Area Autism Search - Northeast Florida (First Coast)

Visit My New Page

2013-10-12T12:05:00.000-04:00

Resources is a new page with many wonderful resources for Autism in Northeast Florida. Also, if you are interested in volunteering, there are also contacts for the main Autism events in this area!

Autism Friendly Store

2013-08-26T10:47:00.001-04:00

I am proud to annouce that we are now an Amazon affiliate. I have launched a shopping site with Autism-Friendly products. Autism Friendly Store

Jacksonville Walk Now for Autism

2013-08-16T15:00:00.003-04:00

At the Jacksonville Landing on Saturday, September 28th. I have a team in honor of my son.

If you wish to join my team (Team Kenny) we would love to have you.

Click on the Walk Now for Autism icon to join the team or make a donation. I look forward to spending a Saturday morning downtown.

Ride with Me for Autism 2014 - Planning Committee Needs Volunteers

2013-07-26T20:13:00.001-04:00

The Jessica Green Foundation is seeking volunteers for the planning committee for Ride with Me for Autism 2014. This charity bicycle ride is usually in March and is usually held in Jacksonville Florida.

If you are interested in becoming involved in this amazing event that gives HOPE to families and individuals with Autism, and love to organize events, your talents will be greatly valued.

Sponsorship opportunities are available as well!

To express interest in these opportunities, contact Ms. Green at 904-357-0880 or email info@jessicagreenfoundation.org.

Florida Tax Holiday for School Supplies Includes Computers

2013-07-19T11:46:00.000-04:00

Start making out your school supply list, clothing, and computers. Yes! Florida is including computers and accessories this year to the tax-free holiday. However, mark your calendars and make your strategic shopping plan because it only lasts two days (August 2 - 4, 2013) and the malls will be packed. Here is the link with the rules . Happy shopping!

Autism "Fun-draising" Coming Up in Jacksonville, Florida (2013)

2013-03-19T11:07:00.002-04:00

Little Star Center presents "Fire & Ice" a benefit Night to Support Autism Awareness, Jacksonville, FL - April 12 from 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm at Suite Jacksonville at the St. Johns Town Center.

HEAL Zoo Walk - Sunday April 21, Registration opens 7:30 walk starts 8:30 am Rain or Shine! At the Jacksonville Zoological Gardens

Jacksonville School for Autism's 9th Annual JSA Charity Golf Classic - Monday, April 22, Registration time is 7:30 with shotgun start at 9:00 at Deerwood Country Club.

Jericho School Charity Golf Tournament - Monday, April 29 Registration time is 8:00 with shotgun start at 8:30 at Deercreek Country Club.

Walk Now for Autism Speaks - Jacksonville - Saturday, September 28, 2013 at the Jacksonville Landing

Jacksonville School for Autism's 2013 Flounder Pounder Charity Fishing Tournament - TBA

Please send me an email at basorem@gmail.com for any Autism related special events in the Northeast Florida area.

Legacies For Our Autistic Children

2013-03-19T10:13:00.003-04:00

Last summer, our family was greatly impacted by a layoff that lasted nine months. Yes, many of my fellow Americans have had a dry spell of unemployment for much longer than we have had. But frankly, nine months is way long enough. So what have we done about it?

First, like many, signed up for unemployment benefits. Then, started the job search. Then, the wait for unemployment benefits to kick-in. Finally, they kicked-in. Just enough for groceries and gas. Eventually, we tapped our savings.

What happened next? We saw homes in our neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods, and then throughout our city, sitting abandoned and neglected and falling apart. We were sad. Sad because we were unemployed and because our city was a reflection of the aftermath of unemployment. The physical condition of these properties was a reminder of our own economic despair.

Then what? In looking around and seeing these properties, we decided to start a business to help clean up these properties. I had some internet savvy so I created a free website through Intuit, ordered really nice business cards, rack cards, and t-shirts through Vista Print. I also listed our business on online sites such as Hot Frog and Manta. Within days we received a call from a company who wanted us to be a contractor for them and we received three work orders immediately! We continue our partnership with the first company that gave us our first opportunity and we have since have been added as vendors with other companies. The work is on and off, and it is hard. But it has helped us keep up with the bills.

