Juice Plus+®

Join the 2008 San Diego Race for Autism == Online Registration Closes Today

SEPAC: SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Mom needs family law attorney

Mom needs info about vaccine exemption

New RDI School

TERI's 19th Annual Dirce Schwarz Memorial Golf Tournament

The Social Response Pyramid

Planning for the Future of your Child with Special Needs

'MORNING GLORY JAZZ BRUNCH'

Arizona Moves to Cover Behavioral Therapy for Autism

CARES, Inc.: The Center for Autism Research, Evaluation, and Service

Disabled workers feel vulnerable as jobs vanish

Oprah's Big Give - San Diego

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Good Health is not Good Luck; it's Science!

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 throughly 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

Check out my new website!

4th Annual San Diego Race For Autism
Balboa Park - March 29, 2008

Last Chance to Register

Wednesday March 26 is the last day to Pre-register online for the San Diego Race for Autism.

Fun for the whole family!!!

If you have already registered, please find Race Day information on our website under Race-Day Schedule and Logistics. Go to www.RaceforAutism.org. Be sure to check out all the great fundraising gifts and prizes.

We will also have Day-of-Race registration starting at 7:00 AM on Saturday March 29.

Best regards,
Juan and Sharon Leon

Monday, March 31st 6:30 pm
Coronado School District Board
Room 201
6th Ave
Coronado CA 92118

Please join us in welcoming guest speaker Chantal Sicile-Kira

Tips on Transition: Find out why the transition years are as important as early intervention and what you need to know about planning your child's future. The transition program is for Special Education students ages 18-22 to help them prepare for life as an adult. The planning process for transition begins long before a student actually starts in the transition program. It is never too early to begin learning about the transition process. Please join us in learning about this important stage.

Chantal Sicile-Kira is an award winning author and autism expert with twenty years of experience with autism, as well as the mother of two teenagers. Her son, Jeremy, was featured in the MTV documentary 'True Life' series. Her next book to be published by Penguin in October 2008 is Autism Life Skills. Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum was published by Penguin in March 2006. Her first book, Autism Spectrum Disorders was the recipient of the 2005 Autism Society of America's Outstanding Literary Work of the Year Award. For more information visit www.chantalsicile-kira.com.

The Coronado Special Education Parent Advisory Committee is composed of interested parents, teachers and staff within the Coronado educational community. This collaborative network serves to provide information, support, advocacy and training opportunities at regular monthly meetings. Membership is open to the public.

Hi Val,
I'm a divorced mother of a child with autism and was wondering if anyone out there knows of a family law attorney who understands the special circumstances we face. I have a pressing matter and need to consult with an attorney before making any decisions on what to do. My divorce was in Arizona, but is now domiciled here in California and I would also like to know if the legal climate here is different, and if so, how can it benefit me as I struggle to do the best for my son.

Anyone with insight can e-mail me at traceywrites@gmail.com Thanks for your support!

I am a parent of two boys in the Cajon Valley school district. I recently found out that parents in California can refuse to have their children vaccinated on the grounds of personal beliefs. Does anyone know the procedure for that? Do I talk to the principal of their schools, or fill out forms, or what?
Thanks, Kathleen D.

Looks like there is going to be a new RDI school in the Los Angeles area. Click here for more info.

Friday, May 2nd, 2008 at the Rancho Bernardo Inn
$275 Individuals / $1,000 Foursome

Join TERI for a day that supports thousands of families now and for generations to come!

We're just months away from obtaining TERI"s Major Use Permit and breaking ground within the next year - it's time to celebrate with a round of golf! Tee off in the tournament that will help build TERI's Center for Research & Life Planning. Th is campus, the fi rst of its kind in the nation, will support families with children with autism and other developmental disabilities as they navigate throughout the diff erent phases of their lives.

Tournament proceeds support a campus that has conceived of a way to help families access the services, consultation and planning they need, regardless of their child's age or disability. Th e Center for Research & Life Planning will provide answers to life quality questions not only for each child, but for the entire family across their child's lifespan, off ering them new possibilities each day.

Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Showcase your business as a partner in supporting families with children with autism and other developmental and learning disabilities by contacting Laura White at 760- 721-1706 or lauraw@teriinc.org.

The Social Response Pyramid is an educational tool developed by Laurel Hoekman. It is a visual representation of social understanding--how we can better understand ourselves and others (including those with ASD) in order to develop and utilize strategies to increase the effectiveness of our responses. It can be used by anyone and for anyone!

UCLA Tarjan Center and Lili Claire Family Resource Center are pleased to present the workshop Planning for the Future of your Child with Special Needs by Helen Bass. The workshop will cover important topics including setting up special needs trusts and conservatorship.

Please see the following link for more information: http://www.liliclairefoundation.org/documents/specialn eedstrusts2008.pdf It will be presented Sunday, April 6, 2008 from 11a-1p at UCLA, 300 Medical Plaza. RSVP is necessary due to limited space. Please RSVP to: bstark@mednet.ucla.edu

BENEFITING PROGRAMS AND EARNING POWER FOR ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Food, Flowers, Fun, and FROGS For 600 San Diegans!

El Cajon -This marks the 10th year that the San Diego community will show up in force at the St. Madeleine Sophie's Center 'Morning Glory Jazz Brunch' garden fundraiser to support job training for adults with developmental disabilities. Over 600 guests are expected at the El Cajon campus ( 2119 East Madison Ave) on Saturday, April 19 from 10:00am - 2pm to enjoy all that jazz , all that food' and all those faux frogs racing to raise funds in the Special Olympics pool. The joint is jumpin' in staccato beat with fun, smooth jazz, floral demos, live auction, student-inspired arts/crafts, the Great SMSC Frog Race, and, of course, sumptuous gourmet food donated by 12 generous restaurants and chefs dedicated to this cuisine for a cause! (Sycuan Resort & Casino, Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino, Coffee Ambassador, Downtown Café, Hometown Buffet, Hooleys Irish Pub & Grill, La Mesa Brigantine, Mangia Bene Ristorante Italiano, On the Border, Trattoria Tiramisu, Jamacha Grill and Viejas Resort & Casino).

Community dedication overflows with the Jason Weber Quartet creating the jazz mood, Jasmine Creek & Mission Hills Florists offering florals matched with art displays and professional auctioneer Stephen Hamann doing the exciting live auction honors! Of course, the ultimate adrenalin (and appetite) rush is cheering on your own $100 adopted frog (faux of course) to the pool finish line, knowing that if it wins, you win $10,000 (great odds for winning!).

Growing A Garden...Cultivating A Culture of Learning and Living.

The Morning Glory Brunch and the Great SMSC Frog Race directly benefits St. Madeleine Sophie's Center's Organic Garden Program (just one of the Center's many diverse life skills programs for 265 adults). Described as San Diego's only existing 'working organic garden', SMSC's Organic Garden program cultivates more than strong healthy plants for public sale. It also offers a role-model vocational training ground where professional horticultural managers help developmentally disabled students to reap the benefits of developing physical and mental skills, social relationships, teamwork, self esteem and a sense of community and accomplishment.

Students have been working and thriving in the garden since 1998, experiencing and enjoying an expanding program to what is now a two-acre garden site with accessible ADA-compliant winding pathways. The Garden features a full citrus orchard, organic vegetable and flower gardens, two 1500 square-foot facilities (greenhouse and propagation house), ornamental trees, shrubs, herbs and a worm farm.

Buy Tickets! Adopt A Frog! Get Involved!

To learn more about St. Madeleine Sophie's Center (SMSC) and its 'Morning Glory Jazz Brunch' garden fundraiser, visit www.stmsc.org or contact Erich Foeckler: phone: 619-442-5129 (Ext: 3332); e-mail address: efoeckler@stmsc.org

St. Madeleine Sophie's Center, a non-profit, non- denominational 'Life Program' day training center for adults with developmental disabilities, is located at 2119 E. Madison Avenue, El Cajon, CA 92020.

