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.

Are you making vacations plans this summer? Wondering how to make travel easier on an individual with autism?   Visit the Autism Society of America website HERE for some great summer travel tips from experts on how to make the most of your time away!

Commissioned by Special Olympics Project UNIFY and based on interviews with youth, It’s Our School, Too! explores the current realities for high school youth with intellectual disabilities. Told with honesty and humor, the play examines the barriers to participation faced by youth, as well as the world of possibilities when youth with and without disabilities come together to create meaningful school change.

July 19 & 20

7:00 pm

Strauss Performing Arts Center (University of Nebraska - Omaha)

It’s Our School, Too! is written by Suzy Messerole & Aamera Siddiqui, co-Artistic Directors of Exposed Brick Theatre in Minneapolis, MN, and directed by Suzy Messerole.

Download a flyer here.

Check out this amazing little girl!  8-year-old Gina Incandela astonishes fans and producers alike with a beyond-her-years-voice.  She recently released her first single, “I Sing.”   A portion of the song sales (available on iTunes and Amazon MP3) will benefit the Autism Society of America. The Incandelas have also released a music video through YouTube, which has already garnered thousands of views in its first few weeks since being posted.

Gina’s new single can be accessed through the following iTunes link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-sing/id366511571.

Her music video of the single, “I Sing,” is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg4Sd4Pq0AM.

Learn more about Gina at http://www.ginachildperformer.com/.

For the full article visit the Autism Society of America web site.

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.

On July 18-23 Lincoln will be the host for the Special Olympics 2010 USA National Games.  This is the largest sporting event to be held in Nebraska history!  Organizers expect 3000 athletes, 1000 coaches and officals and 8000 volunteers, 15,000 family members and friends adn 30,000 estimated spectators.  Competitions in 13 sports will be held at the University of Nebraska Lincoln and other Lincoln locations.

Visit www.2010specialolympics.org to find out more information! 

If you are unable to attend the opening ceremonies you can tune into to NET2 or watch it over the internet at  www.netnebraska.org/television/ on Sunday July 18th from 3:00 - 6:00pm.

CUMC Pediatric Therapy Program in Bellevue is offering two programs this summer.

The Write Stuff: Help to Better Handwriting, for children entering 1st and 2nd grades this fall. Program Dates: Aug 2 - 6. Screening required. $80

First Annual Bike Camp - The Spinning Jays, designed for children aged 4 - 10. Program Dates: July 12, 13, 14 and 19, 20, 21. Screening required. $80

For more information on either of these programs or to register please call (402)449-5800.

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.

Check out this training opportunity the Nebraska ASD Network has coming up this fall!

PRESENTED BY Ruth Aspy, Ph.D. and Barry G. Grossman, Ph.D

WHEN:     September, 28th, and 29th, 2010

LOCATION:   NE Children’s Home Society

                   4939 S. 118th St. Omaha, NE 68137

TIME:     8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

COST:     $150 .00 In-State Participants

              $300.00 Out-of-State Participants

        Deadline: September 13th, 2010.   Registration is limited.                                      

        *Registrations are on a first come first-served basis.

The Ziggurat Model is a guide for designing comprehensive behavior interventions for individuals of all ages with autism spectrum disorders. The Model has been adopted at the district-wide and statewide levels. The Ziggurat approach centers on a five level system, structured in a hierarchy. Each level represents an area that must be addressed in order for an intervention plan to be comprehensive. The premise of the Ziggurat Model is that underlying needs and characteristics related to the autism spectrum must be addressed. Assessment tools to facilitate this process will be introduced including a new Early Childhood Underlying Characteristics Checklist  (UCC-EC). 

Parents, teachers, speech pathologists, psychologists, physicians, occupational therapists, counselors, school administrators, autism consultants, and others will benefit from this training. Emphasis is placed on working as an intervention team.

Download a flyer / registration form here.  

You are invited to be in a national research study of supports for families of youth with disabilities. This National Survey is for the parent or primary caregiver of a young person with disabilities between 12 and 22 years old. If you qualify please follow the link below in order to partake in this research study.

Your answers to the questions on the National Family Support Survey are confidential and will help the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, parent centers, and researchers understand the information and supports families need to prepare for moving into adulthood.

The information you share is extremely valuable and may help to inform program development for youth with disabilities in the future. We encourage you to participate and greatly appreciate your time :

http://rtc.umn.edu/fast/main/index.asp 

The Family Advocacy and Support Training (FAST) Project is funded by the Administration on Development Disabilities (ADD) as a Project of National Significance. FAST is a project of PACER Center in Minnesota in collaboration with Parent Centers throughout the United States and Territories and with the help of the University of Minnesota.

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

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!

It was recently brought to our attention that the DHHS will reimburse families for the cost of their primary health insurance if one of their children are disabled and have Medicaid as a secondary. The contact person is Cherie Swanson and her number is (402)471-8418. She is with DHHS and can explain HIPP (Health Insurance Premium Payment). This is only for families that already have approval for Medicaid as a secondary insurance. Call today and see if you qualify.