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December 2, 2016



Autism Connection of PA 
is a participating charity in all 
Pittsburgh  Marathon Events!
Is this the year you 
"Run For A Reason"?

All events take place, 
Saturday,
 May 6  & Sunday, 
 May 7


 



Interested in advertising your event, program, research study or employment listing 
in this E-Blast?


Quarterly Newsletter advertising opportunities also available 
CONNECT WITH US!
Check out all of our workshops, events and where we'll be exhibiting!
A United Way Participating Agency
Code 9817

THE UNMANUFACTURED IMPACT OF A PLASTIC BEST FRIEND
  

For a 10-year-old child with autism, a Playmobil doll is a communicative, social, and emotional lifeline.

              READ MORE HERE
Updates on Perspective Program for  Adults  with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Presented by: Shaun M. Eack, PhD

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Autism Connection of PA Community Room
35 Wilson Street, Suite 101
Pittsburgh, PA 15223


Cannabis As Medicine

Presented by:
Heather Shukar, Managing Director,
PA Medical Cannabis Society
Patrick Nightingale, Esquire
Grant J. Shevchik, MD

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Autism Connection of PA Community Room
35 Wilson Street, Suite 101
Pittsburgh, PA 15223


How To Teach Personal Safety and Relationship Skills to Individuals on the Autism Spectrum

Presented by: Jamie Grace, MS.Ed, LBS, BSS

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Autism Connection of PA Community Room
35 Wilson Street, Suite 101
Pittsburgh, PA 15223



Simply shop at smile.amazon.com and choose 
"ABOARD's  Autism Connection of PA" 
to have 0.5% of your purchase donated

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Autism Connection of PA and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust invite you to attend a discussion after the performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time on Saturday, January 7 at 2:00 pm. After the show, join us downstairs at Heinz Hall to discuss Curious Incident themes, concepts, and sensory issues as they relate to people with exceptional minds and to ourselves. All attendees may receive Act 48 teacher, social worker or nursing training credits. We will discuss how the brain compartmentalizes, deals with trauma and loss and how communication may vary. The discussion will be led by Luciana Randall, Executive Director of the Autism Connection of PA, and a professional on the autism spectrum, TBA. Tea and coffee services with light snack will be provided and the discussion will conclude at 6:00 p.m.
Polar PJ Party at Carnegie Science Center

Keep the kids in their PJs for a sensory friendly event featuring the Omnimax movie Polar Express, a hot chocolate bar with liquid nitrogen frozen marshmallows, make-and-take activities, selfies with Santa, private time in the Miniature Railroad & Village®, story time, and a train ticket and sleigh bell to take home!
 
  December 11th and 18th, doors open for morning parties at 8:30 am, the event runs from 9:00 am-12:00 pm. For evening parties, doors open at 5:30 pm, the event runs from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm.

$15 per person, children 2 and under are $5. Space is limited. Reserve your spot by calling 
412-237-3400 , then press 7 to register.

Getting Organized! Future Planning for Individuals with Special Needs

All individuals with special needs and/or families of those with special needs knows that future planning is crucial! Learn from our panel of speakers: Jillian Zacks, attorney and mother of children with autism; Patty Yerina, Achieva Family Trust; Nicole Iole, Director of Guardianship Program, JF&CS; Representative from Reliable Payee Service.
  
Tuesday,  December 6th, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm, Friendship Circle, Squirrel Hill, light dinner at 6:00 p.m.

Sensory Friendly Mass

A service designed for anyone on the autism spectrum and other special needs and their families.
 
Sunday, December 11th, 3:00 p.m., Magdalen Chapel on the campus of La Roche College, 9000 Babcock Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Project Lifesaver
Project Lifesaver provides timely response to save lives and reduce potential injury for adults and children who wander due to Alzheimer's, Autism, and other related conditions or disorders.
It bridges the technological gap for "at risk" populations and public safety agencies by providing police, fire/rescue and other first responders with a comprehensive program on the use of specialized electronic search and rescue equipment, technology and procedures, as well as teaching rescuers how to effectively communicate with people afflicted with cognitive conditions, all of which are essential to a successful rescue.

To find out if Project Lifesaver is available in your area, CLICK HERE
AUTISM IN THE NEWS

Autism & ADHD have more in common than you might think

Autism diagnosis must account for individual ability to function


Autistic people can solve our cybersecurity crisis



RESEARCH DEVELOPMENTS


Study in China solidifies list of genes tied to autism

New form of autism found


PARTICIPANTS NEEDED
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

PERSPECTIVES PROGRAM
  • Ages 16-45 with ASD
  • 18-month psychosocial research intervention
  • Participants will receive either Cognitive Enhancement Therapy or Enriched Supportive Therapy  at no cost
  • Help improve social functioning, problem solving, and stress management
  • Participant payment for all research-based testing  
1-866-647-3436

SOCIAL SKILLS INTERVENTION FOR ADULTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
  • Ages 18-35
  • Primary diagnosis of Asperger's or high-functioning autism
  • Ability to use language in complete sentences
Volunteers will meet once a week for 16 weeks.  Each week will consist of 75 minute group session and 90 minute session of practicin g skills with typically-developing peers, including community outings. 

Contact: Ryan Schaitkin 

ASD MINDFULNESS STUDY

Are you an adult diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder? Do you feel stressed, anxious, or dissatisfied with your life?
If so, you may be eligible to participate in a 10-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction study.
Participants will be asked to attend 8 weekly 2.5 hour classes, a 7.5 hour practice retreat, and complete daily homework assignments. Compensation provided.

Contact: Kelly Beck


Support Groups
For our complete list check out: http://www.autismofpa.org/support-groups/
Allegheny County -- 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

Allegheny County -- 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 Tuesday (changed from Thursdays).

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

Allegheny County -- TGIF Adult Social Group
TGIF welcomes young adults ages 18-40's for food, fun and fellowship every Friday night.  Planned activities reflect participants' interests. 

Youth Community Center, located in the parking lot of the Sharon Presbyterian Church, 522 Carnot Road, Moon Township, PA, 15108, Friday nights from 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Facilitator:  Terry Doughty,  724-457-1088,   TGIF.ASGroup@gmail.com

Bucks County -- Support Group
Support for families who have children with special needs. 

Divisive Church, Grace Point Room 2nd Floor,  325 Street Road,  Southampton, PA 18966,  6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.,  Every third Sunday of the month.

Facilitator:  Ericka Potts,  267-471-0688,   erickampotts@gmail.com

Lancaster County -- Adult Social Group
Meetings are the 4th Wednesday of every month,  12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., Woods Edge Plaza Shopping Center, 128 South Centerville Road, Lancaster, PA 17603

Contact Pam Bhalla for more information: 717-295-5500, pbhalla@aerionline.com

Mercer County -- A.S.D. Support Group
We are open to all caregivers of those with any disability.

2 locations: Children's Aid Society, Mercer , PA,  6:00 p.m.,  3rd Wednesday of the month or
Valley Baptist Church, Farrell, PA, 6:00 p.m., 2nd Thursday of the month

Facilitator:  Andrea Wright,  724-992-2527,   asd3mom@gmail.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.