Dr. Tony Attwood International Authority on Asperger’s

Dr. Tony Attwood is the world’s foremost authority in Asperger’s Syndrome and he is coming to Orlando in October! – Aspergers Syndrome: Social Skills, Behaviors & Emotions

Dr. Tony Attwood will present Aspergers Syndrome: Social Skills, Behaviors and Emotions on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Double Tree Hotel, 5780 Major Blvd, Orlando, FL. The registration fee is $130. CEU approval pending.

By attending, participants can:

• Improve social understanding among individuals with Asperger’s & their peers
• Implement strategies to reduce bullying and teasing
• Help students manage anxiety, anger, and other emotions
• Recognize abilities and challenges in girls with Aspergers
• Utilize special interests to foster education
• Responsibly & effectively advise individuals with Asperger’s on friendships & relationships

Conference registration available on-line:
www.ucf-card.org or
www.pals-ucfcard.org
for more information:
Voice 888-558-1908
or
Voice 407-823-6001

More info on Dr. Attwood: www.tonyattwood.com.au

UCF CARD – What is CARD?

Florida is home to many individuals with autism and related disabilities. In response to the needs of these people and their families, seven regional, nonresidential resource centers have been established at the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida/Gainesville, the University of Florida Health Science Center/Jacksonville, the University of South Florida, the University of Miami and Florida State University and Florida Atlantic University. The University of Central Florida Center for Autism and Related Disabilities provides services within the geographical region which includes Orange, Lake, Osceola, Sumter, Brevard, Volusia, and Seminole Counties.

The Center serves both children and adults of all levels of intellectual functioning who have autism, pervasive developmental disorders, autistic-like disabilities, dual sensory impairments, or sensory impairments with other disabling conditions. Our primary focus is to provide individualized, direct assistance to these individuals and their families. Services include technical assistance and consultation, professional training programs and public education activities. CARD services are designed to build on the capacities of state and local resources, not to duplicate or replace them. The Center is funded by the Florida Legislature through the Florida Department of Education and all services are provided free of charge.

The Center’s offices are located at the University of Central Florida. A constituency board comprised of family members representing persons with autism and related disabilities meets quarterly with the Center staff to provide guidance on policies, priorities and activities.

CARD is founded on the strong belief that:

• All people, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, have the right to live as full participants in society.
• All people have the right to be treated with dignity and understanding.
• People with disabilities are members of families. All families have strengths and capacities and have the right to be treated with sensitivity and respect, and as integral members of a person’s system of support.
• People with autism and related disabilities have the right to be regarded as individuals who need services and supports that are based on their unique characteristics

Florida es el hogar de muchos individuos con autismo y condiciones relacionadas. En respuesta a las necesidades de estas personas y sus familiares, seis centros regionales de recursos no residenciales han sido establecidos en la Universidad Central de Florida, la Universidad de Florida/Gainesville, la Universidad de Florida Centro de Salud y Ciencias/ Jacksonville, la Universidad del Sur de Florida, la Universidad de Miami y la Universidad del Estado de Florida. La Universidad Central de Florida – Centro para Autismo y Condiciones Relacionadas provee servicios dentro de la región geográfica de los Condados de Orange, Lake, Osceola, Sumter, Brevard, Volusia y Seminole.

El Centro ofrece servicios tanto a niños como adultos de todos los niveles de funcionamiento intelectual que tengan autismo, Desorden Disperso Inespecífico del Desarrollo (PDD-NOS, siglas en inglés), discapacidades con tendencias autísticas, impedimentos de dualidad sensorial o impedimentos sensoriales con otras condiciones relacionadas. Nuestro enfoque primordial es el de proveer asistencia directa e individualizada a estos individuos y a sus familias. Los servicios incluyen asistencia y consulta técnica, programas de entrenamiento profesional y actividades educativas al público. Los servicios de CARD están diseñados para construir en base a la capacidad del estado y los recursos locales, no para duplicarles o sustituirles. El Centro es financiado por la Legislatura de la Florida por medio del Departamento de Educación de la Florida y todos los servicios ofrecidos son gratuitos.

Las oficinas del Centro están localizadas en la Universidad Central de la Florida. Una junta directiva constitutita por miembros de familias de individuos con autismo o condiciones relacionadas se reúne cada tres meses con el personal del Centro para proporcionar guía direccional en pólizas, prioridades y actividades.

CARD se basa en la firme creencia de que:

• Toda persona, independientemente de sus habilidades o discapacidades, tiene el derecho de vivir plenamente como participante de la sociedad.
• Las personas con discapacidades son miembros de familias.
• Toda familia tiene sus destrezas y capacidades, además de tener el derecho a ser tratada con sensibilidad, respeto y como miembro integral del sistema de apoyo del individuo.
• Toda persona tiene el derecho de ser tratada con dignidad y entendimiento.

(source ucf-card.org)

Famous People and ASD

Daryl Hannah has said that early in her career she would not go on talk shows or to premieres and that attending the Academy Awards was painful for her.

Daryl Hannah – actress known for her roles in  Blade Runner, Kill Bill and Splash was diagnosed as a child as being borderline autistic, Christopher Knowles – poet,  Matthew Laborteaux – actor on Little House on the Prairie, Jasmine O’Neill- author of Through the Eyes of Aliens, Sue Rubin – subject of documentary Autism Is a World, Birger Sellin – author from Germany, Robert Gagno – actor from Vancouver, Craig Nicholls – frontman of the band The Vines, Gary Numan – British singer and songwriter, Dawn Prince-Hughes – PhD, primate anthropologist, ethologist, and author of Songs for the Gorilla Nation, Judy Singer – Australian disability rights activist , Vernon L. Smith – Nobel Laureate in Economics, Satoshi Tajiri – creator of Pokémon, Liane Holliday Willey – author of Pretending to be Normal, Asperger Syndrome in the Family, Asperger syndrome advocate, education professor, Michelle Dawson – autism researcher and autism rights activist who has made ethical challenges to Applied Behavior Analysis, Temple Grandin – a designer of humane food animal handling systems, Hikari Oe – Japanese composer, Bhumi Jensen – Thai prince, grandson of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, Dylan Scott – Pierce, wildlife illustrator, Jim Sinclair – autism rights activist, Donna Williams – Australian author of Nobody Nowhere and Somebody Somewhere, Stephen Wiltshire – British architectural artist, Axel Brauns – German author of the autobiographical bestseller Buntschatten und Fledermause and filmmaker.

