We are hoping to find a Nebraska athlete on the autism spectrum who is participating in the National Special Olympic Games in Lincoln this summer.  Due to confidentiality reasons, the Special Olympics can’t share participant information so we are putting a call out through the Autism Society to find you! 

If you or your loved one is participating in the National games and would be willing to be interviewed please email Kristen Larsen at larsenk@charter.net or call 308-237-4343!  Thank you!

Help us shape our future!

The Nebraska Chapter of the Autism Society seeks to have board representation for across the State and will be taking applications to fill Board member positions.  We need Autism Professionals as well as Autism Warriors.  Anyone interested in helping advocate for individuals affected by autism is eligible. 

If you are interested in learning more please contact Autism Society President, Michaela Newman at autismsociety@autismnebraska.org.

The Autism Society of Nebraska is seeking applications for the Dan Archwamety Post Secondary Education Scholarship.  A scholarship of up to $500 is available this year for an individual with a diagnosis of ASD. The scholarship must be used toward completing an accredited post‐secondary course of study (educational or vocational).  Applicant must be currently admitted/registered for the program.

Scholarship will be awarded at the ASD Network convention Banquet on Thursday, April 8. Persons who have already received this scholarship will not be eligible.

Application should also include:
1. Proof of ASD diagnosis
2. Proof of current admittance/registration in a post‐secondary educational or vocational institute
3. Two letters of recommendation‐‐one from a teacher, one from a non‐relative

Download an application here. Applications must be postmarked by March 29, 2010.

Wow!  What a response!  Thank you to everyone who submitted creations for the Autism Society’s  “design our Puzzle Walk T shirt campaign”.  There is no doubt that we have some very talented and creative members in our community! 

You should all be proud of your designs as they all showed great talent.  And considering the large number of votes each of you received it is hard to say that there cannot be three winners to this contest.

But unfortunately…only one design can adorn our T shirts…and the winner is…

 Our congratulations to Genisa Neal of Omaha! 

Autism Society of Nebraska Puzzle Walk Meeting
February 8th, 2010
7pm-9pm
The Nebraska Medical Center- Durham Outpatient Center Room (DOC) 2628
4400 Emile St- Omaha, NE
Michaela’s Cell Phone: 402-658-5261                     (See Map here)

Directions:
Off interstate-Take the 42nd St Exit (Exit 451)
Turn Left onto 42nd St. (Going North)
Continue on 42nd St.
Emile St. Turn Left at lights
Drive until you see the big circle drive on your Right- says “Durham Outpatient Center”
park in the parking structure to the West

Go in main doors of Durham Outpatient Center
Take elevators or escalator in the main entrance to second floor- room 2628

A few weeks ago we asked our community to help us design the 2010 Autism Puzzle Walk T shirts.  Here are three designs that were submitted in the contest and we humbly thank everyone who took time to get creative.    Two of the designs below were submitted by persons on the spectrum and one was submitted by a sibling.  All of the submission were all wonderful and we applaud your creativity!  Thank you!!!!

But now we need our community to help us decide which design to put on the Autism Society’s 2010 Puzzle Walk T shirts!  Please follow the link below and cast your vote! 

DESIGN A:

DESIGN B:

DESIGN C:

Click here to vote for your choice for the

2010 Autism Puzzle Walk T shirts! 

(Vote closes on Sunday February 14th)

Every year the Autism Society of Nebraska awards an individual who shows outstanding commitment to the Autism Community. Anyone who touches the lives of individuals with ASD’s is eligible. This award will be presented at the Statewide Annual Conference held this year in Kearney on April 8th & 9th.

Nominations should be emailed to the Nomination Committee at autismsociety@autismnebraska.org prior to March 1st, 2010.

Please include the name of the person being nominated, contact information for yourself and the nominee, and a one page narrative on why you think this person should be awarded the Excellence in Autism Award from the Autism Society.  Please help us honor those who work so diligently to improve the lives of those affected by autism.

Do you know of anyone who might be interested in serving as a corporate sponsor for our 3rd annual Autism Society Puzzle Walk?  Please contact the Autism Society right away at autismsociety@autismnebraska.org!

Do you have a contact that would be interested in donating a raffle prize for our event?  The raffle is always amazing!  Help us make it even more spectacular and raise even more funds for a great cause!    Contact us at autismsociety@autismnebraska.org to make a donation!

We need your creativity!  Please help us design the 2010 Puzzle Walk T shirts.  We need your help creating a spectacular design for the front of the walk T-shirts. 

Your only requirements are that the design needs to state…

2010 Autism Puzzle Walk and that it is being hosted by the Autism Society of Nebraska

…beyond that we encourage you to use your imagination!

Please have designs submitted in .gif or .jpg format to autismsociety@autismnebraska.org no later than January 31st!  The Autism Society will narrow the selection down and have our community help pick the winner!

Our friends at Autism Action Partnership have asked us to encouraging everyone to take a few moments and put on your advocacy hats!    The Autism Action Partnership has been a pivotal force with this Autism Waiver and they are telling us that it appears that we are (once again) receiving some “legislative delays.” 

