Family to Family Workshop: Aspergers Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals

Made available again to those who were unable to attend previous workshop!

The Family-to-Family Workshops Series provides practical suggestions for supporting individuals with autism. Family members, caregivers, and others are encouraged to attend trainings we hope you will find both inspiring and thought provoking. Topics will cover effective strategies in dealing with the daily challenges of ASD, Understanding Sensory Integration Disorder, and facilitating positive peer play. Workshops and materials are free of charge.

The Space is limited and reservations are required. The workshop is from 6:30 pm until 1:30 pm. Light refreshments will be served. Please call 757-461-4474 to reserve your spot or RVSP with all of your contact information on Meetup! Sorry, Unfortunately, No childcare available for this workshop.

About the Workshop

This particular topic will be Asperger's Syndrome, Vol. 1 DVD: A Guide for Parents and Professionals. We will watch a video presentation and have interactive discussions during and following the video presentation. Whether you’re a curious parent or a seasoned psychologist, this DVD is a perfect introduction to Asperger’s Syndrome. Tony’s personable approach to the Asperger’s way of thinking will enlighten you. He describes numerous intriguing case examples and offers practical strategies that worked for people with Asperger’s. In hour one, Tony provides a diagnostic description of a person with Asperger’s. In the second hour, he offers a social curriculum that includes countless ideas and activities. The third hour focuses on emotion management. This special edition DVD also has a bonus section on Tony’s life.

Family to Family Workshop: Navigating the Social World

The Family-to-Family Workshops Series provides practical suggestions for supporting individuals with autism. Family members, caregivers, and others are encouraged to attend trainings we hope you will find both inspiring and thought provoking. Topics will cover effective strategies in dealing with the daily challenges of ASD, Understanding Sensory Integration Disorder, and facilitating positive peer play. Workshops and materials are free of charge.

This Space is limited and reservations are required. The workshop is from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. Lunch will be served to participants. Please call 757-461-4474 to reserve your spot or RVSP with all of your contact information on Meetup! Sorry, Unfortunately, No childcare available for this workshop.

About the Workshop

This topic will be on Navigating the Social World. We will watch a Video presentation and have an open discussion.

Pediatrician Jeanie McAfee created the user-friendly social curriculum Navigating the Social World for her daughter Rachel, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s at age ten. Since then, it has become a staple for parents and educators. Through humorous skits, audience participation, and excellent presentations, Jeanie and her co-host Amelia Davies address the most urgent problems facing those with Asperger’s Syndrome, high-functioning autism, and related disorders: how to increase communication skills, recognize and cope with emotions, recognize and prevent stress, develop abstract thinking skills, address behavioral problems, and much more. Over three hours long, this workshop will guide you through steps that can be employed in the classroom or home.

Sensory Friendly Films (Gnomeo & Juliet)

 Family to Family Workshop: Succeeding Through Autism

The Family-to-Family Workshops Series provides practical suggestions for supporting individuals with autism. Family members, caregivers, and others are encouraged to attend trainings we hope you will find both inspiring and thought provoking. Topics will cover effective strategies in dealing with the daily challenges of ASD, Understanding Sensory Integration Disorder, and facilitating positive peer play. Workshops and materials are free of charge.

The Space is limited and reservations are required. The workshop is from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm. Light refreshments will be served. Please call 757-461-4474 to reserve your spot or RVSP with all of your contact information on Meetup! Sorry, Unfortunately, No childcare available for this workshop.

About the Workshop

This topic will be on Succeeding through Autism. We will watch a Video presentation and have open discussion.

In this compelling DVD, Sean Barron tells the story of how he went from being a child with low functioning autism to the successful man, journalist, and boyfriend he is today.

When Sean was young, he felt very alone and isolated from the rest of the world. But as the years passed, he learned many social "unwritten rules" that have helped him to become more connected and in tune with society, resulting in renewed relationships with his family, a mutually rewarding relationship with his girlfriend, and a job that is intellectually stimulating. As Sean says in his recent book Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships, "I am the happiest I have ever been."

Sean shares his unwritten rules and much more in this warm, candid presentation. As a special bonus, we even hear from Sean's girlfriend Barbara Protopapa, a young woman with autism, who shares some insight into her life and her relationship with Sean.

General Meeting: I Click, I Talk/ Sign with Me

Childcare available upon request by contacting us at 757-461-4474.

Let's talk about communication supports!

This general meeting will consist of two speakers who will have 40 minutes each to discuss their topics. Thereafter, families will get the opportunity to network with each other and have full access to our Resource Center.

