Candice Lange

Autism Spectrum DIVERSITY Group

Saturday, January 27, from 2-4:30 pm.
Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities, in Atlanta, Georgia

DIVERSITY group regularly meets the last Saturday of every month.
Mark your calendar for February 24, March 31, April 28, May 26 and so on.

Please come share your personal experiences, insights and observations. Join in finding solutions.

Bring your family, grandmother, Speech Therapist and Doctor to the Autism Spectrum DIVERSITY group.

Children of all ages welcome.

You are invited to the Yahoo group even if you can't get to Atlanta, to meet in person.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Autism_Spectrum_DIVERSITY_Group/

Click "Join this Group", Or send email Autism_Spectrum_DIVERSITY_Group-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

The Autism Spectrum DIVERSITY Group is not just for and about
children or even adults who know they have autism; it's for and about
everyone who wonders if they have traits as well.

Do you get overloaded?
Are you perhaps sensitive to sounds, light, smell or touch?
Is it nice for you to be alone, except that you wish you
had friends, or that you understood the people around you more?
Is it your dream to be married but you have no idea how
to make someone you are attracted to want you?
When you're performing a task, do you have trouble stopping?
Does having someone change plans in the middle upset you?

For More Information:
Linda Hull, 678-935-0227, llhull@babylon.d2dc.net.
ASAGA Vice President:
E. Scott Bales, Cell: 404-808-5497, Email: ScottBales@asaga.com.

Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities (AADD)
404-881-9777
www.aadd.org
Offices One Block East of Ansley Mall
1440 Dutch Valley Place, Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30324-5371

*FREE PARKING*
MARTA Rail Station NE 6 Lindbergh Center
MARTA Bus Route #27 Monroe Drive

NOTE: Turn LEFT onto Dutch Valley Way, RIGHT at the first
intersection. The 1 story brick building is on the LEFT,
turn into the parking lot and follow it around to the rear,
Ring the bell and ENTER at the door with the awning over it.

Plenty of FREE PARKING, GREAT SEATS, snacks, drinks and even TOYS!
We also have paper and crayons.

http://www.kidswishnetwork.com

- Wishes granted for children who may not live past 18.

Interfaith Disabilities Network at the Bobby Dodd Institute is conducting a survey. All answers will be compiled in an official report, “The State of Faith and Disability in Georgia.” It is their hope that this report will drive the change necessary to bridge the gap between the disability and faith communities. Thank you.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=105263028830

Any questions can be referred to Mark Crenshaw at Mark.Crenshaw@Bobbydodd.org

Autism Society of America-Greater Georgia Chapter is pleased to announce

“Autism 101”
Free Seminar and Resource Fair for Newly Diagnosed Families

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Sugarloaf Community Church
1401 Old Peachtree Road
Suwanee, GA 30024

Please copy and distribute this flyer to your doctors, therapists, schools, businesses, etc. to reach other families in need. Click on the DOWNLOAD FILE to print the actual flyer. Thank you.

Download file
(This may appear as a file on your desktop. One click per file copy.)

Special Needs Support Group
By FOCUS for families of children with special needs

Mall of Georgia
Chick-fil-A
(Outside Location Off of Hwy 20)

9:30 am

Last Thursday of Each Month
(January 25, February 22, March 29, April 26)

For more information contact:
Candice Lange 678-714-9447
Candice@sophtware.com
www.candicelange.com
Or
FOCUS at 770-234-9111
inquiry@focus-ga.org
www.focus-ga.org

FOCUS
When You Can't
Kiss & Make It
Better

Are you looking for more ideas on fundraising?

Here is a list of ideas used in the past by myself or other readers.

We have gotten funding before through our local electric/gas company through a round up program (Snapping Shoals). I have done a candle fundraiser which turned out fantastic through my son's school, door to door and through my church. I have several other ideas if you want to call me at any of the numbers below.

Juanita Rowe,
Lover of Christ, Wife of Tyson, Mother of Mitchell,
Parent Leader for FOCUS, Support Parent for Parent to Parent, Co-Chair of Newton/Rockdale Interagency Coordinating Council and Proud Owner of
SOAP Therapy Billing Service
130 Stephens Drive
Covington, GA 30016
Fax: 770-385-0205/0289
Cell: 770-605-5241

Gift Wrapping Fundraiser

In 2004, I ran a holiday gift wrap fundraiser at Borders at Mall of Georgia. For the best location and times, contact several months to six months in advance for November and December Scheduling. I scheduled it late in the season and received 5 quiet days but still made $500+ for the GECIC scholarships. Barnes & Noble also provides this service. All supplies are provided for free. It is important to have a group of people who you can count on to fill all the time slots given in order to keep the opportunity. This was also a great way to meet the public and share information about GECIC and special needs in the community.

