October 9, 2015

CONNECT WITH US!
Check out all of our workshops, events and where we'll be exhibiting!
Get Connected!






Join us for the information about what we do and who we help, stay for the Chinese raffle items and food by 
Mission.Mahi food truck!

$10 admission can be purchased HERE, includes one drink ticket

Monday, November 2, 2015
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Wigle Whiskey 
2401 Smallman Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Choose "ABOARD's Autism Connection of PA" 

to have 0.5% of your purchase donated

RIver

Contact Jennifer Salamon at info@autismofpa.org
for more information about advertising in this 
weekly e-blast
DELAYED DIAGNOSIS AND CARE OF AUTISM KEEPING MINORITY CHILDREN BEHIND
 
While the number of children diagnosed is rising, minorities aren't climbing at the rate of their white peers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  reports children of color can be diagnosed as much as 18 to 24 months later  than Caucasian kids. And  reports indicate  that when African-American and Hispanic children are presented to doctors as showing signs of autism, they are more likely to be misdiagnosed as having another condition, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD.

Upcoming Events:

"Handwriting in the Raw"
Steps from Sensory to Cursive
Autism Connection of PA Community Room
Etna, PA 15223

Wednesday, October 14, 2015 
1:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.   
More Information and 
Registration Available HERE

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Basic Behavioral Approaches to Toilet Training and Sleep Problems for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism Connection of PA Community Room
Etna, PA 15223

Friday, October 16, 2015 
9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.     
More Information and 

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Anxiety and Autism Spectrum Disorder:
How to Keep Calm and Carry On
Autism Connection of PA Community Room
Etna, PA 15223

Tuesday, November 3, 2015 
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.    
More Information and 
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Turning Points: 
An Afternoon of Discussions 
For Young Adults with ASD
Canon McMillan High School Auditorium
314 Elm Street Extension
Canonsburg, PA 15317

Sunday, November 8, 2015
1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.  
 
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The Social Scoop! 
 Promoting Social Competence
Autism Connection of PA Community Room
Etna, PA 15223

Tuesday, November 10, 2015 
9:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.     

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The Next Generation: Social Skills and Video Modeling in the Digital World
Autism Connection of PA Community Room
Etna, PA 15223

Thursday, November 12, 2015 
1:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.     
 

 
Charity registration for the Pittsburgh Marathon is open!  Looking for runners and walkers for the following events:

Saturday, April 30
  

5k

Kids of Steel 1 Mile

Sunday, May 1

Full Marathon
Half Marathon
Marathon Relay

For more information, check out our Fundraising Page  
or email Jennifer at jsalamon@autismofpa.org

Boo To You Too! 
A Sensory Friendly Halloween Celebration

Halloween activities including crafts, story time, dance party and much more! Costumes welcome, but not required. Cafe will be closed, tables will be available for families who bring their own snacks.

Friday, October 30, 2015, Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with limited activities, all activities open 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, 10 Children's Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Tickets-Museum Members: $6 in advance/$10 at door, Nonmembers: $9 in advance/$13 at door
Please use code BOOYOU15 to receive Member rate online.  Only 250 tickets available.


Allegheny County Music Festival Fund
The Allegheny County Music Festival Fund (ACMFF) has provided children and youth receiving services through Allegheny County Department of Human Services and the Juvenile Section of the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas with life-enriching items and opportunities otherwise unavailable through traditional government funding.  Children receiving services through DHS, a DHS-contracted provider, or Allegheny County Juvenile Probation are eligible to benefit from the ACMFF.  A sampling of approved requests includes, but is not limited to: dance lessons, computers (refurbished) and age-appropriate software, graduation expenses, college tours, summer camp tuition, registration fees for recreational activities and memberships to cultural attractions.

Requests must be made by a social service professional working for DHS, a DHS-contracted provider or Allegheny County Juvenile Probation on behalf of a child receiving services. 

Click HERE for more information

Bring the ABLE Act to Pennsylvania 
Senate Bill 879, which would let Pennsylvania begin offering ABLE savings accounts to people with disabilities and their families, has great energy behind it right now. The bill passed the Senate with bipartisan, unanimous support.  In order to make ABLE savings accounts available in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania House now needs to vote on Senate Bill 879. We need you to contact your Representative, tell him/her how being able to save for community living expenses is important to you.   Click here to contact your Representative

AUTISM IN THE NEWS

FEDS: SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS MUST BE MINDFUL OF ADA

DISABILITY HIRING DECLINES



RESEARCH DEVELOPMENTS


MEDS, PARENT COACHING QUELL HYPERACTIVITY IN AUTISM

PURKINJE CELLS BURST TO LIFE WITH STATE DEPENDENT EXCITATION

PARTICIPANTS NEEDED
PERSPECTIVES PROGRAM
  • Ages 16-45 with ASD
  • 18-month intervention program
  • Eligible participants will receive one of two interventions; Cognitive Enhancement Therapy or Enriched Supportive Therapy,                at no cost
Contact: 
1-866-647-3436
PITTSBURGH EARLY AUTISM STUDY
  • Infants up to age 3 months with older sibling (both ASD and typically developing)
  • Pregnant women may also inquire
  • Visits take place in the home
Contact: Krista Pugliesi
412-624-9355


