The Nebraska ASD Network is an amazing resource for families and professionals in our state. If you haven’t already met your regional coordinator, do it now! Also be sure and check out their statewide web site as well as their regional pages for training opportunties near you! www.unl.edu/asdnetwork

HERE is the SE Region’s September Newsletter. This is a great resource to check out. Print them off. Take them to school. Teachers…put them in the teachers lounge

Sunday, October 7

7:30 am – 12:00 pm

Volunteer Firefighters Hall

2108 Franklin Street, Bellevue, NE

This is a fundraising event for their annual Kids Fire Camp which hosts our annual Fire Safety Day.

$6 – ages 4 and up; Children under 3 are Free

Download a flyer HERE.

Food Friendzy is a feeding group for children who are picky eaters and problem feeders.  It addresses the unique feeding needs of each child in a fun and supportive setting.  Each group is directed by two or more occupational therapists with extensive training in a wide variety of feeding based therapy techniques.

Download a flyer HERE.

The Arc of Buffalo County will be presenting a workshop to introduce Shepherds College, an accredited post-secondary school for young adults with intellectual disabilities, on September 20, 2012 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the First Presbyterian Church Family Life Center.

The workshop will cover academics, vocational training with a focus on the specialty majors of Horticulture and Culinary Arts, life skills, activities and community, residential life, transitioning from high school and home to Appropriate Independence™, and financial aid. As Shepherds College is a Christ-centered school, spiritual life lessons are included in the program and will be discussed during the workshop.

The Arc of Buffalo County is a non-profit organization for people with cognitive and developmental disabilities and their families. The Arc’s mission is to advocate for the rights of citizens with developmental disabilities and their families. The Arc is committed to helping people they serve to choose and realize their goals of where and how they live, learn, work, and play. The Arc of Buffalo County provides developmental disability information, advocacy, networking, and respite.

Please contact Kristen Larsen at 308-237-4343or larsenkl@charter.net to register for the Shepherds College workshop, or to obtain more information on other Arc programs and services.

Download a flyer HERE.

For detailed information about Shepherd’s College, contact Susan Griffis, Director of Marketing, Shepherds Ministries, sgriffis@shepherdsministries.org, 1805 15th Ave, Union Grove, WI 53182, 262-878-5620 ext. 2303

It’s time for fall classes!  Be sure and check out classes at Art Planet.

Art Planet Studio is uniquely designed for the needs of exceptional students.  Qualified instruction is provided in a small group setting where we explore and expand each student’s skill level. Come meet new friends while creating with paint, clay, pencils, and most of all- imagination! During each session we expand art learning with the give-and-take of accepting others’ perspectives and feedback on our work while taking turns in conversation. While students with Asperger’s and high functioning autism are encouraged to register,  Art Planet strives to nurture the needs of variety of special needs students.

Learn more at www.artplanetlincoln.com

Here is a great resource for our community living in central Nebraska and specifically around the Kearney area.  You can dowload the ARC of Buffalo County Newsletter and stay informed about some great events in your community!  Download your copy HERE.

The Fall session of Buddy Bowling is fast approaching. Bowling will begin on Sept. 26 and will meet every Wednesday through Nov. 14 from 4-5 pm at The Big Apple Fun Center. Buddy Bowling pairs people with disabilities (ages 5 and up) with UNK volunteer buddies to enjoy fun and fellowship while bowling. Buddy Bowling costs $25 for Arc members or $35 for non Arc members which covers one game each week.

Please download a registration form HERE and submit it along with registration to The Arc by Sept. 19th.

TOPSoccer registration is underway for the Fall 2012 season. Practices and games will be conducted on: Tuesday and Thursday evenings, Sept 4, 6,11,18, 20,and 25 from 6:30-7:30 pm at West Lincolnway Park. TOPSoccer is specifically for kids will physical or developmental disabili-ties that may require extra assistance. The program provides kids with an extra fun soccer experience in a camp format. With adult supervision, high school and middle school soccer players and college volunteers teach, assist, and play with TOPSoccer players during drills, contests, and games.

If you are just now learning about this opportunity and want get your child plugged in, please call TOPSoccer Coach and Kearney Soccer Club President, Judi Sickler, at 308-440-8305.

Thanks to the amazing support for our Autism Puzzle Walk the Autism Society of Nebraska has been able to expand their community grants and create yet another innovative way improve the lives of ALL affected by autism!

We are pleased to share with your our Classroom Grants!

The Supporting our Community-Classroom Grant offers funding to be used for Nebraska educators who work with an individual(s) with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.  These funds are available for the purchase of classroom supplies, educational toys, sensory items, and technology.

The Supporting our Community-Classroom Grant is administered by the Nebraska Chapter of the Autism Society of America.  Awards of up to $75 will be distributed with a limit of one award per person annually. Classroom Grants may not be used toward edible or disposable items, or curriculum items which are considered the school’s responsibility.

Teachers, please download an application form and consider applying today!

Families, please print a form or forward it to your teacher!

This is a GREAT way to help boost the resources for your school team and ultimately improve the lives of our teachers as well as our students!

Download a Supporting our Community – Classroom Grant HERE.

Thursday, October 25th 4pm – 6pm

PTC – Pediatric Therapy Center
10791 S 72nd Street
Papillion, NE  68046

Download a flyer HERE.