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THIS MONTH'S SPONSORS
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| Jungle Poppins showcases musicians with autism |
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VISTA - The holidays are here and with them come Christmas songs.
And one North County band is out in front this holiday season with their debut album.
Jungle Poppins is a five-man band, but with a twist - three of the members are on the autism spectrum. However, music is their calling and provides them the social construct to expand their horizons, according to Andrea Moriarty, mother of Reid Moriarty.
Reid Moriarty, Ethan Marr and Brendan Kerr are all on the spectrum, but music is just one avenue where they thrive. Moriarty, Marr and Steven Crowle, who is not on the spectrum, formed Jungle Poppins, named for Moriarty and Marr's favorite movies, "The Jungle Book" and "Mary Poppins," three years ago. Read on... See info about their upcoming show on December 5th, further down in this newsletter!!! |
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| Feds Unleash $130 Million For Disability Housing |
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Millions of dollars are headed to communities across the country to provide affordable housing to people with disabilities, federal officials say.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said late last month that it's awarding $131.3 million to 325 local public housing authorities in nearly every state from New York to Hawaii. The money is expected to help approximately 15,363 people with disabilities access housing.
"At HUD we're committed to ensuring people with disabilities have a decent, safe and affordable place to live," said Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson. "The funding ... allows our local partners to continue helping residents with disabilities live independently." Read on... |
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| Autism and ADHD share genes |
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Researchers from the national psychiatric project iPSYCH have found that autism and ADHD share changes in the same genes. The new knowledge relates directly to the biological causes of the two child psychiatric disorders.
In Denmark, approximately one per cent of schoolchildren have autism and two to three per cent are diagnosed with ADHD. Autism and ADHD are different developmental disorders, but they can have certain common symptoms. For example, children with autism can demonstrate violent or aggressive behaviour, be impulsive, and have problems in school and with social relations-and these same symptoms can be shared by children with ADHD. ism-adhd-genes.html">Read on... |
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| New book examines eating disorders, failure to care for those impacted |
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A new book from a cultural anthropologist at Washington University in St. Louis explores a topic that impacts and kills almost as many people in the United States as the opioid crisis, yet receives a fraction of the sympathy, support or funding.
In "Famished: Eating Disorders and Failed Care in America," Rebecca Lester, associate professor of sociolcultural anthropology in Arts & Sciences, gives a rare inside view of eating disorders and their treatment that is compassionate and personal, while also academically rigorous.
"I have published on the topic of eating disorders for more than 20 years," Lester said, "though "Famished' is my first book-length text on the subject and represents the full fruition of these decades of research, practice and experience." Read on... |
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| Families of Children with Disabilities Need and Deserve a Village |
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Parents Under Pressure: Struggling to Raise Children in an Unequal America recounts the stories of six overburdened families slogging through the cracks in America's support systems.
In one chapter, Victoria and Nathaniel, whose child has autism, cerebral palsy, and limited ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), find obtaining and coordinating services as strenuous as the daily care of their child. Below is a question and answer with the book's author, Karen Zilberstein.
Why did you decide to write the book?
As a psychotherapist, I was seeing more and more families whose burdens exceeded what the helping systems could address. Even when their children qualified for various services, the parents felt besieged and exhausted by endless paperwork, negotiations with schools and providers, and wave after wave of appointments. Read on... |
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| Family and Others Looking for Help!!! |
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Do you receive SSI? Don't miss out on food benefits!
Beginning June 2019, many Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients will become eligible for CalFresh Food Benefits.
There is NO CHANGE or reduction to SSI/SSP amounts. For more information Click, Call or Come in to your county office to apply and find out more.
