The Reason For It All

"DVDs 2 Help" Program

URGENT: Concerns about NCARE in Carlsbad, Ca?

CARES Little Builders

Why Juice Plus+???

Seminar: Fast ForWord

A Concert to Benefit St. Madeleine Sophie's Center

Sensory Friendly Films- This Saturday AMC Mission Valley!

Xcite Steps Fall Social Clubs for Kids/Teens/Adults

UCSD: Health and Wellness Forum

The 13th International Conference on Violence, Abuse & Trauma

Melaleuca, The Wellness Company

How to Get Your Insurance Company to Cover Autism Treatment

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
My enewsletters are archived on my website:
www.ValeriesList.com

We could not have started our business or made our DVDs without the support of others and realize others may need help too during these economic times. If you (or someone you know) have children between the ages of 4 and 8, are living in the United States (or on a US military base abroad), and need a little helping hand, please submit a letter describing your situation and explaining how a Steps4Kids DVD can help. Submit all letters to: Steps4Kids, LLC, P.O. Box 231031, Encinitas, CA 92023-1031. We look forward to hearing from you. Our goal is to award at least 1 DVD per month. We look forward to hearing from you.

Hi Valerie, please post,
Hi, we are concerned parents of a young son with autism whom we have enrolled in were offered a 1 yr scholarship for our son,(after $4000 down) and been involved with NCARE for many months now. There are many important reasons to be concerned regarding the "physical" or where the actual school itself is, etc,etc etc. Please contact us by email if you would like to discuss. We really need to get the word out there to parents, relatives, etc like ourselves.
Please email us at cranemail@cox.netand we can connect regarding this issue.
Thanks,
Sincerely,
Becky and family

Hello parents
CARES Little Builders, play-based socialization group, has two groups starting in September. Both groups will run two days a week for ten weeks in the afternoon for children with High-Functioning Autism, PDD-NOS or Aspergers, ages 3-5 and 5-7 years.

For more information or to set up an assessment, please contact Courtney Olinger at colinger.cares@yahoo.com or call 858-444-8823 x 1213

Why Juice Plus+?
The best way to answer that question, is to ask another. How do you think you would feel; how healthy would your body be; how much positive energy would you have, if you ate a serving of 15 different fruits and vegetables and 2 grains EVERYDAY?
That is what JP+ is and that is what it does.

Juice Plus+ provides the natural nutrition (millions of nutrients) of fully ripened, RAW fruits and vegetables in a capsulated form for adults and chewables and gummies for kids.

The cost for adults is $41.50 per month, or $1.36 per day. (Could your buy a serving of 15 fruits and veggies, and eat all of them, RAW for $1.36 per day?)

The cost for kids for Chewables or Gummies is $22.50 per month, or .74 cents per day? Could you even get your kids to eat 15 RAW, fruits and veggies per day?

For more information about Juice Plus+ and/or purchase it, please visit my website here. JP+ is certified GF/CF Dairy Free and Kosher!!! Click here for info on ingredients for all the JP+ products.

Starting in September, I will be having Juice Plus+ In-Home Parties. It is a great way to learn more about good, lasting health and JP+. If you are interested in learning about JP+ as a home-based business, click here. Juice Plus+ and its' parent company NSA, are NOT Multi-Level Marketing Companies. 95% of the people who order from the companies are customers only. NSA has been in business for 47 years.

Juice Plus+ "Thins" and anxiety and OCD:
Since, giving Tony "Thins" everyday, starting just 2 years ago, with no other medication or change, I noticed that Tony was more relaxed. Less anxiety. And, even more remarkable his repetitive, obsessive behaviors dropped about 80%. Changes in his routine/schedule became much easier, new experiences were no longer hard. Repetitive behaviors/routines nearly disappeared. I have been also able to reduce his medications: Zyprexa, Celexa & Tenex.

Please think seriously about giving this a try!!! If you have any questions about the "Thins", please email me and if you would like to order them, click here.

I now have several families that are going to give the "Thins" a try. It will be several weeks before I know if this is going to work for others, besides Tony. As soon as I know anything, you all will know!!!

How can I get my kid to take Juice Plus+?

This is always the first question that I am asked. It is very doable if you are willing and consistant.

The first thing to remember it that no matter what your child does to get out of taking something orally, it has been done before.....Tony used to hit, kick, bite, spit, head butt, scream, freak-out, throw himself on the floor, and my all time favorite: Throw up on Mom. After that one, I learn to have him try something new on an empty stomach. :) BUT, no matter what he did, I did not give in. You can't. You can't allow them to win the little battles, because it you do, you have lost the war. The war of improving them against their natural will to keep things the same.

I will use a Juice Plus+ Chewable/Gummie as an example of how to do this, but this technique works with anything.

1. The first part is getting them to accept something new, so it may take a month to get them up to a full dose.
2. Cut the tablet into small pieces and give only a small piece at a time. You will need to be the judge of how many times a day you can get a small piece accepted by them and into them, successfully.
3. Let them know up front that this is something new, something that they may not like, but it is NECESSARY. NO CHOICE! Make that clear.
4. Have a treat right there ready to give them after they have accepted, chewed and swallowed the piece that you have given them. I always used "Smarties" with Tony. They are small and tangy, which helps to eliminate leftover taste.
5. When they are successful, give them the treat and be the HEAD CHEERLEADER!!!!! HOORAY! YOU did it!!!! I'm SOOOOO Proud of YOU! Jump up and down!!! Go crazy!

