Autism Connections

October 24-30 | Issue 83

In-Person

Programs this Week

Stay tuned for in-person programs next week!

Online

Programs this Week

Parent & Caregiver Support Group

Tuesday, October 25

7-8:30 p.m. ET

An online support group for caregivers and family members who have a loved one with autism.

Women Sharing Together

Thursday, October 27

1:30-3 p.m. ET

An online support group for women with autism and chronic physical health concerns. LGBTQ+ friendly.

Severe* Autism Parent & Caregiver Support Group

Thursday, October 27

7-8:30 p.m. ET

An online support group for parents/caregivers of children and adults who are significantly impacted by autism.

Teen Time Hangouts

Friday, October 28

5:30-7 p.m. ET

An online social program for teens 13-17 with autism to make friends, play games, hangout, and have fun.

Adult Game Night

Friday, October 28

7:30-9 p.m. ET

An online social program for adults with autism to talk, play a variety of games, and

have fun and lots of laughs!

Teens Exploring Engineering

Saturday, October 20

10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. ET

Teens, ages 14-17, will learn about being an engineer and participate in fun, hands-on STEM learning activities.

Adult Support Group

Sunday, October 30

6:30-8 p.m. ET

An online support group for adults with autism to share successes and concerns, to give and receive support, and to be a part of a community that understands.

Events Calendar

Don’t forget, we post our upcoming programs and other community events on our website calendar. Bookmark it to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in and around the community each month.

Remember to Register for Pumpkin Palooza!

We are almost 1 week into this year’s Pumpkin Palooza, and we already have 20+ donors, totaling over $2,000 donated so far! Thank you to everyone who has participated up to this point. We still have 4 full weeks of fundraising, so it’s not too late for you to sign up and set up your profile – the earlier you sign up, the more time you have to meet your goals! Just text PUMPKINPALOOZA to 71777, click the linked button below, or go to the Events page for instructions. Once you select the “Become a Fundraiser” button, you can choose your profile picture, set your fundraising goal, and tell your story. You can start or join a team at the “Join or Create a Team” button. If you have questions or want to get involved in a bigger way, contact Taylor Haag, Development & Marketing Director, at thaag@autismcincy.org or 513-561-2300 ext. 4.

Pumpkin Palooza Sign Up

Teens Exploring Engineering

Hey teens! Have you wondered what an engineer does? We are piloting a program with GE and The Kelly O'Leary Center to give teens (ages 14-17) an opportunity to learn about being an engineer and participate in fun, hands-on STEM learning activities. Space for this pilot program is limited. Families will be contacted about next steps after completing the application form.


First session is Saturday, October 29, so let us know your interest today!

Engineering Application Form

Women Sharing Together

Women Sharing Together is a twice-per-month online support group for women-identifying adults with autism and chronic physical health concerns. We meet on the second and fourth Thursday of the month 1:30-3 p.m. ET on Zoom. This is a place to talk about how our health impacts us, how we manage our spoons every day, why we mask as well as removing the mask, and the stressors women face every day. This group is LGBTQ+ friendly. If you are interested in joining this supportive group of women, you can register to receive a Zoom link and passcode at the linked button below; registration is only required once. Questions? Reach out to Hadia Khan, Program Director, by email at hkhan@autismcincy.org.

Women Sharing Together Link

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

Severe* Autism Support Group for Parents and Caregivers

Join other parents and caregivers of children and adults who are significantly impacted by autism to share experiences as caregivers, advocates, cheerleaders, teachers, detectives, and so much more during our support group.

 

The Severe* Autism Parent & Caregiver Support Group meets twice per month, once on the first Tuesday of the month at 9:30-11 a.m. ET for the AM session, and once on the fourth Thursday of the month at 7-8:30 p.m. ET for the PM session. All sessions are on Zoom. Our next online Zoom meeting is this Thursday, October 27 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Registration for these online sessions is only required once, since each AM or PM meeting will use the same link. If you plan to attend both the AM and PM sessions, you need to register twice, since the Zoom link will be different. Click the linked button below to view the Parent & Caregiver Support page on the ASGC site, which has both registration links.

