Summer 2007

www.regionalautismcenter.org

513 ~ An Amazing Number!
Once again, golf pro Ben Berger aimed high. And once again, Ben surpassed his goal. Having shot 437 holes last year at the first Par for the Cause event, Ben set his goal at 500 holes this year. After 16 hours of nonstop golf, Ben completed 513 holes… chalking up 2 Eagles, 69 Birdies with an amazing average of 73 shots in an average of 33 minutes per round of golf. Ben’s contagious passion and remarkable feat drew enthusiastic fans in support of this young athlete and his mission. Ben’s efforts paid off as over $35,000 was raised for the Regional Autism Center at LOGAN. At the end of a VERY long day, a tired Ben managed a grin while he stated his goal for next year ~ 550!!

Many thanks to our sponsors for this event:  Adidas, Taylor Made, Fifth Third, South Bend Tribune, WSBT, Big Idea Company, Swan Lake Country Club and Martin’s Supermarkets.  Sponsors for the ‘Swing Party’ that evening were:  Bruno’s, Hacienda, Metro Beverage, Jersey Mike’s, National Wind & Spirits, United Beverage and the Shapiro Family who provided great food and cool drinks for volunteers and fans.

We also thank the staff and golfers at Mishawaka’s Eberhart-Petro golf course for all of their efforts in making sure that this event went so well. See more pictures at regionalautismcenter.org

Picnic at the Park

Families of the Autism Center officially launched summer in late May. St. Patrick’s Park was the venue for the Center’s first family picnic which attracted over 18 families. This event, largely underwritten by Northwestern Mutual, offered an ideal combination of food and fun. It was a great way for both children and parents to enjoy a beautiful summer night together. Mark your calendars for the Fall Family Picnic scheduled for October 1st, 5:00-7:00pm, at St. Patrick’s Park.

Summer Camps = Summer Fun

The Regional Autism Center hosted two summer camps for children, ages 5-10, with a diagnosis of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). These popular 2 week camps offered afternoons filled with activities such as Social Skills classes, Handwriting without Tears program, outdoor games and snacks. With the help of donors, camp scholarships were made available to qualifying families. See an animated slideshow or QuickTime version of camp photos.

P.L.A.Y. Conferences Spark Interest

The P.L.A.Y. Project (Play and Learning for Autistic Youngsters) is quickly becoming a popular treatment approach for young children with autism throughout the country. LOGAN staff member, Jane Schmidt OTR, was the first certified P.L.A.Y. Project therapist in Indiana. LOGAN recently was awarded a grant from the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County to add additional P.L.A.Y. Project therapists which will allow us to reach out to more children.

Dr. Rick Solomon, nationally reknowned developmental pediatrician and developer of the P.L.A.Y. Project, recently came to our community. The Regional Autism Center hosted Dr. Solomon for a Parent Seminar on July 26th which was attended by 70 parents, grandparents and professionals. Solomon presented an overview of autism, highlighted current brain research in autism, and reviewed effective treatment approaches. Participants enjoyed the opportunity to ask specific questions about various aspects of autism.

The following day, Dr. Solomon’s full day workshop on the P.L.A.Y. Project attracted 120 parents and professionals at the Century Center. The P.L.A.Y. Project is a practical application of the DIR/Floortime model developed by Child Psychiatrist Dr. Stanley Greenspan. Dr. Solomon explained how the principles of Floortime provide an ideal framework for the stages of child development key to expressing needs and emotions as well as to learning how to relate to others. While Greenspan’s model provides the theoretical basis for learning, the P.L.A.Y. Project is designed to provide practical training for parents and therapists to use with children. The P.L.A.Y. Project strives to improve social interactions, using techniques which can be incorporated into daily family life. Measures of success center around ‘joyful relating’, shared social attention, and increased spontaneous verbal communication.

Demand for Behavior Consulting Grows
We are very excited to introduce our newest member to the Autism Center team ~ Kristin Wier, Behavioral Consultant. Kristin brings impressive credentials as a Master’s Level Psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Most importantly, she brings a genuine passion for her work and enthusiasm for the children and adults she serves.

