Announcing Rescheduled Date for Annual Conference!

The South Carolina Autism Society is happy to announce that our Annual Conference has been rescheduled for Friday, November 4th. 

Same time, same location, same great speakers!

Tickets are available for this new date! Click here to order your tickets now before they're gone!

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we worked through these necessary changes due to Hurricane Matthew.

Date: Friday, November 4, 2016
Time: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Cost: $50 per person, includes lunch
Location: Medallion Conference Center, 7309 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC  29209

Spectrum Harvest Festival! Sign Up Now!

                                   Spectrum Harvest Festival!

Join us on Sunday, October 9th for one of the post popular family events of the year! We will meet from 2 – 4:30 pm at the Hollingsworth Outdoor Center at 259 Adams Mill Road in Simpsonville for an afternoon of fun fall activities. (Right down the street from where we usually meet at for swimming.) Tentative activities to include hayrides, pumpkin painting, archery, broom making, ash cakes, and more.
 
All families affected by autism or related conditions are invited. You do not need to be a Y member, nor a resident of Greenville.
 
RSVPs are needed to plan for supplies. Please click here to sign up now.  We ask that everyone sign up to bring a drink or snack to share.
 
Cost is $10 per family. Scholarships are available.
 
For more information contact:
Greg McKee at 843-963-3608 or gmckee@ymcagreenville.org

Upstate Coffee Talk is This Wednesday at our NEW Office!

                                    UPSTATE COFFEE TALK PARENT SUPPORT
Join us on Wednesday, October 5th from 9 – 11 am for Upstate Coffee Talk! We meet at our NEW office at 318 Prado Way in Greenville. Our office is off Woodruff Road near Walmart, behind Discount Tire and Quick Trip. Click here for a map and directions. Please pardon the dust!

Coffee Talk is a great opportunity for parents and caregivers to come find out about what’s going in the Upstate autism community, ask questions, and get support. Coffee Talk is held on the first Wednesday of every month at SCAS upstate office. Families can visit, talk, share resources, and have coffee with goodies. Children are always welcomed, but childcare is not provided.

Important Provider Notice: Please note that this is a parent and caregiver support format. Businesses, organizations, and providers are welcome to send or drop materials for us to distribute. Thank you for respecting the needs of our families!

Free Assistive Technology Trainings

http://atcoalition.org/

Free Webinars - Post-Secondary, Adults & General
Accessible Signage (A refresher) from the Southeast ADA Center
10/6/2016 at 11:30am Pacific, 2:30pm Eastern. (Register by 10/5/16.)

Apps for Communication from GA Tools for Life
10/6/2016 at 12pm Pacific, 3pm Eastern

Today's Top Online Assistive Technology Resources from PACER
10/25/2016 at 4:30pm Pacific, 7:30pm Eastern (90 min.)

Introducing DAP: the Document Accessibility Toolbar from EASI
10/30/2016 at 11am Pacific, 2pm Eastern

5 New Accessibility Features in iOS 10 from AbleNet on
11/1/2016 at 9am Pacific, 12pm Eastern
________________________________________
Free Webinars -  K-12 Educators & Parents
Speech Dude Tells All: Tech Tools For The Special-needs Classroom
from AbleNet on 10/4/2016 at 12pm Pacific, 3pm Eastern

Apps Across the Curriculum – Supporting Diverse Learners with Google and iOS
from AbleNet on 10/11/2016 at 1:30pm Pacific, 4:30pm Eastern

iCATER has four short (10-20 min.)webinars planned at 1pm Pacific, 4pm Eastern
• Chrome - EasyBib (10/5)
• iPad - Lamp Words for Life (10/12)
• iPad – iDev Books  - division (10/19)
• Chrome – Stay Focused (10/26)
• Chrome – Snap and Read Universal (11/2)

Acquiring Accessible Print Materials in K-12 from AEM
10/12/2016 at 11am Pacific and 2pm Eastern

Acquiring Accessible Print Materials from AEM (slightly different than above)
10/27/2016 at 11am Pacific and 2pm Eastern

‘Appy Hour’: Apps for Scanning & PDF Notes from PACER
11/4/2016 at 4:30pm Pacific, 7:30pm Eastern

SETC is back with webinars at 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern:
• Bookshare on the iPad on October 3, 2016
• TouchChat Introduction & Customization on October 5, 2016
• Team Approach to AT Assessment on October 6, 2016
• Free E-Books - Bookshare and Beyond on October 11, 2016
• ChooseItMaker3 & HelpKidzLearn on October 12, 2016
• Team Approach to AT Implementation on October 25, 2016
• Tech for Writing: Speech Recognition on October 27, 2016
• AAC Considerations for Students with Multiple Disabilities on Nov. 1, 2016
• ThingLink and Padlet: Explore these free tools on November 2,2016

Family Connection News!

