The Reason For It All

Morning Glory Jazz Brunch

Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc. presents the PECS Basic Training

Study Participants Needed

New Children's Book Teaches "Typical Kids" How to Befriend Children with Autism

Parents Tell Story of Triplets with Autism

Rady Childrens' Hospital: "Knowledge & Network"

San Diego: Circlestretch.com Launch

"Marvelous Children!": Understanding and Treating Autism in the 21st Century

Youth Mentorship Services

USD's Summer Autism Institute

Free Viewing!! Autism: The Musical

"Hearts and Arts Award"

Trip to England and Scotland to Enhance Culture and Independence Organized for Teens with Asperger's This Summer Looking for Interested Participants

SDASA Support Group Meeting

Melatonin Is An Effective Treatment For Sleep Problems In Children With Autism, Study Suggests

Genetics + Environmental Chemical Soup = Autism?

Looking for work with preschoolars....

Soccer league for people with special needs

TAAG Family Social

Teaching music keyboard skills???

This is my son, Tony Saraf. Tony was diagnosed at age 2 with Autism, and later with bipolar and ADHD. For the last 25 years, he has been my guiding light and the love of my life...and the biggest, toughest challenge I have ever had.

Helping Tony to be the best Tony he can be, is my goal. Where that goal will lead the two of us, is yet to be seen. Tony continues to improve and I know there is more to come. Currently, Tony lives at home with me and attends an adult day program at St. Madeleine Sophie's Center, in El Cajon.

Doing this newsletter and learning all that I can for you and for Tony, started out as a small project 10 years ago with 40 people and has turned into an elephant with over 1,500 readers. And just like Tony, there is no end in sight!

Thanks for joining me on this fascinating ride!
Valerie Dodd-Saraf

Empowering Through Information
and the Fostering of Connections

I never endorse anyone or anything. Opinions expressed in what I send out, may not be shared by me. Everything is for informational purposes only.

People who "advertise" through this newsletter have never been checked out by me. This includes professionals and even people who are interested in babysitting, etc.

Please take the time to thoroughly check out anyone and everyone that will be working with or caring for your child. We are all sadly aware, through news stories and word of mouth, of people who pray upon special needs children because of their extra vulnerability.

Thank you,
Valerie Dodd-Saraf
www.ValeriesList.com

Saturday, April 18th, 10am to 2pm
St. Madeleine Sophie's Center
2119 East Madison Ave.
El Cajon, CA 92019

Join the fun at St. Madeleine Sophie's Center 11th Annual Champagne Brunch in the midst of our Organic Garden and Junior Olympic Pool!!! There will be garden tours, art walk, live jazz music, 10-15 restaurants, floral demonstrations, Adopt-A-FROG raffle includes $10,000 cash and prizes give away and live auction!!! All proceeds benefit St. Maddie's Organic Garden Work Center for developmentally disabled adults.

Tickets are $60 and can be purchased online or at the door. For more info, please contact Nora Boswell at 619-442-5129 ex3117 or nboswell@stmsc.org.

The PECS Basic Training is designed to teach participants to appropriately implement the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). It begins with an overview of the Pyramid Approach to Education to explore the key components of designing effective educational environments. A historical overview of language training programs used with non-verbal individuals is discussed along with how to set the stage for an abundance of communication opportunities. Participants will learn how to implement the six phases of PECS, including attributes, through presenter demonstrations, video examples and role- play opportunities. Participants will leave the workshop with a fundamental understanding of how to implement PECS with individuals with autism, related developmental disabilities, and/or limited communication skills.

Pyramid is sponsoring this workshop in Southern California on the following dates:

May 14 & 15, 2009 (Anaheim, California)
June 22 & 23, 2009 (Pasadena, California)
August 6 & 7, 2009 (San Diego, California)
November 2 & 3, 2009 (Irvine, California)

To register, please visit the Pyramid website at www.pecs.com or call 888-732-7462 (toll free). For general information and group discounts, please contact Catherine Horton at chorton@pecs.com or 302-355-5979.

