AMC Entertainment and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis with the “Sensory Friendly Films” program.

The movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up, the sound turned down, and AMC’s “Silence is Golden^®” policy will not be enforced.   There will be no previews before the film so plan to arrive early as the movie will start at 10am.   AMC is also being very generous and letting our families bring in their own GFCF snacks.   Regular concessions are also available to purchase. 

Learn more about AMC’s Sensory Friendly movies HERE.

Saturday, August 7th   showing of      

Dogs and Cats:  The Revenge of Kitty Galore

Omaha’s AMC Oakview 24 Theater
3555 S 140th Plaza - Omaha
10am

Council Bluffs AMC Star 17 Theater
3220 23rd Avenue - Council Bluffs
10am

See the flyer HERE.

Saturday, Augusty 28

8:30 A.M. TO NOON      (LIGHT BREAKFAST 8:00-8:30)

COST: $20  ( INCLUDES BREAKFAST AND ALL MATERIALS)

LOCATION:  ESU3:  6949 S 110th Street, Omaha NE 68128

For more information, please contact Jennifer Haggart at jhaggart@esu3.org or 402-597-4991.  Registrations and payment must be received by August 11.    To register, please complete the registration form and mail with payment.  Download a flyer HERE.  

Brought to you by the Early Childhood Consortium of the Omaha Area (ECCOA), the professional development partnership supporting training, technical assistance and consultation for those who work with children ages birth through age eight in Cass, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington counties. ECCOA is supported in part by a grant from federal and/or state funds administered by the Nebraska Department of Education.

At the end of the Handwriting Without Tears Pre–K Workshop, attendees will be able to:

• Plan new activities to teach body awareness and other school readiness skills

• Understand how to use music to prepare children for school

• Identify developmental stages in writing readiness

• Understand how to use multisensory, hands-on manipulatives to prepare children for handwriting

• Teach a correct and effective grip and other fine motor skills

•Teach counting, drawing, shape recognition, and letter/number formations to children at the Pre-K level

This is a special clinic for special youth and young adults that need a smaller and more hands on experience at fishing. The Nebraska Walleye Association (NWA) puts these clinics on all over the state of Nebraska. We’ve made this clinic smaller in size to give special youth and young adults a chance to try out fishing. No rods or reels are needed. We will provide a short lunch, instructional training (about 1 hour), fishing gear, bait and assistance with fishing. All that you need are your children and a lawn chair. Brothers and sisters are welcome but please sign them up at the same time. We will begin checking everyone in starting at 12:30 PM at the boat ramp picnic shelter at Lake Zorinsky.

There will be hot dogs, chips and drinks before starting the clinic. The NWA will teach casting, knot tying, bait, tackle, & fish ID. Then everyone gets to try their hand at fishing!

For Youth and Young Adults (Parent or guardian must attend)

Saturday, August 14, 2010

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Zorinsky Lake - 156th and F Street

Check-in and Meal:  12:30 pm - 1:00pm

Workshop starts at 1pm with fishing after the workshop

Contact: Rich McShane: redcopper@gmail.com to register or for additional information.  Download a flyer HERE.

Co-Sponsored by: Cabela’s, Wimmer’s Meat, Midlands Financial, Woodmen of the World, Nebraska Game & Parks, FishHer, Go Fish Kids!, and Southwest Omaha Sertoma Club.

Are you caring for a person with special needs? If so, please join us for a presntation by professionals from Mass Mutual and Continuum Financial. Mass Mutual is a leader in helping people with disabilities and other special needs and their families through its exclusive Special Care Program. 

Presented by Mass Mutual and Continuum Financial

Sponsored by Pediatric Therapy Center, 10791 S 72nd St, Papillion, NE  68046

Thursday, July 29, 2010

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

This presentation is free of charge.  Light refreshments will be provided. Adults only please.  Please RSVP to PTC by July 26 by calling 402-932-2782 or by email at office@ptcne.org.

