9th Annual Autism Society Walk-a-Thon

What

9th Annual Autism Walk-a-thon

Benefits

Autism Society of Oregon

When

Sunday, April 17, 2011
Registration desks open at 9:30 a.m

Where

Oaks Park

Detailed Info

The 9th annual Autism Walk-a-thon, sponsored by the Autism Society of Oregon, will be held at Oaks Park on Sunday, April 17, 2011. Register now at www.firstgiving.com/asoautismwalk. Registration desks open at 9:30 a.m, walk starts at 10:30 a.m. and Oak Park rides open at 11:00 a.m. ASO will be selling discounted ride bracelets. Register prior to event to beat the rush and reserve your t-shirt size! Set up your personalized fund raising page today! The top fund raisers receive some free ride bracelets and a gift certificate.

Posted in Fundraisers | Comments Off on 9th Annual Autism Society Walk-a-Thon

Photos With Santa Fundraiser for PACE Foundation 15 December 2010


We had such fun during our last photo session with Santa, we are doing it again:
December 15, 2010


We have photo sessions for two more families.

To celebrate the holiday season, the PACE Foundation is offering professional photos with Santa for children with special needs in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

Professional photos will be taken at the Project PACE, Inc. office (see address below).

We understand that when a family member has special needs, photos with Santa at the mall may not be possible.  For our Special Santa event, each family will have 15 minutes with Santa so that your family can get the photo you want.  Your family will be scheduled for a specific block of time, so there will be very little wait time.

Our professional Santa happens to be a father of a son with autism.
So, Santa is particularly sensitive to your family’s special needs.

A professional photographer will be on-site and you will receive a 4×6 photograph of your favorite shot.  Within 3 days of your Santa photos, you will also receive a digital JPG of each photo taken.
You are welcome to use this digital JPG to create holiday cards and gifts for friends and family.



Please forward this to anyone you think might be interested in Photos with Santa.

Date  & Times:
Wednesday, December 15, 2010

We have two photo sessions left:

5:30 pm – 5:45 pm
6:00 pm – 6:15 pm

YOU MUST SCHEDULE YOUR 15 MINUTE SESSION
WITH KATHI CALOURI IN ADVANCE.

Please email Kathi Calouri to schedule your photo session:
kcalouri@paceplace.org

Location:
Project PACE, Inc.
2360 SW 170th Avenue
Beaverton, OR  97006

Cost:
$50 payment to PACE Foundation.

Each family will receive one 4×6 photograph of the photo of your choice AND the JPG digit images of every photo taken to use to create holiday cards and gifts.
The PACE Foundation provides scholarships to families attending PACE Place Immersion Workshops and the PACE Place Family Immersion Week.
Our professional Santa has generously donated his time.
Please visit his website for your Santa needs:
www.SantasPack.com

Best Wishes!
Kathi Calouri, Ph.D.
PACE Foundation
Posted in Autism Activities, Fundraisers | Comments Off on Photos With Santa Fundraiser for PACE Foundation 15 December 2010

ARRO Tree Trimming Party Open House 12 December 2010

ARRO Tree Trimming Invitation 2010

Open House

We are pleased to announce a Holiday Event celebrating the opening of the new

ARRO Westside Family and Community Center

You are cordially invited to our Tree Trimming Party

When

Sunday, December 12, 2010
1-4 PM

RSVP

kathyh@arroautism.org or 503-351-9255

More Info

If you have an ornament you would like to donate, please bring it. We will provide ornaments, lights, activities, holiday music and treats to warm and delight. Come share some time with us and tour our new center!

Posted in Autism Activities, New!, Westside Family and Community Center | Comments Off on ARRO Tree Trimming Party Open House 12 December 2010

Sensory Processing Disorders Connect Portland

Who is SPDConnect?

SPDConnect was created by the mother of a young girl with sensory processing difficulties. Like many, Teresa found it incredibly hard to know what kind of help her daughter needed, and then, where to find it.

Time, and time again she heard the question “Where do I find …….. for my child.” She thought, “It just shouldn’t be this hard to find help for our sensory kids.”

In response, she co-founded a local support group and messageboard, and has been an avid lurker and “sometimes contributor” to many messageboards. She has also started (along with some other rocking ladies), a Sensory Seminar Series – a free monthly series bringing in experts to help families find solutions to sensory challenges.

And, so SPDconnect was born (December 2010).

Mission

Teresa’s mission and passion is to help families find the help they need for their sensory child – no matter what the diagnosis. There are so many great people, places and therapies that help kids with sensory challenges “hidden in plain sight” – let’s shine a big ‘ol light on them!

