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Empowering Through Information and the Fostering of Connections
Acceptance. Intervention. Civil Rights. July 18, 2017

In This Issue

8 Reasons to Feel Good about an Autism Diagnosis

Massive collaboration unearths inherited risk factor for autism

How can we help young adults with autism thrive in the workplace?

Why Special Education Isn't Working

Parents and Others Looking for Help!!!

Crimson Summer Social Language Club

Cortica: Advanced Neurological Therapies for Autism

Announcing the CC Social Club!

Looking for a Holistic Approach to Therapy?

Join Us for Teen Hangout!!

No Wait for RDI!!!

Conference: Love and Autism - Registration Now Open!!!

San Diego Special Needs Law Center & Info on the ABLE Act

Miracle League of San Diego!!!

Summer Issue of the SDRC Communicator Newsletter!

Take a Survey: Would you also be interested in bringing an Expressive Arts Adult Day Program to San Diego to benefit our adult children?

Join Our Study! Video Games to Train Attention and Eye Movement

Camp Let Loose Registration Now Open!!!

ATPF 3rd Annual Bridge to the Beach Family Beach Day


 


VALERIESLIST SPONSORS





Want to learn more about Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) for your child on the spectrum?

Relationship Development Intervention (RDI®) is a unique treatment approach that empowers parents to guide their child to succeed in a truly dynamic world. Children who learn to actively engage with the support of their parents in safe but challenging learning opportunities (problems and situations that are just beyond their level of competence), develop a strong motivation to explore and expand their world, as well as develop competence and trust in themselves and their Guides. The program has no defined length. It is designed to accommodate parents and children with a wide range of obstacles and handicapping conditions. Therefore participation may range anywhere from one to several years. Have specific questions? See the RDI FAQs for answers!




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  • 8 Reasons to Feel Good about an Autism Diagnosis
  • Could an autism spectrum diagnosis ever be good news? The answer is YES, under the right circumstances. Here's why:

    1. It Offers a Clear Path Forward. Many families are forced to grope their way through an alphabet soup of diagnoses ranging from ADHD to OCD to NVLD to social anxiety before finally learning that all those symptoms really describe just one diagnostic category: autism spectrum disorder. Once the diagnosis was in hand, they could finally direct their attention toward finding the right therapies, programs, and supports to help their child be as successful as possible.

    2. It's a Diagnosis That Comes with a Healthy Helping of Hope. While autism has no "cure," there are many treatments that can make a huge positive difference. In other words: there are positive actions that can help a child with autism build skills and relationships, but in order to know what to do you need that diagnosis. Read on...

  • Massive collaboration unearths inherited risk factor for autism
  • The largest-yet study to look for inherited risk factors for autism links a region on chromosome 10 to the condition.

    The study includes thousands more individuals than the previous biggest attempt to find common genetic variants that boost autism risk. It shows that common variants - those present in more than 1 percent of the population - account for roughly one-third of autism cases.

    The researchers analyzed data from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, an international effort to uncover the genetic underpinnings of autism, schizophrenia and other complex psychiatric conditions. More than 150 scientists worldwide collaborated on the project. They looked at data from 7,387 individuals with autism and 8,567 controls. Read on...

  • How can we help young adults with autism thrive in the workplace?

  • The outlook is often bleak for young adults with autism spectrum disorders. Even when they manage to graduate from high school or college, it's difficult for them to find a full-time job.

    Although there are many programs that help them interact with society when they're young, those services are typically cut off by the time they graduate, leaving them with few options if they're unable to navigate the work world on their own.

    As a result, just 58 percent of young adults in their late teens and early 20s with autism worked for pay outside the home after high school, a far lower share than those with other types of disabilities, according to the 2015 National Autism Indicators Report. Those who were employed tended to work part-time in low-wage jobs. Read on...

  • Why Special Education Isn't Working
  • I'M NOT EVEN SURE WHY I PICKED UP THE PHONE.

    Typically, I hang up as soon as I know it is going to be a sales pitch, but this one was different. It was from my alma mater, Azusa Pacific University. APU was exhorting alumni to update their contact information for a networking book that would allow graduates of various years to get in touch with one another.

    It sounded harmless enough, so I gave the benign voice on the other end of the line my details. As she was inputting the data, she remarked about how wonderful it was that I was a special education teacher - and in the very same breath how awful it was that some people were trying to place students with disabilities in general education classrooms. I guess she assumed I would agree.

    "Sorry to burst your bubble, ma'am, but I'm one of those people," I said.

