PACE Family Immersion Camp 2012 at Meadowood!

Hi friends and fans! The time is here again for Meadowood Springs’ 2nd Annual ASD Family Immersion Camp! It is now being called the P.A.C.E Family Immersion Camp, probably because the wonderful therapists at PACE place in Beaverton, OR will be running the sessions, but the awesome counselors and folks that run the camp will be there to play with the kids and support all the families that attend!

Space is LIMITED, friends, they only take the first 10 families who apply! Fill out your application NOW! (Just don’t take *my* spot!) There are two camps this year! One from August 2-5th and a longer one from August 7-12th.

If you have a special needs child who is either officially on the Autism spectrum or may be presenting with behaviors common to Autism, this camp will change your life, I promise you!

Here’s the link, hope to see you there! http://meadowoodsprings.org/summer-camp/familycamp/

ASO 10th Annual Autism Walk-a-thon

There is an incredible event coming up in April that includes both a chance to interact with hundreds of unique, wonderful Autistic kids, as well as an opportunity to raise funds for the Autism Society of Oregon (ASO). Join us for the 10th annual Autism Walk-a-thon at Oaks Park in Portland, OR! Here’s the details:

10th ANNUAL AUTISM WALK-A-THON

Where: OAKS PARK, PORTLAND
When: SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2012
Registration starts 9 am ~ Walk at 10:30 am ~ Oaks Park rides at 11 am
Discounted ride bracelets can be purchased at Registration & will also be sold at the Walk. Plus, Raffle & Entertainment at the Walk.
Individual Registration Fees: $12 for adult, $9 for child (age 12 & younger)
Team Registration Fees: $10 for adult, $8 for child (age 12 & younger)
(Teams must have at least 10 participants and raise a minimum of $250)

Register at: http://www.firstgiving.com/asoautismwalk/10th-annual-autism-walk-a-thon to register and create your personal fund raising page! Cost includes a FREE T-shirt! See the website for details.

_______

Note from Kristi: If you want to walk with a team, make some new friends, or even just save a little money on registration, join our team! Just follow these simple steps to register & join Team Alex:

1) Go to http://www.firstgiving.com/asoautismwalk/10th-annual-autism-walk-a-thon
2) Click on the “Register” button
3) Select T-shirt size for you & anyone else you are registering, and remember to select the TEAM registration – it’s cheaper!
4) Type in your name, contact info & t-shirt size, then in the space where it asks for your “Team Captain,” type Kristi Zelinka
5) On the next screen, the “Join a Team” option will come up. Just type in Team Alex and it will pop right up. At that time, you can click the “join” button.
6) Pay for your registration & then just follow the directions for finishing up!

Also, feel free to check out my personal fund raising page for Team Alex, to learn a little more about our team’s goals, or to donate if you wish!:

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/alex-zelinka/10th-annual-autism-walk-a-thon

Hope to see you there!

Autism night in “Bodyworlds & the Brain!” (OMSI Event)

For my local readers…here is an event at OMSI on Thursday 1/26/12 from 6 – 9. It is Body Worlds & the brain with a focus on autism! OMSI does a great job teaching us about all sorts of things in life, so I am excited to see this event is happening!

Autism Night in BODY WORLDS & The Brain

Thursday, January 26, 6-9 p.m.

Autism Night is a unique opportunity for the local Autism community to interpret BODY WORLDS & The Brain together. Meet researchers, doctors, and experts in the Autism field including representatives from Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU), the Northwest Autism Foundation, and The Autism Society of Oregon.

 

Evening ticket prices apply: $19 adults; $14 youth 3-13; $17 seniors (63+) & students (14+ w/ ID)

Check our OMSI’s site for more info!   http://www.omsi.edu/events

 

 

Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum event for special needs kids!!