 #PromotingInclusion

Family Connection of South Carolina hosted its first 5K in Columbia on Saturday, September 24 at Saluda Shoals Park.

It was a great first effort, promoting inclusion and active lifestyles for everyone. Enjoy scenes from the event by clicking here.

There's still time to join the Anderson event on Saturday, October 8 at the Anderson Sports & Entertainment Center.

Thanks to Ainsley's Angels, those who cannot complete a 5K on their own, can now experience the thrill of crossing the finish line, promoting active lifestyles for everyone. See the impact firsthand here.

Register today!
Anderson 5K: http://go-greenevents.com/event/id/4970.

Thanks to Modern Woodman, title sponsor in Columbia, and Ahead Start and the Y, title sponsors in Anderson, for your support.

Angels Among Us?

Know of an Angel Rider, child/adult with disability, or interested in being an Angel Runner? Maybe you're up for the challenge and ready to share your legs with someone who can't run. Please join us as we raise awareness and promote inclusion and healthy lifestyles for all!

Angel Runners register on the go green sites and pay the registration fee. Angel Riders register for free at www.ainsleysangels.org.

Questions? Contact Michelle Johnson at (864) 444-8683 or mic1dan2@bellsouth.net.

Your Education Connection

Family Connection now provides information, resources and training around education, helping parents and individuals with disabilities throughout their journey, from birth to school settings to adulthood.

Need help navigating education? Call (803) 252-0914.

Interested in Getting Involved?

We're looking for individuals to serve on our Parent & Youth Advisory Council (PYAC).

The Council will be a collaborative effort for parents of children/youth with disabilities (ages 0-26) AND young adults (ages 18-26) with any type of disability. The goal is to provide perspective and suggestions on training, education, issues, policies, and more related to the  disability population and activities geared towards this population across South Carolina.

Download the application by clicking here.

Si habla español y desea participar en alguno de los grupos 

por favor comuníquese con: 

Adriana Shacklock 888.808.7462

Annual Conference With John Elder Robison is NEXT WEEK!

Next week is the South Carolina Autism Society's Annual Conference featuring John Elder Robison as Keynote Speaker! We just opened an additional block of tickets to meet the great demand!

Click here to order yours now before they're gone!

Date: Friday, October 7, 2016
Time: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Cost: $50 per person, includes lunch
Location: Medallion Conference Center,
7309 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC  29209

The SC Autism Society Upstate Office is Moving!

The SC Autism Society Upstate Office is Moving!

Our current office will be closed effective Wednesday, September 28 for packing. We will reopen at our new location on Monday, October 3rd.  Staff members will be available via cell phone and email during this time.

The new office address is 318 Prado Way, Greenville, SC  29607.  We will be conveniently located off of Woodruff Road, east of I-385.  The office complex is across the street from WalMart, behind Discount Tire and the new QT Station.  Click here to view a map.

      We look forward to serving you in our new location starting Monday, October 3rd!

Trivia Night Fundraiser

Join us Wednesday at The Village Idiot in Five Points (2009 Devine St., Columbia) for TRIVIA NIGHT! Starting at 4:00 pm, a percentage of sales will go to benefit the BIASC...so bring your friends and family, and help spread the word! Trivia will start at 8:30, and this trivia will include questions on brain injury.
 
The generous owners of Village Idiot have offered to extend the percent night to their accessible store! We are very happy to announce that the Forest Drive (4517 Forest Drive) location will also be donating a percentage of their sales! If you choose to dine at this location please tell your waiter you are with the BIASC!

                                                       We hope to see you there!

 

MIDLANDS: For Dancers and Fans Along the Spectrum

Autism-Friendly Dance Class in a Sensory-Friendly Environment

These dance and movement workshops, led by professional dance educators, are open to dancers of all experience levels -- including no experience at all! -- and to their siblings and caregivers. More information and registration available at HarbisonTheatre.org/workshops.

• Saturday, October 1, 2016 /10am to 11:30am / $5
• Saturday, October 22, 2016 / 10am to 11:30am / $5
• Wednesday, November 16, 2016 / 6pm to 7:30pm / $5

All open to dancers 7 and older. 

SCAS Conference -- JUST ADDED! Morning Presentation by DJ Svoboda!

