Candice Lange

This information was last updated on November 29, 2007. Please contact the below events to confirm times and dates.

For a current calendar visit gwinnettnavigators.eboard.com.

Thank you for coming to the website.

May you have a blessed year.
Candice

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NEWS FOR GWINNETT FAMILIES
Subscribe by sending an email to KAddams@aol.com with subscribe in the subject line.

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ONGOING GROUPS AND EVENTS
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DBSA - Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Northeast Georgia
Support Groups:
Tuesdays 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Summit Ridge Hospital, Group Room 2
250 Scenic Highway, Lawrenceville, GA 30045

1st & 3rd Wednesday, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Peachtree Corners Baptist Church
4480 Peachtree Corners Circle, Norcross, GA 30092

For more information contact Cheryl at 770/755-5038 or visit http://www.dbsanortheastga.org
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Spectrum, Gwinnett's Autism Support Group & Sibling Group & Grandparents Group
1st Thursday of every month from 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Stonemill Church, 855 Northbrook Pkwy, Suwanee, GA 30024

Sibling Group Meeting for siblings ages 5-12 during Support Group meeting.

Grandparents Group Led by Deanna Luscre
Basic autism facts, (across the spectrum), the stages of grief parents of children with autism experience (based on a study by Bryna Siegal) and consider how grandparents might support their son or daughter during the process.

Spectrum, Gwinnett's Autism Support Group
Many come who have children of other diagnoses with autism-like behaviors.

To reserve free childcare (donations accepted) call Deanna Rouse at 678-377-8324.
For more info visit www.atl-spectrum.com.
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A.S.C.E.N.D.-ER, Inc.'s, (Autism Spectrum Community Efforts and New Directions)
1st Saturday of the month, 10am-noon FREE - New Speakers each month
Parkway Presbyterian Church, 5830 Bethelview Road, Cumming, GA.

For further information call 678-300-8687, e-mail info@ascend-er.com or visit http://www.ascend-er.com.
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AGAPE Respite at North Metro Baptist Church
2nd Monday of each month
6:30pm - 8:30pm 1026 Old Peachtree Road, Lawrenceville, GA

AGAPE is a Free, Respite program for families of individuals with developmental disabilities, ages five through adult. The Purpose of AGAPE is to provide rest and encouragement for families and a safe, Christian fellowship for individuals with special needs. Fun, Christian fellowship with games, crafts, music and other activities centered on Bible truth and scripture. Dinner is provided and each person gets a "friend" for the whole night. Siblings are welcome if they are a helper.

For more information call the Special Needs Ministry at 770-995-9055 ext. 777 or
email agape@northmetro.net. Drive to the back of the parking lot to the gym nicknamed "Lighthouse".
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Parent’s Night Out For Families with Special Needs Children and Siblings
2nd Saturday of each month, 5pm-9pm - RSVP
Hebron Church, 202 Hebron Church Road,Dacula, GA 30019-0005

FREE childcare by trained volunteers, lots of fun activities, crafts, meal and a safe Christian environment. RSVP: Melissa 770-277-6022 msims@hebronchurch.org
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FOCUS Mall of Georgia/North Gwinnett Share Group
Tuesday, December 4th at 9:30am
Chick-fil-A located outside the Mall of Georgia

To RSVP or to confirm date/time contact FOCUS at inquiry@focus-ga.org or http://www.focus-ga.org or call FOCUS at 770-234-9111.
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North Metro Tourette Syndrome Support Group
3rd Tuesday of the month, 10 am

"Coffee and Conversation" is held at the Borders Cafe near the Mall of GA.
Contact Lydia Breer: lydiabreer@comcast.net or 678-482-9358.
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Spectrum Evening Get Togethers
3rd Tuesday of the month, 7:30pm - 9:00pm, call to confirm

This is a time to relax, share triumphs, and exchange ideas in an open discussion with other parents of autism-spectrum children. Reservations are not required. Meals, desserts, coffee, etc may be purchased for your enjoyment.