Click GetCalFresh.org to apply online
Call 1-877-847-3663 (FOOD)
Come in/find an office at CalFreshFood.org
San Diego Futures - I wanted to make sure everyone was aware of this organization because it can be a helpful resource to families in need of computers and other technology who may not have the resources they need to secure technology for their homes. If anyone needs a laptop or desktop and cannot afford one, please consider reaching out to this group. Desktops and laptops are available at VERY low prices for eligible families. https://sdfutures.org/for-individuals/
I am looking for a baby sitter for our 10 year old non verbal son who has autism. He is a very outdoorsy person who loves to swim. Bike ride, hike and go to the park.
Please let me know if you have any resources.
Thanks
Priti [email protected]
I am looking for a reliable and professional babysitter for my son who was just diagnosed with mild ASD.
Any help will be appreciated.
Thank you,
Natalie von Herrath [email protected]
My 21-year-old autistic daughter has OCD-like behaviors such as slamming doors, stealing, obsessive eating/drinking, twitching, yelling, etc. We have tried different medications and supplements but nothing seems to work. Does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks.
Maya Hu-Chan [email protected]
Looking for a peer support/tutor/communication partner in the classroom three days a week for a high school freshman. Must be able to be employed in the US. English must be your first language. Experience with AAC/AT a must. Salary is based on experience. For more information email [email protected]
Has anyone had experience with Microcurrent Therapy to treat Autism-related behaviors such as OCD, anxiety, sensory processing, or hyper-activity? How effective is it? What changes have you seen? I am considering it for my 21-year-old autistic daughter. I would greatly appreciate it if you could share your experiences with me. Thank you. [email protected]
Our son recently got diagnosed with Autism and we are currently trying to setup RESPITE services for him.
We were approved for 8hrs of RESPITE per month. We selected "24HourHomeCare" as our RESPITE agency. The agency mentioned that they don't have care givers available at this point and we were asked if we knew anyone that can join 24HourHomeCare.
Can you please help us find caregivers specialized in Autism and someone that can provide us RESPITE services.
Thanks, Kalyani. [email protected]
I'm looking for recommendations of a psychologist or psychiatrist experienced in working with adults with autism. My 32 yr. old son has recently developed anxiety and signs of hypochondriasis. Has anyone had experience with someone they would recommend or not recommend? Any help is greatly appreciated. Sharon [email protected]
I would love to find a theatre, dance or improv teacher to volunteer teach at my son's school in Poway. They're 18 -22 years old. Can you help? Thank you.
[email protected]
If you have a question or request for this newsletter group, please send your email request to [email protected]. People who can help you will email you directly with their responses. |
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| Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker - Special Needs Resource Foundation Annual Fundraiser!! |
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Friday, December 20, 2019, 7pm
UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas
7510 Hazard Center Drive #100
San Diego, CA 92108
Tickets start at $40
A very special event will be taking place December 20, 7pm at the UltraStar Cinemas Hazard Center in Mission Valley OPENING NIGHT weekend for the much anticipated Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker!
The festivities begin at 5:30 pm; theater seating begins at 6:30 pm. Your ticket includes the pre-show fun! Create a TIE fighter galaxy canvas at our craft tables, take your family photo with a FULL FORCE of Star Wars characters, win Star Wars character sketch by DC Artist Alex Sinclair and so much more!
Then sit back and enjoy the opening weekend viewing of the much-anticipated sequel, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Proceeds from this event will benefit the Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego. The mission of SNRFSD is to help parents and advocates in the special needs community to overcome challenges of the family's journey by bringing together people, information and resources. The Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego is a nonprofit 501(c)(3). All donations are 100% tax exempt for federal income tax purposes. Tax ID #46-4543603.
Click here for all the info and to purchase your tickets!!!
Click here to view the final trailer for the movie!!! |
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| Sensory-Friendly "Nutcracker" One Hour Performance |
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City Ballet offers this one-hour presentation of the holiday classic featuring lowered light and sound cues as well as relaxed theater rules. Wednesday, Dec. 11, 7 pm at Spreckels Theater in downtown San Diego. Click here for tickets. |
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| Groups for children, teens and young adults enrolling now! |
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Wondering if your child might benefit from joining a group? Give us a call at 858-558-9552 to schedule a free consultation.
