Autism Support Group

South Bay Early Intervention is offering "Putting the Pieces Together" an autism support group for parents, grandparents, caregivers, and others touched by autism. The support group will be held at the Pollard Memorial Library in Lowell from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM. The group will meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month and will begin on Tuesday, February 8, 2011. Come share and offer support. Some meetings will feature guest speakers. For more information please contact Judith Hahn at South Bay at 978-452-1736.

Upcoming Sensory Friendly Film

February's sensory friendly film is "Gnomeo and Juliet." The film will be shown at the AMC Theaters in Methuen and Tyngsboro on Saturday, February 12th. The start time is 10 AM. For more information about these films check out http://www.amctheatres.com/SFF/.

Inclusive Recreation Activities for Middle and High School Students

I received this information from the ARC of Greater Lawrence:

Reminder - Spaces still available:

Join members of the CLASS, Inc./Arc of Greater Lawrence and the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence in the Winter Recreational Program 2011. This is an inclusive program for middle school and high school aged teens from Feb. 1st until March 31st.

Tuesdays:SWIMMING 4:00-5:00 or 5:00-6:00pm

Learn the swimming skills and gain confidence in the water

MUSIC: 4:00-5:00 or 5:00-6:00pm

Experience different rhythms using percussion instruments

Thursdays:COMPUTER 4:00-5:00pm

Increase your computer skills and explore new programs/software

ARTS & CRAFTS 5:00-6:00pm

Create original art-work through age-appropriate hands-on activities

To register or for additional information:kvasquez@classinc.org or (978) 975-8487 ext. 1208

iPad Apps for Autism

Blogger Shannon Des Roches Rosa has a spreadsheet review of iPad apps for people with Autism - http://www.squidalicious.com/2011/01/ipad-apps-for-autism-spreadsheet-of.html

MA 21 Alliance

This e-mail was sent to me and I'm passing the information on:

MA 21 Alliance

IN ORDER TO PREDICT OUR FUTURE WE MUST CREATE IT
Stephen Covey

February 15, 2011
6:30 PM
20 Gould St
Reading, MA
pizza and soda provided

The mission of the Massachusetts Alliance for the 21st Century Disability Policy (MA21) is to advance full community participation for individuals with disabilities.
The MA21 Alliance is a partnership of some of the Commonwealths leading statewide disability advocacy organizations: Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change (MFOFC), Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong (M.A.S.S.), Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC), Advocates for Autism (AFAM), The Arc of Mass (The Arc), and Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC).
These organizations are leading the charge for a shift in disability policy moving ahead into the 21st century. This group is working to build a statewide constituency of friends, families, community members and self advocates and we need you. We believe real community includes all of us and that quality supports, policies and practices benefit everyone. The guiding principles of the MA21 policy include the beliefs that disability is natural, that individuals and their families should be supported to recognize and achieve their highest potential and that services should be designed to create rich, full lives for all in the community.
Booklets are available which clearly explain policy foundations, recommendations, as well as, strategies to move toward realization of the goals of MA21

Do you have a loved one of any age served by the Department of Developmental Services?
Do you live in the Northeast or Metro Boston Region?
Are you a parent of a child turning 22 and are worried about the adult service system options?
Have you had family support cut, lost respite services or job coaching?
Has your adult family member only been offered Day Habilitation instead of supported employment or other options?

If you said YES to any of the above questions - Join us!
It is never too early to begin working on our future.

RSVP TO Susan Nadworny 781 665 5179 or snadw@aol.com

Social Skills Workshop

On Saturday, March 5th at the Perkins School in Lancaster, MA, there is an all day workshop on improving a child's social skills. This workshop is hosted by Donna Shea, Director of the Peter Pan Center and Nadine Briggs, Founder of Social Smart Kids and authors of How To Make & Keep Friends: Tips For Kids To Overcome 50 Common Social Challenges. The workshop fee is $79. For more information contact Donna Shea at dshea@peterpancenter.com or call 978/772-1255. You can also visit www.socialsmartkids.com.

Facebook Page - Siblings of Autistic Kids

I just came across this Facebook page - Siblings of Autistic Kids. Check it out:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Siblings-of-Autistic-Kids/158993287482248?v=wall

I included in the list of links for this blog.