 
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER PERSONALITY PROFILE 
  • Males ages 13-19 with Asperger's diagnosis
  • 60 minutes with Carlow College
Contact:  Jennifer Pfeuffer 

 
SUPPORTING TRANSITION EDUCATION IN AUTISM SURVEY
  • Research study to assess knowledge base and needs for supporting transition of care in youth with autism
  • Must be a family member or caregiver of a child, adolescent or young adult with autism
To complete this survey and contribute to the growing field of transitional care in autism, please go to:  
Contact Anuja Jindal  

THE SUBJECTIVE EXPERIENCES OF SECONDARY SCHOOL TRANSITION AND COLLEGE INTEGRATION FOR STUDENTS LIVING WITH HIGH-FUNCTIONING AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

  • 18 to 24 year old 
  • Functionally independent undergraduate college student that is living with Asperger Syndrome or High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • Participation should take between 60-90 minutes via emailed questionnaires and documents, and there is a modest incentive for complete participation

Contact Jordan M. Rood, M.A. at JRood@Chatham.Edu


ADDITIONAL EVENTS & PROGRAMS

CLASS Kids/Vocational Ventures
Are you a parent or guardian in Allegheny County? Does your teen want to earn valuable skills and cash? Would you like your child age 3-13 to be included in an activity that best suits their interests? 
FOR MORE INFORMATION contact Char :
412-683-7100 ext. 2245 or

Young Adult Social Group

This program is a specialized support system for young adults from 18 to 25 years of age with a primary diagnosis of autism. It has been designed to facilitate and develop peer relationships and socialization skills. The group is held on Thursdays from 4:00 to 7:00pm at 425 Main St., Youngstown, PA 15696. For more information contact Helen Tautkus-Berry at (724) 446-7282 or htberry@nhsonline.org.

Just Us Parents Autism Support Group

Join us for our 2nd meeting of the school year. Our Speaker will be Marie Mambuca who is Family Supports contact at Autism Connection of Pa. Please bring any books/reading material on the subject of autism that you would be willing to share with our group. We look forward to seeing you!  

Tuesday, October 20, 2015 7:00 p.m., at Panera Bread, 8800 Covenant Avenue, Pittsburgh, 15237 

Facilitator: LIsa Gordon, lisagord1@msn.com

South Hills Grandparents Group

Interested grandparents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder meet, share experiences, support each other and collectively share the love of their grandchildren.

Join us the 1st Wednesday of every month from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.  at the Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building, 710 Washington Road, Room 107D

Facilitator: Marilyn Hoyson, PhD, marilynh@thewatsoninstitute.org

NEW GROUP: Cresson Area Parent Support 

Cambria County, contact facilitator for information 

Facilitator: Maria Moreland, mariam7786@gmail.com, 814-935-7466

FBR Washington Parent Support & Children's Play Group

Support for parents, strengthening the lives of their children and families.

Join us the 3rd Tuesday of every month (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC) 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. or 
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at FBR Washington, Milcraft Building 90, West Chestnut Street, Suite 110LL, Washington, PA 15301.

Please RSVP by the Friday before each group by calling the FBR Team at 724-229-0311

Three New AERI Adult Social Groups
All groups are open and free to any adult, visitors and new members always welcome.

Butler
Social events or skills development occur in the community monthly, March-December.

Contact for times and locations:
Sarah Langley
814-558-0791
Ebensburg
Meet in the community on the last Friday of the month, March-December, from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Contact for meeting locations:
Lydia Aney
412-992-7929
State College
Each session includes a structured discussion of challenges and needs for those with autism, followed by an interactive activity.  Second Tuesday of the month, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at:

FBR-AERI Office and Clinic
270 Walker Drive, Suite 102 W
State College, PA
Awesome Autism Support Group

Support group for families with autism, ADHD, sensory processing and epilepsy in the Greenville/Hermitage Area

Join us every 2nd Wednesday of the month from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at Hillside Presbyterian Church, 2 North Street, Greenville, PA 16125.  Child care and snack available.

Group Leader: Julia Cassidy
Phone: 724-718-3951
Washington County Support Group

Mini-Series on Developing Strong IEP's and Work with School Teams, Beginning with the End in Mind

Part 2: Working Effectively With Your School Team
Wednesday, October 21st
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Part 3: Your Parental Rights

Wednesday, November 18th
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

St. David's Episcopal Church, 905 E. McMurray Road, Venetia, PA 15367

Registration is required HERE
PAUSE for Autism

Autism family support group for Bradford County 

Join us every 4th Sunday of the month from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the YMCA, 9 College Avenue, Towanda, PA 18848.

Group Leader Name: Courtney Barnum

Phone: 607-761-8072

Email: pausebradfordco@gmail.com

 

Autism Urban Connections
Parent Support Group services Parents/Caregivers raising children with ASD and related disorders

Greater Hazelwood Family Center,  5006 Second Avenue,  Pittsburgh, PA 15207,  5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.,  Monthly: 4th Thursday

Facilitator:  Jamie Upshaw,  412-853-0115,  Aucofpgh@yahoo.com

 

Thank you to our sponsors who allow us to provide this e-blast to our families for free! 

Autism Connection of PA does not endorse any products or services.