SC Autism Society: Mini Update

From The SC Autism Society President:

Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month may not arrive until April, but the staff at the South Carolina Autism Society is busy planning many opportunities for families and professionals to learn, advocate, and just have fun in the coming months.   We are busy planning Disability Advocacy Day at the South Carolina Statehouse on Wednesday, March 4th.  Whether you can get to Columbia or not, please take a moment to contact your State Legislators to share your thoughts and needs regarding autism.  This is a great opportunity to talk to them about the need for the expansion of Ryan’s Law, thank them for maintaining funding for critical services and expanding ABA services through Medicaid, or simply sharing your own family story. Our April events kick off with our annual Strides for Autism event in the Upstate on Saturday, April 11th.  Come out for a fun morning with other families affected by autism!  We will have a walk, music, and lots of fun family activities.   On Friday, April 17th, we are excited to have one of the foremost presenters on autism and social skills, Jed Baker, PhD, at our Annual Conference.  Dr. Baker will talk to us about “Preparing for Life”, and how we can start preparing for transition now.  We have been busy working with partner organizations to bring Wings for Autism to the Columbia Airport on Saturday, April 18th.  This is a chance for individuals with autism to “practice” getting through the airport, going through security, and boarding the plane.  We hope to partner with other airports to bring this event to different locations throughout the state. Finally, we will extend our awareness and acceptance efforts in to May when we hold our Strides for Autism event in the Midlands on Saturday, May 2nd.  We are excited to be moving the event to Saluda Shoals Park in Irmo this year! Please contact us if you have questions, need assistance, or would like to get further involved.  Our main number is 803-750-6988, or visit our website at scautism.org. Sincerely,

Kim Thomas, President & CEO South Carolina Autism Society

Wings for Autism is Coming to Columbia!

We all look forward to taking vacations and visiting family and friends. These experiences create lifelong memories and strengthen the important relationships in our lives.  However, for many people with autism and other intellectual/developmental disabilities, the experience of air travel can be overwhelming and difficult, making these trips seem impossible.

Wings for Autism® program is an airport rehearsal program specifically designed for individuals on the autism spectrum, people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families. The program gives families the chance to experience the process of taking a flight. Families arrive at the airport, check in at the ticket counter and receive their boarding pass, go through TSA security, and board a plane. 

The original program was designed for a family that had a negative experience while attempting to travel. Their story prompted the Charles River Center (CRC), a local Chapter of The Arc, to reach out to other families to understand their experiences with air travel. CRC learned that hundreds of individuals with autism and their families in the greater Boston area were interested in participating in an air travel training program, and as a result designed the Wings for Autism program with the Massachusetts Port Authority Boston Logan International Airport.

We are delighted to bring Wings for Autism to the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) on Saturday, April 18, 2015, and we would like to extend an invitation to you to join us. There is no registration cost but families are responsible for paying their own costs to travel to and from the airport. Space is limited.  The South Carolina Autism Society is partnering with several organizations to bring this exciting program to South Carolina.  We hope to schedule additional events at other South Carolina airports in the future.  

Click here for additional information and to register for this event!  

To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

NEDAwareness Week 2015

Get Involved in NEDAwareness Week!

NEDAwareness Week 2015 kicked off on Sunday, February 22nd and there are so many ways to get involved! In addition to online events happening every day, there are many live events taking place in your area.
Check out these events in South Carolina:

• Hope in Recovery: Panel Presentation  
• “How To Manage Serious Mental Illness and Eating Disorders in Schools”  
• Affirmation Workshop – Turning Negative Thoughts into Positive Statements  
• Dads – How to Help Improve Your Son or Daughter’s Body Image and Overall Self-Esteem 
• Mother / Daughter Yoga Practice, Sponsored by YogaLicious / Hub-Bub  
• Inner Beauty / Healthy Body Image Workshop  
• Free Peer-Led Eating Disorder Support Group for Students Ages 18 and up  
• Eating Disorder Prevention Workshop for College Students
• And many more events!