Please help elevate our voices and remind them that we are still waiting!  There once was a bill known as LB482 that created an autism waiver for early intervention services.  Families across Nebraska rejoiced when it passed!  But they waited and they waited.  It turned out that there were legislative delays that ultimately prevented it’s implementation.  So advocates made changes and then in May of 2009 we passed LB27 to create these much needed services.  And here we are 8 months later and due to “legislative delays” our children are still waiting for their early intervention!

Our loved ones are still waiting without services!

Please consider contacting Kerry Winterer and/or Ben Nelson. We have a sample message written below that you can copy and paste into your email.  Or feel free to write your own message.  But please take a few moments and stand up and be heard!  We also encourage you to have Grandma and Aunt Trudy and Uncle Chester send emails!!!!  We thank you for all that you do!

Information for Mr. Winterer can be found here http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/contact.htm
Information for Mr. Nelson can be found here http://bennelson.senate.gov/email-issues.cfm

Information regarding the waiver can be found here   http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/HCS/Programs/Autism-Waiver.htm and you can download a copy of the final legislative bill here.

(Here is a brief suggested message)

Mr. Winterer/Nelson,

The people of Nebraska need reform for Autism-related services, and you have the opportunity to make this a reality!

As you know, the Autism Treatment Program Act was passed into law in May 2009, yet we stand here in January 2010 without services for our children affected by autism. I urge you to expedite the process of enacting the Autism Waiver to provide real and permanent change to our youth on the autism spectrum. Nebraska deserves better.

Thank you for your action in advance.

Sincerely,

(NAME)
(ORGANIZATION)

 
On January 1, 2010 the “Nebraska Family Helpline” (# 1-888-866-8660) went active.

As you know, this service was authorized by LB603 and is intended to provide 24/7/365 assistance to youth and parents/caregivers of a youth experiencing an urgent behavioral health situation.   Professionals at Boys Town will be available to help families. 

As you all know, our state needs a LOT of improvements in how they support behavioral health.  This hotline is one way to have our voices be heard that we need help!

(See the DHHS Press Release here.)

Dear Family and Friends of the Autism Community,

As many of you may know the Autism Society of Nebraska has had a successful Autism Puzzle Walk for the past 2 years.  We are in the process of putting together our 3rd Annual Autism Society of Nebraska Puzzle Walk with a tentative date of as May 1st  2010. This years walk will again be held at Chalco Hills Recreation Area in Omaha.

This event requires a tremendous amount of commitment and planning from volunteers within our community.  An orientation meeting for the Autism Puzzle Walk has been scheduled for Jan 11^th at 7:oo p.m at Senior Matias.

Assistance is needed is a variety of ways. We need leaders to coordinate food, raffle and registrations but we also need volunteers who are willing to donate a few hours of work. So, whether you are able to stuff envelops or have a background planning community events, we need you there on Monday, January 11^th!

We also need help securing corporate sponsors. Historically our best partnerships have been with those organizations where our families work. If you know of a possible sponsor please let us know. We will have large and small sponsorships available and would appreciate any help you are able to give to this important cause.

The mission of the Nebraska Chapter of the Autism Society of America is to support and advocate for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families. The funds raised from the walk will be used for family scholarship program, funding support groups, sponsoring activities for families touched by autism, annual ASD state conference speakers and the continuation of our newsgram, website and virtual support group.

We hope you consider helping us make a difference in the lives of individuals with autism here in Nebraska! Please email me if you are able to attend the Jan 11^h meeting at bnewms@cox.net or call 1-877-375-0120.

Remember the missing piece is YOU!

Sincerely,

Michaela Newman
Autism Society of America- Nebraska Chapter President

Mark your calendars now!  The Autism Spectrum Disorders Network 2010 State Conference will be April 8th and 9th at the Holiday Inn & Convention Center in Kearney.  We’ll see you there!

Want to share your expertise? 

The Autism Spectrum Disorders Network is planning the 2010 State Conference, scheduled on
April 8th and 9th, 2010 at the Holiday Inn & convention center, in Kearney NE.

They are accepting proposals for 90-180 minute sessions addressing the implementation of
evidence-based practices for students on the autism spectrum. Proposals should include a
description of how your presentation will provide practical strategies and ideas through case
studies, video review, demonstrations, and hands on opportunities.  If you are interested in submitting a proposal, please complete the attached form and return it by December 21st, 2009.

Download their flyer here.

Nebraska Council for Exceptional Children
Announces the return of the
Exceptional Childrens’ Calendar
Featuring the artwork and writing of children with exceptionalities!

Submit student artwork by:

Mailing attention to Carrie George,
224 East 5th Street, Papillion, NE 68046
If you would like original artwork returned, please enclosed a postage paid, self-addressed envelope of appropriate size.

Scan and send as a PDF to NebraskaCEC@gmail.com

Deadline: November 4, 20

All submissions to include the following information:

*
Student’s first name and grade,
*
Contact information of individual submitting artwork - name, school, email address, and phone number
*
Indicate if you are a member of CEC (membership not necessary)

If student artwork is selected, a permission form will be sent to receive consent to use artwork.

Thank you for your support!
Nebraska CEC Board