Saturday, May 19

6:30pm

20 Grand Theatre

14403 W Maple Street

Please join the Autism Society for a group rate of  $6 per person.   RSVP HERE online or by emailing us at ASNOmahaRSVP@autismnebraska.org.   (Please note that the Eventbrite RSVP says “free”.  There is no fee to RSVP but there is a $6 ticket price at the theatre.)

RSVP is required by Saturday at noon in order to guarantee the group rate.

Download a flyer and please help spread the word!

The University of Nebraska at Omaha  has a graduate level class that educates tomorrows professionals on Autism Spectrum Disorders.  This amazing class of students finalizes their semester with a service learning project where they put everything they learned into practice.  The Autism Society of Nebraska has been thrilled to partner with them and as you will see this is a mutually rewarding experience!

Their instructor, Dr. Mitzi Ritzman, is a well known face at our many autism events.  One particular experience that virtually all of our families face has really touched her.  Birthday parties!  These social gatherings are so incredibly difficult and as our children grow up the birthday inviation becomes virtual non-existant.  This is where our friends at UNO come into the picture!  Dr. Ritzman feels that every child should have memories of childhood birthday parties!

We had over 20 families join us this year for a spectacular Birthday celebration!  The Autism Society would like to thank the UNO students and Dr. Ritzman for helping us build memories to cherish for a lifetime!

Share our similarities, celebrate our differences.
–M. Scott Peck

Be sure and visit our Photo Gallery to experience it all again!

Omaha Autism Puzzle Walk & 5K

North Platte Autism Puzzle Walk

We want to hear your voice! The 2012 Autism Puzzle Walks are behind us and now it is time to talk about what worked, what didn’t, and where we go from here!

The Omaha Support Network wants your input!  Join us for a discussion about our recent walk as well as helping us lay the ground work for next year.  We’ll provide supper!  All you have to do is come and share your thoughts and ideas.

Monday, May 14th

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Autism Center of Nebraska

9012 Q Street, Omaha, NE

We will provide pizza, breadsticks and pop! Please RSVP  HERE to help us prepare appropriately.

Are you able to come?  GREAT!  Not able to attend?  No problem.  Please still help share your thoughts by completing the following survey.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2012AutismPuzzleWalk5KFeedback

Once again we would like to thank the Autism Center of Nebraska for their generous use of their building for our meetings!

Susan Swearer, professor of psychology and co-director of the Bullying Research Network, will lead a panel discussion following a free showing of the documentary “Bully.” The event is 9 a.m. May 12 at Lincoln’s Grand Theatre, 1101 O St.

A limited number of free tickets will be available at the theater box office. Doors open at 8:15 a.m.

The discussion will be taped and aired on government cable access channels 5 (City-TV), 10 (Health) and 21 (Educational Access).

According to the American Justice Department, one out of every four children is a victim of bullying, and at least two children are bullied every seven minutes. The 98-minute documentary tells the stories of five families dealing with bullying, including two who lost children due to suicide. “Bully” is rated PG-13 for its intense themes, disturbing content and strong language.

The presentation is sponsored by the Lincoln Community Foundation and Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital.

http://newsroom.unl.edu/announce/todayatunl/1274/7642

May 30th, 2012
10am to 3pm
Nature’s Mosaic
Axtell, NE

Join Nature’s Mosaic for their First Annual Community Day. Enjoy a full day of outdoor nature activities and crafts for all ages and ability levels. There is no charge for lunch and the day’s events. Nature’s Mosaic is completely wheelchair accessible with nature trails, a fishing dock, picnic area and restrooms.

For more information contact: Debbie Herbel 308-743-2401

June 11, 2012

ESU3

6:00pm - 8:00 pm

Free but must register by June 4th

A light snack will be provided

This event is co-sponsored by the ASD Network and the Autism Society of Nebraska

Target audience:  Parents and caregivers of children who may have difficulties navigating the social world. Parents of children with and without disabilities are welcome!

This workshop gives parents tools to help their child with positive thinking patterns, tools to help a child progress social misunderstandings, helping kids handling teasing and so much more!

Jill Kuzma is a speech language pathologist / social skills trainer / ASD Staff trainer  who works with students with Asperger Syndrome, PDD-NOS, and high functioning autism and other related social needs. She works with children K-5th grade in a suburban area in Minnesota.

Please register with the ASD Network at the following link:

https://iris.esu3.org/workshops/SectionDetails.aspx?SectionID=155

Since last fall, the Breakfast Club, a support group for adults with an autism spectrum disorder, has been meeting on the first Saturday morning of the month at the Autism Center of Nebraska.  There has been a lot of feedback on the group, most of which has been a request to move it to an evening time.  Through the generous and continued support of the Autism Society of Nebraska’s Omaha support group, we are pooling our resources and moving the breakfast club to a new place, date, time and with a name change…

The Adults on the Spectrum support group (formerly the Breakfast Club) will now be meeting on the first Monday of each month from 6:30-8:00 pm at Pump It Up, 960 S. 72nd.  We will be meeting in one of their party rooms.  The ASN Omaha support group for children and families meets at the same time, in a different room.

The group format will stay the same, with facilitated discussions on relevant topics and sharing of resources and support.  In May the topic for discussion will be managing anxiety.

Questions or comments should be directed to Carol Salber at 402-658-9962 or at csalber30@gmail.com.

Download a flyer HERE.

Come join us for a family sleepover at the Henry Doorly Zoo!  Families from the Autism Society as well as Lincoln’s Autism Family Network will be coming together to spend the night in the NEW aquarium center on Saturday, June 23rd.   You don’t have to already be a member of one of our groups to join us!

