The Reason For It All

Wealth & Wellness Team Member Needed!!!

How to 'speak' autism: The First Wave

The 2nd Annual Wright Family Community Picnic

Last Call for USD Autism Institute Conference!

3rd Annual Alley Cat Art Walk

California Pre-school learning foundations

School Leaves Autistic Kids Out Of Yearbook

SUPER FUN SAN DIEGO SUMMER CAMP

ASC Summer Social Skills program begins in July!

NY: Inspector General's Report Sparks Changes in Residential Care for Disabled Children

San Diego TACA Meeting, June 24

Crimson Center: Summer Communication Program

Pediatrician Dr. William Sears "prescribes" Juice Plus+ to all his patients

Empowering Through Information & 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
My enewsletters are archived on my website:
www.ValeriesList.com

My Melaleuca Team and I are looking for people who want to have a part time home based business. We are especially looking for a person who is fluent in Spanish (reading, writing and speaking). Income depends on how much time and effort you can put into it. It is possible to earn a couple hundred to several thousand dollars per month.

For more information about the business model, please click here and then click on "Take a Tour".

Many of you are asking me for more info about Melaleuca, so here is a bit more...Melaleuca is and always has been a "Green" company.

No Caustic Chemicals: Melaleuca has taken a firm stand against chemicals that not only pollute the environment, but also pollute our homes. You will NOT find chlorine bleach, high-alkaline chemicals, or other caustic substances in Melaleuca's products.

For example, regular dishwasher detergent, like Cascade, that you can buy in the stores is so toxic that if you stick your finger in it and then put it in your mouth, you can say goodbye to your esophagus. Melaleuca's equivalent, Diamond Brite, is so safe, that you can drink it. It will give you a stomach ache and diarrhea, but no life damaging after affects.
Cleaner Waterways: Melaleuca cleaning products contain no phosphates, that can negatively impact the environment by causing unwanted algae growth in rivers, ponds and streams.

Make money working with a company that was thinking green before green became popular. If you don't think that that household toxins could be part of the autism problem, read this article. Another plus, is that all of the products are much cheaper then their counterparts even if sold at CostCo or WalMart. Go Green and Save Money!!!

Join us,
Valerie Saraf

'Autism tsunami': 1 in 150 births are currently on the autism spectrum; 3 out of 4 are male; half are nonverbal or profoundly verbally limited. They are seven times more likely to encounter the police than a non-ASD individual.

Driven by the natural desire to connect with their sons and daughters with autism, parents work tirelessly to communicate, mostly through trial and error. When my autistic son was growing up, this trial and error was just about all we had to rely on. But now things are swiftly approaching a critical mass. Parents of "the first wave" are trying to pass on what we've learned to the next generation of mothers and fathers - as well as the police and corrections officers who will undoubtedly come into contact with autistic people, and for whom mental health and autism training is increasingly critical.

benefiting The Autism Tree Project Foundation

Date: Saturday, July 12 2008
Time: 12 - 4 PM
Lunch served noon-2 pm
Location: Westminster Park, Point Loma
3598 Talbot Street
San Diego, CA 92106
Corner of Talbot Street and Cañon

It's Carnival Time!
"We are thrilled to treat the ATPF families, our friends & family, our neighbors, and the entire San Diego community to a fantastic, good old-fashioned, patriotic family picnic, packed with Red, White and Blue Fun!

This event, benefiting the Autism Tree Project Foundation, will include an autism awareness table, raffle with giveaways for families, picnic lunch, music , arts and crafts, a jumper and climber, and party favors for kids. Come join us!"

For more information call Karen & Tim Wright 619-405- 0176

The USD 2008 Summer Autism Institute Conference will be held this Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at the University of San Diego. There are still a limited number of spaces available, so if you were considering attending, now's the time to register. This is a conference that will have a positive impact on your perspectives around the topic of autism, and it will make a difference for your friends and loved-ones who experience autism. Whether you are a parent, professional, or person with autism, this is a great opportunity. You don't want to miss this conference! www.sandiego.edu/autisminstitute

Free to the public!
Fun for the whole family!

July 11, 4 to 8 PM
July 12, 12 to 8 PM

Downtown El Cajon
Main Street to Rea Avenue and the Alley in between!
Including, of course, Sophie's Gallery and Mark Rimland.
Featuring:
Art Vendors, Print Making, Sidewalk Chalk Art, Music, Rock Balancing, Painted Vehicles, Beer Garden, Food and Much, Much More!!!
Click here for more info!

On January 22, 2008, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell formally released the California Preschool Learning Foundations. (PDF; 5.30MB; 192pp.) Superintendent O'Connell stated that these foundations offer our early childhood educators a clear understanding of what our youngest learners should know before entering kindergarten.

History
In 2004, Jack O'Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, initiated the process to develop the Preschool Learning Foundations.

The purpose of California's Preschool Learning Foundations is to provide the child development field with research-based competencies-knowledge and skills-that we can expect most children to exhibit in a quality program as they complete their first or second year of preschool.

The foundations were developed over a three-year period using an inclusive and deliberative input process, including four statewide stakeholder meetings, 53 public input sessions held throughout the state, four public hearings, and public comment in April, May, and November 2007, through the California Department of Education's (CDE) Web site. Input from the various review opportunities was considered and incorporated as appropriate.

