Events

Informal Opportunity to Discuss Supplemental Needs Trusts and Guardianship

Meet Amy Dawson at a Free Film Screening of Autistic License for information about supplemental needs trusts, guardianships and estate planning issues of concern to families who have children with disabilities. Come chat during intermission!

Date: April 13
Location: Eden Prairie High School Auditorium
17185 Valley View Rd, Eden Prairie, MN
Time: 3:30-8:00 pm
For more information, and to register to see the screening of “Autistic License,” go to: http://edenprairie.registryinsight.com

Panel Discussion on Autism

Amy Dawson will participate in a Panel Discussion on Autism, Sponsored by the Eden Prairie Committee for Disability Awareness and others.

Date: April 16
Location: Eden Prairie City Hall Heritage Room
8080 Mitchell Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Time: 7:00-8:30 pm
For more information go to: http://edenprairie.registryinsight.com

Presentation on Special Issues in Estate Planning and Guardianship will be offered twice during April:

Amy Dawson will explain how a supplemental needs trust and specialized estate planning can help you ensure that your child’s guardian will have the financial resources to take care of your child. Learn why failing to plan for the future can disrupt just about every aspect of your child’s life. This information concerns individuals on the autism spectrum regardless of age. The need for guardianship and how to become a guardian will also be covered.

Date: April 26 Location: Walker-Hackensack-Ackeley High School Auditorium
301 4th St. S.
Walker, MN 56484
Time: 7-8:30 pm
Sponsored by PAWN Special Education Cooperative and HOWA Family Center
Contact: Holly Nelson, hnelson@wha.k12.mn.us

Date: April 28
Location: Wayzata High School
4955 Peony Lane North
Plymouth, MN 55446
Time: 7-8:30 pm Sponsored by ANSWER parent support group
Contact: Kathy Hoffman at markkathyhoffman@msn.com

Presentation: Supplemental Needs Trusts and Guardianships

Date: April 30
Location: Autism Society of Minnesota Annual Conference
Double Tree Hotel, 1500 Park Place Boulevard
Minneapolis, MN 55416
Time: 3:00-4:15 pm
Register at:www.ausm.org

MAC Sibling Support Group
The Minnesota Autism Center is excited to announce its Sibling Support Group. The Sibling Support Group will provide a relaxing environment where siblings of children with autism can meet and discuss the
positives and negatives of having siblings with autism.

The Group will be offered in an environment where kids can join in recreational activities surrounded solely by other kids with similar family dynamics.
Coping strategies and positive interactions will be discussed. The Group meets monthly at our corporate headquarters in Minnetonka and is directed by MHP qualified staff.

Dates:
Tuesday, March 9th
Tuesday, April 13th
Tuesday, May 11th

Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Who: Siblings between the ages of 7 and 17

Cost: FREE (pizza and beverages will be provided)

Brochure Link
Registration Form Link

For more information, please contact Ryan Cornelius at 952-767-4201.

Autism Parent Support Group

March 9, 2010

**Please note we will be teaming with OASIS, so will be meeting at Weaver Lake Elementary

** We will also have child care available this month, so please email me by Friday if you could benefit from this opportunity.

Location this Month

Weaver Lake Elementary

15900 Weaver Lake Road
Maple Grove, MN 55369

Time

Tuesday 7-9 p.m.

Guiding Toward Growth

This workshop presents the principles that guide parents, and caregivers toward creating successful programming for children and young adults with autism spectrum disabilities (could also be useful for children with ADHD). Participants will learn: The Band of Regulation – the state of focus and calm needed for academic and social learning; The Ten Hurdles – the internal and external conditions that get in the way of maintaining a state in which learning can occur; Methods to assess the impact of each Hurdle; Innovative interventions that are being used in schools and in community based groups. John Merges is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in private practice assisting individual with ASD and their families. He also consults and does training in many area schools.

Save the dates for future meetings:  April 12^th- & May 11th

Questions: Shannon Ross (763-315-7664) rosss@district279.org

SPARK ASD Parent Network
Wed., March 3, 2010,
7 – 9pm
Handke Family Center, 1170 Main Street, Elk River, Rm. 112
This month’s meeting will be an open forum. Come, bring your current discussion topics related to joys, challenges, and questions!

This is a parent-facilitated, informal gathering for discussion of both challenges and joys faced by parents of children on the Autism Spectrum. A medical diagnosis is not required. Preschool and elementary school-aged topics will be covered.

This workshop will cover topics related to using visual supports for children who have challenges with typical communication methods and transitions. Hear from specialists about strategies that work, view examples of various visual communication tools, as well as learn how social stories can also help to support your child’s learning and social interactions.   Presented by: Doreen Vollhaber, Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Teacher and Judy Kackman, Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Autism Specialist. Please RSVP by Monday, March 1st with Alice Strom 763-241-3400, ext 5569 or email alice.strom@elkriver.k12.mn.us

Feel free to attend the workshop, and then come join us in room 112 for the ASD Parent Network meeting.