La Madeliene’s, 2200 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, GA
Contact Alexandra Cleary at 770-368-9037 or alexcleary@comcast.net.
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FOCUS: South Gwinnett Share Group
3rd Wednesday of the month, 9:30am

Ronald Reagan Park, Five Forks Trickum. Rain - meet at Chick-fil-A, Highway 124 (Scenic Hwy) in Snellville, across from Wal-Mart. To RSVP, call Jeanett Schnupp, 770-979-6342, jeaunettschnupp@netscape.net or FOCUS at inquiry@focus-ga.org or
http://www.focus-ga.org.
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Empowered Parenting

Gwinnett County Public Schools Early Childhood Program
3rd Wednesday of each month, September to May except 11/20 and No Dec.
11:30 to 12:30 at the T. Carl Buice School

The series will provide information to assist parents:
- increase compliance
- manage behavior in public
- increase child’s development through play
- prepare children for change.

Brown Bag lunch series led by GCPS Early Childhood Psychologists Emily Douglas, Ed.S., and Shannon Sweitzer, Ph.D.

Please contact Emily Douglas at 770-271-5084 with questions.
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FACES Autism Support Group - Monroe, GA
3rd Thursday of each month, 7-8:30 p.m
Walton Career Academy
212 Bryant Road, Monroe, GA 30655
Free child care provided with reservation. Upcoming meetings and speakers at www.georgiafaces.info.
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FRIENDS CLUB OUTINGS
Sponsored by SPECTRUM Camps & Clubs Program
3rd Thursday of each month 6:30-8:30pm Sign up Now!

Kids enjoy a community outing with peers, a snack, and a social skills lesson led by teachers and para-professionals in the field of autism. Friends Club is designed for individuals who are able to independently participate in a group of 10-12 students per 2 adults throughout community settings. Parents are notified of each activity in advance and will drop off and pick up their child at the community location.

Cost: $40 for remainder of session (includes activity fees, snack, leaders)
Call to register for Session 2.
For further sessions, registration and questions email: scc2000@atlspectrum.org
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Respite North Gwinnett
3rd Saturday of the month - Year Round, 12-6 pm
HiHope, 882 Hi Hope Rd, Lawrenceville, GA
This program is for ages 3 thru adult (no siblings). An application must be submitted to GCSS (and approved) to participate in this program.

Register & Application: Denise Urgent, 678-698-7440 or denise.urgent@gacommunity.org
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The Saturday Asperger’s Respite/Social Skills Program by Spectrum
3rd Saturday of the month, 12-4 pm
Hi-Hope Center, 882 Hi Hope Rd, Lawrenceville, GA

A Saturday for your child with HFA or Asperger’s (age 11-18) to participate in fun activities, work on social skills, and establish and maintain friendships.

$25 - LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE - RSVP REQUIRED - RSVP early to get a spot
Stefani Woodside (678) 699-1979, stefanipwoodside@yahoo.com or stefani_woodside@gwinnett.k12.ga.us

For those in the Sat. respite program who are in the GCSS respite system, request a voucher to pay for the Sat. fees a month in advance. Contact Sunil Jayama at GCSS 404-634-4222 EXT. 232.
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FOCUS: Duluth Share Group
4th Wednesday of the month, 6pm - 8pm

Starbucks - 1611 Satellite Blvd, Building C, Suite 16, Duluth - corner of Satellite Blvd. & Old Peachtree. Please RSVP to FOCUS at 770-234-9111, inquiry@focus-ga.org or http://www.focus-ga.org.
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NIGHTLIGHTS sponsored by Glowing Lights Special Needs Ministry
Presents a “Night Out” For Those With Special Needs
Nov. 30th and Jan. 25: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Sugarloaf United Methodist Church, 1795 Old Peachtree Rd, Duluth, GA 30097

Please join the social group for school age and older with special needs only for a free fun night of games, music, crafts, and pizza. RSVP and registration are required. Contact Vicki LaRoche 404-932-3953 or salvwl@aol.com.
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Are you looking for a faith community that is welcoming to those with disabilities?

Interfaith Disability Connection (IDC) wants to connect people with disabilities and their families to faith communities that are equipped to welcome and support them. IDC also wants to connect congregations to resources that help them learn to welcome and accommodate people with disabilities and their families. Visit www.interfaithdisability.org for a database of faith communities that are providing programs and supports for families. The site also provides a variety of other resource and tips for accessing services and support in the community.