ROSEVILLE, Calif. -- *The parents of twin autistic boys left out of a yearbook are accusing the school of discrimination.

Darla Granger said her sons Holden and Hunter were purposely left out of their Roseville, Calif., school yearbook -- along with the rest of the school's special needs children.

July 7-July 25 1:00-4:00
This camp is designed to be outside, active, entertaining, and educational.
Camp will focus on social facilitation and improving community-based skills.

BASKETBALL CAMP
July 28-August 15 1:00-4:00
Camp Goals: Increased participation and skill level in the sport of basketball from the first day to the final day of the summer program. Increased social interaction with typical peers (as available).

TEEN GIRLS GROUP
(Two sessions) July 7 - July 25 & July 28- August 15
Age Range: Between the ages of 14 and 17
This group will work on age appropriate attire, cash exchange and community outings. The girls will go on trips to the mall as well as shopping centers. We will work on being out in the community, eating in restaurants, and shopping. We will target teaching and facilitating typical teenage girl interactions.

ACADEMIC TUTORING
Available from June 23-August 22
An AEFCT supervisor will review your child's academic goals / areas of need and personalize a supplemental academic program to prevent regression during the summer months. Highly trained behavior consultants will work one on one with your child on their individualized program, "Fun" breaks will be interspersed throughout the academic session.
Minimum 2 hour sessions, flexible hours of service.

PLEASE CALL THE AEFCT OFFICE FOR MORE INFORMATION! 619.269.6057

Shannon Wallace, MA, MFTI
AEFCT Clinical Director
www.aefct.com

Circle of Friends is a social skills group for high functioning children with autism between the ages of 8 and 12. The group is designed to involve social, motor, and language skills through fun activities with skilled ABA therapists! The group also focuses on play skills and Theory of Mind. Classes will run every Thursday for 8 weeks beginning July 10, 2008 at Active Kidz off of Sorrento Valley Road in San Diego. Go to www. Activekidz.net to check out the facilities!

Day: Thursday
Time: 3:30pm-5:00pm
Prices:
$60.00 membership fee for Active Kidz
PLUS
$25.00 per session for Circle of Friends
Total of $200.00 + $60.00= $260.00 for 8 sessions.

Please contact Tara@autismconsultants.com or call the main office at 858-272-2662 to sign up!!!!

ALBANY, NY (06/11/2008; 1000)(readMedia)-- State Inspector General Joseph Fisch today issued a report that makes 20 recommendations for change in state government and criticizes two agencies for neglecting their duties.

The 244-page report examines the response of New York State agencies to allegations of abuse of Jonathan Carey in 2004. It reveals deficiencies in state oversight of Jonathan's care, particularly by the New York State Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (CQC). It finds fault with both CQC and the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) for providing misleading or inadequate information to the Governor's office and Jonathan Carey's parents. And it recommends a review of the state's Social Services Law related to abuse in institutional settings.

Presents: Susan Daniel, O.D.
Vision and Autism
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
6:30 - 8:30 PM

Susan Daniel, O.D. has been in private practice with her husband, Christopher Davis, O.D. in Carlsbad, California since 1992. She obtained her Bachelors of Science degree from the University of California at Davis in 1987 and her Doctor of Optometry degree at the Southern California College of Optometry in 1991. She was on the clinical staff at the Southern California College of Optometry in Family Practice and Pediatric Service before opening her practice in Carlsbad. Her practice specializes in visual rehabilitation evaluations and therapy for brain injured and stroke patients, children with special needs, and autism. She is a vision consultant for Tri-City Hospital Rehabilitation Services and the North Coastal Consortium for Special Education. She is on the clinical faculty for the Illinois College of Optometry and she teaches an externship rotation in binocular vision rehabilitation to 4th year optometry students. She is an active member in the American Optometric Association, the College of Vision Development, and the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association. In 2004, she opened the Sensory Learning Center in Encinitas, which offers a multi-sensory therapy to help integrate auditory, vestibular and visual input. This therapy was instrumental in helping her son who is autistic say his first word at 6 years old. She is the proud mother of three children, Rachel, Matthew and Elaina.

Rancho Bernardo Presbyterian Church (Directions below)
Directions to Rancho Bernardo Presbyterian Church:
17010 Pomerado Road
San Diego, CA 92128.
From I-15, exit Rancho Bernardo Road and travel east to Pomerado Road. Turn left (north) at the stoplight. The church will be on your left hand side.

We are accepting registration for our summer communication program, which run July 1-31, 2008. Children who struggle with speech and language related interaction will engage in stimulating group activities with peers matched according to age and level of functioning. Adult to child ratio will be approximately 1:4, and each group will meet for two hours, one time per week for a total of 5 sessions (10 hours) in our Miramar office. An Internet blog will be established to inform parents about activities, goals and materials of each day, and parents are encouraged to observe through our one-way mirrors.

Augmentative Communication Groups
This program is designed to enhance the functional and recreational use of both high and low tech communication systems, facilitated by Eric Sailers, M.A., CCC, Speech-Language Pathologist and Assistive Technology Specialist.

--Sea Lions: ages 5-9 on Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m.
--Sharks: ages 10-14 on Wednesdays from 3-5 p.m.

Speech & Language Socialization Groups
This program is designed to maximize social langu