Thursday, April 28, 2011

College prep for students with ASD

Summer Advance 2011: Be Ready for College is available for 10-12 students between the ages of 17 - 23 who plan to attend or are attending college. Students must be at least a high school junior and taking a college preparatory course load in anticipation of being accepted as a student at UCO or other Oklahoma college. The program will be offered at the University of Central Oklahoma beginning on Sunday, June 26 at 3 PM through Tuesday, June 28 at noon.

Lots of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders plan to attend college. But sometimes, the college experience can be very difficult. Many times students are expected to be aware of information that is not reviewed by instructors or advisers. Summer Advance 2011 is designed to prepare students for the college experience and address the challenges that students often experience.

Summer Advance provides the information that all college students are expected to know when they arrive on campus in the fall. Some of the experiences that students will enjoy include: a social experience to get to know other classmates and mentors, staying in a residence hall, experiencing a college class, scavenger hunt to learn the campus, "College Concepts"--such as what is a 3-hour class, a syllabus, what to do when you get sick, etc. In addition, we will visit the Wellness Center, eat at the Nigh Center, visit the Library, and learn how to find the resources you need while attending college. Students will be assigned peer mentors (upperclassman and graduate students) and there will be supervision for the overnight experience. .

Parents will also participate! There will be financial sessions and social experiences to get to know other parents. These sessions are scheduled for Sunday, June 26 from 3-7 PM and on Monday, June 27 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM.

To participate in this program, you have to apply! Applications are due to us by May 15th! The cost of this program is $100 per student. To access a student application click here:
http://okautism.org/ofca/college/

Fragile X research study

Fragile X Research Study

A Research Study is being conducted with an investigational medication for people with Fragile X Syndrome who exhibit certain behaviors such as:
• Listlessness
• Inactivity,
• Isolation from others,
• Fixed facial expressions, or
• Lack emotional responses

Children, adolescents, and adults ages 12-25 are potentially eligible.
For additional information please call:

OU Physician's Child Study Center
405-271-5700 ext. 45167
E-mail Lora-Tusing@ouhsc.edu or Brenda-Schlinke@ouhsc.edu
The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.

Waiting in Oklahoma - YOU can help

If you believe people on the Waiting List have been without services long enough, please contact the elected officials listed below Also circulate this to others who want to help. When you contact the officials:

Call first and then write a follow-up e-mail reminding them of your concerns and wishes! This is important! Do NOT just send an e-mail or call. DO BOTH! (Anyone can call. If they have a loved one on the Waiting List, if they have a friend or if they or their child is on the Waiting list)

1. Give your name, address and phone number.
2. Tell them why people on the waiting list are important to you.
3. Ask them to redirect funds from state institutions to community based services.

Why should funds be redirected?
1. There are currently over 6,050 people who area waiting for services, some who have been waiting for over six years. NONEof them are waiting for, nor want, services at a state institution. We could provide the services Oklahoma families want and save tax dollars at the same time.

2. Oklahoma tax payers would save money. Developmental Disabilities Services Division of the Department of Human Services estimates that moving the approximately 239 individuals at state institutions into the community will provide a savings of $40,000 per year, per client – and will, additionally, reduce other necessary budget allocations for the physical plants.

3. Oklahoma could provide more services. Providing home and community based services in Oklahoma costs an average of $376/day. The Developmental Disabilities Services Division of the Department of Human Services estimates that the daily rate to serve clients in state institutions is $505/day - a difference of $127/day. In other words, if two people from state institutions were moved into community based services, we could take one person off the Waiting List.

4. Caregivers could return to work, reducing welfare programs and boosting tax revenue. Because many people on the Waiting List require 24/7 care, families are forced to make decisions that drive them into poverty. Parents leave employment to provide care, relegating them to a destitute status. Thousands who, with proper training and support, could be employed and be paying taxes, are not. Single-parent-families become full-time caregivers, dependent upon social programs for their income. Military families and others who seek or need to maintain employment must reject assignments and possible promotions.

5. Currently the Federal Government is providing financial incentives to move people from state institutions. By utilizing the “Money Follows the Person” program, we would receive 82.45% in federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) funds for the first year a person transitions from an institution to community based care, instead of the 64.9% we will receive beginning July 1, 2011. This incentive continues through 2015.

Please call and email these elected officials TODAY!
President Pro Tempore Senator Brian Bingman: bingman@oksenate.gov, (405) 521-5528
Senator Clark Jolley: jolley@oksenate.gov, (405) 521-5622
Senator David Meyers: ingraham@oksenate.gov, 405.521.5628
Speaker of the House Kris Steele: krissteele@okhouse.gov, (405) 557-7345
Representative Earl Sears: earl.sears@okhouse.gov, (405) 557-7358
Representative Ron Peters: ron.peters@okhouse.gov, (405) 557-7359
Representative Jason Nelson: jason.nelson@okhouse.gov, (405) 557-7335
Governor Mary Fallin: info@gov.ok.gov, (405) 521-2342

And don't forget your own State Representative and State Senator!

To stay connected, visit http://www.waitinginoklahoma.org

Free, self-paced course on federal disability rights laws

ADA NATIONAL NETWORK LAUNCHES DISABILITY RIGHTS WEB COURSE

This is a free, self-paced webcourse available 24/7 that provides an overview of disability rights laws. The course takes approximately 2 hours, includes real life scenarios, quizzes and a final exam. Upon completion of this course, you will have a general understanding of the major federal disability rights laws.

Autism Awareness Month -- an 11 year old speaks out

AN 11 YEAR OLD WITH ASPERGERS SPEAKS OUT
Dean Aviram is 11 years old and he tells us what it's like to have Aspergers. Courtesy of Natural Learning Concepts.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE SPEECH

Cruise Raffle to support 4RKids

4RKids is down to just 150 tickets (out of 800)and only a few days left to get a raffle ticket for a Carribean cruise! Tickets are $25 each or 5 for $100! Help support 4RKids! Drawing is May 9th! Get yours today by stopping by their center at 710 Overland Trail in Enid or calling 580-237-7890

Sensory Friendly Film for April

The next Sensory-Friendly Film is "Rio." The film will be shown at the AMC Theaters at both Quail Springs and Crossroads on April 30th at 10:00 a.m.