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.

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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!

Please join the Autism Support of Kearney (ASK) group for a family gathering at the Cottonmill Nature Barn.  The picnic will be Sunday, June 27th from 5:00pm - 7:00pm.  Please bring your own family’s picnic fare and join other members of the autism community for a fun family event.  Contact Jodi Richards at (308)627-2967 or crandjr19999@yahoo.com with questions.

Please make a special note that the JULY PUMP IT UP / Support Group has been moved to July 12th due to the 4th of July holiday weekend! 

Please make a note on your calendars! 

Come join the Autism Society Omaha Support Group for our 4th annual Pool party and picnic!    We will have the pool to ourselves and some great picnic fares.  Come join us and have a great time.

Saturday, July 17—Omaha ASD Family Pool Party and Barbecue

             10:00am—12:30pm

             Maple Village Country Club  3645 Maplewood Blvd

Click here to RSVP http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/ZCVSTYQWMRIOUGOOPYAL/poolparty

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.

Dreams Unlimited is dedicated to helping children with disabilities have the opportunity for fun and challenge in areas they may never have thought possible. Our mission is to assist children with disabilities and their familes to access & coordinate adapted recreation that may otherwise not be available to them.  Dreams Unlimited coordinates and funds recreation opportunities for children with disabilities and their families.

Check out their web site for some neat upcoming events…  www.dreamsunlimitedlincoln.org

The Arc of Buffalo County is co-hosting a Sibshop for youth between the ages of 6-12 who are siblings to children with physical, developmental, mental, or behavioral disabilities.  The upcoming Sibshop will be held on Sunday, May 23rd from 3:00-5:00 pm at The Harmon Park Activity Center in Kearney.  There is a registration fee of $5.00 per child, and need based scholarships are available.

This award-winning workshop is uniquely designed to provide high-energy activities for siblings of children with developmental, physical, mental, or behavioral disabilities. Sibshops are a place where siblings may obtain peer support and education within a recreational context.  While having fun, sibs connect with others living with similar experiences.

To register, please call The Arc of Buffalo County at (308)237-4343 or email Kristen Larsen at larsenkl@charter.net by May 21.  Download a flyer here.

For people with physical, mental or emotional disabilities, health issues are only the beginning of the concerns that must be understood and addressed. Preparing for a secure financial future will make a tremendous difference in your lifestyle – now and when you can no longer care for your loved one.

“Strategies for Life Care Planning”
Presented by Dan Kline, MBA
Tuesday, May 18th
7:00 – 8:00p.m.
Regency Marriott Hotel
10220 Regency Circle

RSVP is appreciated. Space is limited.
402-397-8600
Light refreshments will be served.

Download a flyer here.

June 13, 2010 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Husker Bass Club will host a fun day of fishing for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families at a private, well stocked lake located just outside of Omaha.  They will provide everything you need to fish, a wonderful lunch under a shaded pavilion, plenty of water to drink, and an ice cream treat!  Come and enjoy the lake and loads of wildlife (peacocks, swans, horses, llamas, and more) in a park-like setting.

They will practice catch and release on all fish caught, so bring your cameras to record the “Big Fish.”  Portable restrooms are available on site.  You may also want to bring sunscreen and a chair to sit lakeside.

Reservations are required and limited so register today!

**All individuals with a developmental disability must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or support staff for the duration of the event.**

Click here to register.

Download a flyer here.

AUTISM PUZZLE WALK

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Chalco Hills Recreation Area
154th & Giles Road
Omaha

GET REGISTERED ONLINE TODAY!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

GET YOUR PARTICIPANT GUIDE HERE

CAN’T COME? SIGN UP AS A VIRTUAL WALKER!

 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

DOWNLOAD A WALK BROCHURE HERE

We are excited to announce our media sponsor 101.9 The Big O and Shari Stone will be on air live from the Autism Puzzle Walk!

Thank you to our silver sponsors…    

And our bronze sponsors….

And our Friends of Autism…

We are continually amazed by the UNO National Student Speech Language Hearing Asociation (NSSLHA) group. They help our Omaha support group at their monthly support group (actually … whenever we ask) and they just shared with the Autism Society a video that they made at their fundrasier last week. We just can’t express …how amazing it feels to see these college students so connected to our kids. Together We Danced…and Together We ARE making an amazing future for so many kids! Thank you to these amazing college student/upcoming educational professionals!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_IRB3ZZlvo

Please take a few minutes to watch their video and we encourage you to leave a comment if you would.

The Autism Society - North Platte Support Group is hosting a sensory game room in conjunction with Cody School Fun Night on April 23, 2010 from 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. located at 2000 West 2nd Street. 

Contact Becky Rossell at 308-532-3132 or Melissa Mackely at 308-534-1935 for details.

Has this long winter gotten you down? Do you sometimes lose yourself when raising children, especially those with special needs? Join us for an uplifting evening and learn how you can find a balance between taking care of ourselves and caring for others!  Mary Kay Mueller, Omaha‛s own international trainer, will share startling new brain research about the impact of choosing our focus and maintaining a sense of play. If you have not heard Mary Kay present before this is a wonderful opportunity to get energized!

Call your reservation in today to Cleo at 346-5220, Ext 10

Tuesday, April 27, 2010
     6:15pm  Registration/welcome
     6:30 - 8:30 pm Presentation

St. Timothy’s Church
     510 North 93rd St (93rd & Dodge)

This special presentation is brought to you by PRISM through a grant from the Nebraska Department of Education.

As children with disabilities get older and prepare to transition from high school, parents face a new set of challenges.  What will my son do after high school?  Will my daughter find a job or go to college?  Where will my child live?  Is there help for us after high school?

These questions and more will be addressed in this important workshop.  Registration is required.  Call 800-284-8520.  Download a flyer here.