Social Communication Specialists
5703 Oberlin Dr., Ste 207
San Diego, CA 92121
(858) 558-9552
[email protected]
https://socialcommunicationspecialists.com |
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| Family Chanukah Party! |
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Sunday, December 22, 2019 at 4 PM - 6 PM
Poway Fun Bowl
12941 Poway Rd, Poway, California 92064
The Friendship Circle of San Diego will be celebrating Chanukah at Poway Fun Bowl! This Family event has been generously sponsored by SynergEyes! This event is FREE for the first 40 RSVPs, so signup today! https://friendshipcirclesd.com/events/ For all the info and for questions or help in signing up please contact [email protected] or call 858.487.4879 |
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| RDI and MORE at Therapeutic Approach to Growth |
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Therapeutic Approach to Growth believes that every individual is unique and has the potential for significant growth. We assume and foster competence while honoring family values and priorities. Our holistic approach is built upon trusting, supportive relationships and collaboration between disciplines and families.
We specializing in the development and implementation of individualized comprehensive programs utilizing Relationship Development Intervention (RDI), Occupational Therapy, Sensory Integration, Sensory Processing, Applied Behavior Analysis, Art Therapy, and Life Balance Yoga Therapy.
Offering support in the San Diego, Carlsbad, Orange County, and the Inland Empire.
In addition to supporting our clients directly, we offer guidance to parents, grandparents, therapists, teachers, siblings, school staff, babysitters etc.
Therapeutic Approach to Growth
http://tagforgrowth.com
[email protected]
(858) 689-2027 |
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| Special Benefit Event for Unscripted Learning |
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You are invited to a special benefit event for Unscripted Learning and our CONNECTIONS program on Saturday, December 14th at 2:00 p.m.
The event will feature a wine/appetizer reception on our patio, followed by a performance by the students in our Connections program. It will be a very fun...and funny, afternoon.
Tickets are $45 with all proceeds benefitting Unscripted Learning. https://unscriptedlearning.org/benefit-performance/
We hope to see you there! |
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| Holiday Central San Diego Family Pool and Pizza Party |
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Friday, December 13, 2019 at 6 PM - 8 PM
Aqua Pros Swim School
4635 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, California 92117
Join us for our Holiday Pool Party on December 13th - Santa will be joining us, and will have goodie bags for the kids! We will be serving our usual pizza but ask that families bring cookies to share for this holiday celebration.
Bring the entire family to enjoy a swim in an indoor, heated pool with free pizza and drinks. Lifeguards are provided. For safety purposes, no flotation devices or "floaties" are permitted. A special thank you to Aqua Pros for making this event possible. RSVPs are greatly appreciated!
** Admission is free but a $5 donation per family is appreciated to help cover the cost of the food and venue.
** For the safety of your children, we ask that you do not enter the pool area until 6:00 pm.
For more information, please visit our website at www.autismsocietysandiego.org |
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| Unlocking the Mystery of the Special Needs Trust |
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Featuring the expertise of Mary L. Waltari Esq., attorney in estate planning, first and third party special needs trusts as well as conservatorships.
Join us by registering at https://www.myspecialneedsconnection.com/sd-webinar
The webinar will be held on Tuesday December 10th at 12:00 noon and will repeat Thursday December 12th at 7:00 pm. |
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| Jungle Poppins Debuts Second Album for Christmas at Helia Brewing Co. |
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Bandmates With and Without Autism Showcase Radical Inclusion
Jungle Poppins, a local band with three musicians on the autism spectrum, will release their Christmas CD from 6 to 8 p.m. on December 5 at Helia Brewing Co. in Vista.
Anything but average, Jungle Poppins lets music upstage autism. The band is a shining example of radical inclusion-- members with and without autism playing music they love. Three band members Brendan Kerr, Ethan Marr and Reid Moriarty are on the autism spectrum. Guitarist Steven Crowle, who is not on the autism spectrum, plays for several other bands including Young Guns, Wish and the Well, and Shane Shipley.
