CAN4GCA Coaches Newsletter
START RCN - May 2016
START Conference Highlights
Dr. Stephen Shore is an individual on the spectrum who shared his experiences and perspectives. He encouraged us to switch our perspective from thinking in terms of deficits and instead, think in terms of characteristics and differences and figure out how to turn them into strengths.
Alyson Beytien is a mother of three adult sons on the spectrum. She shared Five Keys to Supporting a Child with Autism in the Community. Some advice she shared included "If at first you don't succeed, make more visuals!" And don't ask "can" we do this?, but "HOW can we make this happen?" Alyson has an amazing sense of humor and you can read more of her experiences and suggestions in her book Autism Everyday.
Dan Habib is a film maker with a son with cerebral palsy. He has made several documentaries regarding inclusion - Including Samuel and Who Cares about Kelsey? He also recently produced Thasya, which tells the story of a young girl with ASD who found her voice through augmentative communication. Habib shared that research and his own experience shows that Included kids are more likely to have better communication skills, higher academic achievement, wider social networks, fewer behavior problems, more opportunities for higher education, and meaningful employment as adults. You can view Thasya on Habib's website at http://www.whocaresaboutkelsey.com/about/the-mini-films
Notes and resources from the START conference can be found here.
https://www.gvsu.edu/autismcenter/2016-start-conference-session-descriptions-228.htm
Beyond the Wall
Including Samuel
Autism Everyday
RCN Leadership Award
Our Leadership Award was hand painted by a young 2nd grade student with Autism Spectrum Disorder from Wyoming, MI. Taylor loves cats and was inspired to draw one of her interpretations of a cat on her plate.
CAN4GCA Leadership Award
Your CAN4GCA Leadership team!
RCN Leadership Award
Build Your Future - Transition
One Clio student has been working at Goodwill while the other student has been working at Computer Junkies in Burton. Both student are benefiting from the WIOA program and are getting paid for their work experience and will continue through August 2016. One Atherton student has been interning at Family Video while their other student is gaining employment skills alongside custodial and maintenance staff at the school.
We are looking forward to expanding BYF programs in 2016-2017 to better meet the needs of Transition aged students in Genesee County.
Special Olympics Project Unify
Special Olympics Michigan has collaborated with START and spoke to educators at the RCN Leadership day that there is a great deal of resources (MONEY!) available to new Project UNIFY schools. If you are looking for new opportunities (and money!) for your Peer support program, consider Special Olympics Project UNIFY. More information and an application for involvement can be found at http://somi.org/projectunify/index.html#.VzTTzIQrK1s
Coming Soon! New ASD Evaluation Guidelines
Highlights from Autism Awareness Month
Swartz Creek Middle School
Atherton Elementary School
Carter Middle School, Clio
Summer Camp Opportunities
http://www.geneseeautism.org/power-camp.html
Camp C.A.R.E. - Children with Autism Recreation Enrichment,
Grand Blanc Parks & Recreation. Ages 6-20
June 21-23, June 28-30, July 12-14
This program includes structured activities including: crafts, art, music, games, sports and one weekly field trip. Participants will be supervised in a 1:4 ratio environment. All fees are included in the $100 cost!
http://www.gbparks.com/specialneeds.asp
Adapted Bike Camp
Ann Arbor, MI,
June 27-July 1
https://apm.activecommunities.com/aareced/activity_search/41341?
ForMar Nature Preserve & Arboretum hosts monthly programs for children and adults with cognitive disabilities called Nature Discovery that are held on the first Saturday of every month. They also will have a Nature Discovery Camp on July 19-21 from 9:30am-2:30pm. They ask families to register by July 13 to be sure there is availability. Cost is $10.00 per day or $25 for all three days. Families are asked to bring a sack lunch and water bottle for each day. Registration can be done over the phone at 1-800-648-PARK, ext. 6.
THANK YOU!
Thank you to all of our building coaches and RCN members! We greatly appreciate all the work you do to support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We will continue to work strategically to support students, staff and families. Watch for training dates in the fall and have a fantastic summer!
Please contact your ASD TC if you have any questions or need additional support:
Amy Chorley - achorley@geneseeisd.org
Angie Chinevere - achineve@geneseeisd.org
Barb Olszewski - bolszews@geneseeisd.org