Special Needs Acceptance Project:
Help GAN to prevent bullying
The Special Needs Acceptance Project
For K-6 Schools, Community Youth Groups,
Churches, Synagogues and Libraries
This Project is sponsored by GAN to increase peer support for all children with special needs and to prevent bullying.
Why is The Special Needs Acceptance Project important?
Bullying has become a national dilemma and raising awareness and empathy for others at the K-6 grade levels may help to prevent intolerant behaviors toward others as the
children mature.
What is the purpose of this project?
The Special Needs Acceptance Project is based upon The Special Needs Acceptance book by Ellen Sabin. It has interactive, educational and character building activities that introduce children to the challenges faced by those with special needs, while also raising their awareness that all people are different. The book covers a wide range of disabilities; some that are apparent, and others that are not. It includes autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, asthma, blindness, deafness, emotional and behavioral challenges and learning disabilities like dyslexia and ADHD.
A Teacher’s Guide is available for grades K-6 which includes lesson plans and activities compliant with numerous National and State Content Standards drawn from the Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning National Standards, as well as National Character Education Standards (which can be viewed at www.character.org). Each lesson plan and activity can be easily adapted to grade and ability levels and academic goals. The guide provides academic lessons in language arts, science, history, and character education.
Who can use this project effectively?
The project is intended to be introduced by educators, youth group leaders, volunteers, parents and others as an inclusion tool to help children with special needs to be better accepted by their peers. It emphasizes that that we are all different, we are all special and we all deserve to be understood and accepted.
Where can you get this book and teaching guide?
The book is available at www.wateringcanpress.com and other booksellers. The Teachers Guide for school classrooms and Guides for Teachers in Christian and Jewish Settings are all available at no cost for downloading at www.wateringcanpress.com
Please contact Marilyn at ganmarilyn@aol.com for additional information.
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Orange County Support Group for Young Women
New Social Support Group
For Young Women with Asperger’s Syndrome
Young women with Aspergers (or a related ASD) ages 16 and up may attend this free group. To learn more about this group and the schedule of meetings, please go to www.aspergers.meetup.com/229/ For additional information, please e-mail ocasupport@gmail.com or call 949.854.7415.
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Transition and the Young Adult with Autism:
Behavioral, Sopcial & Employment
| Time: |
4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
| Where: |
Regional Center of Orange County
801 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana CA
See Map (Get Directions)
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| Phone: |
(714) 796-5330 |
Presentation: Thursday, November 13, 2008
This event will be of special interest to families who have transition aged students with an autism spectrum disorder. Please download the information and send your check to the Regional Center of Orange County to make reservations.
Documents for Download
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Ball
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New Fall "Make and Take" Session
Focus on the use of visual strategies
| Time: |
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. |
| Where: |
Orange County Department of Education
200 Kalmus Drive
Costa Mesa CA
See Map (Get Directions)
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| Phone: |
(714) 966-4198 |
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Our "Make and Take" workshops have been very popular. Here's an opportunity on a Saturday to learn how to use visual supports for children on the spectrum to facilitate learning and independence. Barbara Bloomfield is the creator of this outstanding resource and she will present the newest materials and strategies. Please download this document for more information and a registration form.
Documents for Download
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Make and Take
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Super Sibs Klub:
Support for Siblings ages 8-12 years
| Time: |
9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. |
| Where: |
UCI Medical Center - Neuropsychiatry Center
101 The City Drive, Room 101
Orange CA 92868
See Map (Get Directions)
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| Phone: |
(714) 532-8778 |
Super Sibs Klub
Who may participate?
Siblings of children with special needs including, medical, developmental or cognitive issues, ages 8-12.
SIBLING WORKSHOP
At UCI Medical Center
101 The City Drive, Orange CA, 92868
Neuropsychiatry Center, Room 101
Every Third Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
August 16, 2008
September 20, 2008
October 18, 2008
November 15, 2008
Prior registration is required for participation.
?s Contact Yvonne (714) 532-8778
For more information about Sibshop, you may visit:
http://www.thearc.org/siblingsupport/sibshoppage.htm
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Strategies for Autism Spectrum Challenges:
At School, Home and in the Community
| Time: |
9:15 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. |
| Where: |
Arnold O. Beckman High School
3588 Bryan Ave.
Irvine CA 92602
See Map (Get Directions)
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Presentation: Saturday, November 22, 2008The Autism Spectrum of Support (formerly Orange County Aspergers Support Group) presents international speaker, consultant and author Donna Williams. She will speak about her experience growing up with undiagnosed autism. Learn about strategies to facilitate learning and minimize meltdowns in the classroom, at home and in the community. There will be an "Ask an Aspie" panel of adults with Asperger's in the afternoon. $25 - Cost includes a box lunch. Payment must be received by November 7, 2008. Click on the link below for more information and an application form.
Documents for Download
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donna williams word.doc
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Autism Research Study Participants Needed:
Support this New Genetic Project
Simons Simplex Collection
UCLA researchers are involved in a multi-site research study called the Simons Simplex Collection (SSC), to gather DNA samples from 2,000 autism patients and their families over the next three years. The SSC is a coordinated effort to create a database of information about cases where there is only one family member with autism. This group, which represents the great majority of autism spectrum disorders, will lead us to new genetic factors that increase the risk of autism.Families from Southern California are currently being recruited to participate. Families eligible to participate consist of: only one child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), age four or older; one or more siblings without an ASD, age four or older; and unaffected biological parents who are willing to participate. Eligible children with an ASD will receive a behavioral assessment and all family members will donate blood, a source of DNA. A small number of families with no siblings or siblings under the age of four may be eligible to participate in the study. This information will be made available to scientists around the world who are searching for clues to the causes of autism.
For more information on participating in the study, click on this link Simons Simplex
For a list of additional studies seeking participants, please go to http://www.autism.ucla.edu/files/
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Autism Genetic Resource Exchange:
AGRE
If you have more than one family member who has autism, PDD-NOS or Asperger’s syndrome, you will want to learn more about AGRE……. What is AGRE?
The Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) is the first collaborative gene bank for the study of autism spectrum disorders and one of the world’s largest shared resources to advance genetic research in autism spectrum disorders. Genetic biomaterials and clinical data are obtained from families that have more than one family member diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. The biological samples, along with the accompanying clinical data, are made available to AGRE-approved researchers.
Learn more about this program at: LINK
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Special Needs Trusts and Conservatorships
Learn how you can plan for your grandchild's future.
Several grandparents have requested more information regarding this topic. If you would like to attend an evening presentation by professionals, including an opportunity for questions and answers, please e-mail or call GAN to indicate you would like to be invited.
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Independent Education Plan (IEP) Seminar
Learn strategies and plan ahead for IEP's
Please contact us if you would like a seminar regarding Independent Education Plans. Your children are welcome to attend this, as well. If there are many of you interested in attending, we will schedule it.
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Online Course Can Build Advocacy Skills
Free tutorial helps "make your case"
“Making Your Case” is a self-study course designed to help people with developmental disabilities and their families create positive change through advocacy. Since 1987, graduates of "Partners in Policymaking" have used their newly acquired advocacy skills to bring about major policy changes at all levels of government in the United States and the United Kingdom. The free course was designed to give potential advocates the critical skills they need to make a difference through advocacy by telling a story in writing and in person; identifying the policymakers who can help bring about targeted changes; writing effective letters and e-mails; conducting productive meetings with policymakers; giving effective testimony and answers to questions; and organizing with others to tackle community issues. For more information or to take the course, visit http://www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/makingyourcase/.
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