Individuals with disabilities and their caregivers and/or family members may have free admission to “The Great Bug Adventure” at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center, an exhibit serving people of all ages and abilities. Many thanks to the William R. Patrick Foundation for making this possible. Contact Shawn at 861-1947 or saneff@cox.net for more information.

Come out an enjoy some Royals Baseball on August 9, 2010! 

Free tickets are available to families within the disability community thanks to event sponsor, Continuum Financial!  Contact Michelle Schrage at (402)343-8308 or mschrage@finsvcs.com.  Tickets are first come, first served so contact them today before they run out!

Please see the flyer HERE.

In caring for your loved one’s special needs, do you feel you have lost yourself in the role of caregiver? This is an opportunity to reconnect with your own feelings.  Would some insights on how to lower your stress while caring for your loved one help you to manage all the responsibilities in your day? Sometimes some distance helps you to see what is really important to you.  Could you use a day of quiet, calm reflection to rejuvenate your spirit?   Everyone needs some time away. This isn’t just respite, this is respite plus a memorable experience.

Friday August 6, 2010 9am - 12pm

Friday August 13, 2010 9am - 12pm

Deadline for registration is Friday, July 16, 2010.  Limited spots are available so register early to ensure your spot!

With Quinn Lawton, MS, NCC, LMHP, EAGALA Certified & Cindy Vaccaro, Equine Specialist, EAGALA Certified

Hosted By:  Take Flight Farms.  EAGALA Approved Provider and NARHA Premier Accredited Center, 1004 Farnam St., Ste. 400, Omaha, NE 68102

(402) 930-3037 • www.takeflightfarms.org   or email at contact@takeflightfarms.org

Download a flyer here.  Contact the Respite Resource Center at (402)996-8444 with questions.

This award winning, national affiliated program for youth ages 6 -13 is uniquely designed to provide high-energy activities for siblings of children with developmental disabilities.  Sibshops will be held at the Ollie Webb Center from 10:00am to 12:15pm  To make reservations for Sibshops, call Annie at 346-5220 ext 23 or email her at aanderson@olliewebbinc.org

Join the Ollie Webb Center and Missouri River Valley Paddlers on Saturday, July 31st for some fun on the water at Lake Zorinsky.  On this afternoon, individuals with developmental disabilities will be given an opportunity to participate in kayaking, canoeing, and onsite safety instruction, courtesy of the National Coast Guard.

The event runs from noon to 4:00pm on the north side of Lake Zorinsky, just off of 168th Street.  Cost is free.  Both ice cream and beverages will be provided, but feel free to supply your own refreshments according to dietary needs or restrictions.  Reservations are required prior to Friday, July 23rd.  

Click HERE to register.

Contact Annie Anderson at (402)346-5220 ext 23 or Mark Siepker at (402)691-8712 with questions.

The Autism Society is very thankful to AMC Entertainment for their leadership in bringing families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment.  We have now had almost two full years of Sensory Friendly Movies here in Omaha and for many of our families this has been an amazing way to overcome some of the isolation we as a community tend to experience. 

A movie is something that so many in society take for granted but for those with sensory issues it can be very difficult.   For some, walking into a dark theater is terrifying.  For others the heart pounding sound system is too much to handle.   Two hours is a long time to sit still and for many of our community it is just not possible for them to be totally silent for the entire showing.   At a sensory friendly showing…they don’t have to!

So what is a sensory friendly movie?  This is a movie venue that is accommodating to YOUR needs!   The auditorium will have their lights brought up, the sound turned down, and a silence policy will not be enforced.   AMC showings do not have previews so plan to arrive on time!  Learn more about their program here.

We are thrilled to announce additional sensory friendly opportunities in the area! 

First of all, AMC has expanded their theaters and starting in July there will now also be a sensory friendly showing at the AMC –Star 17 theater in Council Bluffs!   

Also Marcus Theatre has recently developed their own program called Reel Movies for Real Needs and there are two Nebraska theatres participating.   One in Omaha and one in Lincoln.  You can learn more about the Marcus Theatre program here. 

Keep an eye on our calendar or the Omaha Support Group page for current showings!