Our family learned many things together through this experience. We became closer and it taught our children, including our youngest child (with Autism) business, technical and survival skills and built in them a stronger work ethic. We have told our boys that this is the groundwork for future survival because in their lifetimes, it is likely they will live through at least a couple more economic recessions or depressions after this current one. Though we have since been hired by traditional employers, we want to keep our family business going. It is our legacy for our children's future.

Do you have a similar story?
Have you started a business because of your Autistic child?
Please share!

Social Skills Group Training for High-Functioning Autism

2013-03-19T09:17:00.001-04:00

S.S.GRIN (Social Skills Group Intervention) HFA:

S.S.GRIN HFA is a small group intervention program designed to build the social skills and social relationships of children with high functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASD).

The program is suitable for children ages 7 to 12 and is divided into three modules: (a) Communication Skills, (b) Working with Others, and (c) Friendship Skills. Introductory, process, and review sessions are also integrated into the curriculum for a total of 15 weekly group sessions (see Table 1 on the next page). The sessions are structured and scripted for ease of use, including scripts complete with instructions and specific activities. Video and graphical (social comic scripts) elements are integrated with written materials (e.g., child workbook).

S.S.GRIN HFA sessions are written for a 60-minute timeframe and for groups comprised of 5 to 7 participants. Parent involvement in S.S.GRIN HFA is an integral part of the curriculum. Parents and children participate together in four of the group sessions: an introductory session (orienting families to the intervention goals and procedures) and at the conclusion of each of the three modules (to discuss experiences with community exercises and intervention progress).

During community exercises, children have the opportunity to practice new skills in a naturalistic setting with the help of their parents as coaches (e.g., children are asked to order a meal at a restaurant) to increase generalization of learned skills beyond the intervention setting. In addition, parents have access to relevant web-based resources (e.g., reading lists, tip sheets) to use at home and share with teachers.

Please visit http://www.selmediainc.com/ssgrin/hfa for more information and to order.

Regards,

David Debs

Free Online Diet Plan - Spark People

2012-11-19T08:37:00.000-05:00

Hi Folks!

Quite some time ago (2008 to be exact) I joined Spark People. I have been an on and off Weight Watchers person and was not successful and spent money that I did not have. When I stumbled upon Spark People, I realized that the format was similar with all the content that Weight Watchers has. Only difference is that you are not tracking points. Instead, you are watching calories, fats, proteins, carbs, etc. It is easy to use and I frequent it to track my food intake and there are also many exercise videos.

For caregivers of special needs kids, I understand the need to cut costs but also the importance of taking care of yourself. Give yourself, the caregiver this gift and explore Spark People. There is no cost involved at all! Try today:

Free Online Diet Plan at SparkPeople.com

November Dates in Jacksonville

2012-11-02T18:52:00.002-04:00

Santa Arrives

Orange Park Mall Sat Nov 3rd
Avenues Mall Fri Nov 9th
St Johns Town Ctr Fri Nov 9th
Regency Square TBA

Nov 3rd Turn Clocks BACK when you go to bed; gain an hour of sleep.

November 23rd – Black Friday
Nov 23rd Tree Lightening & Fireworks @ the Landing

Nov 24th Turkey Trot Car Show in Daytona
Nov 24th UF vs FSU Game in Tallahassee
Nov 25th Boat Light Parade & Fireworks @ the Landing

Partners in Policy Making Seminar

2012-11-02T09:34:00.002-04:00

Announcement From The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council

Click here to see the annoucement for this 6-month advocacy training in 2013 in Orlando and Tallahassee!

Click here for detailed information.

Learn About Rural Routes to Employment

2012-11-02T09:29:00.001-04:00

Announcement from the The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council

Click here to read about this training opportunity on November 29, 2012 in Okechobee, Florida!

Register for Self-employment and Resource Ownership Training

2012-10-31T10:41:00.000-04:00

Announcement From The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council

Click here to learn more about this training taking place on November 5, 2012 in Tallahassee and Orlando!