However you decide to get involved, please take pictures and share them via social media, using the #NEDAwareness hashtag, so that we can keep up with all of the great stuff you're doing!
To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

Brain Injury Association of SC Annual Golf Tournament

Golf FORE! Awareness!  *  Golf FORE! Support!  *  Golf FORE! a Better Future! Register Today! Support the Brain Injury Association of South Carolina and register your team for the 12th Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser! Date: Friday, April 17, 2015 Location: Indian River Golf Club, 200 Indian River Drive, West Columbia, SC  Format: Captain's Choice Tee Off Time: 11:00am Shotgun Start How to Register: Register online here. Lunch and dinner will be provided! Contests include:  -Top three teams -Hole in one prizes- Kindle Fire, $500 Visa Giftcard, Nike Irons, $10,000 cash prize.  -Men's and Women's longest drive -Closest to the pin  -$50,000 Putting Shot Chance* *Purchase $10 tickets for a chance to putt for $50,000! Ten different names will be drawn at the end of the tournament. The ten individuals whose names are drawn will get a chance to putt 10 ft, 30 ft, and 50 ft away from hole. Those that make it in all three times will win $50,000! There is no limit to the number of tickets you can purchase.  For more information on other ways to register or sponsor, please contact us at 803.731.9823/877.TBI.FACT or visit our website, www.biausa.org/SC/

SC Autism Society Annual Conference 2015

DON’T MISS THE SOUTH CAROLINA AUTISM SOCIETY’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE, FEATURING JED BAKER AS KEYNOTE SPEAKER. 
Jed Baker, Ph.D. is the director of the Social Skills Training Project, a private organization, serving individuals with autism and social communication problems. He is on the professional advisory board of Autism Today, ASPEN, ANSWER, YAI, the Kelberman Center and several other autism organizations. In addition, he writes, lectures, and provides training internationally on the topic of social skills training and managing challenging behaviors. He is an award-winning author of five books.
His presentation is titled, “Preparing for Real Life: Harnessing Strengths, Overcoming Obstacles and Learning Relevant Skills” and reviews some of the key predictors of successful adult outcomes among students with special needs, including the awareness of strengths and challenges, perseverance, learning skills to accomplish realistic goals, and preventing disruptive behaviors. The second part of the presentation details effective social skill training strategies for all individuals and reviews some common skill needs for young adults, including the realm of sexuality and dating.

Limited Scholarships are available for parents and self-advocates.  Click here to apply.

Annual Conference, Friday, April 17, 2015Time: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm Location: Saluda Shoals 5605 Bush River Road, Irmo, SC  29212 Cost: $50 per person

For additional questions, please email scas@scautism.org, or call 803-750-6988.
Click here to Register for this Conference

Mapping Your Future

Hurry to reserve your spot for a FREE conference on transitioning to adulthood for parents and young adults with disabilities! Furman University | February 28

Sessions Include:

• Empowering Yourself for Independence (Student Session)
• Empowering Your Child as a ‘Parent’ and an ‘Ally”
• Student Led IEPs
• Legal Rights
• SCVRD Transition & Benefit Planning
• Life after High School: College, Employment, and Community Life
• Mapping Your Future

Guest Speakers:

• Family Connection of South Carolina
• EQUIP
• Pro Parents
• I’m Determined Project
• And many more!

For more information please call 800-681-6805

To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp 

Assessment and Curriculum Integration Strategies for Students with Multiple Disabilities

Date: Thursday, March 5, 2015
Time: 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Location:
Collaborative Training Center
Midlands Center
8301 Farrow Road
Columbia, SC

Description: Participants will explore assessment tools and strategies used to identify needs of students with complex communication and multiple access challenges. Strategies for integrating technology as a vehicle to access and succeed within the curriculum will be shared. Participants will also be introduced to AbleNet’s AT Support Service, a year-long program of virtual assistance to help educators meet the needs of identified students.

• Morning Session (9:00 – 11:30)
  *Assessment 101: AT Solutions for Our Most Challenged Students 
  Participants will explore assessment tools and strategies used to identify possible solutions that students with complex communication and curriculum access needs require to be active participants in the school environment.
• Afternoon Session (1:00 – 3:30)
  *Increasing the Potential for Success and Demonstrating Progress
  Participants will be introduced to research-based and common-core-aligned curriculum, appropriate for students with significant disabilities. Strategies that integrate technology as a vehicle to access and succeed within the curriculum will be noted.
• *Additional Support Required? 
  An introduction to AbleNet’s AT Support Service, a year-long program of virtual assistance to help educators meet the needs of identified students will also be discussed, as applicable.

Cost: Free, but pre-registration is required.

To register for this workshop:

• Complete the Assessment and Curriculum Integration Strategies online registration form.
• For questions about registration, call Will McCain at (803) 935-5004 or Lydia Durham at (803) 935-5263 or 800-915-4522.

