Sensory Friendly Movie!

A sensory friendly showing of Hop will take place on April 2nd at 10 AM at the AMC Theater in Tyngsboro and Methuen. For more information check out http://www.amctheatres.com/SFF/.

Insurance Workshop for Parents

This was passed along to me from staff at LifeLinks:


The Tewksbury Special Education PAC will be holding the following presentation:

ARICA (Act Relative for Insurance Coverage for Autism)
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Presenter: Amy Weinstock, Insurance Chair, AFAM (Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts)
1 Griffin Way, Room 204
Tewksbury, MA 01876
This location is handicap accessible.

Poster Contest

It's time for our annual National Library Week Poster Contest!

• Only entries drawn on the official entry form will be accepted. Get your entry form at the Children's Desk.
• One entry per child
• Entries will be accepted until noon on Monday, April 4, 2011.
• The contest is open to all children Preschool through Grade 4.
• All entries become the property of the Pollard Library and will not be returned.
• Pictures will be displayed at the library during National Library Week (April 10 through April 16) during which time the public will vote for their favorites. Votes will be accepted until 5 PM on April 16, 2011.
• Winners will be announced during the week of April 18, 2011.
• Schools may enter a maximum of 20 posters per school.

Special Needs Siblings Support Group

Cancelled Unfortunately we did not have enough children sign up for this program. We will try again in the fall. In April, staff from the Thom Anne Sullivan Center will be conducting a support group for special needs siblings at the library. This group is for children in grades 1 - 4.* Children will make new friends and gain information through games, discussion, and activities. This is an opportunity for them to share their unique experiences of living with a sibling with special needs. Parent information about concerns and situations frequently experienced by siblings will be available. Space is limited and sign up is required. To register stop by the Children's Desk or call 978-970-4122. Tuesdays, April 5th - April 26th 4 PM - 5 PM *If you are interested in a similiar group for younger siblings, please let us know and staff from the Thom Anne Sullivan Center will work on such a program at a later date.

Lifelinks Has Moved!

Lifelinks has moved and they are having an Open House. Here is that information:

Please come and visit the New Family Support Center Location.
Tons of food ~ Prizes ~ Information ~ Resources
March 10
6:00 – 8:30 PM
285 Mill Road
Chelmsford, MA 01824

6:00 – 7:00 Building Tour and Parent Support Group
7:00 – 8:00 Presentation: benefits of Chiropractic
8:00 – 8:30 Questions and Answers ANNOUNCE PRIZE WINNERS!

Please RSVP if you can attend! Hope to see you there!
978-251-0610 Ext.6039

Music Program for Children and Young Adults on the Spectrum

In 2007 the Boston Conservatory of Music partnered with the Autism Higher Education Foundation to create the Boston Conservatory Program for Students on the Autism Spectrum. The program pairs each student with a teacher. Also on the student's team is a special education teacher, a speech pathologist, music therapist, as well as professionals in the music industry who themselves have an ASD diagnosis. The program provides actual music lessons rather than the traditional music therapy for young people on the spectrum and is among the first of its kind. Participants travel from across Massachusetts to attend. For more information about this program read http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/fenway-kenmore/2011/02/at_the_boston_conservatory_aut.html.

Lindt Chocolate and Autism Speaks

Lindt Chocolate announced last week that it is partnering with Autism Speaks to raise funds for autism causes during the Easter season. Lindt will contribute portions of sales from the Lindt Gold Bunny to Autism Speaks. For more information about this read this article: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lindt-partners-with-autism-speaks-for-third-year-expands-easter-giveback-program-116818478.html.