Registration: $395 professional/ $295 parent 1.3 ASHA CEUs & 7.0 BACB CEUs available

Hi Val,
I am almost done; I only need 6 more kiddos for my study. Your site has been the most beneficial so would you mind posting your ad for me once more? Thanks again for all of your support.
Sincerely,
Jennifer L. Reynolds, M.A.; Doctoral Candidate

I am a 6th year doctoral candidate in Clinical Psychology and am doing a doctoral dissertation research study on Autism. More specifically, I am examining the relationship between the brain (prefrontal cortex) and emotions (amygdala) and how the two centers connect neuroanatomically. I need volunteers for research between the ages of 8 and 18. I am need of children both with Autism and without. At the end of the study I will be able to provide you valuable information about your child's IQ; and ways in which they learn and feel. Your child will also receive a $15 gift-card. The study is being conducted at the Center for Autism Research and Evaluation (Neuropsychology Lab) in Scripps Ranch. If interested please email me at jreynolds@alliant.edu or call at 858-729-4442. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated and could greatly benefit those with Autism and their families. Thank You.

More than ever before, children with autism are being included in classrooms with "typical" children. Unfortunately, most of these children will be unprepared and unsure how to engage their new peers. The Friendship Puzzle: Helping Kids Learn About Accepting and Including Kids with Autism is one of the first books to address this situation. Read more...

Three Times the Love: Finding Answers and Hope for Our Triplets with Autism is the story of an ordinary American family overcoming extraordinary odds. Read more...

Hi Valerie,
Rady Children's Hospital Speech and Hearing Department (8010 Frost St, Suite 200) will be hosting another "Knowledge & Network" information night for parents and professionals of children with autism. The second seminar will be held on April 21st from 5:30-6:30 and will focus on communication and how this relates to the DIR/Floortime model. It will be presented by five speech-language pathologists currently participating in Dr. Joshua Feder's DIR workgroups.

SPACE IS LIMITED! Please RSVP to: Caroline Ferguson- cferguson@rchsd.org

Hi Everyone,
Our local San Diego DIR®/Floortime website is now re-launched to improve access for school districts and others for whom the blogspot site was blocked. Marit Goldman, our webmaster, has revised and improved the new site to make it even more user friendly. The new drop down menus are better and we hope to add video soon too. Thanks so much Marit!
www.circlestretch.com

We hope you find it useful and we invite you to check it out and offer your comments and suggestions too!
J. Feder

The San Diego Psychiatric Society, in partnership with the San Diego County Medical and UCSD School of Medicine, is presenting a panel for the general public and professionals of prominent local leading experts on autism titled: "Marvelous Children!": Understanding and Treating Autism in the 21st Century.

Tuesday, April 21,2009 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
UCSD School of Medicine Campus
Leichtag Biomedical Research Building
Main Auditorium
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093

The Esteemed Panel Consists of:
Doris Trauner,M.D., Professor and Interim Chairman of the Department of Neurosciences; Chief of Pediatric Neurology; Director of the Pediatric Neurology Training Program, UCSD School of Medicine; senior medical staff, Rady Children's Hospital; and triple-board-certified in pediatrics, neurology and psychiatry, and neuro- developmental disabilities.

Martin T. Stein, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics, UCSD School of Medicine/Rady Children's Hospital; Division of Child Development and Community Health, UCSD School of Medicine; and double-board- certified in pediatrics and developmental behavioral pediatrics.

Alan Lincoln, Ph.D., Professor, Clinical Psychology, Alliant International University; Director, Center for Autism Research, Evaluations and Services.

Laura Schreibman, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Psychology, UCSD, and Director of the UCSD Autism Intervention Research Program and author of The Science and Fiction of Autism, published in 2005 by Harvard University Press.

Joshua Feder, M.D., Psychiatrist in private practice who sees children, adults, and families; double-board certified in child and adolescent and adult psychiatry; specializes in neurobehavioral medicine and the treatment of developmental disorders.

Panel Moderator: Steven A. Ornish, M.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, UCSD School of Medicine. Dr. Ornish is double-board- certified in general and forensic psychiatry and is in private practice.

Admission
No RSVP or preregistration Required
General Public $5
Physicians $10

Parking $1.00/hour in the Gilman Parking Structure located at the corner Gilman Drive and Villa La Jolla Dr.

Tuesday April 28, 2009
6:30-8:00 P.M.