To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp 

SC NEDA Walk 2015

The Columbia, SC NEDA Walk is this Saturday, February 21st at 1:00PM! Join us in forming a community of those supporting friends and family in the fight against eating disorders!

NEDA Walks build a sense of community, hope and belonging. We think that’s pretty special and we’re looking forward to seeing you there.

If you haven't already, you can register online at , pre-registration closes at 3pm EST on Friday, February 20th so be sure to register online and form a team right away!

Walk InformationWalk: Columbia, SC NEDA WalkDate: Saturday, February 21st, 2015Location: Carolina Children's HomeWalk Coordinator: Karen McMullenContact Email: Karen.McMullen@uscmed.sc.edu

Assessment and Curriculum Integration Strategies for Students with Multiple Disabilities

Description: Participants will explore assessment tools and strategies used to identify needs of students with complex communication and multiple access challenges. Strategies for integrating technology as a vehicle to access and succeed within the curriculum will be shared. Participants will also be introduced to AbleNet’s AT Support Service, a year-long program of virtual assistance to help educators meet the needs of identified students.

Date: Thursday, March 5, 2015
Time: 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Location:Collaborative Training CenterMidlands Center8301 Farrow RoadColumbia, SC
To register for this workshop: Complete the Assessment and Curriculum Integration Strategies online registration form.

For questions about registration, call Will McCain at (803) 935-5004 or Lydia Durham at (803) 935-5263 or 800-915-4522.

To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

NEDA WALK: Save a life.

Are you ready for the 3rd Annual Columbia, SC NEDA Walk? It’s less than two weeks away on Saturday, February 21st, 2015! It’s going to be a day of action, community and recovery. It’s going to be a celebration of life! We’ll be making friends, taking a stand and showing the world that eating disorders are no match for us! There is still plenty of time to send those fundraising emails and utilize your social media to ask for donations! Not registered for the walk yet? Join today and form your own team and fundraise! If you are unable to attend the walk be sure to visit our website to make a donation. We look forward to seeing you in Columbia on Saturday, February 21st at 9:30AM for our NEDA Walk! P.S There is a Special Pre-Walk Event! Kickoff NEDAwareness Week with this special event before the walk at 11:30 AM for a Lunch and Learn! The event will feature a panel presentation moderated by Timothy Brewerton, MD, Executive Medical Director at the Hearth Center for Eating Disorders. To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

Able South Carolina: Developing Healthy Relationships

Join us to learn how to improve and grow healthy, satisfying connections with your peers!

Free Training Class for Individuals with Disabilities Developing Relationships and Sexual Intimacy Do you want to meet some new friends or start a new relationship, but aren't sure where to start? Do you know how to tell if your relationship is a healthy one? Would you like some tips on using social media to make connections in a safe way? Wednesday February 18, 2015 2:00PM - 4:00PM Able South Carolina 136 Stonemark Lane, Suite 100 Columbia, SC 29210 Please contact Able SC to register for the training: (803) 779-5121, ext 126 TTY: (803) 779-0949 To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

Stress & Anxiety Following TBI Webinar

The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and TBI (DCoE) will host a webinar on February 12th as part of its monthly webinar series. 

Stress and Anxiety Following TBI

When: Thurs., Feb. 12, 2015

Time: 1:00-2:30 p.m. EST

Where to sign up: https://continuingeducation.dcri.duke.edu/stress-and-anxiety-following-traumatic-brain-injury-tbi. 

At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to: 
Describe the complex interaction between the effects of stress and anxiety during the recovery course of TBI.
Examine and select strategies for treating co-morbid symptoms with the core symptoms of TBI.
Discuss the integration of evidence-based practices into the assessment of stress and anxiety following TBI.

Current research notes when injury or stress occurs, behavior reinforces the optimal biological conditions of survival. Similarly, when a brain injury occurs on the battlefield, the injured service member may experience both a TBI and a stress or fear response. If the threat or anxiety becomes overwhelming, the service member may revert to protective modes, including exacerbation of posttraumatic stress disorder, family conflict, alcohol or substance abuse, or other maladaptive reactions. The discussion will include a variety of evidence-based assessments and treatment strategies related to stress and anxiety following TBI.

For more information about DCoE’s monthly webinar series, please visit http://www.dcoe.mil/Training/Monthly_Webinars.aspx. 

Brain Injury Association of America