The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum is dedicating a full day of fun activities and learning workshops to serve people of all ages with special needs. Whether participants have a developmental disability or a physical handicap, we want to create a memorable and joyful learning experience. All activities and spaces will be wheelchair accessible and tailored to accommodate each participant’s specific needs. We will have hands-on workshops, exploration tables, paper rockets and a RC hot air balloon! Also appearing, local Star Wars groups The Cloud City Garrison 501st Legion and the Kashyyyk Base Rebel Legion.

SATURDAY, Jan. 28, 2012

Check In: 9:30 am in the Aviation Museum

Event Time: 10 am – 3 pm

Cost: $5/participant

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER: please contact the Museum Education Department at 503.434.4185 or email: education@sprucegoose.org

Also – Discount group admission rate to the water park on the day of event. We are going-hope to see everyone else there.

Let me know if you’re going, friends! Sounds like so much fun!!

❤ Kristi

New Resources for Parents!

DON’T MISS THIS YEAR’S MEGACONFERENCE!!!

OREGON DISABILITY MEGACONFERENCE 2011 The Oregon Disability MegaConference is a coalition of disability organizations joining together to develop the only statewide disability MegaConference. Our shared purpose in creating this conference is to provide a forum to educate, empower, inspire and connect people involved in the field of disabilities. Featured will be three days of outstanding educational sessions, nationally acclaimed speakers, and offerings from outstanding exhibitors and vendors. Attendees will include parents and family members, individuals experiencing disabilities, educators, community organizations and agencies serving individuals across all disabilities. This year the MegaConference will kick off with a Technology Showcase on September 29th. An entire day will be devoted to bringing together some of the most advanced thinkers and companies from throughout the nation to demonstrate the many ways in which individuals with disabilities, families, providers and others can maximize the benefits of technology for greater independence. OREGON DISABILITY MEGACONFERENCE 2011 September 29 – October 1, 2011 Salem Conference Center 200 Commercial Street SE – Salem, Oregon http://www.oregonmegaconference.org Don’t have access to the internet? Contact the MegaConference toll free at 1-877-581-2726 or in Salem at 503-581-2726.

______________________________________________________________________________________________ Showing of a Temple Grandin Video: A View from the Inside: Everything About Autism You Always Wanted to Know “A very inspiring interview between an Autism parent and one of the few people in the world who can offer him some insight into his Sons mind. Temple Grandin answers the questions that every parent or person with a family member on the spectrum wants to ask . . . “ Sunday, September 18, 2011 ARRO Westside Center (Project Pace building) 2360 SW 170th Beaverton OR 97006 Video: 1:00 pm – 2:30pm Open discussion/Problem Solving Discussion: 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm $5 donation requested to help cover costs. No child care is available at this time. Register by sending an email with name, contact info to Jenell Streeter (autismcct@yahoo.com). (See ARRO’s website www.arroautism.org for more information about ARRO.) Please forward this notice to families who might be interested. About ARRO arroautism.org As the first phase of this process, we are proud to announce the opening of our brand new ARRO Westside Family and Community Center, conveniently located at 2360 SW 170th, Beaverton, OR 97006. We are already scheduling events and leasing out space, so please, contact us now and take advantage of thi… ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Anybody have an Iphone, IPad, or ITouch? We have an Ipad and the original “Smile at Me” app was great for my son; helped him identify emotions based on pictures of kids’ faces among other things. Anyway, there’s a new app, and it’s FREE if you contact Abbie and ask her for the code; her email is listed in the article! Tell her Kristi Zelinka sent you! http://www.autism-society.org/ news/new-app-helps-with-eye.ht ml Autism Society – New App Helps with Eye Contact; Appeals to Fans of Trains www.autism-society.org We would like to tell you about our new iPhone, iPad and iPod touch apps to help children with ASD practice eye contact skills. Look in my Eyes Steam Train is part of our “eye contact” series of apps that have been very popular with families who have children with ASD. The apps help children practic…

Cool events coming up for our kids!

Walk Now for Autism Speaks!

