sept. 18. This training is designed to provide information and skills that allow for implementation of the SCERTS Model for children with ASD and related disabilities. SCERTS is a new innovative approach that offers a framework of specific goals and procedures for assessment and
educational programming. The Social Communication, Emotional Regulation and Transactional Support domains of the model directly address the core challenges faced by children with ASD and related disabilities. SCERTS is not exclusive of other approaches. It is flexible enough to incorporate practices from approaches and teaching strategies that have been proven effective with children with ASD. It is comprehensive and integrated, representing a new generation of
educational approaches and evidence based practice. SCERTS is applicable for children from early stages of communication through conversational abilities and from early intervention through the elementary years and beyond. It is a team model designed to encourage
professionals from different disciplines to collaborate with families. Families are included as partners in assessment and education efforts that cut across school, home and community settings. Progress is measured in everyday functional activities with a variety of partners,
recognizing the absolute necessity for supporting communication and social-emotional development in everyday activities and routines. For hotel reservations, call 501-490-1000 and ask for the AR LEARN rate of $88. Email questions to stephaniee@dawson.dsc.k12.ar.us To
register, use the AR LEARN form under "helpful resources" on this page (www.arlearn.org) and FAX to Stephanie Eddy at 870-246-5892.

Family Leadership Project Accepting Application

The DD Council is concerned with the well being of individuals with disabilities and their families a helping hand. From it’s new Family Resource Guide to its cooperation with other state agencies and organizations, the Council is actively engaged in helping families navigate an often complex system as they search for the resources necessary to meet the needs of the family and the child.

A major component in DDC’s family services is the Family Leadership Project (FLP). Conducted annually, the project’s primary objective is to assist its graduates in effectively participating in the development of policies, programs and services that directly impact their lives and the lives of family members with disabilities. FLP’s goals include providing participants with increased information about services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities; assisting participants in better understanding the strategies needed to affect systemic change, and techniques on how participants to work more effectively with state and local service agencies.

The Council accepts Family Leadership Program applications for its annual training cycle through December 31 of each year. Classes are conducted six times beginning in January and ending in June. To get more information about the DDC’s family services and supports programs, publications and activities, including the Family Leadership Project, contact Family Services Coordinator Brenda Mercer at brenda.mercer@arkansas.gov.

http://www.ddcouncil.org/

NWA Celiac Awareness & Education Day

Northwest Arkansas Celiac Awareness & Education Day

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness invites you to join area
physicians, dieticians, restaurants, chefs, food industry leaders and families
affected by celiac disease and gluten intolerance at the Northwest Arkansas
Celiac Awareness & Education Day.

Friday, July 10th, 2009 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Holiday Inn Conference Center 500 S. 48th Street Springdale, AR

Tickets can also be purchased online through the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness website www.CeliacCentral.org

Questions? Need help with your order? Want to pay via credit card? please call NFCA Director of Operations, Nancy Ginter.
(215) 325-1306 x.101
ginter@celiaccentral.org
Orders MUST be received prior to Friday, July 3rd 2009

All Day Adult $40 each
All Day Student $35 each
Half Day Adult $25 each
Half Day Student $20 each
Lunch and Vendor Fair Adult $15 each
Lunch and Vendor Fair Student/Child $10 each

If purchasing a Half Day Ticket, Please indicate the educational session which you plan to attend:
9:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
Hot Topic: The Gluten-Free Industry
12:00p.m- 1:30p.m.
Hot Topic: Advancing Awareness & Driving Diagnosis

Recommend Healing Thresholds

http://autism.healingthresholds.com/about

This is a website with a weekly newsletter about the scientific efforts surrounding autism research. I have found it a very fair and open source of timely information. Thought I would share.

Little Rock Autism Families Meetup

If you go to the Meetup.com website, look for Little Rock Autism Families meetup. It is listed under the Autism and Asperger's Syndrome topics. Here is the description for the group.

We are all about social activities, playdates, and parent-only gatherings for families with autistic children. If you and your autistic child are feeling isolated, please join and connect with other families for fun and social activities.