The full scoop

To get the full scoop, visit the SPDConnect Web Site at http://spdconnect.com/?s=portland

Posted in Local Organizations, Resources, Support Groups | Comments Off on Sensory Processing Disorders Connect Portland

Support Group for Siblings of Children with Special Needs

Johanna Manalis

Support Group for Siblings of Children with Special Needs

The group is open to boys and girls ages 7-12.

Approximately one in ten children in the United States have a sibling with unique developmental, physical or mental health needs.  While some children do not appear to be impacted by having a sibling with special needs, many experience isolation, guilt, confusion, depression, anxiety, perfectionism, embarrassment and pressure to achieve.  Many parents of children with special needs have an invaluable support network of other parents of children with special needs.  Unfortunately, few siblings of children with special needs have access to such a network.  Johanna Manalis, Child, Adolescent and Family Therapist, is offering an empowerment based support group for siblings of children with special needs.

The focus of the group will be to build relationships with other siblings of children with special needs.  The content of the group will include: defining “special needs” and exploring ways to talk to others about your unique family, perceived preferential treatment from caregivers, compensating for unresolved family grief, emotional identification and expression, developing healthy coping skills for managing stress, defining and exploring self goals as differentiated from family goals, and getting support from teachers, adults and peers.

When

January 15, 2011- February 12, 2011.  9:30-10:45 a.m.

Where

The Offices of Wise Counsel and Comfort, 5932 NE Glisan, Portland, OR.

Cost

The cost of the group is $110-$200 per participant based on your family’s income.

Register

Please contact Johanna Manalis, by December 22, 2010 to reserve your child’s spot.  503-735-5437 or johanna@johannamanalis.com.

Additional Information

http://johannamanalis.com/groups-and-workshops/

Posted in Support Groups | Comments Off on Support Group for Siblings of Children with Special Needs

HollyRod Foundation iPads Giveaway

The HollyRod Foundation was founded in 1997 by NFL quarterback Rodney Peete and actress Holly Robinson Peete in honor of Holly’s father, Matthew T. Robinson.

Following its 2010 Holiday Giving Campaign, The HollyRod Foundation will be giving Apple iPads to eligible people diagnosed with Autism. There are some restrictions :

  1. The individual you are applying for must have a diagnosis on the Autism Spectrum (as identified in diagnosis report).
  2. Reside in the United States of America.
  3. Be non-verbal or minimally verbal (as identified in speech pathology report).
  4. Be in financial need: Gross income not to exceed $35,000 single income family or $50,000 two-income family (as identified by documentation).
  5. Have access to a computer and an iTunes account (some programs must be downloaded on a computer and transferred to the iPad due to size).
  6. A professional on your team (i.e., speech pathologist, doctor, teacher) must be willing to take responsibility of the gift card that downloads the applications.
  7. Apply by December 31, 2010

For additional information, or to apply for an Apple iPad from the Hollyrod Foundation, please visit the HollyRod Foundation Website and download the application for consideration.

For your convenience, we have also included the application here :

HollyRod Foundation 2010 ipad application

Posted in Autism Activities, New!, Other Events, Resources | 1 Comment

Jonathan Chase – Autism Speaker

Jonathan Chase in suit and red tie

Jonathan Chase

Jonathan Chase is an adult with Asperger’s Syndrome living in Portland, Oregon.  For over ten years he has worked as a professional musician and now splits his time between music and advocacy work for the Autism community. Amongst his various activities, Jonathan :

  • is a sitting member on the Autism Society of Oregon’s board of directors and chairs the Adult Services subcommittee.
  • is the first person with ASD to serve on the ASO board.
  • works with the Portland Autism Group
  • works with the Oregon Commission on ASD (Transition Subcommittee)
  • was featured in the film “On The Spectrum” by local filmmaker Jeff Grinta.
  • Hosted a 2009 forum for parents (a DVD is available through the Autism Society of Oregon (ASO)
  • Provides services as a personal advocate to assist families through the IEP process.
  • Presented “Navigating High School Transition” in 2010 at the ARRO Westside Center

Speaking

Jonathan chase offer his services as a speaker, sharing a story of overcoming adversity in school through self advocacy.  He speak to parents, teachers, and both children and adults with ASD.  His focus is on self advocacy and awareness, problem solving, lowering daily stress in school, and getting outside the “bubble” to try new things and develop the skills necessary to thrive not only in school but in adult life as well.  His goal is to offer perspective as someone who has been there and understands, whether it’s helping a teacher or councilor to understand a student, or offering new ideas to a support group.