Community Resources for Families of Children With Special Needs in Gwinnett County

Prepared by Maureen Klesmer, LCSW
GCPS School Social Worker, Oakland Center, 770-513-6831

The Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities
AADD has a great website that lists resource and referral information for parents, including information about community agencies that provide services to individuals with developmental disabilities, recreation, parent education, and other meaningful opportunities for children and adults.
www.aadd.org

Attorneys With Experience in Estate Planning for Families with a Developmentally Disabled Beneficiary
Stephanie E. Ceto 678-297-1151
Ruthann P. Lacey 770-939-4616
Laurin M. McSwain 404-231-9331
James B. Outman 404-521-2100
David P. Pollan 404-223-6181
G. William Thackston, Jr. 404-806-7684
Gary Zweifel 404-870-9111

Autism/DD Family Support Funding
This funding is limited and available to families of children with Autism and PDD or Asperger’s Syndrome. An application must be completed and documentation provided in order to be considered for approval. This may be based on both disability and family income.

Services that are funded might include: Counseling, Dental, Respite, O.T. and Speech
Contact: Georgia Community Supports and Solutions 404-634-4222 for an application

Benefits Navigator
This program works with individuals ages 14 – 18 in a School Work program, and individuals working age adults, ages 18 -65 who are applying for and/or receiving SSI, SSDI or both and who are or who may be considering work to better understand Federal and State work incentives and the interrelationship of these program when considering their options in reaching their vocational potential.
Trained Benefits Counselors work with people with disabilities who receive either SSI or SSDI based on a medical condition in their efforts to understand how benefits are effected by employment.
For more information, contact Sally Atwell or Curtis Rogers at 404-350-7589.

Children’s Medical Services
Children’s Medical Services (CMS) is a public health program providing medical care to low income children with specific handicapping conditions, from birth to age 21. CMS offers long-term care and therapy, along with case management services.
For information and referral, contact the Gwinnett Office at 770-339-9078.

Community Care/ SOURCE Programs
These programs are designed to help Medicaid eligible people who are functionally impaired and need medical attention to continue living in their homes and communities. They offer community-based care which include personal support services, in-home respite care, day care and supervision, and nursing services.
For additional information and to request services, please call the following numbers:
Community Care Intake Unit: 404-463-3244
SOURCE Program: 404-463-3248

The Deeming Waiver/Katie Beckett Waiver
This waiver program reduces the financial eligibility criteria for Medicaid. Families who have a disabled child with a chronic condition are eligible. The purpose of the waiver is to provide medical services for the child while helping the family care for their child at home.
To apply, contact the local Medicaid office within the Department of Family and Children Services.The telephone number for Gwinnett County DFCS is 678-518-5500. Listen for the prompt for Adult Medicaid/Katie Beckett.

This is a list of movies related to disabilities I found on Blockbuster website.
Please comment on your opinion of the movies and if they were worth watching.

Mozart and the Whale (2005)
Benny & Joon (1993)
David and Lisa (1962)
The Other Sister (1999)
I Am Sam (2001)
Mr. Rice's Secret (2000)
My Girl (1991)
Molly (1999)
Rain Man (1988)
Awakenings (1990)
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
Emmanuel's Gift (2004)
Good Luck (1996)
My Flesh and Blood (2002)
Who Are The DeBolts? (And Where Did They Get 19 Kids?) (1977)
How's Your News? (1999)
Running on the Sun: The Badwater 135 (2000)
Fielder's Choice (2005)
Door to Door (2002)
My Left Foot (1989)
A Science Odyssey: The Journey of a Century, Vol. 3 - In Search of Ourselves (1998)
First Do No Harm (1997)
Lorenzo's Oil (1992)
Mask (1985)
The Elephant Man (1980)

For a thorough list of therapy practices and other services in Gwinnett County log onto Parent to Parent http://www.parenttoparentofga.org/database.htm

Click on the large blue header called Special Needs Database.

Type of Service: Click on any service and type the first letter of the therapy you are searching. Scroll to the correct therapy and click on it.

Serves the geographic area of: Choose GWINNETT COUNTY

Show Info.: Choose one.
Detailed Information for all the information.
Brief Information for the company name, phone number and city.

Click on Perform Search.

This is a resource library that provides information to parents and professionals about any and all aspects of special education and community resources. There’s a very extensive collection of library materials available for check-out as well as switch toys and other items of interest for students, parents and professionals.

What types of resources are available through GLRS?

