The Nebraska ASD Network will hold its 7th annual ASD Conference in Kearney, NE on April 8th and 9th. Speakers will include Fern Sussman, Ruth Aspy, James Emmett, Barry Grossman, and Mary Schlieider. They will also hold a speakers dinner with individuals on the autism spectrum. 

This year the conference will include a new vocational strand sponsored by Voc Rehab & Region 7 TACE as well as a parent track sponsored by the Autism Society of Nebraska.

You can register here or download the conference flyer here.  Be sure and take advantage of the Early Bird pricing!

Drama classes for students with Autism will be held from March 20th-May 8th on Saturday mornings.  The spring session will include the following grades:

9-10 AM:  Grades 1-3

10:30-11:30 AM:  Grades 4-7

Registration forms are available for email attachments from Niki Mulkey at nikim@rosetheater.org.  Volunteers are asked to contact Michael Harrelson at michaelh@rosetheater.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.

UNMC Munroe Meyer Institute’s Department of Pediatric Psychology in Partnership with the Nebraska Respite Network Presents:

Respite Provider Training Workshop:  Managing Challenging Behavior

The Respite Provider Training Workshop is designed to educate and train new and current respite providers to successfully and confidently manage challenging behavior exhibited by children with developmental disabilities. 

Workshop will be held at ESU 10 in Kearney on Saturday, March 27th from 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.  Lunch will be provided.

Training topics will include:

·        Nebraska Respite Network Presentation

·        Introduction to Developmental Disabilities

·        Proactive Strategies to Prevent Disruptive Behavior

·        Managing Problem Behavior

In order to attend, participants must register by emailing respiteptraining@gmail.com  by 03/20/10.   Download their flyer for more information here.

The Kearney Inclusive Recreation Project (KIRP) is a three year federally funded grant, funded through the U.S. Department of Education. The grant partners with four recreational agencies, The Arc of Buffalo County, Buffalo County 4-H Extension office, Kearney Family YMCA, Kearney Parks & Recreation. The agencies provide a framework to expand recreational opportunities for individuals with and without disabilities throughout the community.

This program is designed for youth and young adults. The hope of KIRP is for the eventual inclusion of people of all ages.

Download their flyer HERE.

The Arc of Buffalo County is a non-profit organization partially supported by The United Way which provides services and advocacy to people with developmental disabilities and their families.  

The Arc of Buffalo County provides respite, recreation, advocacy, training and information to more than 100 adults and children with developmental disabilities in our area. Through People First of Kearney, free respite at the Kid-Zone Children’s Museum, childcare for parent support groups, Arc at the Y, Buddy Bowling, support for an ecumenical Sunday School Class, Teens in Action and individualized and group recreation programs we encourage inclusion into all areas of community life for adults and children with developmental disabilities.

For more information please download their current newsletter HERE.

Reminder:  the registration deadline is fast approaching! 

The Omaha Challenger Baseball league has opened registration for their Summer season.   This league is for individuals between the ages of 6 and 21  with any developmental or physical disabilities. 

All forms for registering can be found at www.challengerlittleleague.org/register.html  Forms MUST BE received by February 28th, 2010.

www.campeastersealsne.com

Kathleen Feller, Associate Vice President of Early Childhood Programs, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation will be in town to offer training for parents and professionals. You will learn to 

Identify normal sexual behaviors of your children
Respond to your child’s questions about sexuality
Respond to your child’s sexual; interactions
Identify and report suspected child abuse

This training also recognizes that a crucial component of nurturing healthy sexual development is protecting children from sexual abuse. The training is for parents of children of all ages. It is never too early to begin talking.  Call in your reservations today!  Call Cleo at 346-5220 ext 10.

Tuesday February 9th

6:15pm - 8:30 pm

St. Timothy’s Church (93rd and Dodge)

Download flyer here.

Download flyer in Spanish here.

Feeling Stretched Raising a Child/Adult with a Disability?

 Seeking a More Balanced Life?

The Ollie Webb is announcing a new session of their program, “Powerful Tools for Caregivers”(PTC).  This is an educational program adapted to provide persons, who are raising and caring for individuals with disabilities, the tools needed to care for themselves. 

Attendees will learn how to:  reduce stress, balance life, improve self confidence, and better communicate feelings. 