Youth Mentorship Services
Stefan Hochfilzer and John Foletta, from Club Xcite, will discuss the merit of mentoring, and ways to facilitate your child's growth in natural, non- stigmatizing ways. Matt Winkley of Xcite Steps will also discuss strategies available to families dealing with a diagnosis of autism

Crimson Center for Speech & Language
9606 Tierra Grande #107
San Diego, CA 92126
Miramar Area
Please call 858 695 9415 to reserve free seating

June 24th through 26th, the University of San Diego's Autism Institute is back with an emphasis on "Building Personalized Supports and Instruction through Relationships and Collaboration."

The Autism Institute presents national and international experts to talk about personalized supports and instruction for children, adolescents and adults with learning, sensory, and movement differences. Real supports start with understanding the true nature of each individual and the teaching, social, and fun accommodations to support communication, learning, and relationships. Come join us for a truly unique experience!
Click here for more info.

The story of five autistic children, their families and the dynamic woman who leads them to defy expectations by writing, rehearsing and performing their own musical. An intimate portrait of these young people and their families as they struggle, and ultimately triumph, through the transformative power of theatre.

Mission Valley Library
2123 Fenton Parkway
San Diego, CA 92108-4739
(858) 573-5007
APRIL 19
1:30 PM
Bring Family and Friends!!!

Recipients to be recognized
at the
"ARTS" Film Premiere
This Friday, April 17th at 6:30 PM

The prestigious "Hearts and Arts Award" will recognize individuals who have promoted excellence in community service and autism. ASA-LA invites you to join us in honoring our 2009 award recipients who are improving the lives of ALL affected by autism.

Los Angeles Police Department, our partners in the ASA-LA/LAPD Autism Awareness Project, with special recognition to:

Detective III Gil Escontrias, Los Angeles Police Department Mental Evaluation Unit

Emily Iland, M.A., Secretary and Coordinator of the ASA-LA/LAPD Autism Awareness Project

Soryl Markowitz, M.S.W.,Autism and Behavioral Resource Specialist, Westside Regional Center & Westside Regional Center

Joey Travolta, Inclusion Films. Joey works tirelessly to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities through his "practical film" school

Joanne Lara, Aut - Erobics / Autism Movement Therapy. As an educator, dance "therapist" and more, Joanne has contributed countless hours to supporting individuals with disabilities

Elaine Hall, "Coach E.", Founder of The Miracle Project, a theatre and film arts program for children with special needs and their typically developing siblings and peers

Susan Sheller, songwriter, advocate in autism. Susan is being honored for her work in performance and advocacy

Karen Simmons, Autism Today, co- author, "Chicken Soup for the Soul; Children with Special Needs" and founder of Autism Today

Friday, April 17th @ 6:30 PM
Barnsdall Gallery Theatre
4800 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027

$20 per person

Tickets available online at www.BGTtix.com or the night of the premiere in the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre box office.

ARTS, a ground-breaking documentary that highlights "Possibilities, Disabilities and the Arts", will be featured at its Los Angeles premiere presented by the Autism Society of America-Los Angeles (ASA-LA) Chapter on April 17, 2009 at 6:30 pm at the Barnsdall Gallery Theater.

In this innovative documentary, filmmaker Keri Bowers shares how the arts offer valuable free and low cost "power tools" families and professionals can use to improve social skills, self-confidence, life skills, language, emotional well-being, and even potential career paths for those with special needs. ARTS delves into painting, film, drama, writing, dance, public speaking and other creative mediums through interviews with internationally recognized luminaries, such as Temple Grandin, Stephen Shore, Stephen Wiltshire, Donna Williams, Jerry and Mary Newport, Geri Jewell among others.

Those in attendance will mingle under the stars, overlooking the Hollywood sign and Griffith Park Observatory with the filmmaker and many of the film's stars, including singer Nick Guzman, who performs his breakout song in ARTS, "Since We're Friends", written for him by Joey Travolta and composer Jeff Lass. Joanne Lara of Autism Movement Therapy will dance with several of her young students. Two short films, created by students with autism at the Media Enrichment Academy in Sherman Oaks will also debut their work before the screening of ARTS.

Los Angeles, CA April 14, 2009 - A journey designed for adolescents ages 16-20 with Asperger's Syndrome, this innovative adventure encourages and enhances independence, self-reliance, and the ability to participate as an active member in a group of teens with Asperger's syndrome.