    Why would someone have a problem with students with disabilities being educated side by side with their non-disabled peers? For those of us who are involved in special education or those who have observed student learning, it is easy to see that inclusive classrooms work. For almost everyone else, it appears to be a near-impossible concept to grasp. Read on...

  • Parents and Others Looking for Help!!!


  • Hi, I have a 10 year old son on the spectrum who has always been in a regular school. We moved almost a year ago from Tijuana to Chula Vista. He has a good therapist in Tijuana but he needs a social skills group in San Diego or Chula Vista. If you have any information, please email me at c_valladolid@hotmail.com.



    We are parents to a 13 year old boy who has aspergers and ADHD. We are looking for a program and/or tutor that can help him with his writing. He is really having a hard time getting his thoughts and ideas on paper. Thank you. Pcwizardsd@yahoo.com.



    Do you know of any private home agencies willing to take a very high functioning 23 year old female with ASD and supply them with room and board for a year. My niece who is in the LA area will be moving to San Diego in September to attend a special school during the day. I am aware of the California Mentor program which is funded through the Regional Center of which my niece is a member of. Can you give me the names of any FHA agencies? cynthiaquince@sbcglobal.net



    I have a 10 year old who was diagnosed by the San Diego Regional Center with autism in April. He doesn't have a US health insurance so he can't get any services. When the social worker gave us the diagnosis she gave us a document where she mentioned that the SDRC could provide him with ABA through one of their agencys and now our newly designated social worker and his supervisor told me that the SDRC doesn't provide that service anymore. My question is: Should my son get any services from the SDRC? c_valladolid@hotmail.com



    Hello! I am looking to connect with someone who has their child in an out of state residential educational setting. Please email me at mvetlesen@gmail.com



    I am a mother to an 11 yr old boy diagnose with Moderate Autism, ADHD and severe speech delay. I was able to move him from Chula Vista School district where he was not receiving the best of services in anyway, to a Charter School close to the exit at Market st coming out of FWY 15. I was wondering if anyone could give me information of a young, responsable adult who could baby sit and transport my child from his new school to home at eastlake. And some days stay with him for a few hrs until I got back from work around 5pm. I will pay for miles and obviously for the care at home. Preferably a person with knowledge of ASD behaviors and techniques to work with them. Claudia peralta_claudia@hotmail.com



    We are looking to find friends for our 12-year old son Robbie, who is high functioning ASD.
    He is quite isolated and would love to develop relationships with other kids. Among other things, Robbie loves reading; computer games; shooting hoops and soccer.
    We live in Tierra Santa with 2 dogs.
    Kate heathkate44@yahoo.com



    Hi! My name is Rosalyn. I am a highly experienced and exceptional house cleaner with a genuine personal touch. I am looking to find a monthly or bi-monthly house cleaning job for a family in need of these services in the North County Area. If you are interested please email me at mullinsroz@gmail.com or call me anytime 209 241 9489.



    If you have a question or request for this newsletter group, please send your email request to ValeriesList@aol.com. People who can help you will email you directly with their responses.

  • Crimson Summer Social Language Club
  • Crimson Center for Speech & Language 858 695 9515 KarynLS2@crimsoncenter.com www.crimsoncenter.com

  • Cortica: Advanced Neurological Therapies for Autism
  • Founded in neuroscience.
    Driven by compassion.


    Cortica's aim is to bring to families everywhere the most effective therapies for the treatment of autism. Harnessing insights and technologies from emerging neuroscience, Cortica brings together clinical specialists from a range of disciplines to design and deliver comprehensive care to children with autism and their families.

    Cortica's treatment model coordinates a multi-disciplinary team of clinicians with the common goals of fostering the child's holistic development and empowering family members. An "inside out" component focuses on improving the health of the body through medical diagnosis and treatment, nutrition, supplements, neurofeedback, and other strategies. Simultaneously, an "outside in" component optimizes the environment, learning opportunities, and overall experiences of the child through speech and language therapy, neurological music therapy, occupational therapy, a progressive model of Applied Behavioral Analysis, and parent education.

    More than simply bringing these services under one roof, specialists at Cortica collaborate to achieve a common understanding of each patient, develop individually tailored treatment plans, and coordinate care that evolves to match the child's progress. At our flagship center in San Diego, we have partnered with hundreds of families to achieve lasting, transformative results for their children.

    While this site is under construction, learn more by visiting our legacy website at gohmd.com

    Seek our care
    Those seeking care for their families are welcome to call our office at 858-304-6440.

    Join our team
    Those interested in joining our team should contact Walt Cooper, Cortica's talent scout, at wcooper@gohmd.com.