Here is what one past participant said about the program:  “For eight years, I felt so alone, caring for my special needs son.  PTC opened the door for me to a world of caregivers that felt just like me.  Now I am no longer alone.  I know others who walk in my shoes each day and this is so comforting.  PTC has given me the tools to cope with my life and the validation that what I do each day for my son is special and meaningful”. 

When: 

6 Week Program
Tuesday evenings from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
March 16, 23, 30 and April 6, 13, 20

5:30 - 6:00pm Dinner
6:00 - 8:30 pm Class

Cost:  $35 single or $45 couple (covers book and dinner) 

Where:  Ollie Webb Center, Inc, 1941 S 42nd St, Suite 122

Download the registration flyer here.`

From the Autism Society Web site….New visual teaching tool from Model Me Kids

Model Me Kids^® recently introduced a new visual teaching tool for helping children learn to navigate challenging locations in the community: Model Me Going Places^™, an application for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The app contains photo slideshows of children modeling appropriate behavior in various community locations, such as the:

hairdresser
mall
doctor
playground
grocery store
restaurant

The app is based on locations included in the Model Me Going Places DVD, the latest addition to the Model Me Kids social skills training series for children with autism and Asperger Syndrome (expected release date for the DVD is March 2010).

Users can touch the forward and back buttons to move through the photos one by one, or simply press a slideshow button to advance photos automatically. A home button brings users back to the navigation menu where they can choose their next destination. The app also includes audio narration (English) and descriptive text for each photo.

Download the free app at the Apple store or to learn more, visit http://www.modelmekids.com.

Siblings of children with autism have unique needs.  The Support Group for Siblings of Children with Autism may increase siblings’ understanding of their brother or sister’s disability and help them feel more positive about themselves and their role with their sibling. 

•          Sponsored by Autism Action Partners—no cost for participation!!!

•          Meet weekly for four weeks

•          Age groupings (younger elementary, upper elementary, middle school, high school)

You can register your child for one of the following sessions by filling out the onine registration on the Munroe-Meyer Institute web site at www.unmc.edu/mmi   Download their flyere here.

Session A: February 2, 9, 16 & 23 (younger & upper elementary) 4:30-5:30 pm

Session B: March 9, 16, 23 & 30 (middle & high-school age) 5:30-6:30 pm

**Sessions A & B will be held at the South Omaha Library (2808 Q Street)**

Session C: April 6, 13, 20, &27 (younger & upper elementary) 4:30-5:30 pm

Session D: May 4, 11, 18, & 25 (middle & high-school age) 5:30-6:30 pm

**Sessions C & D will be held at the Millard Library (13214 Westwood Lane)**

Session E: June 1, 8, 15, & 22 (younger & upper elementary) 4:30-5:30 pm

**Session E will be held at Munroe-Meyer Institute (44^th and Dewey Ave)**

If you have question, please contact Teri Sedersten at (402)559-5732 or Tsedersten@unmc.edu

With Open Arms:  Creating Communities of Support for Socially Challenged Kids

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Presenter:  Mary Schlieder

Location:  ESU3 in Omaha

Download flyer here

___________________

Using Visual to Communicate

February 26, 2010

Presenter:  Diane Ellis

Location:  Fremont Public Schools Central Office

Download flyer here.

___________________

For more trainings provided by the ASD Network visit their web site at www.unl.edu/asdnetwork

The Omaha Challenger Baseball league has opened registration for their Summer season.   This league is for individuals between the ages of 6 and 21  with any developmental or physical disabilities. 

All forms for registering can be found at www.challengerlittleleague.org/register.html  Forms MUST BE received by February 28th, 2010.

Education.com and the Autism Society have collaborated to bring articles on the most current topics of interest to teachers, parents, professionals, and individuals with autism spectrum disorders. The website is dedicated to providing information from the most qualified professionals in the field of autism.

You will find articles relating to …

Strategies and solutions for the classroom

Guidance and support for parents

Inspirational and motivational stories written by individuals with an autism spectrum disorder

You will also find topics highlighting …

Social life

School performance

Interventions

Life after high school

Personal reflection

With everything from learning supplements to articles written by teachers and professionals, Education.com is the support center for parents — equipping you with essential tools to make learning more enjoyable for your child.

For an in-depth look into these articles, or for more helpful information relating to autism and Asperger Syndrome, please visit http://www.education.com/special-edition/aspergers.