DATE

TIME

LOCATION

TOPIC

*LOCATION CHANGE*

Courthouse Square

Large Conference Rm

205 Main Street

Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Back-to-School Parent Meet & Greet

For many families, summer break and the transition back to school each year are experiences to be cherished.  For families facing autism, this time of year can be a daunting experience at best.  Parent members of the AAACC understand these challenges and want to hear what you have to say.  So come on out, relax and enjoy this opportunity to share your family’s experiences, both good and bad, with other parents who understand.  Coffee, tea and light fare will be served.

For more information, contact Deborah Ursiny at (410)326-5050, or DUrsiny@asdcalvert.org.

Courthouse Square

Large Conference Rm

205 Main Street

Prince Frederick, MD 20678

My Child May Have Autism -- What Next?

SPEAKER:  Dr. Angela M. Bollich, Ph.D., CCC/SLP, Pediatric Neuropsychologist

                      Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Children's National Medical Center

                      Upper Marlboro Regional Outpatient Center

                      9440 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 210

                      Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

                      Phone:  301-297-4000

                      Appt. Line:  301-765-5432

Dr. Angela M. Bollich, Ph.D., CCC/SLP is now offering services, including assessment services for children and teens with autism and related neuro-developmental disorders, in Upper Marlboro, MD.  Please be sure to attend this meeting to get more information about the services that Dr. Bollich and associates are bringing to the Southern Maryland community!  Coffee, tea and light fare will be served.

For more information and driving directions, please contact Deborah Ursiny at DUrsiny@asdcalvert.org, or (410)326-5050.

Courthouse Square

Large Conference Rm

205 Main Street

Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Meet the New Transition Coordinator for CCPS

Speaker:  Ms. Zakia Lindsey, Transition Coordinator

                 Calvert County Public Schools

Zakia Lindsey, the new Transition Coordinator for the Calvert County Public Schools, would like to meet parents of Calvert County students with special needs and offer information about transition programs available through the Calvert County Public Schools.  Don’t miss this opportunity to meet Ms. Lindsey, learn about existing and proposed school-based transition programs, and share your thoughts and ideas about the needs of your special child.  

Coffee, tea and light fare will be served.

For more information, please contact Deborah Ursiny at DUrsiny@asdcalvert.org, or (410) 326-5050.

Holiday Break for the AAACC and member families

Meetings will resume in January, 2009

*LOCATION CHANGE*

Prince Frederick Rescue Squad

755 Solomons Island Rd South

Prince Frederick, MD 20678

(410) 535-9836

Click here for MapQuest info

Autism Spectrum Disorders and Safety

An Important Presentation for Parents, Educators, Medical Care Providers,

Law Enforcement and First Responders (Fire/EMS)

AUTISM!  Why did that kid just run back into a burning building?  Why does he scream when I touch him any place on his body?  Why does she flap her arms and twirl in circles?  How can I communicate with him when he doesn’t talk?  Why shouldn't we give her a cookie?  Why did he snap his head back and break my nose when I grabbed him from behind? Why did he have a seizure when I only checked for equal and reactive pupils?

Learn how to survive & not further injure your next client with an autism spectrum disorder!

SPEAKER: Scott Campbell, Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army -- father of a ten year-old son with autism.

Lt. Col. Campbell has given many presentations to first responder personnel on how to better understand and communicate with individuals with an autism spectrum disorder. He is an active-duty Army officer with 26 years of service and a National Ski Patrol instructor with over 16 years of experience in winter first aid and avalanche rescue. He is also a CERT graduate of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. 

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn about safety issues that may arise in an emergency situation and learn strategies that may improve outcomes for yourself, a client, or a loved one with an autism spectrum disorder. This is also an excellent opportunity to network with local first responders and care providers.  Coffee, tea and light fare will be served.

THIS EVENT IS FREE OF CHARGE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Respite care is available, free of charge, for children of attendees who register in advance.  

For more information, or to register or reserve respite care, please contact Liz Lowenthal at 410-257-3226, or LLowenthal@asdcalvert.org.