Contact

To contact Jonathan Chase, please visit his web site at  :

http://jonathanchase.net/

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Peggy Piers M.Ed. – Counseling

Counseling and Consulting

Adults – Families – Adolescents – Young Adults

Peggy Piers M.Ed. – Counseling

Information and Experience

Peggy’s counseling style involves a collaborative effort with her clients. She believes that effective counseling is the result of a relationship that includes acceptance, trust, and empathy, in combination with exploration of questions and choices. Peggy’s commitment to confidentiality is a professional ethic and a personal value.

Peggy has a wide range of experience in human services, child development, and mental health. She received her counseling degree from Lewis and Clark College and has worked as a professional counselor for over thirty years. She has worked privately, as well as with schools and in community agencies. Her clients include children, adults, families, adolescents, and young adults. Peggy has taught classes for parents of children with ADD/ADHD, and conducted workshops on that subject.

Peggy conducts a group for post-high school young adults with Asperger’s and High Functioning Autism. The group is a series of meetings, each with a different topic. Peggy developed the curriculum and includes new material with every series.

Peggy is a provider for Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Services (OVRS)

Services

“Now What?” Group

for young adults with Asperger’s, High-Functioning Autism, and Nonverbal Learning Disorder. The curriculum of the group addresses cognitive-social skills that are needed for employment, social relationships, and community involvement.

Social Connections

group for individuals who have completed at least one series of the “Now What?” group. This group provides a less structured forum for practicing social thinking and communication. Activities, materials, and topics for discussion are provided. Members are encouraged to bring topics of interest to share with the group.

Parent Seminars

for families of individuals on the Autism Spectrum.

Resources and Referral

to community resources, other professionals, and on-line information sources.

Individual Counseling

In collaboration with the client, Peggy will make an assessment of service needs. Together they will design a service plan, and establish goals. In working with clients, Peggy uses her training and experience in a wide range of counseling approaches. These include cognitive-behavioral and relationship-based counseling, developmental and psychodynamic approaches, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Social Thinking.

Counseling Individuals and Families with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Challenges

  • Strength-based assessment and determination of service needs.
  • Cognitive-social skills needed for lifelong communication.
  • Review of documents, evaluations, and IEP’s.
  • Transition support for young adults and their families.
  • Consultation with schools, Vocational Rehabilitation, community agencies, and other support systems.

A Collaborative Approach to Service

  • Personal counseling.
  • Consultation with individuals and families with ADD/ADHD, Asperger’s, and other “invisible disabilities.”
  • Groups for young adults.
  • Parent groups.
  • Transition support for young adults and families.
  • Strengths assessment.
  • IEP Review.
  • Needs assessment and referral.
  • Consultation with school and community.
  • Developing advocacy and coping strategies.
  • Family support

Call or E-Mail to schedule an appointment or enroll in a group.

Confidential message phone/fax : 503-977-2411

ARRO Westside Community Center
2360 SW 170th Avenue
Beaverton, OR 97006

Download the Brochure Peggy Pierce M.Ed at ARRO

www.peggypiers.com
Posted in New!, Professional Services, Westside Family and Community Center | Comments Off on Peggy Piers M.Ed. – Counseling

ARRO Board Meeting Scheduled for 21 November 2010

An ARRO Board Meeting has been scheduled for 21 November 2010.

If there are topics that you would like to see ARRO cover at this meeting, please contact Kathy Henley in advance of the meeting.

Posted in Board Meetings | Comments Off on ARRO Board Meeting Scheduled for 21 November 2010

Lloyd Center Holiday Photo Event with Santa

Who

Glimcher Realty Trust

When

December 5th, 2010, from 8:00 AM-10:00 AM

Where

Lloyd Center Mall

Details

This is a special time to visit Santa, which is reserved just for children with Autism.

Lloyd Center will make its Santa area “sensory friendly,” with lower lighting and quieter surroundings.

Each family who attends will receive a free Santa photo and enjoy festive giveaways to commemorate this magical holiday season.

If you, or someone you know might have a child that would enjoy this wonderful event, contact Heather Munro at Lloyd Center at: hmunro@glimcher.com

Lloyd Center Santa Social Story

Centro Comercial de Lloyd visita con la historia de Santa social en español

Dear Sensitive Santa Attendee, Lloyd Center would like to thank you

Posted in Other Events | 1 Comment