The Kite A publication of AutismUp for members and friends helping those with autism today and providing hope for a brighter tomorrow. A Bi-Annual Newsletter Issue No 3 - Summer 2013 Education and Support Services In The Community Advocacy Special Events Upcoming Programming New support AutismUp continues What it means to one KiteFlite is coming! The Fall Speaker Enhancements and programs for parents to collaborate within parent, professional Page 8 Series, The Annual expansions to and a Fall Training the community to and long-time Fall Conference, The popular programs Conference are on expand awareness advocate. Mixed Doubles begin in September the way. and advocate for Page 5 Paddle Tennis 2013. Page 3 those with autism. Tournament and Page 2 Page 4 more. Page 9 Many have asked, “why the name We’re up to the challenge and we’re up to change?” the business of bringing this organization and all it’s members up-to-speed as we Well, it was easy….our goal for developing strive to help local individuals with Autism our new brand was to provide clarity in who and their families, by providing support and we are, what we do and who we represent, opportunities that insure each individual is and, of course, we want to provide easier able to reach their full potential as we access to those who have yet to learn about promote life long success. On April 1, 2013, Upstate New York us. Our new name does all of this. Families for Effective Autism Treatment AutismUp is growing up with its members, officially changed it’s name to AutismUp. “I love the new name!” It’s about time!” always looking ahead, always moving The name change reflects the forward. What AutismUp brings is help for organization’s ongoing commitment to The response to the name change has been today and hope for tomorrow. Autism is our individuals and families living with autism. overwhelmingly positive as members, cause and it’s the reason this organization It also addresses the reality that autism families, friends and our community partners exists. We know Autism! lasts a lifetime, and AutismUp wants to face the reality that autism lasts a lifetime insure a bright future for our children as the and we need to insure a bright future for our grow. My hope is that as you read through this children. newsletter, you not only embrace our new name, but more importantly, you learn more Help for Today. Hope for Tomorrow. about the opportunities for your loved one At AutismUp, we aim to provide support to all with Autism that exist through AutismUp and individuals with autism across the ages--- that you find new ways to connect with Up support for families and children with autism families and people in our community who that grow up into adults with autism. We are willing to help. Autism is a big job, but Growing with AutismUp, you’re never alone! aim to reach new heights in everything we do. We strive to exceed expectations for AutismUp! !!Regards, those with autism and we’re raising the bar We hope you’re enjoying our new name and on autism awareness, advocacy, education new logo as much as we are! and support. !!Sarah Milko, President The Kite, Issue 3 Summer 2013 1 THE KITE customized education programs Fall 2013 Expansions Girls Just Want to Have Fun & Boys will be Boys | “Gimme a SENSORY Break!” | Teens Convene on the Social Scene Special Interest Group Just for Boys Sensory Exploration Camps Targeted Teen Programming Girl Power Exploring Sensations Teen Scene We will once again be offering our very popular Girl Exploring Sensations will once again be offered at Teen Scene is a new offering for 2013-14, and is an Power, which is a unique special interest group for the Gymnastics Training Center, for children ages expansion on our Teen Bowling program. Teens, girls with ASD, ages 8-15 years old. The girls 4-16 years old. ages 13-18 years old, will participate in one bowling participate in a variety of activities including: arts event per month, in addition to, one community and crafts; board games; wii games; discussion Led by licensed occupational therapist, Felicia outing events. We are actively pursuing popular activities and baking/cooking. Thierer, children participate in a variety of sensory community events, so please share any ideas you integration activities. Parents have seen huge or your teen might have, with Gia Carroll, AutismUp The overwhelming success of this program has improvements in their child’s ability to pay attention Program Director, at [email protected]. evolved into a second group, just for boys. and move their body, and AutismUp is thrilled to be able to continue offering this program. Lego Buddies The Boys Club Summer Sensory “Break” Camps Calling all aspiring builders! Lego Buddies is Boys will be boys, so another very popular special interest group for boys why not create a Boy’s Break weeks throughout the school year and and girls ages 5-10 years old. Turn-taking, Club?! The Boys Club leading into and out of the summer can be very cooperative play, and maintaining conversations are is for boys ages 10-15 stressful for children with autism, and their families. all goals of this program. We have seen genuine years old, and like Girl The reality is that kids with autism thrive with the friendships made through this group, and look Power, is a structure and routine of the school day, and sensory forward to welcoming more friends to join us! collaboration with integration insures regulation. AutismUp S t e p p i n g S t o n e s announces a new opportunity that fills this “gap” - a Fall programs Learning Center. sensory adventure for kids during school and begin in summer “break” weeks. September These groups will take place weekly at the Pieter’s 2013. Visit Family Life Center. We are really excited to We had a phenomenal response to our pilot autismup.org for continue our successful collaboration with Stepping program held the end of June and our second specific dates, Stones Learning Center, and the wonderful offering will be held August 27 - 30, 2013. Look for times and professionals that work with children and teens with future break week camps for the 2013-2014 school locations. Autism Spectrum Disorder. year. Nazareth College will be offering a unique program for AutismUp teens that focuses on social communication. This program, Social Communication Clubs and Activities at Nazareth (SCCAN), is an after-school opportunity for youth in grades 7-10 to learn and practice social communication skills with same age peers in more natural settings. Skills and strategies for perspective taking, self-awareness, non-verbal communication, first impressions, humor, small talk and social problem solving will be targeted through instruction, role-play, and other interactive strategies. Please visit www.autismup.org to learn more and download the application. 2 The Kite, Issue 3 Summer 2013 THE KITE New Parent Programs AutismUp to Launch Dr. Sugarman’s “Parent Effectiveness Program” AutismUp is honored to have received a grant from According to various researchers published in the For local parents of children with ASD, AutismUp the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation to roll out a Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, has learned that cost, convenience, and new program for the Fall of 2013. when therapy is delivered in a child’s natural accessibility are critical factors in their ability to environment with parents as the adjunct therapists, engage in a program. This is why we worked so The “Parent Effectiveness Program” (PEP) will be outcomes are positive. Consistency is the key to any closely with Dr. Sugarman and his team at RIT to taught by Dr. Laurence Sugarman of RIT and Easter parenting model, but especially in working with develop this grant proposal, which we are now Seals. Dr. Sugarman is a well-known pediatrician, children with ASD due to the rigidity of their own ready to bring to our members. We at AutismUp are talented presenter, and experienced teacher in the consistency. Therefore, parent education is the grateful to the Golisano Foundation for their support field of behavioral pediatrics. This program will be logical place to start to effect positive behavioral of this dynamic and innovative program and we’re for parents who want to learn to apply Dr. change. It should involve reinforcement of desired excited to offer it to our parent Sugarman’s clinical techniques from his practice at behaviors and modeling, which is demonstrating to members. Easter Seals to their home based interaction with the child what behaviors you want them to exhibit. their child on the spectrum. Data from this project Parents are searching for professional help with The new program will be will contribute to research at RIT. This interactive proven techniques. They want to both learn and offered free of charge to program on effective parenting techniques tailored practice these skills to increase their base of participants during the to the needs of children with ASD will be provided knowledge and elevate their confidence as parents. evening at the AutismUp once per week for four weeks twice this fall and be When parents are confident of their actions, they office (180 Linden Oaks) this repeated in the spring. Learning sessions will also are more likely to practice them consistently and Fall. Watch for registration be video-recorded to create a lasting educational demonstrate behavioral control in front of their opportunities in mid to late resource. children. Dr. Laurence Sugarman August. Family Mentor Program Launching Fall 2013, our latest offering expands the AutismUp Cycle of Support.