**This event has been generously co-hosted by the Prince Frederick Rescue Squad**

*LOCATION CHANGE*

College of Southern Maryland

Prince Frederick Campus

115 J.W. Williams Road

Prince Frederick, MD  20678

Click here for MapQuest info

Getting a Life:

Transition to Competent Adulthood for Young People with Autism

SPEAKER:  Dr. Peter Gerhardt, Ed.D., President of the Organization for Autism Research (OAR)

While a lot of autism research is focused on causes and intervention for children, relatively little attention has been paid to the lives of adults with autism.  In 2008, the AAACC hosted a panel discussion with adults with autism, who discussed their experiences and perspectives.

This year, the AAACC plans to increase its focus on transition issues -- how to prepare students to transition not just out of high school, but into becoming competent adults.  How will they learn the “soft skills” they will need for the workplace?  How should we support them as they prepare to advocate for themselves in college, or other postsecondary education?  How can they best participate in social life, while watching out for the pitfalls?

Our speaker, Dr. Peter Gerhardt, Ed.D., is president of the Organization for Autism Research, whose mission is to fund applied research and disseminate the relevant findings to support individuals with autism spectrum disorders, and their families. Dr. Gerhardt has over 25 years’ experience working with adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders in educational, employment and community-based settings.  He has directed social and support services for adults with autism spectrum disorders in New Jersey and Maryland.   He is the author and/or co-author of articles and book chapters on the needs of adults with autism spectrum disorders, the school-to-work-transition process, and analysis and intervention of problematic behavior. He has presented nationally and internationally on these topics.

THIS EVENT IS FREE OF CHARGE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Coffee, tea & light fare will be served.

For more information, or to register for this event, contact Careen Wallace at 301-855-8333, or CWallace@asdcalvert.org.

**This event has been generously co-hosted by the College of Southern Maryland**  

*LOCATION CHANGE*

Comfort Inn Conference Center

4500 Crain Highway

Bowie, MD  20716

The AAACC will not host a regular meeting this month

Instead, we would like to encourage all parents, professionals and other interested individuals to attend the

Wrightslaw Special Education Law & Advocacy Conference with Peter Wright, Esq.

This event is sponsored by the Parents’ Place of Maryland and will be held at the Comfort Inn Conference Center,

4500 Crain Highway, Bowie, MD 20716, on Thursday, March 19, 2009 from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

For more information, please contact Missy Alexander, Parents' Place of Maryland, 1-800-394-5694 or missy@ppmd.org.

*LOCATION CHANGE*

Courthouse Square

Large Conference Room

205 Main Street

Prince Frederick, MD 20678

AAACC Service Provider Fair

TOPIC:   The AAACC understands that getting services for our children can be like navigating a maze.  In fact, that’s one reason we chose the Pathfinder symbol for our logo.  For our April 16 meeting, we have invited a number of government and non-profit agencies that provide services for families with children and adults with autism spectrum disorders to attend our meeting.  This will allow family members to talk to a number of agency representatives in one place, and get information directly from the representatives about the services these agencies and organizations can provide.

THE MEETING IS FREE OF CHARGE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.  Coffee, tea & light fare will be served.   For more information and to RSVP, please contact Careen Wallace at 301-855-8333, or CWallace@asdcalvert.org.

Courthouse Square

Large Conference Room

205 Main Street

Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Building Bridges:

A Multi-Disciplinary Autism Awareness & Education Program

In honor of Autism Awareness Month, the AAACC is proud to present the creators of Building Bridges, the comprehensive autism education program for educators, administrators, and students, which was piloted in 2006, and is now in full use across the Anne Arundel Public School System.

Linda Carter-Ferrier, President of the Anne Arundel County Chapter of the Autism Society of America, describes the program as “a big fat binder, plus supplementary materials that include books and videos.”  It is a comprehensive set of resource materials that covers issues ranging from language needs, social skills lesson plans, friendship and empathy trainings, social skills group outlines, and sensory needs, to permission slips.

Along with Anne Arundel County special educators Laura Phipps, Susan Marshburn, and Lori Wareham, Carter-Ferrier designed the resource program to be implemented for all grade groups (elementary, middle, and high school).  The materials are available for use by a variety of school personnel and for audiences ranging from an entire school to grade groups, teams, and individual classes. 

On April 16, the group will share the story of how a team of special educators and parents worked together to create this unique resource.  

This meeting is free of charge and open to the public.

Coffee, tea and light fare will be served.  For more information and to RSVP, please contact Careen Wallace at 301-855-8333, or CWallace@asdcalvert.org.

Summer Break for the AAACC and member families

Meetings will resume in September, 2009