June Nicholas April 4, 2017 Leave a Comment

2017 Camp Scholarships Now Available!

The Autism Spectrum Support Group of Southern Maryland is pleased to announce that a limited number of $150 camp scholarships are now available for 2017 for individuals with autism (under 21 years old) in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties.

The camp scholarship may be applied to any summer camp of your choice for an amount up to $150.00 (one camp scholarship per family, please).

To apply, please click on the Google Form to complete the application and submit proof of your child’s autism disability (such as the front page of your child’s IEP, or a professional diagnosis on letterhead) via email to info@autismsupport-somd.org or via mail to Autism Spectrum Support Group of SOMD, PO Box 2162, California, MD, 20619. All information submitted is confidential. Your application will not be considered complete until proof of disability is provided.

Application deadline is May 15, 2017. Scholarship awards are “first come, first served” and are time-stamped upon receipt of both the form and proof of disability. Applicants will be informed of a decision by June 1, 2017.
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June Nicholas March 28, 2017 Leave a Comment

Raise Awareness and Rock Out!

Hear ye, Hear ye! It’s Autism Awareness Month and the festivities are about to commence!

On Saturday, April 8 join the Noble Knights and Fair Ladies of Personalized Therapy, LLC, at a royal gathering to “Raise Awareness Day & Knight!” Squires and pages, ladies and maidens, and their families will enjoy activities including games, crafts, bounce houses, their FAMOUS silent auction and dessert auction filled with treasures worthy of any dragon, vendors and magical service providers, a buffet fit for royalty, and more!

Join the fun and festivities from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm at Bollywood Masala Taphouse 1637 at 23418 Three Notch Road, California, MD (across from the Wildewood Shopping Center). Assisting in the pageantry will be area organizations that provide information and resources about autism spectrum disorders and related supports for families.

Adventurous knights and fair damsels can then rock out and dine out on Saturday, April 22 with friends and family at the Annual “Rock Out for Autism!” This yearly gathering of great local and regional bands will be held at the Olde Town Pub at 22785 Washington Street in Leonardtown, MD from noon until very late! A portion of the food and drink sales will be donated, so eat and drink like a king!

Proceeds from both events will be donated to local 501(C)(3) organizations that provide support to individuals and families impacted by autism.

These 10th Annual Autism Awareness Day events are generously sponsored by Personalized Therapy, LLC, Olde Town Pub, and the Autism Spectrum Support Group of Southern Maryland.

For more information go to http://personalizedtherapyllc.com/ or go to http://www.oldetownpub.com or call 240.561.8860.

June Nicholas January 6, 2017 Leave a Comment

First Responders, Families, and Functional Needs

You’ve seen the news reports – a tragic story of a child who has wandered, a teen who is misunderstood, a person who is uncomprehending in a dangerous situation. How many of these situations could have been avoided?

Many have recognized that more must be done to train law enforcement and first responders to effectively deal with individuals with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our loved ones with autism also need training on how to interact without fear, to recognize that a first responder can be of help, and that self-advocacy is necessary in protecting themselves from harm. Families also want to ensure that in dangerous situations, first responders have all the information they need to understand and support individuals with disabilities, and want to share that information in a proactive way.

In 2017 we are partnering with Pathfinders for Autism to welcome police officers, firefighters and other first responders at three Southern Maryland training events in Understanding Autism and Other Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, which is MPCTC, Corrections, and MEIMSS Certified state-mandated instruction for Law Enforcement and First Responders.

We are also partnering with Pathfinders and ARC of Southern Maryland to teach our teens and adults (aged 13 and older) positive ways to interact with the law or first responders, so they understand what is happening in confrontational or dangerous situations, even as they want to be understood in return. We welcome them to come watch BE SAFE The Movie and learn from Pathfinders how to interact effectively!

Join Us on Wednesday May 17, 2017 in Prince Frederick!

6:00 – 8:30 pm – BE SAFE Interactive Movie Screening

Join Us on Thursday June 8, 2017 in St. Mary’s City!

12:00 – 4:00 pm – Understanding Autism and Other Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

6:00 – 8:30 pm – BE SAFE Interactive Movie Screening

All training is free and all materials are provided. To register, please go to our Law Enforcement Training page or our BE SAFE Interactive Screening page! You can register online using the Google Forms or contact us to register!

NOTE: If you can’t make the dates listed here for “Understanding Autism,” consider attending the MPCTC class in Sykesville on June 22, 2017! Here is the link to that event: http://www.pathfindersforautism.org/news/view/502

We are also expanding the information we are providing about wandering/elopment, safety in emergencies, and voluntary registration for individuals with disabilities or medical fragility on local, regional and national databases in order for emergency personnel to support them in times of crisis. Please check out that information by going HERE!

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT

We believe that a supportive community should be an informed community. Family members and caregivers of individuals with special needs, special education teachers and para-educators, behaviorists, therapists, adult services staff, school administrators and transition specialists, medical providers, and other concerned professionals are welcome to observe the Certified Law Enforcement/First Responder Training. Limited space is available for observing BE SAFE Interactive Training. Please contact us at (240) 561-8860 in advance of attending either event to find out if space is available. Donations to support the costs related to hosting any of these training events is welcome and gratefully accepted.