Opening for Jungle Poppins at the event will be special guest and friend of the band, Boaz Roberts known for his surf-jazz guitar stylings.
Jungle Poppins' Christmas album features rock renditions of "Jingle Bell Rock," "Rudolph," and "Feliz Navidad" as well as a novel version of "Christmas Time is Here" featuring spoken word by Ethan Marr.
Lead singer, Reid Moriarty, co-wrote two new originals for the release. "No Snow in San Diego" is a collaboration with famed children's artist Steve Denyes of Hullabaloo. "When Moriarty approached me about co-writing a song, I was thrilled," said Denyes. "Reid and I wrote 'No Snow in San Diego' in about an hour, to reflect our shared love for the beach any time of year."
Moriarty also co-wrote "Santa Joined Jungle Poppins" with music therapist, Esther Hood who plays trumpet on several of the tracks. The original describes a spontaneous and irresistible idea Reid had, in which Santa picks up a horn and joins the band. Illustrious saxophonist Christopher Hollyday brought this to life on the recording.
Admission to Helia Brewing is free and there is no cover. Food trucks will be on site. Additionally, CDs will be available for $10 each, as well as band t-shirts. Jungle Poppins music is available on Spotify, iTunes, CDBaby and wherever you listen to music.
For more information or to book the band, contact [email protected] or visit Instagram or Facebook @JunglePoppins. |
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| Sensory-Friendly: How the Grinch Stole Christmas |
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The Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park has a sensory-friendly performance of Dr. Seuss's "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" & a $10 discount for returning guests! The show is Saturday, Dec.14th at 10:30am.
For tickets, please call the Ticket Office at (619) 234-5623 and say "FRIENDLY" or use this link: https://www.theoldglobe.org/reserve/index.aspx?performanceNumber=17702
PLUS, come early to enjoy AXIS-a FREE event on the Copley Plaza before the show! Our second consecutive year of this special free AXIS event will include a pre-show concert by "Banding Together" as well as singing, improv, and a sensory-friendly workshop by actor and teacher Samantha Ginn. These exciting opportunities make the sensory-friendly Grinch even more inclusive! |
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| ASD Mornings at the NAT |
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The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) is pleased to offer a program for the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) community: a once-a-month ASD Morning in which the Museum opens early for adults and children on the autism spectrum and their families, friends, and caregivers. This innovative program encourages individuals to explore, play, and discover the treasures The Nat has to offer in an environment that is comfortable for them.
ASD Mornings take place the second Sunday of every month. The Museum will open at 9 AM*, one hour earlier than its standard 10 AM opening time, providing a quiet and less-crowded environment for visitors to explore the Museum's galleries at their own pace. In addition, on ASD Mornings the Museum will offer a "quiet room" from 9 AM to noon if visitors need a quiet space to decompress or desensitize. General admission rates apply during ASD Mornings.
www.sdnhm.org
877.946.7797
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| Autism Accessibility Morning at the Fleet! |
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The third Saturday of every month, Fleet invites the Autism Spectrum Community to enjoy our museum through this special opportunity. Adults and families with children with autism can enjoy the Fleet's exhibit galleries in a quieter setting, an hour before regular open hours to the general public and with access to a special cool-off space. Visitors are welcome to stay and enjoy the museum all day. Admission includes a special IMAX film screening at 10 a.m. with the house lights on and a lower soundtrack volume.
For more information, visit www.fleetscience.org/events/autism-accessibility-mornings.
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| Everyone Deserves a Loving Home |
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| Autism Through the Lifespan |
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Please RSVP for Spanish Translation support
For further information, please contact:
Carolyn Carterette, M.A. (619) 725-8080 email: [email protected]
Grace Fantaroni, Ed.D. (619) 563-2839 email [email protected]
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| Therapeutic Recreation Services - Winter Calendar 2019 |
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Here is the TRS Newsletter for Winter of 2019.
