Two Local Benefits for Children with Autism

Proceeds from both events go to Fight Autism Now Supporters (FANS).  FANS is dedicated to providing structured social skills and therapeutic programs in a supportive and 

nurturing environment for children on the autism spectrum.

http://www.fightautismnowsupporters.org/aboutus.html

ART FOR AUTISM SHOW & BENEFIT @ St. Peter’s Nursery School

Tuesday, April 12^th 6:00-8:00pm

Raffles for Phillies tickets, Restaurant Certificates and Beauty Salons

Help us complete our 20 foot “Ribbon of Hope” by purchasing a giant puzzle piece

All money will be donated to FANS to support our summer camp.

BENEFIT FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM @ TOTARO’S

Thursday, April 28^th 6:00-8:00pm

10% of all food and beverage purchases will be donated to FANS.

50/50 Raffle

Meet Former Eagle’s cheerleader, Trish McNew, who will be the bartender!

Totaro’s is located at 729 E. Hector Street in Conshohocken

http://www.totaros.com/

Creative Dramatics for Children with Autism and Aspergers

O'Doodles Toystore   WINTER SESSION 2011 Six Saturdays, January 22 to February 26 2:00 - 4:00 PM The fee for the six week series is $195 The Family Stages Creative Dramatics Program is designed to improve skills for processing language and emotions. Music and movement games help develop physical coordination and response to auditory stimulation. Acting out social stories enables the children to become more familiar and more comfortable in dealing with everyday situations. Each session will combine both individual and group games in a recurring format to foster a sense of security and well-being.    To register or request more information,  contact Family Stages at 215-886-9341 or familystages@gmail.com http://duetpros.com/Creative_Dramatics.htm

Spectrum FUNdamentals at O'Doodles... for students on and off the autism spectrum

Spectrum FUNdamentals Studio is hosting its first Open House, from 4 to 7 pm on Sunday, October 24, on the second floor of O'Doodles Toy Store at 8335 Germantown Ave..  To children on and off the autism spectrum, the Studio is offering classes designed around fun activities while offering training in social skills and making friends.  Classes include yoga, art, dramatics, Lego stop action movies, and soon will include music, constructive play and more.  There will also be Family Fun Game Nights on Fridays evenings hosted by O'Doodles.  Come to meet the class presenters at the Open House and enjoy a variety of games and activities.  Light refreshments will be served.
www.odoodles.com
215-247-7405

Fall Opportunity for Children with Autism

WEEKLY SOCIAL SKILLS GROUP FOR CHILDREN ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM: 
Building on the success of the camp (photo above) earlier this summer, the FANS social skills group uses fun and exciting topics to motivate children to increase their social skills and ultimately increase self-esteem by applying the following skills in the natural environment:

• Eye contact
• Spatial Awareness
• Appropriate interactions with peers
• Conversations
• Following instructions
• Turn taking
• Dealing with frustration
• Expressing emotions
• Problem Solving 

TSS/Aids and siblings are welcome!

SIX-WEEK SESSION

Every Thursday*
September 16th-21st
4:30-5:30pm OR 5:45-6:45pm
$150 for the entire session
Plus a $25.00 non-refundable registration fee.
*Thursdays don’t fit your schedule?  Let us know and we can discuss alternate days.

OPEN HOUSE
Thursday, September 9th 4:30-5:30pm
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
3025 Church Road
Lafayette Hill, PA  19444

Camps for Children with Autism/Special Needs: Lose the Training Wheels!

Two exciting local camp opportunities for children with special needs.  FANS camp for children on the autism spectrum runs in Lafyette Hill from August 9-12, and "Lose the Training Wheels!" runs the same week at St. Joe's University.  



FANS (Fight Autism Now) Camp: August 9th-12th, 9:00am-12:00pm @ St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Lafayette Hill. A new theme each day! Pre-Registration & Open House on Thursday, July 15th from 5:00-6:00. $25.00 per day or $100.00 for the whole week plus a non-refundable $25.00 registration fee.

FANS Social Skills Group: The first Six-Week Session starts September 16th-21st. Your child may enroll in the 4:30-5:30pm OR 5:45-6:45pm group. Tuition is $150.00 plus a $25.00 non-refundable registration fee. Open House on Thursday, September 9th from 4:30-5:30.

