UM-NSU CARD: Week of October 8, 2007

[Guest guest]

Muñoz wrote: NEXT WEEK AT October 8, 2007 UM-NSU CARD: Broward Teen Time (Middle School) (NSU Satellite) Facilitators: Roselione & Grana Time: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm For more information please call: October 11, 2007 UM-NSU CARD: “Diagnostic Assessment & Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders” (UM Campus) Presenter: Dana Almond, MSP-CCC/SLP & Gould, Psy.D. Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm For more information please call: *********OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS********* Join the Book club and let the adventure begin…… The Book Club: Supporting Literacy Group will provide middle school aged students with high-functioning autism or Asperger’s with a fun and comfortable setting for the development of literacy and perspective taking skills. The group will blend together themes from the first book of the Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling and the exiting world of

Ernest Drake’s Dragonology . These series offer high interest materials and the opportunity to scaffold comprehension and perspective taking skills with characters that are already familiar to the students. The group will meet once a week and will include activities such as group and independent reading, role playing characters in the series, creating comic strip versions of the main events, building model settings from the books, and ending each meeting with a chance to engage in the Dragonology boardgame. Target group: 5th - 8th grade students with high-functioning Autism or Asperger’s who want to share a fun reading experience! *To fully benefit from the group activities students will need to have a 6th grade reading level or

above. Students will need to provide a copy of their Scholastic Reading Inventory. The group will focus on students experiencing difficulties in the area of reading comprehension. Dates: Every Wednesday from September 19th - December 5th from 4:30 to 5:45pm (There will be no group on November 21st) To schedule an initial screening for the group please contact M. Morcate at or mmarill@.... M-DCPS Autism Task Force Meeting Miami-Dade County Public Schools Autism Task Force is holding a TOWN HALL MEETING TONIGHT 7:30 PM Miami Children's Hospital in the Main Auditorium 3100 S.W. 62 Ave. Miami, Florida 33155 Alessandri from UM-NSU CARD will be facilitating this meeting. Autism: The Musical Nova Southeastern University's Mailman Segal Institute has created an exciting new partnership with the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival! As part of this year's 2007 film festival line up, Autism: The Musical will be screened at the Miniaci Performing Arts Center on Sunday,

October 21 at 2 pm and a portion of the ticket sales will be donated to the Baudhuin Preschool PTO! General Admission tickets will be sold for $15/seat. Tickets may be purchased immediately on-line through www.fliff.com Once you are on the site, click on "SCHEDULE", scroll down to October 21/ Autism: The Musical/ Buy Tickets. It was the winner of the audience award at the Newport International Film Festival and was also an Official Selection at the Tribeca Film

Festival. Film Synopsis: In 1980, autism was a relatively rare disorder, diagnosed in one in 10,000 children in the United States. Now it is one in 150.Opening to an immediate contrast of hope and despair, AUTISM: THE MUSICAL counters today's bleak statistics with one woman's optimistic pledge to lead a group of autistic children in defying diagnosed expectations by writing, rehearsing and performing their own full-length musical.Following five Los Angeles children over the course of six months, director Tricia Regan captures the struggles and triumphs of their family lives and observes how this musical production gives these performers a comfort zone “often for the first time“ in which they can explore their creative sides.Both on and off stage, AUTISM: THE MUSICAL as a

call-to-arms, bringing attention to a modern-day epidemic, all the while celebrating the way the human spirit can overcome any challenge. Reviews:"AUTISM: THE MUSICAL, an upbeat documentary about putting on a musical for, with and by autistic children, proves as riveting as it is revelatory... Amazingly candid.. Moving, dramatic...downright joyous" Variety, 4/30/07* AUTISM: THE MUSICAL, has been filling up theatres, picking up awards, and garnering standing ovations since it's premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in April. It just played to sold out audiences in Seattle, where the Seattle Times called it "a remarkable film...a revelatory character study, with all the joy and heartbreak you'd expect from a Hollywood tearjerker." They

gave it three and a half stars (out of four) and said "It's a film that everyone should see."** The New York Times called it "a marvelous new documentary" and HBO agreed - acquiring the film for an April '08 broadcast premiere.*** It is on the watch list -- and you have a rare opportunity to see it during its appearance at the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival. Autism Speaks Video Clips: TAKE A LOOK!!! Please click on the link below: http://www.autismspeaks.org/video/index.php Kinetic Kids, Inc.

