2010 January | Our Special Families Village

Looking for info on Special Needs Legal Stuff?

Special Needs Answers might have it. This site has a lot of information for Parents and Families as well as attorneys.

Some recent articles that I found very helpful:

SSI Basics – Finally – information in plain English!

Federal Legislation Would Eliminate Use of ‘Mentally Retarded’ in Government Programs – It’s about time!

Program Provides Tax Benefits to Workers Shouldering Care Expenses – Since it’s Tax Time this information might help you.

BOOK REVIEW: A ‘Stranger’ Among Us: Hiring In-Home Support for a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorders or Other Neurological Differences

Matthew’s 17 now and we’ll likely be looking at these kinds of services soon. I have the book on my shopping list and I’ll do a review once I’ve read it.

Augmentative Communication on an iPhone or iPod Touch

I was going through some of Terry Mauro’s articles on About.com Special Needs Children and saw this article:

Augmentative Communication on an iPhone or iPod Touch

If your Special Needs Family Member has trouble speaking this looks like a great tool. It is not only affordable but cool and your kids will appreciate that!

Autism Awareness Fair March 27th

Hey Everybody,

It’s getting to be that time again.. The Autism Awareness and Resource Fair. I am starting to put it together.. I have the date set for March 27th, 2010, at Pioneer Park in Santa Maria from 10:00-2:00. We would like the same type of fair as last year except fewer speakers. I thought maybe Dr. Will Staso, Dr. Sletten, someone to talk about typical speech and typical speech in autism- a speech therapist.. I thought Karyn Lutes and Teresa Pawl did a great presentation last year. I would like a nutritionist to speak and also someone to speak about inclusion. We want the mayor to do a proclamation and Autism Society,Santa Barbara Chapter to talk about what we do. Let me know about your ideas..

Again, Crystal is in charge of children’s activities and we are partnering with Special Olympics and the City of Santa Maria. Rudy Gutierrez with Special Olympics is working with Crystal and they will also have a booth.We have a kiddy pool and a slip and slide this year, complete with a course on water safety for the kids. We also have the kites this year courtesy of VTC and Joe Joe. I am also hoping for the airmen at Vandenberg to bring a parachute and facilitate play with the children. I am also hoping for the photographer from *Beach Day* named Brad Elliot, who does absolutely excellent work and we can browse and buy photos of the event and our families on- line. I am also hoping for Michael Karob for artwork. Allan Hancock College- Early Childhood Studies Dept. is bringing supplies for a craft table. Stephanie Foster is having a sensory table. Much to my happiness, Kiwanis of Orcutt, is going to help with the grilling again this year. They are donating food and their volunteer services. Also, Kiwanis Noontime is helping with the cost of food and maybe helping with volunteerism. Again the service committee of Altrusa will be collecting things for our silent auction and running it.

I am hoping that if any of you have a suggestion or a contact for a vendor I haven’t thought of, you will bring these ideas forward. I need someone to assist Jen Reed at check-in and also someone to help at the awareness product table. I also want someone to be in charge of the bake sale..

Last year we had 400 people and this year may be just as awesome.. The main objective is to provide our families with the resources that are available in our area and beyond. I am hoping that we will have enough volunteers that you may be able to get your ASD child a support person that will facilitate play and enjoy a day of activities so that you can check out the vendors, wander, network, eat, buy stuff and have fun. We still need volunteers and if we all do a little, we won’t have to work so hard. Please let me know if you would like to take on a certain position in planning or the day of the fair. If you have contacts for gift baskets, that is also helpful..

Thanks,

Candyce Estave

Autism Society, Santa Barbara Chapter

North County Coordinator

805-349-8031

Looking for info on Special Needs Legal Stuff?

Augmentative Communication on an iPhone or iPod Touch

Autism Awareness Fair March 27th

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