Walk Now for Autism Speaks is a fun-filled, family friendly event n helps raise fund for autism research.

Saturday, August 27th

at Willamette Park in Portland.
Registration 9am/ Opening Ceremonies 10am!

Walk is just over two kilometers-handicap/stroller accessible.
Great Activity Area for Kids and a Resource Fair for parents!
Everyone is invited to join us raise money and help great cause. Hope to See you all there!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Open Cockpit Day, EAA Young Eagles & Boeing 40C Traveling Exhibit

Saturday, August 27, 2011 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location(s): Pearson Air Museum

Visit Pearson Air Museum for its second Open Cockpit Day of the season on Saturday, August 27th. Visitors will have the opportunity to sit inside a T-28 Trojan and Ryan PT-21,

as well experience the museum’s state-of-the-art flight simulator lab.

Also in attendance will be EAA Chapter 105 from Hillsboro, Oregon, for a Young Eagles day where young aviators ages 8-17 can experience the thrill of flight.

A special traveling exhibit, the 1928 Boeing 40C, Boeing’s oldest passenger plane, will be on display in Pearson’s historic hangar for all to view. In the afternoon the aircraft will perform take offs and landings from Pearson Field. Walk through both the main and historic hangar to experience exhibits and vintage aircraft located at the oldest operating airfield in America. This is one event you will not want to miss.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Oregon Youth Games-Oct. 1, 2011

NIKE, Inc., and Special Olympics Oregon are excited to announce the return of Youth Games to the Nike World Headquarters campus on Saturday, October 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This year’s event will bring nearly 500 participants and their families to the Nike Campus to get an up-close and personal walk-through of Special Olympics sporting events, local support services for people with intellectual disabilities, and the chance to interact with local and professional athletes in four Olympic sports. All participants will receive a free T-shirt and lunch will be provided.
Encourage all to register for a fun filled day!
http://www.soor.org/youthgames /

YouthGames, Special Olympics Oregon, presented by NIKE – Let Me Play

www.soor.org

Back to School Workshop for parents of kids with dev. disabilities – FREE childcare!

Back to School: Getting in the groove!

with

Positive Parenting for Challenging Behaviors

Target Audience: Parents, family members, foster parents, In-home support providers, County Service Coordinators

Saturday, September 10, 2011** – 9:00am-12:00pm

United Way Building, 619 SW 11th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205

It’s Back to School! Join us for a workshop where we will focus on supporting children with developmental disabilities experience a positive transition back to school. Learn about behavior, communication and effective simple proactive strategies that can help to decrease challenging behavior and increase independence.

Registration is required for workshop AND childcare!

Please call 1-888-988-3228 Option #1 or email registration@factoregon.org to register or with any questions.

* FACT is offering free onsite childcare. Additional details will be provided upon registration.

Validated Parking at First Presbyterian Church

1200 SW Alder St. Portland, OR 97205 (between Morrison & Alder)

This training is being sponsored by: Oregon Technical Assistance Corporation’s (OTAC) Community Supports and Crisis Project in collaboration with Family and Community Together (FACT). The content of this training is based on the principles and values of Positive Behavior Support (PBS)

Early Intervention Webinar on August 22

Hi Friends,

Here is information on an upcoming webinar about services for families who are in early intervention (for children 3 and under). I know I certainly could have used more information when we were doing early intervention! ❤ Kristi

More Summer events + FREE Healthcare

Please see the link below for more information on this event…

A FREE EVENT – July 23rd, FREE Services

WE WELCOME the uninsured and under-insured members of Vancouver to take part in Compassion Vancouver, we will provide the following

Basic Medical Exams Basic Dental Cleaning and Emergency Treatment Basic Chiropractic Exams Basic Eye Exams Social Service Fair

Compassion Vancouver

Long Vue, MPH | Health Care Access & Outreach
Clark County Public Health

www.clark.wa.gov/public-health
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Center for Community Health | 1601 E Fourth Plain Blvd
P.O. Box 9825 | Vancouver, WA 98666-8825
Tel: 360-397-8214 | Fax: 360-759-6518
Long.Vue@clark.wa.gov

Public Health: Always working for a safer and healthier Clark County

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

It’s time to fire up the barbecue!

