We hope to see you at the library this summer!
1 in 110
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 110 children in the United States is on the autism spectrum. Youth Services Staff has compiled a list of autism spectrum resources for families. The best place to start, if you suspect your child might be on the spectrum, is to have your child screened. The earlier your child starts therapies, the better. If your child is under age three there are two local agencies, South Bay Early Intervention and Thom Anne Sullivan Center, that provide screening services. If your child is age three or older, contact the Lowell Public Schools for assistance.
Information contained in this blog does not constitute library endorsement of a treatment, agency or advocacy group. The library maintains that it is up to the parent/legal guardian to determine proper treatment for his/her child. This blog is solely a place of information for the huge array of materials related to Autism Spectrum Disorders.
If your family uses a service or has a favorite autism spectrum website that is not listed, please let us know so we can share with others in the community. Contact Molly Hancock, Coordinator of Youth Services at mhancock@mvlc.org.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Summer Reading 2011
We hope to see you at the library this summer!
Radio and Asperger's
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Free Evening at the Discovery Museum
Come join in all the fun at The Discovery Museums during this
special free evening for families with children on the autism spectrum
sponsored by the Autism Alliance of MetroWest and HMEA's Autism
Resource Center of Central Massachusetts. Please contact
Amy Spencer at aspencer@discoverymuseums.org or 978-264-4200 ext.28 for more information or to register for the event.
www.discoverymuseums.org
177 Main Street • Acton, MA 01720 • 978-264-4200
Monday, June 13, 2011
New Clues on Genetics and Autism
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Upcoming Programs and Events
Kids in Disability Sports (KIDS): KIDS, serving the Greater Lowell Communities, has open registration throughout June to sign up for the September 2011 - August 2012 season. KIDS offers baseball, bowling, floor hockey, golf, gymnastics, karate, soccer, swimming, track and field, dances and outings for children, teen and young adults with disabilities. For more information, call 866-712-7799, email info@kidsinc.org or visit www.kidsinc.us.
Easter Seals of Massachusetts Now Has Youth Transition Services! High School students with disabilities, their families and educators are given tools to help acheive their vision. Assistive technology, rehabiliation therapy, vocational evaluation, career skills development, job placement, on-the-job training, Independent living skills, social and recreational oppportunities are just a few of the tools offered. For more information, contact info@eastersealsma.org, call 800-244-2756 or visit Easter Seals of Massachusetts.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Family to Family Health Information Center
The Federation for Children with Special Needs (www.fcsn.org) supports the project 'Massachusetts Family to Family Health Information Center (F2F HIC)'. Beth Dworetzky, the Project Director, provided a wonderful article detailing what the program does.
The Massachusetts Family-to-Family Health Information Center
If you have questions about:
- Maximizing health insurance benefits for your children and youth with special health needs
- MassHealth, the Massachusetts Medicaid programs - even if you think your family income is too high to qualify
- Working with your children's medical teams, or
- Navigating community-based systems of care...
...the Massachusetts Family-to-Family Health Information Center can help.
The Massachusetts Family-to-Family Health Information Center is a project at the Federation for Children with Special Needs. A grant from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Health Resources & Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Division of Services for Children with Special Health Needs supports the work of this family-staffed Center. Last month, the Federation received a new two-year grant from U.S. Health & Human Services to continue operation of the Center.
The Center provides free, confidential assistance to families raising children and youth with special health care needs (medical, developmental, mental, behavioral, and emotional health needs), professionals, about:
1) Health Care Financing
2) Medical Home
3) Early and Periodic Screening
4) Navigating Community Supports
5) Transition to Adult Systems of Care
6) Family/Provider Partnerships
In addition to providing individualized assistance, staff is available to present workshops about health care financing (MassHealth and private health insurance), medical home, working with private health insurers, and with the new funding, will be developing workshops about parent leadership and other topics.
The Web site includes a calendar of events where families can find workshops, conferences, and other meetings of interest. And, because families cannot always attend events in person, we host topical conference calls as an alternative learning and networking opportunity. These calls are recorded for individuals unable to participate at the time of the call. The playback and handouts are available at no cost on the project Web site.
The Center listserv (a way to use a single internet e-mail address to send e-mail to and receive e-mail from many other people who share a common interest) is an on-line forum where families raising children and youth with special health needs and our professional partners share resources and information, ask questions and learn from each other's experience and expertise. Membership is free and confidential.
Learn more about the Family-to-Family Health Information Center by calling 1-800-331-0688, ext. 301 or visit www.massfamilyvoices.org.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Free IEP Workshop
Do you fully understand your rights concerning your child’s IEP?
Do you have more questions than answers?
Come join us for a free information and discussion session!
Lead by Amy Young, Family Support Center Manager of Life Links Inc. and the staff of Kenwood Academy.
Topics Include:
· Longer School Year – Summer Program
· Out of District Placement Options –Approved vs. Unapproved Programs
· Funding
· IEP acceptance/rejection (Full or Part)
· Supporting Documentation, Evaluations
· Parental Rights
· Helpful Resources
920 Methuen St. Dracut, MA 01826 Thursday, June 9th 6:00pm – 8:30 pm FREE Phone: (978) 453-4900 Email: ayoung@lifelinksinc.net Please Call or E-Mail to Confirm Attendence
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