SC Down Syndrome Family Conference

Saturday, May 5, 2007

This Bi-annual conference brings together parent support groups from across the state. This year's theme is "I Can Do it Myself" - RAISING A SELF-DETERMINED CHILD. This event will be from 8:00 to 4:30 at Breed Leadership Center at Columbia College in Columbia, SC. In addition to Keynote Speakers Dr. Allen Crocker and Joan Guthrie Medlen, RD, LD, a wide array of breakout workshops will be offered. Please visit www.DSALowcountry.org for more info.


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The SC Autism Society Has Moved!

The new location and contact information of the SC Autism Society, which has recently changed locations, is listed below:

Main Office:
806 12th Street
West Columbia, SC 29169
Office: (803)750-6988
Toll Free: (800)438-4790
Fax: (803)750-8121

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"Hands On" Sensory Workshop

When: Saturday, April 14, 2007
Time: 10:00 A.M. * 3:00 P.M.

Using Practical Ideas for Sensory Integration to Enhance the Lives of Individuals with ASD

Sponsored by, Autism Ability Advocates, Inc. (Contact - Denice Stout) & Supported by, Believe · Parent-Led Autism Support Group
www.believeinautism.org (Contact - Jaime Hansen)

Parents AND professionals are invited to attend. All who participate will leave with practical ideas and plenty of resources. Great door prizes, awarded at the end of the workshop, will allow you to interact "hands on" as soon as you return to work, school, or home!

Sign-In Time: 9:30 A.M.

A refreshment break will be provided.

Where: Chukker Creek Elementary,
1830 Chukker Creek Road, Aiken, SC
Enter the front doors and go to the cafeteria/gymnasium area.

Cost: $5.00 per person or a personal donation.

Checks payable to Autism Ability Advocates, Inc.
470 Timberchase Lane, Aiken, SC 29803

Pre-registration is required because materials are limited.
If you don't want to miss out * CALL NOW · 803-215-7593.
(Please do not use e-mail to register.)

Sensory Integration can help increase coordination, comfort level, relaxation, physical strength and fitness, attentiveness, curiosity, and a lot more. Don't miss this experience and explore "hands on" the many possibilities to better the life of an individual, challenged with ASD.

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UHCCF Grants for Children

United Healthcare Children's Foundationis provides grants of up to $5,000 for children up to age 16 years old for health care services not covered by their health insurance. For example speech therapy, medical equipment- glasses, etc. Check out the website www.uhccf.org.

To learn more and apply, please click the title above.

Kid Connections

Kid Connection will be held on March 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Columbia Family Connection office, 2712 Middleburg Drive, Suite 103B, Columbia, SC 29204.

Kid Connection is a group just for kids ages 8 to 12 that have brothers or sisters with a disability or special need!

If you have a brother or sister with special needs, Kid Connection is a safe place to talk and share your feelings. A trained facilitator will lead children in a day-long (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) workshop to explore their feelings and learn how to handle situations that may arise by having a family member with special health care needs. This free workshop (lunch is included) is offered by Family Connection of South Carolina. Space is limited, so call (803) 252-0914 to register today!

Family Connections Annual Conference

Saturday, March 31, 2007

Brookland Banquet and Conference Center
1066 Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia, SC

A Conference in Support of the Child with Special Needs

This conference is for parents and professionals to explore issues and challenges families face in caring for children with developmental disabilities, chronic illnesses and long-term health needs.
Be sure to attend the Family Night Social at EdVenture Children's Museum on Friday, March 30 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm!

Childcare only provided for 30 children, so if childcare is needed, register ASAP!

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International Study Finds New Autism Genetic Links

By Will Dunham

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - "Scientists revealed the most extensive findings to date on the genetics of autism on Sunday, pinpointing two new genetic links that may predispose children to develop the complex brain disorder.

The five-year study, led by an international consortium of researchers from 19 nations, indicated autism had numerous genetic origins rather than a single or a few primary causes."

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Artificial Retina Implant Holds Promise for Blind

By Julie Steenhuysen

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - "A tiny electrical implant that attaches to the retina may someday restore partial sight to millions of patients blinded by age-related macular degeneration, U.S. researchers said on Thursday.

The device, in the early stages of human clinical testing, is part of a new class of so-called "smart" prostheses that link with the brain and nervous system to restore function lost to disease or injury, the researchers told reporters at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in San Francisco."

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Message Born of 'Hopes, Dreams'

"Steve Riggio's daughter Melissa is a senior in high school who works at the YMCA, sings in the school chorus and is a member of the swim team. She's just like millions of students nationwide, and that's exactly what Riggio wants others to understand."

"Melissa, 18, has Down syndrome, and her father, the CEO of book retailer Barnes & Noble, has helped launch a campaign aimed to show the public that people with the disorder aren't that unusual and can lead normal lives."

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Science finds new ways to regrow fingers

NEW YORK - "Researchers are trying to find ways to regrow fingers — and someday, even limbs — with tricks that sound like magic spells from a Harry Potter novel."

"There's the guy who sliced off a fingertip but grew it back, after he treated the wound with an extract of pig bladder."

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Autism disorders affecting 1 in 150

By Anita Manning, USA TODAY
"The number of children who have an autism disorder — as many as 1 in every 150 — is significantly higher than previously thought, according to a new federal report being billed as the most complete assessment to date."

"Earlier estimates placed the rate at 1 in 166 children. But Catherine Rice, lead author of the analysis released Thursday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says the previous estimates were based on smaller studies, some from other countries, using different study methods."


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PRO*PARENTS Calendar of Workshops

The workshops are FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Let us know if you need accommodations when registering. To schedule a workshop in your area please call: 1-800-759-4776. The most up-to-date CALENDAR OF WORKSHOPS can be viewed on http://www.proparents.org/calendar.html

To view this entire calendar, please click the title above.

Teen Connection

"The TEEN CONNECTION has just been started and facilitated by Sherry Larson...It is a group just for teens that are ages 12-18 years old and is for those that are high-functioning and would like to meet other teens that may share the same interests!
The next event is Saturday, February 10 at Capital Senior Center, 1650 Park Circle at USC/Blossom and Pickens Streets. Country Spirit will be providing dance lessons, free of charge, on the following Saturdays...Feb 10, 17, 24; March 3, 10, and 17 from 9:30am - 10:30am...There will be a dance on Saturday, March 24 from 3:30-5:30pm!!! Please pass on this info and to anyone that you know that has a child that is 12-18 years old and with a disability, and will enjoy this event!!!"