Autism Resource for Great Falls, Montana 2020

2020 Conference

Hi All,
As some of you know, Friends of Autism GF is taking a break from hosting the autism awareness conference this year. Peace Place Respite has taken the lead and has a fabulous 2 day conference planned (attend 1 or both days). It will have a broader theme than just autism but will be beneficial for us all. It will be held April 17 and 18 at the University of Providence.
More info to come....

Autism and Baseball- Perfect opportunity!

The fabulous Great Falls Voyagers are giving us an opportunity to spread autism awareness again on August 10th!!! Come out, take the quiz and get a chance to win awesome prizes like a Yeti 65 valued at $349!!! You can buy tickets from us at the Farmer's market throughout the summer or email friendsofautismgf@gmail.com

Rage to Reason Resources

For Amy Buie's resources go to:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1I8fC1QHzmRyAUIDl_fTeGCmie0y8d87F?usp=sharing

 

and also see

 

https://www.learningmomentum.com

 

Thanks for everyone who came to the conference and being an awesome audience!!

Where to go for diagnosis of autism

Unfortunately at this time (2/2019) those in Great Falls area must go out of town for diagnosis.

Billings:
     -The Children's Clinic (Dr. Laura Nicholson) 406-281-8700

Helena:
     -Christa Smelko, PsyD (Shodair Hosptial) 406- 444-1072

Missoula:
     -Pediatric Specialty Clinic (Dr Bonnie Stephens; Polly Becker) 406-327-3874
     -Gallacher Counseling (Kathleen Gallacher, MA,LCPC) 406-396-9099

a Webinar you might want to check out!

https://home.edweb.net/webinar/inclusiveeducation20190219/

 

Including Students on the Spectrum: 5 Powerful Strategies

Tuesday, February 19, 2019 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EST

Event Navigation

• « Web Accessibility Update: Ruling Reversals, Insights, and Tips
• Fractions in the Real World: Sharing and Scaling »

Presented by Paula Kluth, Ph.D., Author of “You’re Going to Love This Kid!”

Autism Awareness 2019: Rage to Reason

To Register:
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/friends-of-autism-great-falls-12180049674

Friends of Autism Great Falls will host another fabulous autism awareness conference with Amy Buie, MEd, BCBA, LBA on Saturday, April 6, 2019, 9am- 4pm at the Hilton Garden Inn. (Lunch will be from 12- 1pm.) Amy is a Behavior Analyst, Teacher and Mom. She comes highly recommended. This conference promises to bring practical, usable strategies to help with the most difficult behavior.

Amy Buie, MEd, BCBA, LBA has over 25 years of experience working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. She is the CEO of Learning Momentum, an agency specializing in the treatment of children with emotional disorders who have challenging behavior. She teaches at the University of Missouri, Saint Louis in the Special Education Masters program. She is the author of Behavior Mapping, Teaching Appropriate Behavior to Children with Autism and Related Disorders and Rage to Reason. Her area of expertise is teaching reinforcement based strategies and working with children in both the school and home settings who have significantly challenging and explosive behavior due to an emotional disorder or anxiety. She is a mother of a son with extreme behavior who struggled for years before she discovered Rage to Reason and brought joy and laughter back to her family.

 

This conference is for parents, grandparents, caregivers, teachers, and people with autism who need to learn skills to deal with explosive behavior.

 

Local autism service providers will be present to provide information about local services. Books and tshirts will be available for purchase.

 

Seating is limited. For fee waiver, email: friendsofautismgf@gmail.com

CEU for teachers, OT/PT, LCPC and nurses.

 

*****NOTE: you will be required to print your own handouts which will be available the week prior to the event.******

Useful websites

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Friends host 'Neurotypical'

To have a little better understanding of autism, come join us for this free viewing of

the PBS documentary 'Neurotypical'. It shows autism from the perspective of several

different individuals. It will help you appreciate the struggles of those with autism.

 Invite your friends and neighbors.

Spread autism awareness!

Click here to register to Managing Frustrations & Anxiety and Learning Social Skills

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/friends-of-autism-great-falls-12180049674

Autism: Managing Frustration, Anxiety and Teaching Social Skills

Friends of Autism Great Falls is pleased to host Jeb Baker, PhD on Saturday, March 24th 9am- 4:00pm at the Hilton Garden Inn. Lunch will be on your own 12- 1pm.

Jed Baker, PhD. comes to Great Falls to share his vast expertise in “Managing Frustration & Anxiety and Teaching Social Skills.” Individuals on the autism spectrum and those with behavioral challenges often have difficulty regulating their feelings and interacting socially. This autism conference describes how to help individuals and their caregivers handle meltdowns and design effective plans to prevent frustration and anxiety. It will also detail effective social skills training strategies for all individuals and review some common skills needed for young adults, including the realm of sexuality and dating.

Dr. Baker is director of the Social Skills Training Project and has served on advisory boards for Autism Today and several other organizations. He has provided social skills and challenging behavior training internationally and has written over 8 books (No More Meltdowns, The Social Skills Picture Book Series, Social Skills Training, Preparing for Life and No More Victims). His work has also been featured on ABC World News, Nightline, Fox News, the CBS Early Show and the Discovery Health Channel. His knowledge will benefit everyone in attendance and can change the life of someone with autism.