Since Kristin started in October, she has worked with 136 children and adults ranging in age from 24 months to 46 years old. Kristin has helped families learn strategies to help their children in the areas of communication, self-help skills and potty training. Her expertise has also helped children with extremely limited food preferences expand the variety of foods they will eat. Kristin has been an invaluable team member in the development of individual education plans and teaching methodologies. She is actively involved, having observed and consulted in 32 schools.

Kristin is frequently called on to help children who are overly sensitive to sensory input. When these children are able to overcome their sensory over-stimulation issues, they are more open to learning in classroom and community settings. Freed of being stressed by sensory overload, they can experience the joy of a parent’s hug or the delight of engaging in messy and noisy play.

An initial consultation with Kristin is offered at no cost to the family. For on-going services, we have been able to bill insurance for some families who have plans that will cover these type of services. Contact the Regional Autism Center (574) 289-4831 or DanR@logancenter.org for more information.

Oh BOY!
Gini Shepley, our Social Skills instructor, is a ‘new’ mom (once again). Gini and her husband Scott are the proud parents of Sion, age 6, Robin, age 2, and baby Corin, who became part of the Shepley family on August 1.

Library News
We are excited about new materials in our Resource Library. Meanwhile, we are putting out a plea for materials that have been checked out and not yet returned. If you have resource materials, please return them as soon as possible to Leanne Suarez at the Resource Center. As more and more families now use our library, we are in the process of instituting a new library software that will help us keep better track of borrowed materials. Effective October 1st, there will be an annual membership fee of $10/family which will allow you to check out resource materials. Materials may be checked out for 3 weeks and there will be a fine of 25 cents/day/resource. More than one month overdue will require us to charge the individual for the amount of the resource. You do not have to be a member to review materials within the center. We appreciate your cooperation as we transition to this new system which will allow more families to have access to quality information.

In the Resource Library

Simple Strategies That Work! Helpful Hints for All Educators of Students with Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism and Related Disabilities, Brenda Smith Myles, Diane Adreon and Dena Gitlitz






Understanding Brothers and Sisters on the Autism Spectrum, Jessie Coulter
This DVD contains four programs for siblings of children on the autism spectrum and their parents. Each program covers a range of autistic challenges and strengths and describes techniques siblings can use to get along and support each other.

Thoughtful Response to Agitation, Escalation, and Meltdowns in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Rebecca Klaw
The DVD is in three parts (1) Understanding the inflexible-explosive individual, (2) Understanding the stages of crisis leading to meltdowns (3) Reacting to agitation.

Preview more of our resources at the Regional Autism Center Resource Library.

Autism Family Conference
The Regional Autism Center worked closely with the Indiana University Resource Center on Autism to host this year’s Family Conference at Penn High School in June. Drawing over 150 families from around the state, the conference kicked off with the keynote session entitled “Visual Supports and Beyond” by New York based consultant Barbara Bloomfield, MA CCC-SPL. Another highlight was a session presented by California residents, Jerry and Mary Newport, a married couple on the Autism Spectrum whose story inspired the recently released film “Mozart and the Whale”. Parents had the opportunity to attend workshops throughout the day on a variety of topics. LOGAN was well represented in presentations. Kristin Wier, Behavioral Consultant for the Regional Autism Center, presented on ABA – Applied Behavior Analysis. Also from the Autism Center, Gini Shepley, Social Skills Instructor, and Dan Ryan, Director, teamed up to give a session on Aspberger’s Syndrome. Jane Schmidt, OTR with LOGAN Building Blocks, presented Dr. Greenspan’s DIR/Floortime Model. Building Blocks Diane Stacker, OTR, teamed with Memorial Hospital Speech Therapist, Janet Lovett for a presentation on ‘Helping Children with Sensory Integration Issues’.

On The Horizon
Visit the Regional Autism Center calendar for more activities.

October 1
Family Picnic 5:00-7:00 p.m.,
St. Patrick’s County Park

October 9
Book Club
Discussion of “Memory Keeper’s Daughter”, by Kim Edwards 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m., Resource Center at LOGAN

November 15
“Sibling Support”
Brian Ketzner, Indiana University Center on Autism

December 1
“Shopping Day”
LOGAN Center

Car Magnets
Autism Awareness car magnets (ribbon shaped) are now on sale at LOGAN for $5.00. Other items can be found at www.autismlink.com/store.