    Practice Location
    SORRENTO VALLEY
    7090 Miratech Drive
    San Diego, CA 92121

  • Announcing the CC Social Club!
  • Include Autism's CC Social Club is a community-based, Saturday social skill and friendship development program for teens and young adults ages 13 - 17 and 18-29 that have challenges in the areas of social communication and relationship building as part of their developmental disability. The CC Social Club meets morning or afternoon on either two or four Saturdays a month in peer groups including typically developing peers. Our goal is to build the skills to maximize functional independence, enhance social inclusion opportunities, and build natural networks of support to live, work, and socialize as independently as one chooses.

    To learn more please visit: https://includeautism.org/community-coaching-social-skills/

  • Looking for a Holistic Approach to Therapy?
  • - Therapeutic Approach to Growth (TAG) believes that every individual is unique and has the potential for significant growth.

    - TAG offers the development and implementation of individualized comprehensive programs.

    - Our programs are influenced by a developmental model called Relationship Development Intervention (RDI®), which foster competency and trust as well as social, emotional, cognitive, and academic growth, and is based on a guided participation model.

    - Therapies offered: Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, RDI®, Art Therapy, and Academic Support.

    Therapeutic Approach to Growth
    9466 Black Mountain Road, Suite 100
    San Diego, CA 92126
    and
    5411 Avenida Encinas, Suite 110
    Carlsbad, CA 92008

    www.tagforgrowth.com
    admin@tagforgrowth.com
    858.689.2027

  • Join Us for Teen Hangout!!
  • Connect with other teens and make new friends!!!
    Click here for all the info!!!
    3575 Kenyon St, Ste 102
    San Diego, California, CA 92110

  • No Wait for RDI!!!
  • Want to learn more about Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) for your child on the spectrum?

    Relationship Development Intervention (RDI®) is a unique treatment approach that empowers parents to guide their child to succeed in a truly dynamic world. Children who learn to actively engage with the support of their parents in safe but challenging learning opportunities (problems and situations that are just beyond their level of competence), develop a strong motivation to explore and expand their world, as well as develop competence and trust in themselves and their Guides. The program has no defined length. It is designed to accommodate parents and children with a wide range of obstacles and handicapping conditions. Therefore participation may range anywhere from one to several years. Have specific questions? See the RDI FAQs for answers!

    The Family Guidance and Therapy Center of Southern California
    3575 Kenyon St, Ste 102
    San Diego, California, CA 92110
    (619) 600-0683

  • Conference: Love and Autism - Registration Now Open!!!
  • Love & Autism: A Conference with Heart held annually in San Diego, focuses on relationships - bridges lived experience, clinical practice & research.
    Click here for all the info and to register!!!

  • San Diego Special Needs Law Center & Info on the ABLE Act
  • If you have a family member with a disability, you want to assure they have the best possible care and quality of life, both now and later when you are no longer able to be the advocate you are today. If you are a person with a disability, you want to be able to qualify for the benefits and programs you need to achieve as much independence as possible. At San Diego Special Needs Law Center, it is our mission to make sure you have all the support and tools in place to achieve these goals.

    We have over 30 years experience in Special Needs Law and our community, working in the following practice areas:

    • Special Needs Trusts and Estate Planning for Families Developmental Disablilities
    • Special Needs Trusts and Estate Planning for Families Developmental Disablilities
    • Public Benefits Planning
    • Care Advocacy
    • Preservation of Benefits Eligibility in Litigation Settlement or Inheritance Scenarios
    • Life Care Planning
    We also enjoy our relationships with various advocacy groups and the disability community. It is through the interaction with our clients and these groups that we continue to learn and grow, and better serve our client's needs.

    Our Senior attorney, Phil Lindsley, is both a Certified Special Needs Law Attorney and a Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate (State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization). He has been serving families and individuals with disabilities for over 30 years.

    To learn more about us, click HERE

    Click here to learn all about the ABLE Act!!!

  • Miracle League of San Diego!!!
  • The Miracle League of San Diego provides children with special needs the opportunity to play baseball in an organized league. Each player is paired throughout the season with a buddy who provides encouragement and assistance. We have two locations, one in Del Mar and the other in Coronado.

    Registration is now open for players, buddies and coaches for each of our two locations: Del Mar (Engel Family Field in Del Mar) and Coronado (Green Field in Coronado). Fall games are played on Saturdays starting September 9, 2017 through November 11, 2017. Opening day for both locations will be held on September 9, 2017.

