Candice Lange

PRYAA Special Needs INSPIRE Fall 2007 Flag Football / Cheer Program
(Modeled after the Pop Warner Challenger Program)

In Conjunction with Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation

Registration for Fall 2007 Flag Football / Cheerleading Program

Walk-In Registration
Saturday, September 1, 2007
10:00am to 12:00pm
Richard Hull Middle School

Season: Sunday, September 16th thru Sunday, November 4th
Games: September 16th thru October 28th
End-of-Season Celebration: November 4th (no game on this date)

Times: TBD

Location: TBD

Fee: $45.00 (includes Jersey, End-of-Season Certificate, and Trophy)

Equipment: All football players will be provided a flag belt and jersey. Flag belts must be returned at the end of each game. Cheerleaders will be provided a screened top.

Volunteers: If you are interested in volunteering and/or coaching in the INSPIRE Fall
Flag Football / Cheerleading program, please access pryaa.com and complete the Volunteer Registration form. Please refer to INSPIRE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS below to ensure your registration is processed for the INSPIRE program:

INSPIRE Registration Requirements
FIRST PAGE
Section II. Position Selection
- select “All Sports” at the bottom of the *Sport drop down window
- click on Special Needs in *Area of Interest window
SECOND PAGE
Section I. Sports Special Needs Questions
- select Coach if you are interested in coaching a team
- select General Volunteer to participate as an on-field Assistant.

J. Derrick Hutchens
PRYAA INSPIRE Program Director
6555 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite 307
PMB 123
Duluth, GA 30097
678-852-6793
specialneeds@pryaa.com
www.pryaa.com

Tom Murdock, a NAHB Remodelers member and a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) can show you ways to modify your present home for wheelchair and other disability access. Ramps, wider door ways, full access shower stalls, and roll-up cabinetry are just a few of the services he offers. Call for an appointment.

Tom Murdock
Phone : 770-271-2233
Email : tojamga@adelphia.net

CaringBridge is a free, nonprofit web service that connects family and friends to share information, love and support during a health crisis, treatment and recovery. It takes just a few moments for you to create your own personal and private CaringBridge website.
Begin your own site at www.caringbridge.org.

The Georgia Association for Behavior Analysis (GABA) will be hosting its first annual conference in Atlanta, GA.

September 19, 2007

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Tristram Smith, and other presenters will include Atlanta area behavior analysts.

Further information and conference registration visit GABA www.georgia-aba.com

Please note that space is limited, and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

2007 GAYC Conference Scholarships

Apply for a scholarship to attend the Georgia Association on Young Children’s
(GAYC) 41st Annual Professional Development Conference: “Together for
Children,” October 12 & 13, 2006, at the Gwinnett Civic and Cultural Center in the
Atlanta area. It’s a great opportunity to choose from over 135 professional
development workshops, visit over 70 vendors in the Exhibit Hall, and find out
about new initiatives in our field, how to work effectively with children and
adults, and going back to school opportunities.

How to Participate
The Georgia Association on Young Children (GAYC), state affiliate for the
National Association for the Education on Young Children (NAEYC) and the Southern
Early Childhood Association (SECA) is hosting its 41st Annual Conference.
Limited scholarships are available to eligible parents, and teachers, and family
child care providers to attend this conference, which annually attracts
hundreds of providers, academic, corporate, federal, public policy and community
leaders! These scholarships will cover costs for conference registration only.

The conference provides a forum for ECE professionals of all levels and
students to network, discuss issues, and share information. This conference also
provides a model classroom, awards banquet, and over 70 exhibitors.

Neurology Now magazine is looking for artwork about living with a neurological condition. The submission will be published in the Nov/Dec 2007 issue and the artist will receive $100. www.neurologynow.com

People with epilepsy can submit art to Expressions of Courage contest. This is a yearly ongoing contest. More information can be found at expressionsofcourage.com.

Think back to when you were 6, 8 or 10 years old. Do you remember
your teacher? Do you remember how you looked up to her? Her words
were golden. Do you remember when you forgot to do your homework or
weren't paying attention? Her stern words cut you to the core. Not
because she was mean but because you desperately wanted her approval.

School ended and those days were long forgotten. Then my child was
diagnosed with autism.

Why didn't anyone warn me I'd become that 8 year old again?

I desperately need teacher approval, not for me, but for my child.

This is a common sentiment of parents to children with autism. So if
you're a teacher, Autism consultant, SLP, ABA therapist, OT, PT,
Psychologist, Social worker, Camp Counselor or anyone else that's an
authority figure to a child with autism -

THIS IS FOR YOU!

My child has autism. I know that. I'm not in denial. How could I be?
I live it every day. I have other children. My friends have children.
I know the difference. They answer questions, my child might not.
They play together, my child might not. They share their thoughts, my
child might not.

