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NEWS First "Bounce for Autism" Kicks Off National Autism Awareness Month ASA and Pump It Up held the first “Bounce for Autism” April 1 at Pump It Up in Elkridge, Md. A crowd of friends, family, professionals and people on the spectrum turned out to run, jump, laugh and play on Pump It Up’s giant inflatable playground in support of autism. Read more … And don’t forget—the next “Bounce” is tomorrow, April 11, in Beaverton, Ore., followed by the Houston area Bounce April 16 in the Woodlands, Texas. It’s not too late to sign up—visit http://www.bounceforautism.org/ and start your Sock Squad today! Autism Society of America President and CEO Rings the NASDAQ Stock Market Opening Bell Lee Grossman, President and CEO of the Autism Society of America, presided over the NASDAQ opening bell to commemorate National Autism Awareness Month on Thursday, April 3. Photos from the market open are available at the NASDAQ Web site. Online Exclusive Advocate Article on ASA Website ASA is introducing a special web-only article about extended school year services (ESY). The author, David Sherman, a special education attorney in California who consults nationally with parents of children with ASD, urges parents who are interested in summer services for their children to begin the process now. Read more … Calling all ASA members in Chicagoland! The Autism Society of Illinois is holding its annual benefit, “Connecting the Pieces,” on Saturday, April 12, from 4-10 p.m. at the Hawthorne Race Course, 3501 S. Laramie, Cicero, Ill. There will be live music from the Bradburys and the Recliners, a buffet dinner, an open bar, a silent auction and a raffle. Read more … DCASA's Fuddraiser Night at Fuddruckers Dupont Circle DCASA's Fuddraiser Night at Fuddruckers Dupont Circle will be April 17. When accompanied by an admission ticket, a percentage of each sale will go towards the Autism Society of America District of Columbia Chapter. Read more … Autism Society of Boulder County to Host Art Show Featuring Artists with Autism The Autism Society of Boulder County’s National Autism Awareness Month event will be held on April 18 at the Boulder Broker Inn from 6-8:30 p.m. The event will also celebrate individuals with ASD by showing off their artistic talents with the “Through My Eyes” art show. Read more … Cleaning Up for Autism Awareness Month The Greater Long Beach/San Gabriel Valley Chapter of ASA asks local supporters to join the “30-Minute Beach Cleanup” to show the community that kids and adults with autism are also contributing members of society. The event will take place Saturday, April 19, from 10-10:30 a.m. at Belmont Shore in Long Beach. Read more … Autism Awareness Fair Scheduled for April 19 On Saturday, April 19, ASA-York will hold the third annual Autism Awareness Fair at the York Learning Center, 300 7th Avenue, York, Penn. (the old Central High School). This free event will be held from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Read more … ADVOCACY ASA, Congressional Advocates Speak at World Autism Day Press Conference on Capitol Hill In honor of World Autism Awareness Day, a group of autism advocates convened in the shadow of the Capitol on April 2 for a press conference to build support for critical legislation that would provide needed autism services in the U.S. and around the world. Read more … Support for ASA’s Priorities Increases A month after the ASA Day on the Hill 2008, the hard work of the advocates who attended is beginning to bear fruit. The Expanding the Promise for Individuals with Autism Act has several new cosponsors in both the House and the Senate, most a direct result from ASA’s Day on the Hill participants. Read more … Congress Works to Delay Medicaid Regulations Congressional leaders have been working to delay proposed regulations that would significantly alter the Medicaid program. Of particular concern to the disability community are regulations that would narrow Medicaid coverage for outpatient hospital services, rehabilitation services, school-based administrative and transportation services, and case management services. Read more … U.N. Holds Briefing in Observance of the First World Autism Awareness Day A U.N. Department of Public Information/Non-Governmental Organization briefing celebrated people with autism, their families and friends on April 3 in honor of the first World Autism Awareness Day. It paid tribute to their daily struggles and highlighted the importance of a better understanding of the disorder. The briefing covered areas of concern regarding autism, on both the national and international levels, and recognized the disorder as a serious current public health issue. Read more … Illinois Lobby Day is April 15 For the 4th straight year, hundreds of autism advocates will gather in Springfield, Ill., to demand better treatment, better health insurance coverage and more funding for community centers for adults. Read more … RESEARCH Extremely Premature Babies May Have Higher Risk of Autism A recent study published in Pediatrics found that babies born extremely prematurely had a higher risk of developing autism. Lead author Catherine Limperopoulos of McGill