FANS Vision
To combat autism with social skills and therapeutic activities to help children on the autism spectrum reach their full potential.

FANS Mission
To provide structured social skills and therapeutic programs in a supportive and nurturing environment for children on the autism spectrum.

FANS Staff: FANS Camp and the Social Skills Group are under the Direction of Jacquie Nicholl Godwin, a Certified Behavioral Specialist, and Volunteer Consultant, Rose Hoffer, Assistant Director from the Lovaas Institute and a staff of behavioral specialists, special education teachers and experienced aids.

FANS Contact Information: 
Website: www.fightautismnowsupporters.org
Email: fightatusimnowsupporters@gmail.com

BICYCLE CAMP FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN PHILADELPHIA TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS AND VOLUNTEERS

Lose the Training Wheels™, a program that teaches individuals with disabilities to independently ride a conventional two wheel bicycle, is now taking applications. Five-day camp sessions will take place August 9-13, 2010 at Saint Joseph's University.

Lose the Training Wheels, Inc. is a national organization that works with local organizations to host camps in their communities.  Lose the Training Wheels™ uses adapted equipment, trained professionals and volunteers. With 75 minutes of daily instruction over five days, approximately 85 percent of campers learn to ride a conventional bicycle independently. 

To be eligible to enroll, participants must be at least eight years old. They must have a disability but be able to walk without an assistive device such as a walker or cane. They must be able to side-step quickly to both sides. Participants must have a minimum inseam measurement of 20 inches and weigh no more than 250 pounds.

All participants must wear a properly-fitted bike helmet at all times when on the bicycles. Participants will be most successful if willing to follow instructions and have a desire to ride a bicycle.

This is a wonderful and rewarding volunteer opportunity for anyone interested in dedicating 75 minutes each day over the 5 days of camp teaching a disabled person to ride a bike….And you will get exercise from walking/jogging alongside your assigned participant!

Cost of the camp is $175. Applications for participants and payment must be received by July 24, 2010. Applications for participants and volunteers can be downloaded at www.buckscountypeds.com/forms.htm OR e-mail Lose the Training Wheels with any questions about participating or volunteering at lttwphilly@yahoo.com

Targeted Summer Opportunities for: Teachers, Military, Autism & Bank of America Customers

The Autism Society of America and AMC Theaters is hosting “sensory friendly” films again this summer.  These film showings are designed to be a less overwhelming and hopefully more enjoyable experience for children with autism.  The lights will remain on low, no previews are shown, and the sound is turned down.  Families are also allowed to bring their own appropriate snacks and viewers are welcome to get up and move and vocalize during the movie.  

June 26 will be Toy Story 3 at 10am at participating theaters.

July 17 will be Despicable Me.

Link to informational website and theater listing:

http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sensoryfilms

Museums on Us.  Bank of America cardholders are eligible for FREE passes to museums and more around the country during the following weekends:

- July 3 & 4, 2010

- August  7 & 8, 201

- September 4 & 5, 2010

Locally, cardholders can get free passes to the following sites:

Please Touch Museum    www.pleasetouchmuseum.org 215-581-3181

Philadelphia Museum of Art – www.philamuseum.org 215-763-8100

National Constitution center–  www.constitutioncenter.org 215-409-6600

Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts – www.pafa.org 215-972-7600

African American Museum in Philadelphia -  www.aampmuseum.org 215.574-0380

But click the link below to see the listings for other states, including zoos, science centers and more...

http://museums.bankofamerica.com/

The Blue Star Families program is a free admission program available to active duty military and up to five immediate family members.  This partnership with the NAtional Endowment for the Arts offers free admission to over 750 museums nationwide.  Eligibility is for any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card, or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, which includes active duty military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard), National Guard and Reserve members and up to five immediate family members.  

http://www.nea.gov/national/bluestarmuseums/faq.html

Are you a K-12 classroom teacher, principal or assistant principal?  Then you are eligible for the Philadelphia Zoo’s Summer Break Teacher pass!  This pass allows you free admission Monday through Fridays from June 15 to August 31, 2010, but you must register by July 11, 2010.

http://www.philadelphiazoo.org/Summer-Break-Teachers-Pass.htm