My child is different. He is on his own mission. I'm happy to be by
his side. I am thrilled when he learns something new, no matter how
small. I am proud when he accomplishes something I once never thought
possible. I take delight in his idiosyncrasies. Please rejoice with
me. Please notice his worth.

My child is multifaceted. He has weaknesses and strengths. He has
deficits and skills. People are always pointing out the deficits.
Please join me in noticing his skills.

Teachers. In our meetings, please allow for some time to recognize my
child's good points. When you do, I go home walking on air. When you
don't, I drive home in tears.

SLP's, OT's and PT's. When your opening statement is a positive
remark about my child, I begin to relax. When you only voice
concerns, my stomach twists into knots.

ABA therapists & Camp counselors. When you greet me by telling me my
son had a great day, my anxiety fades. When you focus on the
deficits, your words hurt me deeply all day.

Consultants, Psychologists and Social Workers. When you begin with
positive observations, my heart soars in delight. When you only
stress your concerns, my heart splits in two.

My child faces judgment at every turn. I invite you to stand apart!
Stand strong with us! Unique is good! Let's tell the world! Help me
instill pride in my son. Show him his greatness. Try and see his
perspective. Praise him as much as you can. By doing so, you improve
my child's life and build his confidence. You will motivate and
inspire him. He will exceed your expectations and I will be eternally
grateful to you.

- By Jene Aviram

Written for my sister, Beverley Del Greco. Beverley has two
exceptional children. One of them has autism.

This article is property of and copyright C 2003-2007 Jene Aviram of
Natural Learning Concepts. Reference of this article may only be
included in your documentation provided that reference is made to the
owner - Jene Aviram and a reference to this site
http://www.nlconcepts.com

"Behavioral Disorders Commonly Encountered in Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities: ADD/ADHD and Autism"
September 12th, 2007 at 7pm
FREE 4 part series

EP LiveOnline - a joint venture of Exceptional Parent Magazine and
Vemics, Inc. is proud to announce a new series of interactive online
seminars specifically for Military Medical Personnel, Civilian Health Care
Professionals, Families and Caregivers.

CME Category 1 Accreditation for physicians only: Provided at no cost
to participants who qualify. Click here for to register:

http://www.epliveonline.org/military-prglist.html

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/2d25jd

Evaluation and Management of Health Conditions Often Encountered in Persons with Cerebral Palsy:
2007: 9/11, 10/16 and 12/11 or view archived seminars
7-9:30pm EST

For more information and to register click on http://www.epliveonline.org/spasticity-prglist.html

Audience: Pediatricians, Family Practitioners, Neurologists, Pediatric Neurologists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Speech/Language Pathologists, Orthopedic Surgeons, Nurses, Students, Teachers, Families and Caregivers.

FREE - A 6 Part Series

The Biological Basis and Treatment of Spasticity and Movement Disorders Associated with Cerebral Palsy

Pharmaceutical and Surgical Approaches to the Treatment of Spasticity and Movement Disorders Encountered in Persons with Cerebral Palsy

New Innovative Treatments for Spasticity Encountered in Persons with Cerebral Palsy

The Roles of Nursing, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy in the Management of Spasticity and Movement Disorders Encountered in Persons with Cerebral Palsy

Health Consequences of Intractable Spasticity and Movement Disorders Encountered in Persons with Cerebral Palsy (two parts)

EP LiveOnline™ is a national information and education initiative serving the special needs and developmental disabilities community with fresh, highly relevant programming from reliable and trusted sources.

List of 2007 Seminars:

What Families Need to Know About Childhood Seizures
Epilepsy: New Patterns of Care for the Twenty-First Century
Childhood Movement Disorders
What You Need to Know About Newborn Screening (Series of Three Seminars)
Helping Families Deal with Issues of Medical Necessity and Medical Reimbursement
The Team Approach to Managing Spasticity (Three sessions)
The Spectrum of Autistic Disorders (Series of Four Sessions)
Contemporary Issues in the Management of ADD/ADHD (Series of Four Sessions)
Pain and Pain Management in the Physically Challenged Patient (Two Part Series)
Infant Nutrition: “Failure to Thrive is Not a Diagnosis”: What You Need to Know

Go to http://www.epliveonline.org to register for upcoming seminars or view archived seminars.

A Cheerleading Squad for Athletes with Special Needs!

Thunder All-Stars is now the home of a cheerleading squad for our friends with special needs. We are looking for both participants as well as volunteers to take part in this exciting journey.

· Co-ed squad for ages 8 and up

· Practice every Sunday 12:30-1:30

· Will exhibit at local cheerleading competitions

· No FEE! (there will be a charge for uniforms)

· Coached by a Recreational Therapist and Volunteers!

To register call Vicki at 770-977-9797

Please contact Angela Cremers (coach) if you have any further questions about this squad or if you are interested in private lessons/therapy. 404-502-8359