PA Regional Resources

New 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 Are a
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

In the Media

Why Judges Need Autism Training Just as Much as Police Do
By: The Autism Site
Judges in Pennsylvania got some new on-the-job-training recently that can help them bring fairness and justice into their courtrooms when defendants with autism come before them. More than 1,000 judges in the state are required to participate in continuing education that helps them understand and recognize autism when they see it in court and better interpret the responses of people with autism.

Penn Study Finds High Quality Early Intervention for Children with Autism Quickly Results in Costs Savings
From: https://www.pennmedicine.org
PHILADELPHIA - One in every 68 children in the United States has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neuro-developmental disorder that results in difficulty socializing and communicating needs and desires, and often is accompanied by restricted interests or activities. Research has shown that early intervention leads to better outcomes for children on the spectrum. But the cost of early intervention is high-ranging from $40,000 to $80,000 per year for intensive early intervention-and health care insurers, state and local early intervention programs often are reluctant to pay for it, thereby making it difficult for families of children with ASD to obtain these expensive services.

PA/Regional Resources

Greater Philadelphia and
regional resources

ASERT (Autism Services, Education, Resources and Training) Collaborative
AutismLink
CAP4Kids Philadelphia
Elwyn’s A-List
Montco Office of Developmental Disabilities Day Services Guide – This guide is a current comprehensive listing of day programs within the county compiled as a reference for families.
Philadelphia Area Adaptive Sports Directory
PA Bureau of Autism Services
PA Developmental Disabilities Council
PA Department of Labor & Industry
Parents Involved Network of PA
Parent to Parent of PA
PA Yellow Pages for Kids With Disabilities
Salus University - Autism Parent Support Group- provide support for caregivers whose life is impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Variety Family Resource Center
Understanding “Wraparound” Services

Legal Disclaimer: ASCEND maintains the Professional Services Resource Directory as a service to families and professionals as a reference tool. ASCEND does not endorse or claim to have personal knowledge of the abilities of those listed. The resources listed on this page are not intended as a recommendation, referral, or endorsement of any resource or as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any organization, product or professional. Users are urged to use independent judgment when considering any resource associated with diagnosis or treatment of autism, or the provision of services related to autism.

ASCEND Group Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. We do not endorse any specific professional or therapeutic treatment. We are not meant to be a replacement for medical or legal advice. Our mission is to raise public awareness about Asperger Syndrome and related disorders, to advocate for improved education and services, and to provide support and information to the Asperger and autism community. This web site is for informational purposes only. Any link or mention on our web site should not be construed as an endorsement or recommendation. If you have questions about Autism or Asperger Syndrome, please consult with a qualified medical professional.

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