First day of registration is Saturday, November 16th at 10:00 a.m.
You may register online or at our office at the War Memorial Building (3325 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101). If you plan on paying at the office, please remember we no longer take cash as a payment.
If you have any questions, please contact the office at (619) 525-8247.
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| Learn About RDI in San Diego! |
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| Learn About RDI in Carlsbad! |
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| TAG Temecula Info Session Online Webinar Every Month |
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| Toddler MRI Study at SDSU |
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Our Center's research arm, the Brain Development Imaging Labs, is conducting a fascinating study looking at how young children's brains change as they get older. We are looking for kids (15 months to 5 years old) who are on the spectrum or who are suspected to have autism. Participants get a free assessment (plus assessment summary), free MRI scan, $150, AND a free picture of their brain!
For more info or to sign up, please call us at 619-594-2500 or email us at [email protected]. Thank you! http://autism.sdsu.edu
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| Participate in SPARK at UCSD |
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UC San Diego's Autism Center of Excellence is seeking individuals diagnosed with ASD and their biological family members to participate in SPARK, the largest national genetics research project in US history! The SPARK study aims to gain a better understanding of the causes and potential treatments of autism by building a cohort of 50,000 diagnosed individuals to facilitate research on an unprecedented scale. There is NO cost to participate in the study and it can even be completed without leaving the house!
What we do
SPARK researchers extract genetic data through a saliva sample and analyze information collected from thousands of people with autism and their biological parents. UCSD and over 20 of the nation's leading medical schools are part of this effort.
How to join*
1. Sign up online at
www.sparkforautism.org/ucsd.sarrc -- registration typically takes about 20 minutes. Using this link connects you to our site, which enables us to better follow up with you if you encounter any issues or have specific questions.
2. Complete a few questionnaires online.
3. Provide a saliva sample. A saliva collection kit will be sent directly to your home after registration. When you are done, simply mail it back in the prepaid mailer.
Benefits of joining
1. Individuals with autism will receive gift cards valued at up to a total of $50 for participation.
2. SPARK hosts monthly webinars, featuring psychologists, researchers, or speakers from the autism community, that provide useful information for families and individuals with autism.
3. If a genetic finding is discovered related to the cause of autism, results will be shared back with families.
4. The information you provide may help others with ASD for generations to come!
*Our site also offers the option for home appointments where a member of our SPARK team can come to your home and assist you in the registration process, collect the saliva samples, and mail them in for you! This is typically the preferred method for families as everything gets completed at once. Please note that we ask that both biological parents and individual diagnosed with ASD be present for these appointments. We can accommodate a variety of dates and times outside normal business hours on the weekdays or weekends -- whichever is most convenient for you and your family! Alternatively, we can also schedule in-clinic appointments at our office if that is preferred.
You can visit our SPARK FAQ page for additional details. Please contact us via email at [email protected] or via phone at 858-534-6906 if you would like to set up an appointment or if you have any questions!
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| Older Adults with Autism (40-75 yrs old) Needed for Study |
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We are looking for older adults with autism (40-75 yrs old) to be in our brain imaging study! Anyone with a diagnosis or suspects that she or he has autism is invited to reach out to us. Participants receive a free assessment, free MRI brain scan, and around $150! If you know anyone who might be interested in this, please have them email
[email protected] or call us at 619-594-0176. Thank you!
http://autism.sdsu.edu
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| SDSU Center for Autism Brain Study Needs Volunteers! |
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The SDSU Center for Autism is conducting a behavioral and brain imaging study with youth (7-21 years old) on the spectrum. We are trying to understand how the brain changes as children become young adults.
Participants get a free assessment, a free MRI scan, about $150, and a free picture of their brain! If you are interested, call us at 619-594-0176, or email us at
[email protected]. Thank you!
http://autism.sdsu.edu
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