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ASCEND’s Meetup GroupNew ASCEND Professional Member
Nellie's Schoolhouse
35 Old Covered Bridge Rd
Newtown Square, PA 19073
We connect children with autism, depression and anxiety to well trained and well behaved dogs. We are an ambulatory classroom in which our screened volunteers and their dogs visit children and their families in their homes over a predetermined period of time (after school and on weekends). As a parent of an autistic, depressed or anxious child, you are encouraged to explore and learn about the opportunities available for your youngster to be a member of Nellie's Schoolhouse. The relationship between a child and a dog has been proven to be powerful and life changing.
Contact: Tom Richards - Executive Director 610-212-0516
ASCEND Professional Member News
Top 10 Things to Know Before Heading Off to College
By:Terri Weiner at Transition Steps to Success where our mission is to provide specialized Occupational Therapy services to help individuals make successful transitions and launch satisfying, healthy, and fulfilling lives.
Someone you know may be preparing to venture off to college: they have made the trip to Bed, Bath and Beyond and are getting excited for their new lives. For the adults who are helping them to prepare for this next step, it can be an anxiety- provoking time. We've compiled a list of the "Top 10 Things You Need to Know Before Heading Off to College." Use these suggestions as a tool for your "T ransition to Success" at college. This quick list was created as a way to inspire you towards a new level of independence. Please save this and share it.
New Books Published:
Patience Domowski, LCSW, of Patience's Behavior Therapy, recently published books which may be helpful to those on the autism spectrum:
Lily Makes Friends- book about making friends/social skills.
Julian Learns- book about following directions/anger.
An (un)common sense guide to parenting- parenting book which includes a section on autism.
Brianna and the Blue Monster- book about depression for kids. Violet and the Worry Warthog- book for kids with anxiety.
Helping Adults with Autism Age Well in the Philadelphia Area
By Erin Arvedlund for Philly.Com
What happens when adult children with disabilities become senior citizens? It's a growing reality that Judith Creed Homes for Adult Independence (JCHAI) is grappling with as its adult clients become seniors, some in their late 70s. While trusts remain one of the best planning techniques for families with means, many adults with disabilities have more immediate needs, such as finding jobs and places to live, and learning new skills.
As the number of children with autism grows, so do awareness and special places to play
By: Rita Giordano for Philly.Com
Toby, 3, bubbling over with a preschooler's boundless enthusiasm, was running laps around the city of Philadelphia one recent Friday morning as his dad Tim Schellenberg tried to keep up. "Dad! Look!" called out Toby, racing ahead. Okay, it was a Lego version of Philadelphia - but a 1.5 million-brick, sprawling replica, including a nine-foot high Liberty Place that towered over Toby. The cityscape is one of the highlights of the new Legoland Discovery Center at the Plymouth Meeting Mall.
Local ASD Events
New Playground For Special Needs Kids Opens in Bristol Township
By: Erich Marten for levittownnow.com
For 15 years, Widza and Cedric Bryant have searched for a way to keep their sons together for before and after school care sessions. Vladimir Bryant, now 15, has physical special needs that prevent him from attending the same care services as his twin brother. To fill the need and ease the pain the family knows all too well, Widza and Cedric set out to create a service where kids with physical special needs and their siblings can go together before and after school.
Autism Society Greater Philadelphia and AMC: Sensory Friendly Movies
AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to bring you unique movie showings where you can feel free to be you! We turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing!
Sept. 9: Leap!
Sept. 12: It
Sept. 23: Lego Ninjago
Sept. 26: Kingsman The Golden Circle
Penn Museum: New Program for Families with Special Needs
New program for families with special needs! Join other local families at the Penn Museum for an unforgettable night of sensory-friendly fun at our Evening Expedition. For children ages 8 and older, teens, and young adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their families, this program offers a hands-on look into the lives of the ancients through active, engaging, multisensory activities. Our evening explorers will take part in an interactive game show, enjoy an introductory lesson to ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, perform adaptive yoga, make crafts, and even touch artifacts from our ancient Peruvian mummy cart! The night will culminate with a flashlight tour of select Museum galleries. All participants should bring a flashlight for the Flashlight Expedition, and may also bring their own dinner and/or snacks. A sensory-friendly cool down space will be available to visit for the duration of the event. Please email or call Megan Becker at meganbe@upenn.edu or 215.573.5309 with any questions about the event. Fee: $15/participant, $15/chaperone.
New Program for Latino Families
A dance/movement/music therapy parent-child workshop on Saturdays at Taller Puertorriqueño that is presented in English and Spanish. Recruitment for this program is beginning now and is capped at 20 children under the age of 12 who have children with behavioral and developmental challenges. A drop in skills and answer workshop once a month at HUNE held in English and Spanish and offers functional skills and systems advocacy and navigation for families who have children with behavioral and developmental challenges. This is open to all families and is presented in English and Spanish.
Contact Sully Moreno for more information.
Autism Awareness Event in Autumn
Exceptional Families of Exceptional Children (E.F.E.C.) and Elmwood Park Zoo are teaming up to bring the community an Autism Awareness Event in Autumn. The Elmwood Park Zoo is looking to expand the community's understanding of autism and Exceptional Families of Exceptional Children is looking to show families all the wonderful resources available in this area. This year marks our fifth year teaming up to bring the community this event!
Sat, 9/23, from 11am-2pm
Elmwood Park Zoo
1661Harding Blvd Norristown,19401
Support Group for Siblings of Children with Special Needs
The JAFCO STAR Group (Siblings Together are Remarkable) is a support group, facilitated by a Licensed Social Worker, that provides typical siblings (ages 8-16) of children with developmental disabilities a safe space to talk about their feelings with other children who share their experience. The program will also allow opportunities for the participant and their sibling to work together through fun teamwork exercises! This service is offered at no charge to the family!
RSVP: Rachel Buxbaum, LSW or call 610-525-1040
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