10 TOOLS FOR TRANSFORMING YOUR ASD CHILD IN 2010
Practical, cost-effective solutions to everyday challenges

Having a child on the autism spectrum often brings confusion and family upheaval.  Failed attempts not geared toward the child’s individual core deficits can result in wasted time, energy, and money.

This series is designed to clear up the confusion and provide simple tools that can be used naturally every day at home by the people who understand the child best and care the most—the parents.

Designed with YOU in mind . . .

The 3 R's for Parents and Caregivers - Relax, Renew and Rejuvenate!
Presented by Mary Fuhr, OTR/L

Mindful of your time and resources, we’re offering you a chance to start the new year with a well-deserved gift to yourself.

Caring for children, especially those with special needs, can be challenging.  This “Evening Escape” gives you the opportunity to relax and recharge so you can be an even better parent and partner when you return home.

Mary Fuhr, OTR/L, leads the group through breathing, gentle stretching, and relaxation activities designed to accommodate all fitness levels.  Here’s your chance to release stress and revitalize your energy in the beautiful, serene, and supportive environment of MindSource Center.  Wear your most comfortable clothing and come prepared to enjoy a “yoga-lite” break that will leave you relaxed and energized! Appropriate for: Parents and caregivers

Adding the Right Pieces for a Successful Educational Experience
Presented by Carrie Sheppard, LMHC and Dr. Rudy Lorber

School can be a stressful place for children with ASD and neurodevelopmental difficulties.  Here’s your chance to get helpful information about the components of successful educational planning from neuropsychologist Dr. Rudy Lorber and autism specialist Carrie Sheppard.  You’ll gain new insight into helping your child succeed in school by learning how to accurately identify your child’s needs, match the child to the appropriate level of support, and work successfully with your school team.

Dr. Lorber will show how neuropsychological services can help to specifically define your child’s educational strengths and needs, often leading to more effective and tailored educational programming. Appropriate for: Parents and caregivers

Tips for Smooth Transitioning
Presented by Elaine Duncan, LMHC

All transitions are challenging for individuals on the autism spectrum, but the one from high school graduation to college or work can be especially fraught with anxiety.  Here’s a session that will equip you with strategies, resources, and ideas for helping you or an ASD person you care about successfully move into adulthood with a minimum of stress.

This workshop is intended for parents and individuals with
ASD who are just beginning to transition from high school to work or college, and for those who are struggling with the transition, regardless of age. Appropriate for: Parents, caregivers, teens and young adults

Autism Series
This series for parents and professionals is devoted to opening doors to deeper connection and communication between caregivers and individuals with autism. Each class provides opportunities for sharing. Participants will learn effective tools and strategies for managing the challenges specific to autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Topics are as follows:

I. Understanding Autism: Real Life Solutions for Troublesome Problems
Presented by Carrie Sheppard, LMHC
Beyond the medical descriptions of autism lie the everyday hurdles of living with a child on the Autism Spectrum of Disorders.  Together we will look at the ways people with ASD think, feel, and process information. Parents and professionals alike will gain a better understanding of ways to address the core deficits that affect the quality of family life.  You'll go away with some simple tools that bring results.  Resources for follow-up will be provided. Appropriate for: Parents and Professionals

II. Sensory Processing and Strategies for Self-Regulation
Presented by Mary Fuhr, OTR/L and Carrie Sheppard, LMHC
Does your child overreact to sensory stimulation:  sounds, flashing lights, textures of clothing or foods?  Or seem oblivious to things others pay attention to?  Does your child maintain an activity level that is way too high or way too low?  These and other symptoms could signal a sensory processing disorder.

Self-Regulation--the ability to master appropriate responses to the stresses of everyday living--is a critical factor in the development of a young child.  Because this ability can have a significant impact of all areas of interaction throughout a lifetime, it is crucial--especially for a child on the autism spectrum--to learn strategies for self-calming, regulating responses to stimuli, and managing attention and emotional responsiveness.

In this two-part class, Carrie and Mary will help you learn to identify some of the symptoms of sensory processing disorders and recognize the relationship between these disorders and the management of emotions, behavior, communication, and social interactions.  You'll go home with practical and enjoyable strategies you can use to help your child learn to self-regulate and improve his or her ability to cope with the demands of a dynamic and often bewildering world.  Appropriate for:  Parents and Professionals. Appropriate for: Parents and Professionals

Session 1:  Carrie and Mary will introduce you to some cognitive aspects of self-regulation (how organizing the mind can calm the body) as well as physical aspects of self-regulation (how organizing the body can calm the mind).  You will learn tools for uncovering sources and triggers of dysregulation, as well as identifying soothing strategies for your special child.

Session 2:  Many more practical, hands-on strategies will be demonstrated and experienced, and information from your personal homework may be shared as live examples for solution brainstorming.   Video examples of regulation strategies in action will demonstrate effective methods for meltdown management and prevention, and for promoting optimal attention. "You got rave reviews...your knowledge and expertise really added to our therapists' knowledge." Clinical Education Coordinator of a national symposium

III. You Are More Valuable to Your Child Than Any Therapist Will Ever Be
Presented by Carrie Sheppard, LMHC
The decisions parents face after a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder are mind boggling and laden with emotion. Parents wonder: Am I doing enough for my child? Am I choosing the right therapies? How will I pay for it all? This class is based on the notion that effective treatment can happen in the context of "normal" family life and that the parents' natural role as guide to their child can hold greater therapeutic value than many of the expensive, often overused therapies --- some of which fail to provide noticeable value in "real life." Come learn ways to enjoy family life more and focus on helping your child's development on a daily basis. The whole family can benefit from an enhanced quality of life while also targeting your child's specific developmental goals! Appropriate for: Parents

IV. Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking?
Presented by Carrie Sheppard, LMHC
Ever feel like you're on a different planet from your autistic child? Like your wavelengths rarely intersect? This session will introduce you to some valuable techniques that will help you and your child become more attuned to each other's mental and emotional states. Getting "in sync" with each other provides an important developmental foundation for future social success.

Some of the steps leading to relationship competence begin with building the motivation to join minds together in attention, thought and action. Genuine interest and empathy follows quite naturally.

Through practical instruction and video clips, you'll see how parents and therapists work with children to develop shared understanding that will help cultivate valuable connections. You will learn some of the cognitive and emotional benefits of using these techniques. Appropriate for: Parents and professionals

V. Make it Stick! Tips for Retaining and Generalizing Skills
Presented by Carrie Sheppard, LMHC
Ever wonder why people with autism have such fantastic memories for facts, lines from movies, and other seemingly-trivial bits of information, while some of the other skills we try to teach just won't stick?

"Make it stick!" addresses autobiographical memory--a specific type of memory deficit characteristic of autistic individuals. Lack of this type of memory is partially responsible for poor generalization of social skills taught by most programs. It is also a factor in anxiety, low self-esteem, and underdeveloped sense of identity.

This session will help you learn how to promote better application of skills taught and how to nurture a more positive sense of self in children on the autism spectrum. Appropriate for: Parents and professionals

VI. Introduction to RDI (Relationship Development Intervention)
Presented by Carrie Sheppard, LMHC
Maybe you have heard of RDI and are curious enough to learn more about it. This is an ideal opportunity to be introduced to the basics of RDI, a parent-driven model for addressing the core deficits of autism. Come see videos of parents using RDI and the dramatic results they achieve with their children, as they move from a world of solitary play to active engagement with their parents and others. Children who struggle with rigidity and attention issues become self confident, flexible thinkers and problem solvers under their parent's careful guidance. The basics of what an RDI program looks like and how a parent can begin will be covered. Appropriate for: Parents