University and Children’s Hospital Boston “emphasized that the results don’t mean extreme prematurity causes autism, but rather that it might be among contributing factors,” according to CNN’s coverage of the study. Read more … EDUCATION NCARE Opens New Autism School To fill the void faced by thousands of families in San Diego County who have not been able to find localized education and counseling services to fit all their children's needs, the National Center for Autism Research and Education (NCARE) is now accepting enrollment at its new school in Carlsbad, Calif. NCARE's commitment is to provide educational programs and outpatient clinic services from one convenient location that empower productive lives. With certified instructors, staff and researchers onsite, NCARE is pioneering family-focused services that will help responsive students integrate into society. Read more … New Teaching Tool for Parents and Educators Algra Corporation has developed a quick and easy reference guide for parents and teachers titled “Teaching Children with Autism.” The purpose of this flip chart is to support parents and teachers who have children with autism. The flip chart covers four main topics: 1) how to teach, 2) foster friendships, 3) manage themselves, and 4) deal with problem behaviors for children with autism. Read more … CONFERENCES 2008 ASA National Conference- Keynoters Temple Grandin, PhD; Bob Hendren, DO; & Jim Ball, PhD, BCBA July 9-12 at the Gaylord Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, Florida Schedule and Registration Go to www.autism-society.org/conference to see the detailed 2008 ASA National Conference schedule. All session descriptions and speakers are now listed online with over 200 speakers and 150 sessions. Be sure to register for the conference online by May 1 to take advantage of Early Bird registration prices. This conference is geared for parents, grandparents, individuals on the spectrum, professionals, service providers and others. Respite Childcare Available Onsite by QuestKids-Florida Make this conference a summer family vacation for all. ASA has partnered with QuestKids-Florida this year to provide respite childcare onsite during the conference. Enjoy the conference, speakers, exhibits and networking while also knowing your child or children are well cared for. QuestKids-Florida has an outstanding reputation in the community. The QuestKids-Florida team specializes in helping children with autism, pervasive development disorder, and other learning and behavior concerns with individualized one-on-one programs using Applied Behavior Analysis. Respite care is offered at $20 per child per day. Space is limited. For detailed information on respite childcare, go to www.autism-society.org/childcare, call 301.657.0881, ext. 110, or e-mail conference@autism-society.org. Registration forms are located online. Register by June 11 to secure your spot. Exhibitors Don't miss your opportunity to exhibit at the largest autism conference in the U.S. this year. Network with professionals, families, service providers and more. For more information, contact Meg Ellacott, ASA National Conference Exhibit Director, at ellacott@autism-society.org or 302.260.9487. Autism & Asperger’s Syndrome Online Conference Exceptional Parent LiveOnline & Future Horizons present two of the world’s leaders in the autism field, Dr. Temple Grandin and Dr. Tony Attwood, July 17 & 18 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST. Read more … Workshop Presents Introduction to Verbal Behaviors The Enable Seminar Series presents a 3-day workshop May 1-3 in Syracuse, N.Y., focusing on the behavioral approach to teaching communication skills to children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Read more … RESOURCES New Documentary Airs on April 21 on Public Television The documentary “Beautiful Son” airing on April 21 (check local listings for times) explores the complex and sometimes controversial world of autism through one family's quest to heal their child. In 2003, Hawaii filmmakers Don and Julianne King realized something was wrong with their 3-year-old son, Beau. Around age 2 1/2, Beau started losing his speaking ability and coordination, and was becoming disconnected from the outside world. Read more … A Self-Determination Program Success Story Michael Gonyea has autism. He is the first person in Ulster County, N.Y., to participate in the OMRDD Self Determination Program, established to aid people and their families with developmental disabilities who want more control over their support services. This project is about personal choice. Friends and family help the individual decide what he or she wants to do, what support services are needed and who to hire as an assistant. Read more … WebUndies Offers Comfortable, Licensed Character Sleepwear Online retailer WebUndies.com has sleepwear that may help your child with ASD get to bed more easily at night. Their pajamas, nightgowns and sleep pants are soft and not scratchy, with a comfortable, not binding, fit. They work well for children who have mild sensory issues with clothing. To honor National Autism Awareness Month, WebUndies.com is offering a 15% discount. Read more …