September 18, 2008
6:30-8:00 P.M.

Fast ForWord
New Programs and Options

Presented by Nanci Engle, M.Ed., Director of Banyan Tree Learning Center

As founder of Banyan Tree, Nanci is the site administrator and educational therapist at their Point Loma location. She has a M.Ed. in Education, B.S. in Speech and Language, credentials in Learning Disabilities, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and General Education. Nanci received a Certificate in Educational Therapy from UCSD, and is a member of the Association of Educational Therapists, Learning Disabilities Association, and Council for Exceptional Children. An educator for over 30 years, she has experience as a Special Day Class Teacher, Resource Specialist, and Mentor Teacher. She opened Banyan Tree in 1993, in an effort to help students who "fall through the cracks" and struggle with traditional learning techniques.

Nanci will discuss Fast ForWord, a computer- assisted therapy that targets temporal sequencing and language processing by "rewiring the brain" for more efficient processing of speech sounds and language. She will describe the differences between Language and Language to Reading, Literacy and Literacy Advanced, the Reading Programs, and the new fluency program, Reading Assistant, and how these programs improve cognitive skills, as well as language and academic skills.

Crimson Center for Speech & Language
9606 Tierra Grande #107
San Diego, CA 92126
Miramar Area
Please call 858 695 9415 to reserve free seating
Sorry-No childcare is available

SMS AUXILIARY HOSTS 'AUTUMN INTERLUDE'; A CONCERT & TEA BENEFIT FOR ST. MADELEINE'S FEATURING GUEST SOPRANO SUZANNE FARACE.

Sunday, October 26, 2008
1:30pm to 4:30pm
'The Forum' Room at the Hahn University Center, University of San Diego Campus

A brilliant musical program entitled 'Opera To Pop: Pure Magic'. It is performed by internationally famous soprano Suzanne Farace, accompanied by well- known pianist Jack Lasher (formerly on the music faculties of USD and SDSU).

More details to come!!!

Please distribute far and wide: we want to fill the auditorium and make sure they know we want to keep this up! Any access to any group within the developmental disability community is most appreciated- this is NOT an autism specific event!

Join AMC Entertainment® and the Autism Society of America for
Sensory Friendly Films

Star Wars: The Clone Wars
http://www.starwars.com/clonewars/site/index.html

Coming soon to a theatre near you!
This Saturday
August 23, 10 a.m.
AMC Mission Valley 20
1640 Camino Del Rio North
San Diego, CA 92108
Admission: $6

AMC Entertainment (AMC) and ASA have teamed up to begin testing a pilot program to bring families affected by autism and other developmental differences a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis. With Sensory Friendly Films, the movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up and the sound turned down. Additionally, audience members are welcome to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing. We'll see you at the show!

For more information contact the San Diego County Chapter of the Autism Society of America at 858. 715. 0678 or info@sd-autism.org

XciteSteps is offering a variety of social clubs again this fall. Each club provides an opportunity for kids with high functioning cognitive disabilities such as aspergers, PDD-NOS, social anxieties or minor disabilities to be part of a social group. The club provides a safe, encouraging, and non judgmental environment that allows its participants to open up and be themselves. Community integration, friendship building, and social awareness are the main objectives of the Club.

We will focus on socially appropriate behavior through role modeling and positive reinforcement. The club is designed to provide exciting and creative activities to support the interests of its participants. Each weekend we gather at various drop off points in the San Diego area.

Events of this session include:
Gaming Center Dave & Busters
Padres Game
Halloween Carnival
Boomers
Mira Mar Air Show
Lazer Tag
Bowling

For The Adults:
Comedy Show
Gaslamp Extravaganza
Adams Ave St Fair
Karaoke Fun
Padres Game


Little Adventures Club · Age Group: 5-7
· High functioning group

Kids Adventure Club
· Age Group: 8-12
· High functioning group

Steps Up Club · Age Group: 13-18
· High functioning group

Youth Social Club
· Age Group: 13 - 18
· Moderately/Severely affected group

Adult Social Club
· Age Group: 18+ up
· High functioning group

Highlights:
· Event duration: 3 hours
· Personalized attention: 2 to 1 Ratio
· Small Group environment
· Experienced and energetic counselors
· Home pick up and drop off available
· Flexibility of attending 5 of 8 activities

At home pick up or drop off: If needed our Social coaches are able to pick up or drop off your child.

To Get More Information Please Contact:
Matt Winkley
858 722-1948
mwinkley@excitesteps.com
www.excitesteps.com

September 24, Wednesday

2008 Health and Wellness Forum - Developmental Disabilities: Innovations in Diagnosis, Treatment & Service Delivery at the Catamaran Resort Hotel in San Diego. Presented by presented by UCSD, Dept of Developmental Services, and Association of Regional Center Agencies. This year's developmental disabilities conference will include five sets of workshops focusing on autism, genetics, early intervention, risk management, and special populations, as well as keynote presentations and a poster session/reception. Twenty-five different workshops will be offered, concentrating on topics such as assistive technology, effective and ineffective treatments, expanded screening in genetics, co- occurring medical conditions common to certain syndromes, and nutrition. The interactive reception and poster session provides attendees with the opportunity to speak directly with project partners.

Registration Fees. On or Before 8/22/08: $225- 275 - On or After 8/23/08: $275-325
Click here for more info or Email ocme@ucsd.edu or call (888)229-6263.