ASCEND: Asperger Syndrome

by Deirdre C. Wright

Ah, the holidays. A time of joy and giving and parties and traveling and — for parents of children with autism — inevitable meltdowns. Many people feel stress around the holidays. For kids with autistim spectrum disorder (ASD), the holidays can be especially trying. How do parents of those kids make the most of the holidays? Prepare, prepare, prepare. click to read more >

WORKSHOP
Getting a Job without Losing It:
Understanding How Employment Affects SSI Benefits
Two FREE workshops presented by ASCEND & Elwyn
More Info: 610-497-0320 or click here.

MONDAY, 11.30.09, 7-9pm
Chester Co. Dept. Of MH/MR, 601 Westtown Rd, Ste. 340, West Chester, PA

SATURDAY, 12.05.09, 10am-12pm
Montgomery County Human Svces. Bldg., 1430 Dekalb Street, Norristown, PA

This workshop takes the place of the monthly ASCEND support meeting for families of adults with AS and similar diagnoses.

About the Workshop: For many individuals with ASD and their families, the impact on keeping SSI or SSDI benefits while also retaining employment is full of questions and concerns. This workshop will provide participants with facts and guidance on how to utilize Social Security Work Incentive Benefit Programs.

About the Presenter: Joseph. N. Gousie, Sr., Ticket-to-Work Director, Elwyn, has worked in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities for nearly 40 years. He currently serves as the employment director for Elwyn, a nonprofit human services organization. Mr. Gousie is inspired from personal experience as the father and grandfather of a son and grandson with Asperger Syndrome.

SUPPORT MEETING
Chester County, West Grove
WEDNESDAY, 12.09.09, 7pm
Avon Grove Charter School, 110 East State Road, West Grove, PA

Click here for additional details about support meetings and/or changes to this schedule.

Sonia Voynow, LCS
Psychotherapist

Surviving & Thriving
114 Forrest Avenue, Suite 101
Narberth, PA 19072
(215)247-5832
voyboy@verizon.net

Serves as a resource for family members struggling with the challenges of raising a child on the autism spectrum. Services include groups for parents and grandparents; individual, couples and family therapy; and coaching. In addition, Voynow speaks on topics to support people who love a child on the spectrum.

Jutta Vogt
Executive Director

Main Line Autism Diagnostic Clinic
141 West Wayne Avenue
Wayne, PA 19087
(484)919-0050
drvogt@mainlineautism.com

Provides diagnostic evaluations for children and adults by Jutta Vogt, MD, a board certified child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist. Dr. Vogt performs an in-depth psychiatric evaluation and uses the ADOS to guide her in diagnosis.

AWARES International Online Autism Conference
11.30.09 to 12.04.09
This event, which Simon Baron-Cohen has called “the finest online conference of its type on the planet,” promises to provide direct access to over 60 autism experts from around the world.

Variety’s Autism Initiative Events
12.05.09, 1pm, Worcester, PA
Annual party to celebrate the holiday season. Variety children and families enjoy food, entertainment, dancing, and of course, presents are provided for children as they celebrate the holiday season with friends.

Every Thursday, Inclusive Playgroups
10:30am-1pm at Variety’s Camp in Worcester;
1-2:15pm at St. Patrick's Church in Norristown.

Phila. Right to Ed. Task Force: Transition to Kindergarten
12.09.09, 6-7pm
Philadelphia Autism Network at Elwyn
Seedlings, 3300 Henry Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
More info: Karen Krivit or (267)784-2009.

SAVE THE DATE! Penn Autism Network Conference
04.23.09
New location: Williamson's Caterers, Willow Grove, PA
More info and a "Request for Proposals" will be available at this link soon.

From the article: "Researchers' fears about misuse of their work come true ...

"We were concerned that the study would raise a lot of controversy and be misused," Pardo said. "We were right." Over and over, doctors in the autism recovery movement have used the paper to justify experimental treatments aimed at reducing neuroinflammation. ” click to read >

From the article: "Day after day, night after night, Francisco Hernandez Jr. rode the subway. He had a MetroCard, $10 in his pocket and a book bag on his lap. As the human tide flowed and ebbed around him, he sat impassively, a gangly 13-year-old boy in glasses and a red hoodie, speaking to no one." click here to read >

Los Angeles Times, 11.20.09
From the article: “Life with a child who has a pervasive developmental isorder such as autism or Asperger's syndrome is often a storm of tantrums, irritability, impulsive behavior and obstinacy — a challenge that has child psychiatrists casting about for ways to help the stressed-out families of their patients, as well as the patients themselves.” click to read >

Re.“The short life of a diagnosis” op-ed by Simon Baron-Cohen
Can be found here and here >

State autism census released
MyFoxPhilly.com, 11.19.09
From the website: “In 2005, an estimated 20,000 Pennsylvanians were living with autism. A new report predicts the number will grow by 5,000 by 2010. It also predicts a substantial rise among adults.” click to read >

Autism moms have stress similar to combat soldiers
Disability Scoop, 11.10.09
From the article: Mothers of adolescents and adults with autism experience chronic stress comparable to combat soldiers and struggle with frequent fatigue and work interruptions, new research finds. These moms also spend significantly more time caregiving than moms of those without disabilities.
Editor’s note: What about the dads? click to read >

Jenison students elect 'awesome and nice' autistic student as Homecoming Queen
Grand Rapids News, 10.26.09
From the article: “Jenison High School senior Rachel Slawkowski, 17, who is autistic, was crowned Homecoming Queen on October 9. "I didn't know so many kids were genuinely so kind and accepting," said Rachel's mom, Lana Flawkowski.” click to read >

Special Needs Schools Survey in Metrokids
This month’s issue of Metrokids includes a chart of Delaware Valley schools that serve students with special needs. A “special needs served” column includes codes for Asperger Syndrome and autism (approx. 25 in each of these categories). This link opens the survey as a .pdf document.

Education Law Center
(215)238-6970 ELC is a nonprofit legal advocacy and educational organization dedicated to ensuring that all of Pennsylvania’s children have access to a quality public education. Great publications on the website!

PACER Center’s Antibullying Websites
Click here for a link to the kids’ site. Click here for a link to the teens’ site. Bullying is NOT cool, but these are very cool websites for kids and teens.

eSchool News
Click here for a link on “Meeting the Needs of Students with Autism” from eSchool News Online which promises to “connects [educators] to all the latest news, information, and resources on how today's K-20 educators are using technology to improve school management and student learning.

“Normal People Scare Me”
A 10-minute YouTube condensed version of the 2004 film that explores what it's like to be autistic. Produced by Joey Travolta. click here to watch >

Autism Asperger’s Digest free digital issue
Tenth anniversary issue features “…inspirational stories about ‘then and now’ perspectives towards living with or teaching children with ASD.” From the website: "Readers of our multiple award-winning magazine know that when they open a new issue of the AADigest they’re sure to find it brimming with practical, in-the-trenches tested strategies and information. click to read >

ASCEND Group Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. We do not endorse any specific professional or therapeutic treatment. We are not meant to be a replacement for medical or legal advice. Our mission is to raise public awareness about Asperger Syndrome and related disorders, to advocate for improved education and services, and to provide support and information to the Asperger and autism community.

This newsletter is for informational purposes only. Any link or mention in our newsletter should not be construed as an endorsement or recommendation.

Please submit your ideas for ASCEND's enewsletter to info@ascendgroup.org.