Please Vote on November 6th

2012-10-26T10:20:00.000-04:00

Here is my one and only opinion during this election cycle.

There is more to this election than the Presidency:

1. New laws and referendums.
2. Senators and Representatives for your own State Legislature. These folks in the State Legislature vote on laws that affect you.
3. Local representatives in whatever your municipality or community calls them...Alderman, City Council Representative, etc.
4. Your U.S. Senator and Congressional Representative.

The Presidency is very important, but please remember, these other elections are also very important because they affect you and your community at home.

If you elect to sit out this election for President because you cannot decide, that is fine. But keep in mind there is more on your ballot than the Presidential candidates. Consider voting for issues in your community that are important to you.

There is my two cents on this issue.

New Look for the Blog!

2012-10-26T10:03:00.002-04:00

I just changed the format to make it easier to read the articles. What do you think?

Read About FAAST's Financial Resource Guide

2012-10-26T09:25:00.000-04:00

This came from an Announcement From The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council

FAAST's New Horizon Loan Program Director, Ms. Melanie Quinton, along with FAAST, Inc., through support from the Florida Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, is pleased to announce the completion and development of a comprehensive (click to see the guide) 52-page general self-help resource guide designed to provide basic tools to find sound financial resource information.

Tools for financial independence within this guide are designed to assist individuals with resources on the how- tos of budgeting, establishing and maintaining credit, repairing credit, student loan resource information, home ownership resources, establishing and maintaining small businesses, state and federal tax information, savings plans, retirement planning, and much more.

For your convenient reference, the financial resources within this guide have been hyperlinked to provide easy access to informative websites, frequently asked questions (FAQs), factsheets, articles, tutorials, and other relevant financial resources. To find a financial resource that may be of assistance to you, please refer to the Table of Contents that includes a detailed list of financially relevant topics and subjects, along with page numbers.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

This self-help resource guide is not a substitute for legal advice

As with many other FAAST self-help resource guides, this guide contains hyperlinks to an array of helpful reference materials and is available on the New Horizon Loan Program website at www.newhorizonloanprogram.org and on the FAAST website at www.faast.org/resources/library.

Florida Developmental Disabilities Council Fall Newsletter

2012-10-26T09:15:00.000-04:00

Click here to read the FDDC Fall 2012 newsletter!

Invitation to become a Guest Blogger!

2012-10-15T09:44:00.001-04:00

Parents, medical providers, teachers, therapists, and especially those on the Spectrum, Area Autism Search is extending an invitation to you to become a guest blogger.

Who: For everyone!
What: Tips, insights, anecdotes, latest research, events, work opportunities, travel, etc.
When: Anytime
Where: From anywhere in the world
Why: Those touched in some way with ASD seek to understand and to be understood.
How: Email me your article (basorem@gmail.com). You will be featured as a guest blogger!
~Maggie

Calling All Doctors in Northeast Florida

2012-10-15T09:32:00.001-04:00

As a public service, I wish to open a page listing medical people, doctors, pediatricians, dentists, orthodontists, optometrists, and other specialists who are trained in working with patients who are Autism Spectrum Disorder in the following counties: Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Nassau, Baker.

Please send me an email (basorem@gmail.com) to include the following:

Practice name
Physician's name
Address
Telephone number
Website (if applicable)
A summary of how you are qualified to work with patients on the Autism Spectrum.

As you are well aware, the number of cases is growing and many parents need direction. Please help me connect those parents to you so that you can help their children.

Thank you for your contribution
~Maggie

Resource for ASD Social Development

2012-10-15T08:56:00.000-04:00

From Dr. Deb Childress, Ph.D. and Dr. Ron Anderson, Ph.D. of SEL Media came the following email I received that I wish to share:

With the rising number of students receiving an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, we are faced with the challenge of finding cost effective, accessible and quality supports for these children and their families. 3-C Institute for Social Development and SELmedia have been working to fill this need for over ten years.

Recently we developed a workshop aimed at parents of children on the autism spectrum designed to provide practical information, ideas and activities for helping their children develop core social skills. The workshop is set up as a 3 hour on-line course that is broken down into modules for ease of use for parents with busy schedules.