                                               2016 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
 
JUST ADDED!! The Annual Conference will now feature a morning presentation by inspirational speaker, D.J. Svoboda, creator of the Imagifriends of Imagiville! D.J.'s page says, "I am the creator of The Imagifriends of Imagiville. The Imagifriends are based on experiences I faced growing up and living with Autism. There were days when I was made fun of, picked on, and treated mean. These made me feel very sad and hurt. From these experiences came the idea of The Imagifriends of Imagiville." Check him out at Friends of DJ Svoboda and the Imagifriends. Then get your registration in today at http://scautism.org/2016-annual-conference/

D.J. Svoboda was diagnosed at the age of 3 with Autism Spectrum Disorder with psychomotor retardation which included speech delays and issues with his fine motor skills. He found it difficult to even hold a pencil. Today, D.J. is an dynamic, motivational public speaker, accomplished artist and author with three books to his credit; My Imagiville, The Mupperezmo and the Rainbow, and The Inspirations of Imagiville.  Growing up, D.J. was teased and bullied. These negative experiences inspired D.J. to create the land of Imagiville; a safe place in his imagination where everyone is treated kindly and accepted just the way they are. (Bio from My Imagiville.) Click here to learn more.

Date:  Friday, October 7, 2016
Time: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Cost:   $50 per person, includes lunch
Location: Medallion Conference Center, 7309 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC  29209 
Click here to Register Now!

Wings for Autism is coming to Myrtle Beach! Register Now!

Wings for Autism is coming to Myrtle Beach, and the South Carolina Autism Society is proud to be a sponsor!

Wings for Autism is an airport “rehearsal” specially designed for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. The program is designed to alleviate the stress that families who have a child with autism experience when flying. It provides families the opportunity to practice entering the airport, obtaining boarding passes, going through security and boarding a plane. Airport, airline, Transportation Security Administration professionals, and other personnel also have the opportunity to observe, interact, and deliver their services in a structured learning environment.

The Wings for Autism event will take place on November 12, 2016 at Myrtle Beach International Airport. The event will begin at 5:00 pm.

Space is limited. A total of 76 participants will be permitted to attend the event. This registration form will allow one family member to accompany one individual with disabilities.

Click here to register now!  Volunteers also needed!  Click here to be a volunteer! (Volunteers do not go on the plane.)

If you have any questions about the event, please contact Megan Galloway (Megan@arcsc.org). If you have any questions or need assistance with completing this form, please contact Phuong Nguyen at nguyen@thearc.org or by phone at 202-600-3483.

Have You Completed Our Survey on The State of Autism in South Carolina?

Have you completed our Survey yet? We’ve been getting great responses, and have already applied for several grants based on what YOUR responses indicate are needed! But we need more! If you haven’t completed the Survey yet, please click here and complete it today! 

The South Carolina Autism Society is conducting a survey to assess The State of Autism in South Carolina. This is our most comprehensive evaluation to-date, and will help us determine areas of need statewide. This survey is designed for Self-Advocates, Family Members, Caregivers, Professionals, and the Community. Your responses will help us determine where to focus our efforts for new projects in the months to come. 

Data will be compiled and may be used as evidence of need when applying for grants or other funding. No information identifying any individual will be tracked or shared. The SC Autism Society does not sell any data, personal or otherwise.

For more information, please contact:

Susan Leiby
Information & Grant Coordinator

SC Autism Society – Upstate Office
211 Century Drive, Suite 203-A
Greenville, SC  29607
Email:  SusanL@scautism.org
Website:  www.scautism.org

Register for YMCA Spectrum Family Camp!

                                 Greetings from YMCA Camp Greenville!!

There are a lot of exciting things happening up on the mountain. Marguerite Elmore has joined our staff full time as our new Group Services Director. We have begun our Fall season, which means it is time to sign up for Spectrum October weekend. The staff is putting a lot of effort into this weekend. The fall program staff did a wonderful job with our Stargazers weekend and are looking forward to the Spectrum Weekend.

So what is Spectrum Camp?  It’s a weekend where families affected by autism come together to participate in traditional camp activities in an environment where everyone understands that “autism happens”.   You do not have to be a member of any YMCA or a resident of Greenville County to participate.  There are no age limits, bottom or top. We'll take care of the details like sensory friendly activities, picture charts for easier transitions, and menus designed to accommodate diets (GF/CF? Covered!) upon advanced request.

                                            Click here to see a sample schedule.


Cost is $310.00 for a cabin, up to 4 family members.  Additional people are $80.00.  Your family will have their own cabin with bunk beds and private bathrooms.  All cabins are heated in the event of cool weather.  To see our cabins click here.

                                    Please click here to register:  Spectrum Registration

For any questions, please contact:

Susan Leiby
Information & Grant Coordinator
SC Autism Society – Upstate Office
211 Century Drive, Suite 203-A
Greenville, SC  29607
Email:  SusanL@scautism.org
Cell:  864-517-0501
(please check announcement above for specific contact info before calling)
Website:  www.scautism.org
 

OR

Greg Dodd
YMCA Camp Greenville
4399 YMCA Camp Road
Cleveland, SC 29635
864.836.3291 ext 111