 

*Severe. Profound. Significantly Impacted. These are just some of the terms used to describe people with autism who require the most intensive supports. We realize there is no consensus on how to best describe this segment of the spectrum because it is a complex issue involving multiple factors. The intention of this group is to help parents & caregivers have a space to talk through the challenges and successes of caring for someone with autism.

More About Severe* Autism Support Group

COMMUNITY CORNER

Sensory Friendly Mornings at CAC is on Saturday, October 29

The Contemporary Arts Center in downtown Cincinnati is hosting a sensory friendly morning on Saturday, October 29 from 9-10 a.m. ET. This month’s theme is Halloween Treat! Join in on the fun at the Lois & Richard Resenthal Center (44 E. 6th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202).


During this event, the Museum will be made extra welcoming to more sensitive guests. Families will be able to choose from a variety of activities and do them at whatever time they feel most comfortable. Documentation of diagnosis is not required. Participants will receive a sensory map and social narrative, and a sensory bag with fidgets, hearing protection and sunglasses. There will also be quiet space available, as well as seat cushions, weighted lap pads, and more.


This event is FREE but registration is required due to the limited size of the program. Make sure to head to their Sensory Friendly Morning site to register!

Register for Halloween Treat at the CAC

Great Oaks Project SEARCH Transitional Program 

Project SEARCH is a one-year transition-to-work program that prepares students with disabilities for employment. The immersive workplace training program combines classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on learning through actual business partner worksite rotations. Project SEARCH provides students with disabilities real-life work experience and employability training. Students also learn about independent-living skills needed to a successful transition to adult life. Students who complete the program can find employment in career paths that match their skills and interests, since it provides students with a variety of worksite experiences.

 

During the school year, students rotate through three non-paid internship sites to learn work skills needed for the world of work. The goal of Project SEARCH is that students will find and maintain competitive employment. The program is designed for students who are graduating or have already graduated from high school, with these eligibility criteria:

  • Is 18 – 21 years old
  • Student has an Individualized Education Program (IEP)
  • Student has met all academic requirements for graduation
  • Student needs extended learning services to prepare for transitioning to employment while diploma is held by school
  • Student qualifies for services with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD)
  • Student is able and willing to follow all host site employee guidelines
  • Students is able to pass site background checks
  • Student has updated immunizations per site requirements
  • Designed for students in the last year of school services in order to lead to employment

 

Eligible students should attend an onsite open house in November, information about which can be found by clicking the flyer above. Then, learn more by visiting the Project SEARCH site to schedule shadow visits at the host businesses. The Project SEARCH Application is online, and is due by February 7, 2023 to Great Oaks. Click the linked button below to learn more about Project SEARCH.

Project SEARCH Guide

Understanding Behavior in Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Educational Session

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital’s Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics is hosting an educational session on Understanding Behavior on Thursday, November 10, 2022 5-7 p.m. ET. Tickets are $10. On-site attendance is strongly encouraged, but a virtual attendance option via Zoom will be available. You can register at the linked button below, but please make sure you select the correct ticket option (Zoom attendees should select Online Participation Ticket, and in-person attendees should select In-Person Participation Ticket).

 

This course is designed for caregivers of children with developmental disabilities, particularly those with challenging behaviors. By the end of the session, attendees will understand the function of or reason that challenging behaviors may occur, and will learn how to manage challenge behaviors and encourage cooperation, compliance, and positive family interactions. For more information, contact DDBPFamilySupport@cchmc.org or call 513-636-2158.

Tickets for Understanding Behavior
DISCLAIMER: Autism Society Greater Cincinnati provides this information to the community as a resource. For more information on the above resource or training, please reach out directly to the contact listed. Inclusion of any professional or organization does not imply endorsement, and omission does not imply disapproval.
Autism Society Greater Cincinnati

513-561-2300
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