The course is an overview of foundational social skills that children use every day. Using a live audience of parents of children with an autism spectrum diagnosis, the course seeks to raise and answer questions parents often want to ask about social skill development.

If you would like to learn more about this new resource as well as other programs developed at the 3-CInstitute for Social Development visit our website .

We are making this course available directly to parents as well as through partnership opportunities with organizations. If you are interested in working with us to distribute this workshop please contact me via email.

Additionally we have developed a free resource for educators and parents whose children on the autism spectrum are entering a regular classroom for the first time. To get this free series of lessons, set up a free account at our online resource center. Create an account by creating a password and adding your email. This free resource and others that will be posted monthly are available to you at any time.

Thank you for considering this opportunity.

Regards,
Dr. Deb Childress Ph.D. and Dr. Ron Anderson Ph.D.

Website: http://www.selmediainc.com/resources/practical-tools-hfa

Join the Conversation - Promote Disability Rights!

2012-10-15T08:42:00.002-04:00

Read about it here (click for link).

Self-Help Resource Guide Available

2012-10-03T09:14:00.001-04:00

Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology - Self-Help Resource Guide to Promote Effective Transition Planning. CLICK TO READ ABOUT IT HERE!

Newsletter-Behavior Frontiers 9/24/12

2012-09-25T08:16:00.000-04:00

Read the latest Behavior Frontiers September 24, 2012 Newsletter (click here)

FCIC's 2012 Employment Webinar Series

2012-09-20T07:47:00.001-04:00

Click on this link in order to access the announcement that I received by email on 9/19/12: Employment Webinar Series on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.

New Advocacy Video - AUTISM VOTES! Pass it on!

2012-09-19T08:23:00.002-04:00

I am passing along an email I received yesterday from Autism Speaks. Please watch this video and pass it along on your Facebook or Twitter (the suggested posts are listed below).

September 18, 2012 - **NEW ADVOCACY VIDEO**

Help us reach 1 Million views!
Today we are launching a new video through our Advocacy Program: Autism Votes, to encourage voters to ask those seeking public office this fall how they will make a difference for those living with autism.

We are working hard to encourage ALL Americans to interact with candidates at every level to ask this question - at rallies, town halls, on-line through social media and in person. Every person living with autism has a whole army behind them - parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, therapists, physicians, teachers, etc. We need to tap into that potential this fall by letting everyone know what we need and want, how they can help and why autism is an important issue to us.

You can help us by taking a couple of minutes to watch the 60 second video below featuring people with autism, parents, siblings and teachers. Then help us spread the word to everyone you know to watch it and register at Autism Votes.

Here is How YOU Can Help:

1) WATCH THE VIDEO! You can see the video here on YouTube!

2) SHARE THE VIDEO AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO REGISTER WITH AUTISM VOTES THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA! Ask your friends & family to share it as well. If everyone can get 10 people to post this we will have 10 Million views in no time!

FACEBOOK SUGGESTED POST:

"Autism Speaks is working to make autism an unavoidable topic this fall for those who are seeking office. Please help me by watching this video below then registering for Autism Votes. Learn how you can make a difference for those living with autism today! Autism Votes - 11.6.12 because our 1 in 88 Can't Wait! Thanks!"
LINK TO: http://bit.ly/QX40NC (make sure you use the number 0 not the letter O)

TWITTER SUGGESTED POST:

How will YOU make a difference for those living with autism? http://bit.ly/QX40NC #AutismVotes2012 #autism #Election2012 PLS RT

3) READ THIS BLOG! Is Autism Political? Should It Be? - We think so and this is why. We realize that there are other important topics consuming our country right now with the economy, jobs and the environment, but that doesn’t mean that autism shouldn’t be part of our national discussion. Share this as well to help educate everyone you know.

America is still America - the best country in the world. Why? Because we can identify a problem, propose a solution and with hard work, we can change our circumstances.

Working together - we can change our status quo.

See how many YOU can activate today!

Shelley Hendrix
Director, Grassroots Development
Autism Speaks