I check the news every morning to see what's new in the autism world. In recent weeks, there have been an increasing number of stories about states looking into, debating, and voting on new laws which would force some insurance providers to cover the cost of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) for children diagnosed with autism.

Val - I wanted to update our valued CARES friends on whats happening at CARES.

Adult Group:
-Contact Dr. Christiana Silva, PhD. 858-444-8823 x1215

Adolescent Group:
-For adolescents with high-functioning autism or aspergers, ages 12-18
-Contact Dr. Jeff Edmonds, PhD. at CARES 858.444.8823 x1207

Individual, Relational and Family Therapy:
-Licensed Psychologists and Registered Marriage and Family Therapy Interns are available for therapy
-Registered Marriage & Family Intern Courtney Olinger, M.A. (IMF# 55097)
-Registered Marriage & Family Intern (IMF# 42740)
-For information regarding insurance, sliding scales and payment options contact Dr. Senia Vitale, PhD. at 858.444.8823 x1209

Little Builders:
-A Social and Behavioral Naturalistic Play-based Intervention Program for Children with Autism Spectrum
Disorder, ages 3-7
-The Little Builders program is a play-based intervention program offered to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Each group is made up of 2-6 children. The program focuses on the development of skills in the areas of:

1) Play
2) Social Communication
3) Self-Regulation

The program aims to provide an opportunity through play, for children with ASD, to experience positive, successful interactions with peers, to learn new ways of interacting and joining with peers, to help increase his or her self esteem, and to carry new skills into other interactions with peers! The program will provide adult assistance and typical peer interaction while all children are guided through stages of play, paralleling those of natural development.

-We have three different levels to match each child with peers of similar needs and skills levels.
-Groups meet 2 times/week for 1 1/2 hours at 10065 Old Grove Rd., San Diego, CA 92131 in Scripps Ranch (15 freeway at Carrol Canyon )
-Little Builders Groups Next Round will start the week of April 21, 2008
-Aprentice Mondays & Wednesdays 1-2:30pm
-Builder: Tuesdays & Thursdays 2:45-4:30pm OR Mondays & Wednesday 4:30-6pm
-Contractor: Mondays and Wednesdays 2:45- 4:15pm OR Tuesdays & Thursdays 4:30-6pm

* Children will be grouped according to skill levels in play, language and socialization upon assessment by Little Builders Program Specialist.

-There is a possibility that groups will be offered at later times.

Please contact Courtney Olinger, M.A. at 858-444- 8823 x1221 for more information. Little Builders Summer Intensive
-We will also be offering a summer intensive (July and August groups) that will take place 5 days a week for two weeks.
-Sessions will be for 2 hours
Please contact Courtney Olinger, M.A. at 858-444- 8823 x 1221 for more information. Little Builders Peer Helpers
-Little Builders includes typical peers to serve as Peer Helpers (models for appropriate play and language).
-Our Peer Helpers are crucial for the learning of our kiddos on the spectrum. Peer Helpers learn how to elicit attention and responses from children with ASD, they help us plan curriculum, learn responsibility and leadership and get to have fun!
-Our target kiddos are not required to bring typical peers (for regular groups) but can do so if there is a friend, sibling, neighbor or peer available.
-Peer Helpers do not have to have a peer or sibling enrolled in a group and can attend for free, pending approval by Little Builders Program Specialists.
-If you know a child, age 3-7 years, that would benefit from- and gain important skills- serving as a Peer Helper, please contact Courtney Olinger, MA. at 858-444-8823 x1221
-Little Builders and other Billing: Contact Cindy 858.444.8823 x1202 in the Billing department for questions regarding billing, insurance and payment plans

FROM SACRAMENTO BEE (Main News, Page A1)
March 25, 2008 - Tuesday

Kevin Schmidt, a 21-year-old with attention deficit disorder, cried when he learned that his job mopping and vacuuming at a tech company was being phased out.

Steve Ambrunn, 26, who has developmental disabilities, felt "mad" after he was laid off from his janitorial job at a construction supply company.