Sign up as a friend of IDC for free access. For more information, contact Mark Crenshaw, Director, Interfaith Disability Connection, Bobby Dodd Institute, 2120 Marietta Boulevard NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, (678) 365-0073 or Mark.Crenshaw@bobbydodd.org.
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Free Museum Days and Special Events - Nationwide/GA
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/
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EP LiveOnline - Variety of Ongoing Seminars on Special Needs
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. To register, click http://www.epliveonline.org/military-prglist.html.
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ART Contest
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.

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ONE-TIME EVENTS
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TOM BROWN SPEAKS ON EXECUTIVE FUNCTION
December 1, 9am-3pm

The Unfocused Mind
Executive Function
Attention - Inattention
Organized Disorganization
Impulsive: Who Me?
How do you learn best?
Your Strengths - Weaknesses

Georgia Perimeter College
Clarkston Campus, Cherry Learning Resources Center
For more information visit www.Idag.org or call 404-303-7774.
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Agape "Drop & Shop"
December, Saturday 10-2pm TBA
For more information call the Special Needs Ministry at 770-995-9055 ext. 777 or
email agape@northmetro.net.

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Special Time with Santa
Saturday, December 8, 2008
9:00am-5:00pm
Stonemill Church, 855 Northbrook Parkway, Suwanee, GA 30024

ASA-GGC seeks to create a safe and friendly atmosphere for children on the spectrum to visit with Santa without the pressure of long lines and crowded malls.
Advance reservations are recommended to give each child enough time to be comfortable with their Santa visit.

Visits with Santa
Photographer on site
Sensory Room
Music Time by Music Therapy Services of Greater Atlanta
Refreshments
Crafts
Exhibit Area

$20.00 per family (photography extra)
Please call the ASA-GGC office at 770-904-4474 for reservations. For more information, please visit the ASA-GGC web site at www.asaga.com. Exhibit space available.
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Special Needs Consignment Sale
December 11-14 in Duluth, Georgia

We will be accepting ALL kinds of adaptive equipment (therapy equipment, standers, wheelchairs, walkers, etc.) and resources (books, dvd's etc.) for a HUGE 4-day only sale. This event allows the families (or those consigning the equipment) to keep 70% of the sale price of what they sell.

Please pass this link: www.theconsignmentsale.com along to your list, asking them to forward it. We need parents, therapists, doctors, and advocates to help us get the word out about this. Net proceeds will go to Georgia Special Sportsmen.

Thank you,
Jessica Handwork
jessica@theaislinggroup.com
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Greater Georgia Chapter of The Autism Society of America - 4th annual conference
March 7-8, 2008

Focused on providing current resources and information on autism and related disorders. The conference will feature presentations and workshops by top autism professionals, leading researchers and experts on various subjects related to education, resources, and intervention across the lifespan. The format will include a keynote speech, and three 75 minute breakout sessions each day.

There will be twelve breakout sessions to choose from each day focusing on:
1) Educational Strategies
2) Families and Children with ASD
3) Treatment Options and Research
4) HFA/Asperger Syndrome and Adolescent/Adult Issues

The Attendees
Each year the conference is oriented toward families, educators and autism professionals who are looking to find new or better ways to care for the individuals with autism in their lives. Further, the conference is oriented toward individuals with autism who are looking for resources which can help them reach their maximum potential. Past conference attendees were from a diverse group, including parents, grandparents, individuals with autism, educators, autism professionals, and students interested in pursuing a career in fields related to autism.

Location: Stonemill Church, 855 Northbrook Parkway, Suwanee, GA 30024
*Stonemill Church offers a beautiful, new, state-of-the-art conference venue. ASA-GGC has no religious affiliation.

Cindy Pike, Executive Director, Autism Society of America - Greater Georgia
770-904-4474

Please visit the ASA-GGC web site at www.asaga.com for more information on presenting (open until November 15, 2007 or for registering for the conference.
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Autism Walk
April 12, 2008
Sign up now to be a part of Spectrum's team this year.

The goal this year is to raise $2 million!
To learn more about Autism Speaks go to www.autismspeaks.org

To sign up for the Atlanta Spectrum team go to http://www.walknowforautism.org/georgia and click to register, then for a team, and choose the Atlanta Spectrum Team. Denise Turner will again be the awesome team captain.

This is a great way to participate with our community in raising autism awareness and funds for research and development of programs for those with autism. And, order a Spectrum t-shirt as soon as possible! Last year everyone loved our tshirts! And, it helps us identify our team members and represent Spectrum:) Claire Dees