UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN IS LOOKING FOR: PERSPECTIVES ON SCHOOL-HOME COMMUNICATION BY CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

  UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN IS LOOKING FOR: PERSPECTIVES ON SCHOOL-HOME COMMUNICATION BY CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISMUNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN IS LOOKING FOR:
PERSPECTIVES ON SCHOOL-HOME COMMUNICATION BY CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

We are reaching out to families who might be interested in participating in a one-time, online survey.
The survey will contain questions about your perspectives on the school-home communication you are currently engaged with your child’s current school.

TIME COMMITMENT: 25-30 MIN

PLEASE CONSIDER PARTICIPATING INTHIS SURVEY IF YOU ARE

PROFICIENT IN ENGLISH AND
HAVE A CHILD THAT MEETS THE
FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
~ BETWEEN AGES OF 3 – 21
~ ENROLLED IN PUBLIC SCHOOL
~ REPORTED TO HAVE AUTISM
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN THIS SURVEY, CLICK HERE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Rex Li
csli4@illinois.edu (929)-445-2451
Dr. Meghan Burke
meghanbm@illinois.edu (217) 300-1226

Stipend Program for Illinois Families to Attend Conferences

The Arc  logoDid you know that the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities has a stipend program that pays for Illinois families to attend conferences?

The Consumer Stipend Program funded by the ICDD and managed by The Arc of Illinois helps individuals and their family members attend educational conferences that discuss topics focused on intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The program can assist financially with the many expenses involved with attending a conference, including but not limited to: registration, gas, hotel, childcare and meals.

This goal of this program is to make sure self-advocates and family members have the availability to information so that they are able to make positive changes in their lives and be the best advocates they can.

We would appreciate if you could share this information with individuals with developmental/intellectual disabilities and their families.

Below are some examples of types of conferences that we have provided funding for:

Autism

Cerebral Palsy

Down Syndrome

PECS

Fragile X Syndrome

Rett Syndrome

Williams Syndrome

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

DUP15q Conference

Batten Disease

Transition Conference …and many more!

Click here to for more details about applying for the
Consumer Involvement Program

 
Please contact Lee Ann at 815-464-1832 or leeann@thearcofil.org with any questions.
This is a great opportunity for self-advocates and family members to attend conferences or trainings that they would not otherwise be able to attend.

T

Fun Fair for Children with Special Needs

Corner Stones Autism ServicesFun Fair for Children with Special Needs

Hosted By Corner Stones
Autism Services

Come join in on the fun!
Bring the whole family!

Sunday, April 29, 2018
11am-2pm

Chicago Park District
Horner Park
2741 W. Montrose Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
Banquet Hall (Basement Level)

Activities at the Fun Fair include:
Bounce House
Face Painting
Party Characters
Ball Pit
Games, Activities, and much more!

Lunch will be provided for all who attend

Have questions about the event?
Call Jamilah Rahim at (312)912-1901 or email her at jamilah@cornerstonesil.com

Recruiting Children (2-7 years) Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder for a Research Study on How Diet Affects the Gut Bacteria and Behavior in ASD

Recruiting Children (2-7 years) Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder for a Research Study on How Diet Affects the Gut Bacteria and Behavior in ASDRecruiting Children (2-7 years) Diagnosed with
Autism Spectrum Disorder for a Research Study on How
Diet Affects the Gut Bacteria and Behavior in ASD

Goal of the Study. Researchers in the Department of Food Science
and Human Nutrition at the University of Illinois are investigating
the relationship between diet, gut bacteria and symptoms of ASD.
What will I be asked to do?

• To provide samples of your child’s stool.
• To complete an online questionnaire (~30 minutes).
• To complete a 3-day food record.

Will I be compensated?

Parents will receive a $30 gift certificate ($10 per sample). At the end of the study, you will also be offered a free Nutrition Education Session and a free diet analysis of your child’s diet.

Who should I contact?

For more information, contact Kirsten
Harold at UIUCMicrobiomeStudy@gmail.com or (901) 315-6188.

Seeking African American Parents of Children with Autism for FREE Parent Advocacy Training!

Seeking African American Parents of Children with Autism for FREE Parent Advocacy Training!

What: We are looking for African American parents of children with autism who want to participate in a six-week training to learn more about advocating for services!! Cost: FREE! You will also receive $75 for your time & participation!

When: Saturdays only. October 15th – November 19th 9:30am-12:30pm

Where: South Side Chicago Public Libraries (King Branch, Hall Branch, South Shore Branch)


For more information please contact: Jamie Pearson, jnpears2@illinois.edu, or Hedda Meadan, meadan@illinois.edu, 217-333-0260.

An Introduction to Autism and The ABC’s of Behavior-Session

Autism-Speaks LogoFamily Resource Center on Disabilities is happy to  kick off Autism Awareness Month with two powerful webinars presented by Autism Speaks’Manager of Community Outreach for the Midwest Region, Colleen Shinn.  These webinars are a two part of series:

Part One will focus on understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder and Resources available to parents of children with Autism.