Join the 

Bellevue Fire Department

Autism Society of Nebraska - Omaha Support Group

The Ollie Webb Center

and the

Omaha Down Syndrome Parent Network

for a Fire Safety Day for all families with special needs!

3rd Annual Fire Safety Day sponsored by the Bellevue Volunteer Fire Department

Saturday, August 7th from 1:00pm - 4:00 pm

Come see a rollover car demo, friendly firefighter in full equipment, learn about 911, seat belt safety, and even some basics about first aid.  Come visit the smoke trailer and have a supervised practice crawling out of the smoke trailer window to safety!  Another huge thrill will be taking a ride on a fire engine and even hold your own fire hose to squirt out a pretend fire. 

This event is built around our community and our special sensory needs.  There will not be any sirens used and the staff will follow your child’s lead.  This is a perfect opportunity for those kids who might be fearful of the firetrucks to come and learn that the fireman is their friend. 

RSVP is required.  You can register online HERE or call Shawn Neff at (402)861-1947 to register.

Check out some pictures from a previous Fire Safety Day. 

Here was a local news story about our 2008 event.

The Munroe Meyer Institute will be hosting their 2nd annual Big Splash Fundraiser.  All Big Splash proceeds go towards helping UNMC’s Munroe Meyer Institute provide clinical services, research, and innovative therapies to area families and individuals with developmental disabilities and genetic disorders. 

August 21, 2010 - 8am - noon
Fun Race and Relay Meet

August 21, 2010 1pm - 3pm
Family Swim and Splash Party

 Visit their web site to learn more!
http://www.mmibigsplash.org/

AMC Entertainment and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis with the “Sensory Friendly Films” program.

The movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up, the sound turned down, and AMC’s “Silence is Golden^®” policy will not be enforced.   There will be no previews before the film so plan to arrive early as the movie will start at 10am!   AMC is also being very generous and letting our families bring in their own GFCF snacks. Regular concessions are also available to purchase.

Toy Story 3

Saturday, June 26 
10:00 am
Omaha’s AMC Oakview 24 Theater
3555 S 140th Plaza
$5 per person

Save the Date for The Despicable Me on Saturday July 17th, Cats & Dogs2 on August 7th.

_____

NEW:  Marcus Theaters have also recognized the need and they are also rising to the challenge!

They have created their Reel Movies for Real Needs Program where they have created sensory friendly showings!  Check out their web site for current information here.

                    Toy Story 3

Saturday, June 26 
10:30 am

Lincoln Grand Cinema                             Village Pointe  Cinema
304 North 174th Street                            1101 P St
Omaha, NE  68118                                   Lincoln, NE

                    
Save the Date for Ramona and Beezus on Saturday July 24th and Nanny McPhee Returns on August 21st.

______

The Autism Society of Nebraska has developed a toolkit to help you approach your local theater about creating sensory friendly showings in your community!  Contact us at autismsociety@autismnebraska.org to find out more information about how to create sensory friendly showings in your community!

Workshop co-hosted by The Arc of Buffalo County, with a special Invitation for families raising children with developmental disabilities.  Come laugh while learning!  Practical, effective techniques to help raise the odds that children will become responsible & respectful

Saturday, June 26, 2010
9:00 am – 12:00pm 
First Presbyterian Church
4511 6th Ave
(across from the Kearney Family YMCA)

For more information please call Lisa Follmer, Child Abuse Resource Education Coordinator at 308-865-1354 et. 123

FREE Limited Childcare will be provided by The Arc of Buffalo County staff volunteers for children ages 2-12. Preregistration is required for workshop childcare. Register by CALLING 308-237-4343

Download a flyer here.

The mission of Lose The Training Wheels™ is to teach individuals with disabilities to ride a conventional two wheel bicycle and become lifelong independent riders. This achievement, in turn, creates a gateway of opportunity, helping them gain assurance and self-reliance in many other aspects of their lives.  You can learn more at www.losethetrainingwheels.org

Some amazing parent advocates with the Omaha Down Syndrome Parent Network (ODSPN) worked very hard to bring this camp to Omaha.  We all owe a special thanks to Beth Hesselink and Mary McHale for all of their work making this camp a reality!  The autism community is also particularly thankful to Autism Action Partnership for co-present the week long camp.  Yet another HUGE thank you goes out to the numerous volunteers who walked beside and ran behind our fledgling bike riders!  This was an amazing week that changed the lives of many metro families!