& FIU Dear Families and Friends, Kinetic Kids, Inc. in association with Florida International University, is proud to announce that for the next year, we will be providing FREE therapy groups for children of all ages on the autism spectrum at our pediatric teaching clinic on

the main campus of Florida International University. We are able to do so courtesy of a generous grant awarded by the Children’s Trust. We are now trying to fill our community integration group where there are a few seats still open! Please review the details below: Group 3: Community Integration Ages 10 and up: This group will create an encouraging atmosphere, while maintaining a primary focus on functioning in social and community environments. In the Community Integration Group we will foster skills that promote success in school and at home such as the ability to perform given tasks, and interact appropriately. The following activities will be addressed: money management, time management, maintaining and choosing a healthy lifestyle, socialization skills, maintaining friendships, doing household chores, dining out and exercise. Three outings will be conducted on the FIU Campus including an outing to the FIU Bookstore, the FIU Recreation Complex

and the FIU Dining Facility. The group will be held on Thursdays from 6:30 – 7:30 (except for Thanksgiving) and on one additional Saturday for a community outing (date to be determined). To enroll your child in our community integration group kindly contact Kinetic Kids at or email jgober01@... You may also contact us about our other exciting groups which have been booked for this session but will be offered again shortly. M-DCPS and The Parent Academy Events Miami-Dade County Public Schools Pre-kindergarten Program for Children with Disabilities & The Parent Academy Present Positive Parenting Practices for Young Children with Autism and Other Developmental Delays

Location: Pre-kindergarten Program for Children with Disabilities 5555 SW 93 Avenue Time:

6:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M. Wednesday, October 10, 2007 Teaching Children to Follow Directions Wednesday, October 17, 2007 Introduction to Reinforcement Wednesday, October 24, 2007 How to Use Reinforcement Wednesday, November 7, 2007 Planning Activities to Increase Desired Behaviors Wednesday, November 14, 2007 Responding to Undesirable Behaviors Wednesday, November 28, 2007 Deciding What to Teach Wednesday, December 5,

2007 Encouraging Communication Wednesday, December 12, 2007 Teaching New Skills It is important that parents attend all of the workshops. To register, please call Dolores Mendoza, Supervisor, 305 271-5701 or email at dmendoza@... Behavioral Disorders in Children & Adults with Autism EP LiveOnline - a joint venture of Exceptional Parent Magazine and Vemics, Inc. continues it's series of interactive online seminars specifically for Military Medical Personnel, Civilian Health Care Professionals, Families and Caregivers. This FREE 4 part series, concludes with 2 sessions dedicated to Children and Adults with Autism. Click here to register for these sessions: http://tinyurl.com/ypog3h Autism Program Part I: The Early Warning Signs, Diagnosis, Intervention, Treatment and Management of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Infants, Children, and Young Adults. October 17, 2007 at 7:00pm Eastern Time Autism Program Part II: Psychosocial Issues That Impact on the Overall Management of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children and Young Adults. October 24, 2007 at 7:00pm Eastern time Or for more information about this program, please enjoy this video postcard from Joe Valenzano. Turn up your speakers and click here to

listen: http://tinyurl.com/2dmv7j CME Category 1 Accreditation for physicians only: Provided at no cost to participants who

qualify. Behavior Analysis, Inc. Behavior Analysis, Inc. is pleased to announce a one-day workshop on “Teaching Language and Communication Skills to Children with Autism and Related Disorders” in Tampa on October 12,

2007. The presenter is Mr. Shaw, MS, BCBA. Mr. Shaw is a dynamic and engaging speaker with many years of experience supervising language training programs. He will provide participants with first-hand know-how to help them set-up the most appropriate teaching program for a child with ASD. He will review motivational factors, selecting the best communication method, and state-of-the-art teaching techniques. The workshop will be held at the Tampa USF Embassy Suites at 3705 Spectrum Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612. Six (6) continuing education credits will be provided to BCABA and BCBAs for an

additional fee. Help for the Special Needs Community in Broward County Nicky’s Place Preschool'Special Care for Special Kids' For 2-5 year olds with Autism - ADD - Down Syndrome - ADHD - C. Palsy As parents of a boy with autism, we have experienced many of the same issues you face daily in raising your special needs child. We started this school as not just a place where they would be accepted, but as a school that will help them reach their potential. Once a child is diagnosed with a developmental disorder, it is critical to get professional help as quickly as possible. A newly diagnosed 2 year-old who receives therapy and is cared for by specially trained educators stands a much better chance of success than a diagnosed 2 year-old in a daycare. The education and experience level of our teachers and assistants far exceeds those found in a typical preschool. Our staff will understand your child's issues and, using proven techniques, help them

overcome their issues and excel at their given talents. What we offer: · Low student/teacher ratios · Highly trained, ESE experienced staff · Behavior modification · Positive redirection techniques · Parent support group · Social skills training · Aftercare for elementary grades (coming soon) · On-site therapists (coming soon) Invite your mail contacts to join your friends list with Windows Live Spaces. It's easy! Try it! For more information: Go to www.nickysplace.com Come see us at 7150 W. McNab

Road, Tamarac 33321 Conveniently located in the heart of West Central Broward County between Atlantic and Commercial Boulevards. Just east of University Drive at Brookwood Plaza, 7150 W. McNab Road, Tamarac. *If you would like to be added to our email list or if you would like to be removed from our email list, please send an email to: jamunoz@... UM-NSU CARD is a state-funded resource and support program dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with autism and related disabilities including deaf-blindness and pervasive developmental disorders. UM-NSU CARD does not endorse specific programs or points of view presented in this email.

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