    Register online at www.miracleleagueofsandiego.org

  • Summer Issue of the SDRC Communicator Newsletter!
  • Check out the Summer Issue of the SDRC Communicator Newsletter! http://sdrc.org/?page_id=27.
    We'd like to hear your feedback. What would you like to see in future issues?

  • Take a Survey: Would you also be interested in bringing an Expressive Arts Adult Day Program to San Diego to benefit our adult children?
  • A petition is being organized to express interest in opening a satellite of Able ARTS Work - a fabulous program in Long Beach -to their board of directors. Please complete this survey below and forward it to other parents who might also be interested:

    Click here to answer 5 quick questions:
    https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RQRKN3Z

  • Join Our Study! Video Games to Train Attention and Eye Movement
  • Join our study at UCSD's Research on Autism and Development Lab (https://radlab.ucsd.edu). We are currently recruiting participants for a study to measure the effects of training visual attention using video games. Click here to view the brochure!!!

  • Camp Let Loose Registration Now Open!!!
  • Our week-long day camp program that is open for registration: www.FriendshipCircleSD.org/Camp. It will be Monday Aug 7th through Friday Aug 11th (10AM-2PM) and includes a field trip and a one-on-one counselor pairing for each camper. Counselors (teen & young adult) are also welcome to apply and can email me directly. Maxime@FriendshipCircleSD.org

  • ATPF 3rd Annual Bridge to the Beach Family Beach Day
  • August 5th, 2017 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    Location: SOUTH MISSION BEACH LIFEGUARD STATION, North Jetty Road, San Diego, California


    JOIN US for our 3rd Annual ATPF Bridge to the Beach Summer Program! Kids of all ages and all abilities are welcome to come out and join us for a fun morning on Mission Bay. Activities will include kayaking, paddle boarding and sand castle making. This is event is FREE to attend but you must RSVP with Lisa@autismtreeproject.org or call 619-222-4465. The entire family is welcome to come out and join us!

  • ASD Mornings at theNAT


  • Please visit http://www.sdnhm.org/visit/accessibility/asd-mornings/ for more information.

  • Autism Accessibility Morning at the Fleet!


  • In February we began our, Autism Accessibility Mornings at the Fleet (http://rhfleet.org/events/autism-accessibility-mornings), program. This morning is dedicated to the ASD community to come and enjoy the Fleet in a quieter setting and catch an IMAX film! Our film showings are presented with raised house lights and a lowered soundtrack volume, to provide a more comforting environment. Our goal is to provide an enriching experience for the ASD community

  • SIBSHOP 2016-2017 Schedule


  • October 2016 - August 2017

    WANTED: Siblings who have a brother/sister with special needs
    AGES: 7 - 12 years old
    Older siblings are welcome to attend as "Junior Leaders"

    WHAT: A fun-filled opportunity geared to the specific needs of siblings with brothers/sisters with special needs. Join us for games, crafts, hikes, cooking, and art. Meet other sibs - lunch provided

    TIME: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

    DATES:
    August 13: Santee Lakes, 9310 Fanita Pkwy, Santee, CA 92071**

    DONATION: $5.00 - $10.00 per meeting per family for craft materials, supplies & lunch for the kids

    REGISTRATION: Pre-registration requested (if possible) the Thursday before the event.
    CONTACT: Email patmoulton@cox.net for a registration form and / or additional information.

    Sibshop Leaders: Jody BonDurant-Strong, Administrator Gina Clifton, ECSE Medically-Fragile Teacher, Special Education
    Pat Moulton, Retired

    **Information for family / community locations will be emailed.

  • San Diego Regional Center's Recreation Resource Page
  • sdrc


    Recreation is important in promoting inclusion and quality of life. Studies have shown that it increases self-esteem and confidence, leads to improved communication, social interaction, and friendship skills.

    The San Diego Regional Center supports clients having time to recreate and believes it is essential to a healthy and well-balanced life. Below are links to some popular recreation activities in the San Diego and Imperial Counties. However, SDRC does not endorse, nor provide funding for any recreation activity. SDRC is not liable for anything occurring while participating in any of the recreational activities. Click here for all the info!!!

  • Jeremy's Vision


  • I have a paintbrush, a keyboard and autism. Jeremy's Vision is my view of the world expressed through my painting, writing, and advocacy.

    Jeremy's Vision: Local San Diego resident, Jeremy Sicile-Kira, is an intuitive artist and paints colorful abstract portraits of people. Jeremy has synesthesia: he sees people's emotions in color. In August 2012, he began to paint in real life the portraits he was painting in his dreams. Now, Jeremy meets people in person or online, 'reads' their colors and then paints their portrait. Jeremy has his own art studio in downtown San Diego at Space4Art and recently had his first curated solo art show. For more information, visit http://www.jeremysvision.com.