"Having a disability, most places won't even hire," said Christian Johnson, 33, who became cognitively impaired after hitting his head in a childhood skateboarding accident. "I could be out looking, but I'm not going to find anything."

As the economy sours, advocates for people with disabilities are expressing concern about that population's already bleak employment prospects.

A 2004 Cornell University study showed just 37.5 percent of the nation's working-age people with disabilities were employed, compared with 77.8 percent of those without disabilities.

With the Sacramento region's unemployment rate at 6.2 percent in February - eight-tenths of a percentage point higher than it was a year ago - some advocates say people with disabilities are taking a particularly hard hit.

"People with disabilities should not be the last hired and the first fired," said Bryon MacDonald, of the World Institute on Disability, a public policy center in Oakland. He said a growing number of disabled people are signing up for public benefits - a long- standing trend in periods of economic downturn.

The state Department of Rehabilitation, which offers job training and support to people with disabilities, has received 1,000 more applications this year than it did last year.

MacDonald and other advocates worry that proposed budget cuts to state programs for the disabled, which provide everything from health benefits to vocational training, would exacerbate the economic plight of a population that too often lives near or below the poverty line. Under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed budget, the Department of Rehabilitation would face a 10 percent cut in funding.

Roseville-based PRIDE Industries, which helps people with significant disabilities find work with private companies, as well as employing them in its own warehouses, has seen an increase in job seekers. At this time last year, they had 119 people looking for work; now they have 148. An additional 18 people have lost their jobs since January.

"That's definitely a new trend," said Elisabeth Brinton, PRIDE's senior vice president for sales, marketing and government affairs.

"We see real urgency around this issue," she said.

It used to take PRIDE a week to place someone in a job; now it can take a month. To address the problem, PRIDE has stepped up its efforts to find jobs by increasing the number of "job developer" staff positions from six to 10 in recent months.

One of those job developers will hopefully find somewhere for Christian Johnson to work after the family-owned Lincoln grocery store where he currently works shuts its doors later this year. Johnson is proud of his efforts bagging groceries, returning shopping carts and stocking shelves.

"Whatever is asked for, I'm doing the job," he said.

Before he found the grocery job two years ago, he'd had a hard time finding work that made him feel valued and respected.

"I would be insulted, treated like trash," he said. "I felt like there was no progress for me. There was no realistic future."

Now, he uses his earnings from the grocery store - he makes a smidge more than minimum wage - to pay rent on his own apartment.

Many companies are making a greater effort to address biases, said MacDonald, of the World Institute on Disability. He names Walgreens, Chevron, Marriott and Kaiser Permanente as some standouts. But, even when the market is good, advocates say plenty of prejudices persist against people with disabilities. Employers assume they'll cost more to accommodate or have a hard time imagining how they might do a specific task.

Once the market starts shrinking and competition becomes more fierce, those prejudices can make it that much harder for someone with a disability to land even an entry level job.

Companies, said Barbara Duncan of Protection & Advocacy, Inc., "are not in a risk-taking mode when the economy is tight."

Brinton says many PRIDE job seekers are competing for jobs not just with high school students, but with workers laid off from the housing sector.

"When you add that level of competition, the person who isn't the 'optimum' candidate doesn't have a chance," she said.

Vicki Smith, a sociology professor at the University of California, Davis, who studies work and employment relationships, said she doubts people with disabilities would be specifically targeted in job cuts. They have protected status under the law, she said, and singling them out would be grounds for a lawsuit. But anyone who holds an unskilled job is more vulnerable as companies look to trim back, she said.

"If your job isn't dedicated to the bottom line, it's expendable," she said.

But there are bright spots. Ambrunn, who describes his disability as "handicapped," proudly used his minimum wage earnings to buy pizza, clothing and video games - before losing his janitorial job.

A few weeks ago, PRIDE found him a new job, loading boxes of computer parts into trucks in its Roseville warehouse.

As Ambrunn pushed a cart across the smooth concrete floor the other day, his face lit into a grin. He had a good job. It was a nice day. He started whistling.