Autism Speaks School Tool Kit is Available
Susan Maxwell is the co-chair of the Autism Speaks Inaugural Treasure Coast Walk Now for Autism on the Treasure Coast. Following is their press release:
Hello Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast!
We are proud to announce that due to the huge support from the Treasure Coast we will be holding The Inaugural Treasure Coast Walk Now for Autism at Jensen Beach High School on Saturday, February 21, 2009. The 2009 Palm Beach County Walk Now for Autism on Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach is also set for the same date! So mark your calendars because Saturday, February 21, 2009 is going to be a busy day. We need your help. Please consider joining one of the Walk Planning Committees by completing the Volunteer Interest form.
Start Spreading the News! The 2009 Palm Beach County and 2009 Treasure Coast Walk Now for Autism websites are now open. Register now for the Palm Beach Walk or Register now for the Treasure Coast Walk.The new (and we promise!) much improved sites are easier than ever before to navigate, follow your team and personal fundraising totals, email your team members and more. We have made every effort to listen to your concerns and we know you will be pleased with the results.
It is hard to believe that summer is over and school has started for many of our kids. We hope you had a wonderful summer and are looking forward to the upcoming year of Autism Speaks events. We encourage you to visit the Autism Speaks website and explore everything that is happening from Research to Family Services to Awareness. Here are some highlights:
- The School Tool Kit has arrived. Anyone who has a child with autism attending school knows the challenges of helping the school understand our children. Well, help is here. The School Tool Kit is a wonderful, comprehensive and remarkable tool aimed to help everyone from the principal and administration, to the para-professional and the bus driver, to the secretary in the office to the lunch room personnel along with everyone else on the school campus. It is a wealth of help and information. It is available to download in sections or as the whole kit.
- Find out about Student Initiatives for Autism Speaks Student Initiatives helps further the mission of Autism Speaks by creating the opportunity for students to engage and actively participate in positively affecting the lives of people with autism. Through education, awareness, friendship, and fundraising, Student Initiatives include students of all ages.
- Join the new Autism Speaks Social Networking site. Over 1400 people have already signed up. The networking site provides a new venue for members of the autism community to share insights, opinions and information. Press Release
- Family Services Grants - More than $450,000 was awarded to 21 community organizations across the country. Read more about this the latest awards. The next round of Family Service Grants is underway. Read more about how to apply for one of the grants.
- The Florida Community Pages have launched. Send us information about upcoming conferences and events and we will add them to our community calendar. Email information to: palmbeach@auitismspeaks.org or treasurecoast@autismspeaks.org . Keep up with local events by chosing the Community tab on the Walk Home Page.
- Autism information is now available in Spanish! Within a few weeks the 100 Day Kit will also be available in Spanish.
- Science Update - University of North Carolina Baby/Siblings Study
Your child can be monitored from infancy for biological and behavioral characteristics associated with autism.... ...The IBIS Network at UNC is looking for participants! The goal is to study the developing brain in infancy, before a possible diagnosis is determined. This study, funded by the National Institutes of Health is searching for 100 participants in the South Eastern US to meet the following criteria:
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- Are between the ages of 0-12 months of age (parents who are expecting may also be eligible)
- Have an older sibling diagnosed with autism
If you are interested, please read further, check out our website www.babysibsimaging.org and contact us at 1.800.793.5715, or ibisnetwork@gmail.com.
HELP US GROW OUR GRASSROOTS!
1. VISIT the Autism Votes website and register to receive advocacy alerts. This will ensure that you receive the most updated information as quickly as possible.
2. EMAIL Shelley Hendrix at shendrix@autismspeaks.org if you are interested in serving as an Assembly District Captain to lead efforts in your own home district, attend rallies and hearings in Tallahassee, Florida, speak with State Senators and Assemblymen and help us spread the word.
3. EMAIL Rebecca Shaffer at rshaffer@autismspeaks.org if you are interested in serving in an Autism Votes booth to help grow our grassroots at our Florida walk to be held this winter in Palm Beach County or the Treasure Coast on February 21, 2009.
For more information on autism insurance reform legislation, as well as our federal initiatives, visit www.autismvotes.org.
As you can see we are starting another very exciting year at Autism Speaks. We look forward to sharing more information and updates very soon.
Warm regards,
Palm Beach and Treasure Coast Walk Leadership
Please feel free to contact Susan here or give her a call at 772-486-4642