Monthly Milestones | MARCH 2019

Milestones Autism Resources Selected as Local Ohio Family Network
Milestones Autism Resources is proud to announce that we have been selected to participate in the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities' (DODD) Ohio Family Network project.

The Ohio Family Network, or OFN, will connect people with disabilities and their families to local information and resources within their communities. With a focus on the local level, it will provide tools and support resources to help grow people's leadership and social skills, as well as offer opportunities for families to make connections with other local families.

To facilitate the Ohio Family Network, DODD awarded more than $500,000 in grant funding over an 18-month period to five entities from across the state: Autism Society of Greater Akron, Center for Disability Empowerment, Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio, The Family Leadership Network of Starfire, and Milestones Autism Resources.

As OFN members, the involved organizations will provide resources for people with disabilities throughout 17 counties; Milestones' work will target Cuyahoga County, Lake County and Ashtabula County. OFN members will be identifying the needs of local families so they can connect them with helpful resources based on those needs. Members will also leverage the knowledge, diversity, and current strengths of their communities.

For more information about the Ohio Family Network and the organizations involved, please click here .
Need a specific resource? Want to learn more about our services? Contact the Milestones free Helpdesk with your questions!
Milestones Community Calendar


Looking for a certain kind of event or program? Visit our community calendar each month to find events and supports in your area.

Strike It Big for Milestones!
Sunday, March 15, 11am-4pm
There is still time to make a team!

Join us at Strike It Big for Milestones to support the local autism community. This family-friendly event includes bowling, lunch, face
painting and more!

Your generous efforts enable Milestones to continue offering our free autism Helpdesk, a service that allows families to connect with professional staff for personal guidance, local resources and individualized information at each stage of their child’s development.
CURRENT TOP FUNDRAISERS:
Pines Team
Taylor Strikers
Adam's Army
Team Talia
Team Rudolph
Your efforts will have a lasting impact on Milestones and the autism community of Northeast Ohio.
Thank you!
2020 session announcement coming soon!

Stay tuned for the full 2020 session schedule at milestones.org. Milestones is proud to provide brand-new, innovative sessions this year from autism experts, family members and self-advocates
from across the nation.

SPRING SPECIAL: The Spring Special rate is now in effect. Register by April 30
to save on your 2020 registration!

NEW FOR 2020! Roll up your sleeves and get ready to participate in our new hands-on learning sessions! Leave these Make & Take workshops with materials you can begin using
right away at home and school.
Together We Can Art Exhibit - Applications are now LIVE

Milestones Autism Resources is looking for artists on the spectrum, ages 15 and above, who create art to be showcased at the Milestones National Autism Conference. The art exhibit will offer the opportunity for artists to meet conference attendees and sell their work.

Milestones will accept: paintings, printmaking, drawings, photography, pottery, ceramics and sculptures. Learn more here or click the button to apply!

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: MAY 30
Nominate your autism hero!
DEADLINE: MARCH 15

Milestones is still seeking nominations in the following categories:

Together We Can! Lifetime Achievement
Corporate Innovation
Family Tribute

Nominate a difference maker who has gone above and beyond to receive a 2020 Milestones Achievement Award. Honorees will receive their award June 11-12 at the conference.
Featured Events
UH Seminar Series: Sleep & Preschool Issues in ASD
Wednesday, March 18

This series is designed to improve understanding of the medical, behavioral, social, sensory, and educational issues related to ASD. An emphasis will be placed on practical intervention techniques. Presenters are local and national experts in the field of autism.
Connecting for Kids
Meet & Greet
Wednesday, April 8

This free, public event is designed for families looking for local resources, therapies, after-school programs and summer camps for their child (with or without a diagnosis). Participants can visit with 70+ organizations to discuss services and explore program options.
Milestones’ Strike It Big provides community of support to families
For parents who receive an autism diagnosis, developing and maintaining a supportive network for themselves and their family can make all the difference.

Milestones Board member and father to four, Jon Dittrich, knows this firsthand, and shares how attending Strike It Big can provide a sense of community to families who may be looking to connect with other parents, self-advocates and helpful resources in their area.
Milestones Provides Police Training to First Responders
In February, Milestones Autism Resources partnered with the Warrensville Heights and Garfield Heights Police Department to provide valuable autism training to first responders.

Program Director Beth Thompson and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator Salina Miller met with groups of officers over the course of multiple days to teach those in attendance about autism spectrum disorder and provided practical strategies for identifying autism and engaging with self-advocates on the job.

With this training, Milestones believes local police departments will be better equipped to support and effectively engage with individuals on the spectrum.
Productive Patience - Making the Most of Your Wait for an Autism Diagnosis
Over the past several years, autism rates have steadily climbed to one in 59 children having a formal diagnosis. There are many reasons for this, ranging from increased public knowledge of autism to a greater availability of medical and related service providers. However, to a family seeking a formal medical diagnosis, the wait can feel like an eternity.

So what are families to do? Early Intervention/School Age Coordinator Nathan Morgan, MSSA, LSW, shares his tips for how to make the most as you wait.
Remember Milestones as you shop on Amazon!

Visit   smile.amazon.com  and select Milestones Autism Resources as your charitable organization. The Amazon Smile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to Milestones. It costs you nothing extra to give!