Part Two will focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder and behavior.

Presenter: Colleen Shinn is the Manager of Community Outreach for the Midwest Region in the Family Services division of Autism Speaks. Prior to joining Autism Speaks, she most recently worked for Easter Seals as the Training Specialist and Manager of The Autism Program (TAP) Service Centers for Chicago and Rockford. She was responsible for the development and implementation of curriculum and staff development, comprehensive professional training for employees, families and professionals, supervision of full and part time employees, interns and clinical staff, local and national legislative activities, coordinating and leading the Autism Strategic Planning Committee, and extensive community outreach

Ms. Shinn is formally trained in Applied Behavioral Analysis, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS,) and DIR Floor time. She is an active member on the Coalition Against Sexual Abuse of Children with Disabilities through the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, the Midwest Autism Consortium, and the Illinois Autism Task Force.  Ms. Shinn is fluent in Sign Language and is a Board Certified and Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant with an extensive background in Autism Spectrum Disorders. She has more than 30 years of experience in Early Intervention, Inclusion, and Early Childhood Special Education. She has presented both locally and nationally on topics related to Autism.

 

WEBINAR: An Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder/Autism Speaks Family Services Supports and Resources and Support Session 1

Autism Speaks LogoFamily Resource Center on Disabilities is happy to kick off Autism Awareness Month with two powerful webinars presented by Autism Speaks’ Manager of Community Outreach for the Midwest Region, Colleen Shinn.  These webinars are a two part of series:

Part One will focus on understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder and Resources available to parents of children with Autism.

Part Two will focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder and behavior.

Presenter: Colleen Shinn is the Manager of Community Outreach for the Midwest Region in the Family Services division of Autism Speaks. Prior to joining Autism Speaks, she most recently worked for Easter Seals as the Training Specialist and Manager of The Autism Program (TAP) Service Centers for Chicago and Rockford. She was responsible for the development and implementation of curriculum and staff development, comprehensive professional training for employees, families and professionals, supervision of full and part time employees, interns and clinical staff, local and national legislative activities, coordinating and leading the Autism Strategic Planning Committee, and extensive community outreach

Ms. Shinn is formally trained in Applied Behavioral Analysis, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS,) and DIR Floor time. She is an active member on the Coalition Against Sexual Abuse of Children with Disabilities through the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, the Midwest Autism Consortium, and the Illinois Autism Task Force.  Ms. Shinn is fluent in Sign Language and is a Board Certified and Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant with an extensive background in Autism Spectrum Disorders. She has more than 30 years of experience in Early Intervention, Inclusion, and Early Childhood Special Education. She has presented both locally and nationally on topics related to Autism.

 

16th annual Spring Fling for Autism Awareness Conference and Resource Fair

CHICAGOLAND-AUTISM-CONNECTION LogoChicagoland Autism Connection presents the
16th annual “Spring Fling for Autism Awareness” Conference and Resource Fair

Saturday, April 18, 2015
8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Bogan Computer Technical High School
3939 West 79th Street, Chicago
(southeast corner of 79th and Pulaski) Free CPDU credits available

The Spring Fling provides valuable information to parents and families of individuals with autism spectrum disorders, supports professionals, and
increases public awareness. The program features breakout sessions on topics of interests, exhibitor tables, and lots of opportunities for networking. This is a free event, with workshops conducted by experts from diverse areas of work in the autism field. Advance registration is recommended but not required.

We regret that child care is not available.

English Language Workshops Spanish Language Workshops

Over 30 Vendors
Register at www.2015cacspringfling.eventbrite.com
For additional information, visit www.chicagoautism.org or call 773-329-0375

African American Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Needed for Research on Experiences Accessing Services

African American Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Needed for Research on Experiences Accessing Services

Jamie Pearson is a doctoral student in Special Education at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is looking for participants for an exciting research project that will focus on the experiences of African
American parents gaining access to services for their children who have ASD. Below is a description of the study.

Title of the Project: African American Parents’ Experiences Accessing Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

About the Project: As a participant, you will complete two 10-minute surveys and be interviewed face-to-face for approximately one hour. This will help us to understand of the experiences of African American Families when accessing services in school and outside of school for children with ASD. We believe that your experiences will help to inform the practices
in schools and homes, particularly for children of color with autism.
Potential Participants: Please consider participating in this study if:

1. You are an African American parent or caregiver of an African American child who has a primary diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder,

2. Your child is in grades K-5 at a public school in Illinois and qualifies for special education and related services, AND

3. Your total yearly family income is more than $27,910
In appreciation for your time, you will receive $50 for participating in this study.

For more information please contact: Jamie Pearson, jnpears2@illinois.edu, 217-333-0260 Hedda Meadan, meadan@illinois.edu, 217-333-0260