    Jeremy also is the coauthor of A Full Life with Autism ( https://www.amazon.com/Full-Life-Autism-Relationships-Independence/dp/0230112463) about preparing for the transition to adult life.

  • Reset Fitness with Pam Bundy


  • I started off my career as a legal secretary then moved on to be a legal assistant, with the ultimate goal of becoming an attorney. After two of my boys were diagnosed on the autism spectrum 23 years ago, I came to the realization that I needed to be in a less negative environment. What I really wanted to do was to help people which puts me where I am today.

    I am a certified Stott Pilates Full Level One Instructor and ACE Certified Personal Trainer with 20 years of experience working with very large facets of the population. I also hold certifications as a Nutrition Coach, Parkinson's Wellness Recovery trainer, and Bosu Master Trainer. I am currently working on my ACE Behavior Specialist and Group Fitness Instructor certifications. My specialties include back rehabilitation, weight loss and toning, menopause management, Parkinson's clients, and bodybuilding. I have had several life experiences that has helped shape me to become a fitness coach who understands life's challenges, and I excel in helping people overcome obstacles to reach their health and fitness goals. Click here to visit my FB page and please contact me for more info!!!

  • Lisa Hawley-Jennings, Massage Therapist/Holistic Health Practitioner


  • Lisa Hawley-Jennings, Massage Therapist/Holistic Health Practitioner of 28 years, offers compassionate, experienced massage in her home office in Encinitas or in your home (within reasonable distance). As a mother of a 28 year old autistic son, Lisa carries a special place in her heart for working with caregivers and parents of special needs children. Please call or text Lisa at 760-212-2109.

  • Discounted Photo Services For Special Needs Families


  • As the parent of a child with ASD, I know how challenging a photo session can be. In an effort to pay it forward for the hardest working people I know, I am offering discounted rates for special needs families all year long. You will receive a 33% discount on all photo services, and a promise to be as creative and patient as possible, in order to get you the beautiful family photos or child portraits you deserve! Photo samples and standard rates are on my new Facebook page www.facebook.com/StefGPhotography. Openings fill up fast, so if you are interested in a photo session or event any time in the next 6 months, please email now to be added to the calendar Stefwinter19@gmail.com.

  • Parents and Children Needed for Student Research

  • My name is Shamayne Brown and I am a doctoral student at Alliant International University. This study is examining the attention abilities of kids with ASD and their parents. I am recruiting families with a child with ASD as well as families with typically developing children.

    We are looking for boys, ages 8 to 16 years old, who have a diagnosis of ASD and their biological parents - both mother and father need to participate. We are also looking for boys, ages 8 to 16 years old, who are typically developing and both of their biological parents to serve as a control group.

    If you and your family are eligible for participation, you will be asked to come to a lab at the Neuroscience Institute at Alliant International University. You and your child's other parent will be asked to complete consent forms and questionnaires about your own behaviors; this should take you each about 25 minutes. You will also be given questionnaires about your child's behaviors. Only one parent needs to fill out these questionnaires and should take about 25 minutes complete. You, your child, and your child's other parent will complete a cognitive test, which will take about 30 minutes. Each of you will then play some games on a computer. This will take each person about 30 minutes. Your child's participation will take approximately one hour. Your participation and that of your child's other parent will take approximately one and a half to two hours.

    After your child completes his tasks, he will receive a $20 cash gift as an appreciation for his participation. Once you and your child's other parent have completed all tasks, you will each receive a $10 gift card as a token of appreciation for your participation. For further information, please contact Shamayne Brown at sbrown7@alliant.edu or 619-416-1799. Thank you for your time.

    *Approved by Alliant IRB
    IRB #1604025150

     
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    Disclaimer

    I never endorse anyone or anything. Opinions expressed in what I send out, may not be shared by me. Everything is for informational purposes only.
    People who "advertise" through this newsletter have never been checked out by me. Same goes for the "Sponsors". This includes professionals and even people who are interested in babysitting, etc. So, please take the time to thoroughly check out anyone and everyone who will be working with or caring for your child/adult. We are all sadly aware, through news stories and word of mouth, of people who prey upon special needs children and adults because of their extra vulnerability.

    Valerie Dodd-Saraf
    President, Foggy Coast Ventures, Inc.
    Owner/Editor ValeriesList.com

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