Join us for the Autism Society of Washington picnic:

Sunday, July 10 from noon to 3 pm

You bring a picnic potluck side dish to share.

We’ll provide hamburgers, hot dogs, corn, cold drinks, watermelon, tableware, games and music too.

WE WELCOME ANYONE ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM

FAMILY, FRIENDS, CAREGIVERS AND PROFESSIONALS

ASW has reserved the Riverview Shelter at Frenchman’s Bar Park

9612 NW Lower River Road Vancouver, WA 98660

VOLUNTEER! Call us at 360.980.4019. We could use help setting up at 11:00 and cleaning up at 3:00.

FREE PARKING: Bring your parking receipt to us for a $3 reimbursement.

An RSVP is not necessary but for planning purposes we’d love to know how many to expect.

E-mail bridgetschwarz@yahoo.com or call us at 360.980.4019.

Questions? Need Directions? Go to our web site www.autismsocietyofwa.org/asw-southwest .

__________________________________________________________________________________

SENSORY FRIENDLY EVENT at the CLARK COUNTY FAIR

The management of the annual Clark County Fair is making special plans to help families with developmentally disabled children enjoy the summer’s best party – the fair! Butler Amusement, the carnival operator, has agreed to participate.

On Tuesday August 9 the Clark County fair will open as usual at 10:00. The rides will begin operating as usual at noon. BUT during the noon hour, on Tuesday only, half a dozen rides will operate in a sensory friendly mode. Speed, noise, and lights will be reduced.

This is a big deal! Planning for the annual fair starts the day after each year’s fair closes. Our request for these special accommodations was last minute – but it’s going to happen!

We are preparing a survey to gauge the level of interest from developmentally disabled families to support a request for more special features at the fair next year. When asked, please reply!

SPECIAL PRICES at the CLARK COUNTY FAIR

Online advanced ticket purchases offer significant savings on admission (save $2), rides, and parking. The tickets are good any day of the fair (August 5 – 14).

For example, carnival rides cost $3 to $5 per person. Instead of buying $1 coupons, we urge you to consider the likely savings of online advanced ticket purchases. An unlimited ride wristband costs $25 – $30 but with an online advanced purchase is only $22.

Go to http://www.clarkcofair.com to buy fair tickets online. (You can of course buy tickets at the gate.)

Then on Tuesday August 9 from 12:00 – 1:00 look for signs identifying the sensory friendly rides.

http://www.clarkcofair.com

Go to their website for more information about the fair and to purchase advance tickets.

For more information contact bridgetschwarz@yahoo.comor leave a message at 360.980.4019.

HOT DOCS Class

Hi Friends,

Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve posted, been really busy…I will be posting soon with some more personal stuff, but I wanted to get the word our on this class that’s happening…it really is an excellent class that Duane and I went to over at Providence and we really benefited from it…I highly recommend that you check it out!!

HOT DOCS ©

Helping Our Toddlers, Developing Our Children’s Skills

A 6-week Course for Parents and Families of Children with Disabilities,

Developmental Delays or Autism

HOT DOCS offers a child and family-friendly approach to understanding children’s needs and solving everyday behavior problems.

Come join the fun and learn new skills! FREE Registration!

Thursdays

July 7, 14, 21, 28, August 4, 11 2011

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

EOCF Family Center Training Room

10411 NE Fourth Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98662

This training is offered to you at no cost through the generous support of

Educational Opportunities for Children and Families (EOCF) and OrFIRST

Register for this training by calling OrFIRST at 1-503-232-4500 or

email: orfirst.gmbolivar@gmail.com