Possible ASD Suspects:

Albert Einstein – “suspect” – died before autism and Asperger’s Syndrome were recognized as conditions, so the possibility that he had Asperger’s Syndrome is speculation. Einstein had difficulties with social skills, which is a characteristic of Asperger’s Syndrome, but that would not be enough to diagnose Asperger’s Syndrome. Einstein could not speak fluently at the age of nine (language delays are common in children with high functioning autism) and he had some other characteristics of Asperger’s Syndrome. Albert Einstein provided the theory of relativity and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.

Benjamin Franklin “suspect” -  considered to be one of the most important of the founding fathers of our country.  He was a theorist, author, politician, scientist, activist, and diplomat.  His scientific contributions included physics, discovery of electricity, and theories regarding electricity as well as the first head of the post office.  Indicating the potential need for rigid rule and order, with sorting tendencies.  Benjamin Franklins peers did not give him the assignment of writing the Declaration of Independence because they feared that he would conceal a joke in it.

Isaac Newton “suspect” – dropped out of school as a teenager.  A person with Asperger�s may not be able to accept rules in school if they appear illogical, pursuing a point or argument as a matter of principle, which can lead to a significant conflict with teachers and school authorities.

Unique Farm Experience for Children with Autism/Aspergers

Pennyhooks Farm is a beautiful, small organic beef farm situated on the Oxfordshire/Wiltshire border that has been owned by the Otter family for over 50 years. The Pennyhooks Project began 5 years ago and provides a unique experience to young people who have Autism/Aspergers Syndrome. The peaceful rural setting, supportive environment and the opportunity to have hands on experience in the running of a working farm as part of a team, provides a wealth of opportunity for personal growth and development.We offer the Countryside Stewardship Course, accredited by the OCN, with modules in:

• Animal Husbandry

• Conservation

• Leisure & Recreation

• Personal Development, Health & Safety

Further relevant life skills courses may also be available.

“Our aim is to provide a welcoming, accepting & interesting environment. We believe in our students and know that success leads to success. We give whatever support is required until students are able and confident enough to take part by themselves”.

We focus on developing the social and life skills that foster this independence, ensuring that all students reach their maximum potential and are helped to prepare for adult life.

A typical day at Pennyhooks Farm includes caring for the animals, conservation work on the water meadows and walks on the farm.

Practical activity is enhanced by the use of picture/word worksheets that are created to allow students with all levels of communication skills to participate.

Much care has gone into the design of the newly completed purpose built facility to ensure that the environment is peaceful, homely and safe.

Pennyhooks Project is managed by Lydia Otter, a Special Needs Teacher and Richard Hurford who is an experienced Probation Service Officer and Pennyhooks Farm Manager. They work with experienced and empathetic staff trained to support students and their families. Parents and carers are encouraged to participate in all aspects of a student’s experience at the Farm and are always welcome to visit.

The service is open to young people who have Autism Spectrum Disorder. The programme operates on all weekdays with students attending either daily or weekly, depending on their needs.

The courses run were developed by the Northmoor Trust and are accredited by the Open Colleges Network. We are members of the Soil Association, CLA & NFU and also of a group of like-minded people who are involved in Care in the Countryside that is headed by the Arthur Rank Centre.

Our service is tailored to meet the needs of individuals and we welcome further enquiries.

Pennyhooks Project
Pennyhooks Farm
Shrivenham
Wilts
SN6 8EX
info@pennyhooks-project.co.uk

http://www.pennyhooks.com

Ipod Application for Aspergers

Using iPods to Help Kids with Asperger’s Disorder

The Fraser program that utilizes iPod technology to assist individuals with Asperger’s Disorder. Fraser staff creates stories and visual strategies that are individualized to each client’s needs and teaches families how to create and load these onto iPods so that clients have these resources with them across settings. Clients typically bring their own iPods to Fraser as Fraser
does not have iPods to give to clients.

If you would like more information about this program, call 612-728-5399 x455 or email ipod@fraser.org. Please leave your name and address if you are interested in attending a workshop on this topic. Leave your name and telephone number if you need further information from Fraser staff. Given the high volume of inquiries we are receiving, we will return your call within 1-2 weeks. You can also go to www.fraser.org for further information about Fraser and the services provided.

We applaud this creative use of technology and hope others will follow this trend by devising new and innovative applications, devices and interfaces for people afflicted with this disorder.

About Fraser A Nationally Renowned Minnesota Nonprofit
Since 1935, Fraser has been helping children, adolescents and adults in the greater Twin Cities area reach their potentials.

One of the largest community resources of its kind, Fraser offers a lifelong spectrum of services:

• diagnostic evaluations

• comprehensive mental health services including individual and group therapy

• rehabilitation services including physical, occupational, speech-language, and music therapy

• child care and education for children with typical needs and special needs

• housing for adults and children with developmental disabilities

• workshops and seminars for parents, caregivers and professionals

Fraser is consistently rated a top nonprofit by the Charities Review Council of Minnesota, an independent organization that advocates for strong, accountable, ethical nonprofits.