Speaker #1: Dr. Gianluca De Le, Assistant Professor at ODU University will talk about a new software created called "I Click, I Talk". This program aims to make a difference in the world by giving everybody the opportunity to talk. It is perfect for all ages, all communication disabilities and all languages. More so it is flexible, affordable, and easy to use. For more information about this software www.iclickitalk.com or email info@iclickitalk.com.

Speaker #2: Diann Shorter an Advanced Sign Language Instructor who is new to the Hampton Roads area, will be discussing the Sign With Me program as well as other benefits when using Sign Language to assist individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. For more information about the Sign with Me Program and other services that Dianne offers please visit www.signwithmeva.blogspot.com
or email her at diann@signingtimeacademy.com

Family to Family Workshop: Social Skills Training and Frustration Management

The Family-to-Family Workshops Series provides practical suggestions for supporting individuals with autism. Family members, caregivers, and others are encouraged to attend trainings we hope you will find both inspiring and thought provoking. Topics will cover effective strategies in dealing with the daily challenges of ASD, Understanding Sensory Integration Disorder, and facilitating positive peer play. Workshops and materials are free of charge.

This Space is limited and reservations are required. The workshop is from 9:30 am until 3:30 pm. Lunch will be served to participants. Please call 757-461-4474 to reserve your spot or RVSP with all of your contact information on Meetup! Sorry, Unfortunately, No childcare available for this workshop.

About the Workshop

This particular topic will be "Social Skills Training and Frustration Management" A dynamic and comprehensive presentation for parents and professionals working with individuals with social difficulties. This Video presentation is presented by Dr. Jed Baker. Dr. Baker will not be at the workshop.

This dynamic and comprehensive presentation is extremely valuable to all family members and professionals working with individuals with autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit disorders, learning disabilities, mood and anxiety disorders, and other issues that impact social-emotional functioning. Learn how to: build an individual's social skills in crucial areas such as conversation, conflict resolution, emotion management, employment, dating, etc.; develop an effective behavior plan; manage and prevent meltdowns; help create peer acceptance; and, assess social skills of individuals or groups.

Having earned an MA and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Albany, Dr. Jed Baker is now a behavioral consultant for several New Jersey school districts where, nearly two decades ago, he organized a group to help children with social communication problems. That group expanded and ultimately became the Social Skills Training Project under Dr. Baker's directorship. Dr. Baker also presents lectures all over the world on social skills training and is on the board of directors of the Asperger's Syndrome Education Network, Inc. (ASPEN). Jed Baker's work has been featured on ABC News, Nightline, and CBS's The Early Show.

Coffee & Chat

Come meet new friends, share ideas, get support and encouragement and find out about resources and more!  This group is facilitated by Theresa Zano-McMillian, TASA Parent Partner.

SibART

Come and join us at SibArt!

SibArt was developed to meet the needs of children with Autism and their siblings. SibArt’s primary focus is to improve the relationship between siblings in families dealing with autism; however, there are other benefits that are far reaching.

Children with autism will receive a therapeutic experience in the following ways:

1. Satisfy sensory needs as they learn to work with and manipulate various art materials.

2. Meet various peer modeling needs by working in an inclusive environment with other children with autism and typically developing peers.

3. Learn to collaborate with their sibling to bring various art projects to completion.

4. Experience a sense of pride and accomplishment upon completion of their masterpiece!

Typically developing siblings will benefit by:

1. Learning the value of compromise and cooperation as they work in tandem with their brother or sister with autism.
2. Navigating an “autism friendly” environment as they interact with other peers who will be able to relate to the challenges of having a brother or sister on the autism spectrum.

3. Feeling free to express themselves with the art they work to create.

4. Learning more about autism spectrum disorders with educational take-aways at each session.

This session is recommended for school aged children.
Space is limited. Reservation required. To sign your children up for SibArt please contact the Autism Society by calling 757-461-4474, or email sib_art@yahoo.com.

Respite Night

Autism Society, Tidewater Virginia is pleased to offer respite nights for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Respite Nights will be an indoor inflatable playground. Through a generous grant and volunteers from the City of Virginia Beach Police Department and peer volunteers the Autism Buddies, respite nights will provide parents an opportunity to go to dinner, shop or spend time at home relaxing. Space is limited and Reservations are required.  You must call us at 757-461-4474.

Check back for more updates or join our online meetup group at www.meetup.com/tidewater-autismto get a full listing of upcoming events. 

       

     

Join Us On World Autism Awarness Day!