This conference is for parents, grandparents, caregivers, teachers, and people with autism. In response to your feedback, we have asked Dr. Baker to address all ages of those with autism. In addition, we will have tables to write on this year.

Local autism service providers will be present to provide information. We will also be selling his books.

Seating is limited. For fee waiver, email: friendsofautismgf@gmail.com

CEU for teachers, OT/PT, LCPC and nurses (expenses have nearly doubled- sorry to increase your fee)

*****NOTE: you will be required to print your own handouts which will be available the week prior to the event.******

2018 Autism Awareness Conference!!!

Dr Jed Baker

Why should you come to this year's conference?
1. You will have a better understanding of autism.
2. You will learn how YOUR reaction/ behavior contributes to the frustration and anxiety of someone with autism.
3. Teen and young adult issues will be addressed.
4.  You will learn how fear contributes to frustration and anxiety.
5. You are going to learn the keys to social skills training.
6. Dr. Jed Baker is an expert in teaching social skills
7. You will meet your autism community
8.  We will have at least 14 service providers present.
9. You can buy autism books and other items.
10. Friends of Autism GF has a history of hosting fabulous autism awareness events!!

You won't regret it! Register today!

more resources

 

I had these websites forwarded:
Sesame Street Autism Resources for Parents
Moving with Special Needs Kids
Resources for Military Families
Home Modifications for Special Needs Kids
Academic Accommodation Resources
Planning for the Future for Seniors with Special Needs
Estate Planning for Parents of Special Needs Kids

 

 

Autism: A little Understanding goes a long way

Just a little Understanding of Autism

The statistics tell us autism is on the rise; probably more common than 1 in 68 children. Maybe you’ve heard that statistic but aren’t sure how that really impacts you. Do you know autism doesn’t just affect kids? A person with autism doesn’t “grow out of autism”.  Autism affects the way a person thinks and acts for their whole life.  That statistic means you may be interacting with someone with this developmental disorder in the checkout line, at work or in a restaurant more often than you might guess.  Generally, you may pick up on some “quirkiness” or you might even think that person is just rude in how they deal with you.  A little understanding of autism might help you respond with kindness.  

Autism is a spectrum of disorders, so each person is unique.  A child with autism typically is not born with “natural” social skills.  In fact, how humans interact, use non-verbal communication and understand unwritten social rules makes no sense to someone with autism.  Don’t assume that the “loner” just wants to be left alone.  They may not know how to interact with you in a “normal” way, so they keep to themselves. 

Another area affected by autism is communication.  Sometimes words just don’t have meaning or are taken too literally.  “What do you mean ‘it’s raining cats and dogs!’?” The person with autism may be struggling to make sense of what you have said.

Furthermore, their senses (hearing, touch, etc.) can be out of sync.  This means they are bothered by normal sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches that may make them feel they are under attack. That buzzing light, potent perfume and itchy tag, that you don’t even notice, can cause a major meltdown.  Add any change in their environment or routine and their stress level cannot be contained.  Structure and order help people with autism deal with the challenges they struggle with every day.

Another common struggle is getting “stuck” in thought. Sometimes it's difficult to change their line of thinking, hence that obsession with trains. There are sometimes repetitive behaviors which help people with autism cope with anxiety and bring comfort and stability in a seemingly random, chaotic world.  They are too frequently mistaken as being rude or having a tantrum, but they may be reacting to what they cannot understand or what they consider a threat. 

People with autism are smart, funny, talented, unique, loving and special. They make our world a better place.  You can make their world a better place by being understanding and kind.  People with autism are dealing with a great number of difficult challenges. They are odd and quirky not by choice. They may lash out or react in a disturbing way but it may be their best defense against a world that seems hostile to them. They may make you uncomfortable, but understand they are not intentionally doing so.  Please be patient and kind the next time you are interacting with someone who is quirky, odd or annoying.  Maybe they don’t have autism, but maybe they do. 

Handouts for Carol Kranzowitz

Please print the following handouts for Carol Kranowitz's talk next month:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/l0xwh6q7tl4c6yy/Montana%20May%202016.pdf?oref=e&n=475887924


https://www.dropbox.com/s/cuyutlbqai6jubr/Characteristics%2C%20activities%2C%20Montana%2C%20May%202016.pdf?dl=0

Strategies that Work

Thank you

Amy Pfeiffenberger, Sharon Altschwager and Brett Gilleo

for such useful information.

Thank you all for attending this conference. We had a great turnout and our 3 speakers did a wonderful job.

A huge thank you to our sponsors:

Positive ABA,

Sensibility,

Big Sky Therapeutics,

Benefis Health System and 

2Js FreshMarket 

Register for Autism Awareness: Understanding Out-Of-Sync Senses

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/autism-awareness-understanding-out-of-sync-senses-tickets-20801891016

Autism Awareness 2016- DO NOT MISS THIS!!!!

Registration is required. We are limited to 200 seats.
To Register: see link above or
Go to Eventbrite.com and search "Autism Awareness" Great Falls
Select "Free" or "CEU"
CEU- Continuing Education Units for teachers or others needing credit. Cost is $20

If you have any questions email me at friendsofautismgf@gmail.com

Simple Strategies for Autism Spectrum Disorders Brett Gilleo 4/17/13

 

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders presented by Brett Gilleo 4/11/13