Over the course of 13 days from July 30 through August 11, students will experience the culture and landscape of England and Scotland through the lens of the theatre. Facilitated by professionals from USC University Center For Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) and graduate students selected for their skills and experience in working with students with AS, the program offers an opportunity for learning and personal growth in a community that meets the needs of most teens with AS. Small group activities with low adult to student ratios enable the staff to guide and mentor students through activities. Behavioral expectations are clearly delineated and reviewed throughout the trip. Students will have multiple opportunities to develop independence and discuss their reactions to and observations of the day's activities.

Active participation in activities fosters the evolution of a group spirit in which friendships can develop and thrive. For more information on the program, please contact Beverly Daley, Ph.D. at bdaley@chla.usc. edu or (323) 361-2490.

IT'S TEACHER APPRECIATION NIGHT!
Tuesday, April 21 at the United Way Building,
4699 Murphy Canyon Rd, SD 92123

We are recognizing the very important work of the teachers, caregivers, and professionals who have made a difference in the lives of our family members with autism

Please join us for this special celebration
Featuring Special Guest Speaker
DR. LAURA HALL
SDSU Professor of Education
Autism Certification Program

Please take this opportunity to publicly recognize the someone who works hard to help your student with autism reach his or her potential.

Invite them to be your honoree and we will provide a gift on your behalf to all who RSVP

Download an event flyer and invitation here:
http://www.sd- autism.org/docs/teacher_appreciation_flyer_2009.pdf

http://www.sd- autism.org/docs/teacher_appreciation_invite_postcard _2009.pdf

A light dinner, coffee and desserts will be served.

Please RSVP by April 17 to: info@sd-autism.org or by calling 858.715.0678

ScienceDaily (Apr. 15, 2009) - A new study determined that over-the-counter melatonin medication can shorted the length of time it takes for children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), or both to fall asleep at the beginning of the night. Read on...

In the not-too-distant past, the rate of autism in the US was listed as 1 in 10,000 children. It is now acknowledged to be 1 in 150 children and as high as 1 in 93 children in New Jersey. While there are those who point to better diagnosis as the reason for the increase, little consensus exists for the reasons why as many as 1 in 6 American children are labeled as learning and/or behaviorally disabled. Read on...

Hi Valerie
I am writing in hopes of getting information on schools who work with children (preschoolers) who are on the autism spectrum. I have been working with these children for the past 14 years. We are moving to the San Diego area in August and I would like to start looking for work. Thank you for any help. Susan Boyle
susanboylecalif@hotmail.com

Hi Valerie
Our VIP program provides quality soccer experiences for children and adults whose physical and mental disabilities make it difficult for them to successfully participate in mainstream activities.

These athletes are Very Important Players. We recognize the importance for the need to feel accepted. Our VIP program offers that acceptance and carries the philosophy that everyone plays to new heights-giving everyone a chance to play.

* Meet and be comfortable with new people
* Understand the fundamentals of the game
* Learn team work and fair play
* Have fun playing soccer
* Become more physically fit
* Increase positive self-esteem
* Coaching staff with more than 20 years experience working with players with special needs.
* $45 Registration fee includes jersey, shorts, socks, picture package, trophy, insurance, and a end of season party.
* Season runs from September to mid-November: Saturdays 9:30 am to 10:30 am
* JOIN NOW ! Registration run from April 16 thru June 26 pre-register online at www.elcajonaysovip.com or call: Coach Mike at 619-443-2580
* TEAMS FILL QUICKLY ! In 2006, we had 17 players and in 2008 we grew to 70+ players, making our VIP program the 2nd largest in the country. That can only mean one thing we have FUN !

Thank you Valerie for making a difference
Coach Mike

TAAG Family Social
Pack your picnic lunch, bring a blanket, some lawn chairs, meet, mingle and relax while the kids play!

Saturday, April 18
12:00 noon until...
Meadows Park Playground
42070 Meadows Parkway, Temecula
McCabe and Meadows, across from TMS
(Click for for directions)

On-site restrooms and parking
Everyone is welcome!
April is Autism Awareness Month
website: www.temeculapost.com/taag email: TAAG@temeculapost.com