◆ Loan library of specialized instructional materials, software, and equipment
◆ Parent and teacher training workshops and classes
◆ Materials production area for users to make “hands-on” instructional materials
◆ Referral and information about services for students with disabilities
◆ Child Find program to identify children with disabilities and help find appropriate
programs for them

They have online manuals and resources for:
2006 Summer Camp Directory
Transition Manuals
MID Programming Guide
and other resources for parents and teachers

Metro East GLRS
2415 North Druid Hills Road, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30329

(678) 676-2400
www.glrs.org

A friend was able to have free laminating done and used the boardmaker equipment. She suggested to give yourself enough time there to go through everything they have to offer.

A Step To Independence, Inc.
202 Hebron Church Rd.
Dacula, GA 30019
(678) 407-1093
(678) 407-1907 Fax

Conductive Education Services:
2007 Summer program tentatively set for June 4 - July 13
May have a 3 week program instead in the summer.
Serves: ages 2 and older

Karen Fowler began the school for her daughter Natalie Fowler and brings in Conductive Ed teachers from around the world.

asteptoindependence@yahoo.com

To view special needs information in Atlanta, GA visit http://www.atlantaparent.com/justkids/index.html. There you will find a resource guide, special needs calendar of events, special needs articles, and more.

You may find a copy at Whole Foods, School Box, Therapy Solutions of Georgia, North Gwinnett FOCUS Share group meetings, and other locations throughout Atlanta. You may also request a copy to be mailed to you for $3 or you may distribute them in your business or organization. Contact Caroline Ward at 678-222-1907 or email cward@atlantaparent.com.

Just Kids is published annually in August by Atlanta Parent Magazine. There is also a quarterly Just Kids special needs focus in the APM.

Atlanta Parent Magazine
2346 Perimeter Park Dr
Atlanta, GA 30341
770-454-7599
atlantaparent@atlantaparent.com

A comprehensive starting place for parents of children with disabilities is www.parenttoparentofga.org.

The Parent to Parent website provides detailed explanations of individual disabilities and available intervention and support resources.

Click on the navigation map to take a tour of services.

Local supporting parents comprise the Parent-to-Parent network. These parents are available to talk one-on-one with other parents.

Ms. Lange,

Thank you for inquiring about the Field of Dreams Sports Complex that is being planned for construction at Alberta Banks Park on Jim Crow Rd. in Flowery Branch. Plans include a completely rubberized ball field with the baselines, basepaths, & bases all imbedded in the rubberized surface allowing for easy access for children in wheelchairs or walkers. The complex also includes accessible dugouts, lights, spectator seating, picnic tables, concession/restroom building, drop-off area, and a completely accessible playground.

At this point we are still short $300K short of our goal to begin construction. We are soliciting donations/contributions and once all funding is in place we will be able to begin construction--hopefully not much longer.

A conceptual drawing is available.

Again, thank you for your interest & hopefully you'll be enjoying the new field in the near future!

Deborah Mockus

sgodfrey@hallcounty.org

2007 SPRING MIRACLE LEAGUE - Modified Baseball (Softball) Program

Registration Information

Registration dates: Feb.24 & March 3rd,10am-2pm
Location: Coal Mountain Community Building

League Information

Player/Parent/Coach orientation will be March 24 at 10am in the
Coal Mountain Community Building.

Spring season will be April 14 - May 19 (six Saturdays only).

The fee is $35.00 per child age 4 and up. Fee includes a jersey and a hat.
Scholarships are available!

For registration forms and further information visit www.cfcml.com

An artificial surface in the plans for the spring 2008 season.

For a thorough list of Summer Camps and other services log onto Parent to Parent http://www.parenttoparentofga.org/database.htm

Click on the large blue header called Special Needs Database.

Type of Service: Click on any service and scroll down to either CAMP:DAY or CAMP:OVERNIGHT.

Disability Served: Choose disability for CAMP:DAY*

Show Info.: Choose one.
Detailed Information for all the information.
Brief Information for the company name, phone number and city.

Click on Perform Search.

*Note:
Camp:Day has 134 listings. It needs a qualifier to reduce the list and show results.

Camp:Overnight has 67 listings so you do not need to put in any qualifiers to get the list. Just select Camp:overnight and press PERFORM SEARCH.

Free registration for information on the autism spectrum and solutions for the behaviors. RDI is a family centered, cognitive approach to remediating autism developed by Drs. Steve Gutstein and Rachelle Sheely.

http://www.rdiconnect.com/register/default.asp

Registered RDIconnect.com members enjoy the added benefits of membership including the video clip library, live chats with Dr. Gutstein and Dr. Sheely, autism research summaries, and the message board.

See the Calendar of Events for the March 1, 2007 meeting about RDI in Gwinnett County.