Several representatives of local autism groups are posting their activities, lectures, and fundraisers on the meetup group calendar. We hope that you do participate in their activities as well as our social events.

Please understand that the group is not providing professional behavioral support or medical advice. We will do our best to help you and your family have a great time. Through your connections on the meetup group we hope you can find solutions to vexing problems.

What a great way to join with other families in the Little Rock area and have some fun!

This is your brain on Autism

This is Your Brain on Autism

A new and easy to understand perspective on autism

Easter Seals Arkansas, Little Rock—Friday, June 12th, 2009

Arkansas Tech University, Russellville—Friday, July 10th, 2009

Presented by Phillip Pengelly, CTRS

Arkansas Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health

Call (501)766-1247 or email mrphillip2001@yahoo.com for registration. Cost of the workshop is $60 and includes lunch.

The workshop utilizes the latest in autism research to explain in easy to understand terms why therapies work and why our typical way of instruction that we all learned as children, doesn’t.

Although I have worked with hundred’s of individuals on the spectrum over the past 30 years of my life, I could never really explain autism, until I began my initial research on this subject matter.

I have had so many “ah hah” moments as I research further and believe that those who attend this workshop, regardless of experience will too.

This workshop is not about a new kind of therapy or treatment. It is about finally understanding the world of autism as they see it and how we can easily understand how to utilize what we are already doing and making it better; much, much better.

HBOT topic at Little Rock Morning Coffee Out

Morning Coffee Out!

Join us for a support group for Parents and Caregivers of Children with Autism and all Special Needs. A place where we can share stories, give advice, get advice, talk, and meet new friends that Walk the Same Road with different turns.

Friday, June 19, 2009
8:15am
Coffee Beanery
17200 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR 72223

For more information, contact Dawn Itzkowitz at 501-951-0115 or brycesbrigade@comcast.net or Misty Gaston at 501-912-8220 or mistygaston@gmail.com.

This is a reminder about the next Morning Coffee Out meeting on June 19th. Dr. Gary Villines with The HBO Clinic will be speaking about their clinic that does work with hyperbaric oxygen chambers.

Dr. Gary Villines
The HBO Clinic, PLLC
106 S. Rodney Parham Rd.
Little Rock, AR 72205
(501) 353-2130
www.thehboclinic.com

NAA Free Magic Springs Day

The National Autism Association - Arkansas Chapter is hosting a "FREE" Fun Day at Magic Springs/Crystal Falls. If you reserve your spot with the NAA, you and your family's admission is free ($46 value). It even includes a "FREE" hot dog lunch.

This all takes place on Tuesday, June 23rd from 11 am to 8 pm at Magic Springs in Hot Springs, AR.

For more information and to reserve a space, please contact Arkansas NAA president, Cindy Fong ASAP! Her e-mail address is fongfam@charter.net (home: 501-803-0166 / cell: 501-952-6508).

Great Article by Dr. Sears

Author of one of my favorite books - just had to share this article.

http://www.ageofautism.com/2009/06/dr-bob-sears-author-of-the-vaccine-book-if-a-vaccineautism-link-is-proven-will-vaccine-policy-change.html

I have found Dr. Sears to be a fair minded and reasonable source in this debate.

Loretta

Conway Activities

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE this week! The Be a STAR performing arts camp is coming up July 17-22^nd at Central Baptist College in Conway. Be a STAR provides a creative, unique, integrated performing arts summer camp for children of varying abilities ages 7-17. The focus will be on each child’s individual strengths, allowing them to excel in the areas of performing arts including dance, instrumentals and vocals, drama, video, and set design. The cost is $100 for the 5 day camp and applications are available on our website or by clicking http://www.communityconnectionsar.org/pdf/beastar.pdf.

2. The Kids Helping Kids Trike-a-thon is THIS SATURDAY, June 6, at 10 a.m. at New Life Church in Conway! This will be a bike and tricycle race for kids ages 2-9 to help raise awareness and support for the programs Community Connections offers children with special needs. There will be food, inflatables, and fun for the whole family. We’d love for you/your children to come out and either race OR cheer the children on! Entry forms are available at www.communityconnectionsar.org.