This is a perfect event for everyone!  Send in your registration and plan a weekend in Omaha!  You’ve got your sleeping arrangements for Saturday already booked!  You get to spend the night at one of the nation’s top zoos!  Your camping fee even covers admission on Sunday so you can spend the entire day exploring!

The cost of the overnight stay is $30 per person.

This event was rescheduled from April due to weather.  If you registered for April we still have you on the list.   We will refund your payment if this new date does not work.  There is still plenty of room and we hope this date will entice more of you to join us!

Download a registration form HERE.

Top Male and Female finishers:  Clete DeWispelare and Michaela Vanderwesthuizen

Thank you for the amazing turnout for the Autism Society’s first ever 5K event!  Here is a quick update for all of the amazing runners who showed their support for the autism community!  We hope to see you all again next year!

The Autism Puzzle Walk & 5K Race results are posted by Omaha Run Club at  http://onlineraceresults.com/event/view_event.php?event_id=8443

You can download the OVERALL times HERE and the RANK BY AGE GROUPS times HERE.

Driving Directions:

Chalco Hills Recreation Area encompasses Wehrspan Lake and is home to approximately 6 miles of trail that encircles the lake and weaves through picnic areas, soccer fields, and playgrounds scattered around the park.  The Autism Puzzle Walk is held at the Natural Resouce Center building and that entrance is off of 154th and Giles.

If coming from west of Omaha –>  Take I-80 to Exit 440. Turn left onto Highway 50 also known as 144th Street.  You will then drive North on 144th Street for about 1 mile.  Turn left onto Giles Road.  Proceed about 1 mile and then turn left into Chalco Hills Recreation Area on what would be 154th Street.  You will see an Autism Society banner marking the entrance and we will have some signs along the road directing you toward the Autism Walk.

If coming from east Omaha –>  Take I-80 to Exit 440. Turn right onto Highway 50 also known as 144th Street.  You will then drive North on 144th Street for about 1 mile.  Turn left onto Giles Road.  Proceed about 1 mile and then turn left into Chalco Hills Recreation Area on what would be 154th Street.  You will see an Autism Society banner marking the entrance and we will have signs along the road directing you toward the Autism Walk.

The Chalco staff will assist you with finding a parking place.

Check in Process:

Here are the basics to help you prepare for Saturday.

1.   Put yourself in the FASTPASS line by registering online at www.firstgiving.com/asn.  (Online Registration closes at 6pm Friday)

2.   If you have money to turn in at the walk please help us credit you and your team by having it in an envelope with a donation log already completed.  You can download a donation log HERE.

3.   Not already registered?  Don’t worry!  You can still register at the walk!

Once you arrive to the Natural Resource Center at Chalco you will find the room color coded!  So what color are you?  Here is how you know where to go…

I need to register –>  REPORT TO THE BLUE REGISTRATION TABLES

We are all already registered and…

-I have cash/check donations to turn in  –>  REPORT TO THE GREEN REGISTRATION TABLES

-All of my donations were online  –>   REPORT TO THE RED REGISTRATION TABLES

-I don’t have any donations –>  REPORT TO THE RED REGISTRATION TABLE

And don’t worry if you still aren’t sure where to go!  We’ll be there to guide you!

5K Runners:

We are offering 5K participants packet pickup on Friday, April 27th from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm at Peak Performance located at 519 N 78th Street.

Packets can also be picked up race day, Saturday, April 28th from 8:00 am to 8:45am at the RED REGISTRATION tables in the Natural Resource Center at Chalco.

**Please note that runners registered prior to April 15th will receive a technical t-shirt that can be picked up either at Peak Performance, or the day of the event.  Runners who registered after April 15th can pick up their cotton t-shirt on Saturday at the registration table located in the Natural Resource Center at Chalco.

and

present the

Autism Puzzle Walk & 5K Run

Saturday, April 28th, 2012

Chalco Hills Recreation Area

154th and Giles Road

Omaha

Registration is now OPEN!
Click here to get registered

or visit www.firstgiving.com/asn

Click here for all of the event details!

Autism Puzzle Walk

Saturday, May 5th, 2012

Cody Park

North Platte

Registration is now OPEN!
Get signed up at www.firstgiving.com/asn

Click here for all the North Platte event details!

Virtual Autism Puzzle Walk across Nebraska

April 2012

Are you not able to attend the walk in Omaha? Nor the one in North Platte?  No problem!  You can still rally in support of the Autism Society of Nebraska as a VIRTUAL WALKER!

You won’t have to get up early and you won’t even have to break a sweat!  It doesn’t get any better than that…does it?

Yes!  It does!  We are even giving out top prizes for our Virtual walkers and if you lead the charge across Nebraska you can win an Apple iPad2!

Registration is now OPEN!
Get signed up at www.firstgiving.com/asn

Click here to find out how YOU can join the cause!

Tennis and soccer clinic for youth and adults with Developmental disabilities

Sunday, April 29

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Abbot Sports Complex

Participate in Skill Building Drills and Fun Activities with members of the UNL Men’s Tennis Team and Women’s Soccer Team!

Download a flyer HERE.

We are seeking donations for our 9th Annual Rally for Autism Tennis Tournament that will take place at the Lincoln Racquet Club on April 21st, 2012 at 9:00 AM to benefit individuals with autism. The proceeds from the rally stay in Nebraska and directly impact Nebraska families affected by autism. All donors will receive public acknowledgement on our web site www.autismnebraska.org.

For more information contact the Lincoln Racquet Club at (402)423-2511.

Download a donation request at here.