The Autism Society was proud to be a seat sponsor for the event and is thankful that so many members of our community were able to attend.  It is hard to convey how emotional this was for so many of our families.  Several of our families had to “trick” their children into arriving at camp that first day.  Our children have been left behind by their neighborhood peers because they cannot ride a bike.  Our kids are frustrated and many had given up trying to ride.  Several of the parents expressed concern that their child wouldn’t even give the camp a chance.  Well, we are happy to report…they all did amazing! 

AAP and ODSPN are trying to determine if there is a demand to have this camp again. There is also an interest in holding a camp in Lincoln but they need to gauge interest before deciding.  If you are interested please take a few moments and email Mary McHale at nebuddywalk@cox.net. 

Participants must be 8 years old or older, ambulatory, atleast 40” tall, atleast a 20” inseam, and not more than 220 pounds.   Camp is limited to approximately 30 participants.

_____
Read one parents comment…

I can’t even begin to tell you what a difference this camp has made in our lives.  Not only our 11 year old son, but with his father and I, as well.   Braden has displayed so much more confidence in himself.  We’ve all been out riding our bikes every night after supper.  This has been a dream of ours .. to be able to go out riding to the park or to the library as a family.  Braden is also now able to ride around with his friends and not sit on the sidelines.  This camp has not only helped Braden learn a new skill, but has completely opened up a whole new list of possibilities.  Typically he gets easily  discouraged but now that he knows he can ride a bike, he now feels like he can tackle other challenges as well.

Read one participant’s comment…

Bike Camp helped me learn to ride a bike.  I started off with their bike and then I rode a two seater bike and then a two wheeler bike.  I liked it a lot!  I can’t believe I can ride a real bike! 

Thank you to those in our community who shared pictures of their new bike riders!

Did you know that American children spend an average of 4 minutes per day in the great outdoors? Come share nature with your child at THE BARN. Join them watching the sunset and marveling at the full moon. Come make memories with your child as you catch fireflies and simply enjoy the great outdoors in a safe environment where they understand your families unique needs. Come camp out at THE BARN!

Saturday, June 26, 2010
$15 per tent (You supply your own tent, sleeping bags, and pillows. Don’t have a tent? Ask about sleeping inside the barn!)

5:00 pm check in and tent set up
6:00 pm barbecue
9:00 pm (dusk) Viewing of the movie OVER THE HEDGE on outside screen
SPEND A NIGHT IN MOTHER NATURE
8:00 am Donuts and Juice

Download a flyer here.

June 19, 2010 5:30 - 8:00pm
PVA Building, 7612 Maple St
Theme:  Making Hamburger Cookies

Parents of children with developmental disabilities may bring their children, ages 5-12 years, to participate in developmental play activities while their parents leave for free time or a date night for themselves.  Childcare is provided at $5.00 per child with Arc membership ($7 per child for non-members) by staff from The Arc of Omaha at the Ollie Webb Center and by volunteers from Creighton University and other youth groups.  Siblings may participate as peer models, and a light snack is provided.

TO REGISTER FOR THE NEXT KIDS CLUB SESSION—Call Annie at 346-5220, ext. 23, or e-mail her at aanderson@olliewebbinc.org.

Discussion will center on the basic principles of behavior and effective strategies for increasing adaptive behavior and decreasing behavioral excesses that cause difficulty for children with autism spectrum disorders. Parents will have the opportunity to ask questions afterwards.

June 1, 2010 @ 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Place: South Gate United Methodist Church
3500 Pioneers Blvd, Lincoln, NE 68506-4853
*Space is limited please register prior to May 27 e-mail at Vdepenbusch@msn.com.

Download a flyer here.