| Delco Family P. .S.S. Newsletter of the Delaware County Family PDD/Autism Spectrum Support www.delcofamilypass.com 610-626-9511 |
| Board Members of Delco Family PASS: Barb Zimmerman BarbZimmerman@delcofamilypass.com Penny Starr-Ashton Psashton@delcofamilypass.com Ana Castner AnaCastner@delcofamilypass.com Erin Lopes ErinLopes@delcofamilypass.com Stacey Fliegelman StaceyFliegelman@delcofamilypass.com Heather Haggerty HeatherHaggerty@delcofamilypass.com To join our private on line support group or our mailing list please visit our website: www.delcofamilypass.com or call 610-626-9511. |
| Meeting Information Our meetings are held the first Monday of the month. They are located at the Springfield Hanby Masonic Banquet Hall (also called Spring Valley) on RT. 420 in Springfield (between Sproul Road and Baltimore Pike). If inclement weather forces us to cancel the meeting those people on our list-serve will receive an e-mail notice. Others can call the support group phone line or go to the website. Feel free to come at 6:30pm and network with other parents. Announcements begin at 7:15 and the speaker will begin at 7:30. Meeting Dates and Topics listed on page 4. |
| Visit our website for links to local and national autism providers and informational sites. |
| Check out our National Autism Association DVDs! Borrow some and share with your team. |
This past Fall 2007 we had our 1st Annual Fall Fundraising Appeal. A sponsorship form went out to all members
of our group and surrounding businesses. As of Dec. 31st, our total amount raised from this was $1,170. The funds
raised help us provide services like outreach to the community, education about autism, newsletters, conference
scholarships, a phoneline, support meetings and a lending library. If you are interested in sending in a tax deductible
donation, please send it to:
Delco Family PASS, Inc.
P.O. Box 210
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
Genuardis E-scrip and iGive will be starting. By shopping at Genuardis using your debit/credit card, a certain amount
will be given to our group. IGive.com is the same concept, at iGive.com you get a free membership and access to
over 400 brand-name merchants like Barnes and Noble, Eddie Bauer, Lands’ End and PETsMART. There will be
additional information on our website once we have this established.
Borders – Holiday Fundraiser - This past December members of Delco Family PASS volunteered to gift wrap
purchased books. Information was available about our group and customers made donations while they waited for
their gifts to be wrapped. We raised $456.51 from this effort! Thank you to the many volunteers who gave up their
Friday and Saturday nights to staff this worthwhile event. We did manage to have lots of fun and laughs while we
wrapped!
“Spring Movie Night!” We are planning to rent a hall and have a movie night for our children. More information will be
available as it gets closer.Other ideas for Family Outings: Indoor Pool Party and Bowling Night.
We are open to suggestions and always need help.
of our group and surrounding businesses. As of Dec. 31st, our total amount raised from this was $1,170. The funds
raised help us provide services like outreach to the community, education about autism, newsletters, conference
scholarships, a phoneline, support meetings and a lending library. If you are interested in sending in a tax deductible
donation, please send it to:
Delco Family PASS, Inc.
P.O. Box 210
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
Genuardis E-scrip and iGive will be starting. By shopping at Genuardis using your debit/credit card, a certain amount
will be given to our group. IGive.com is the same concept, at iGive.com you get a free membership and access to
over 400 brand-name merchants like Barnes and Noble, Eddie Bauer, Lands’ End and PETsMART. There will be
additional information on our website once we have this established.
Borders – Holiday Fundraiser - This past December members of Delco Family PASS volunteered to gift wrap
purchased books. Information was available about our group and customers made donations while they waited for
their gifts to be wrapped. We raised $456.51 from this effort! Thank you to the many volunteers who gave up their
Friday and Saturday nights to staff this worthwhile event. We did manage to have lots of fun and laughs while we
wrapped!
“Spring Movie Night!” We are planning to rent a hall and have a movie night for our children. More information will be
available as it gets closer.Other ideas for Family Outings: Indoor Pool Party and Bowling Night.
We are open to suggestions and always need help.
| Fundraising |
| Lending Library Delco Family P.A.S.S. is proud to donate our lending library to the Delaware County Library System. Now these valuable resources are available to all members of the group and all of Delaware County. Visit our website for a list of resources and a link to Haverford Library or go to www.delcolibraries.org. You can have any material sent to your local library!! |
| The Johnny Bellopede Scholarship Fund is available to all members. Please visit our website for an application www.delcofamilypass.com Johnny Bellopede is the son of one of our former executive board members. He died at the age of nine on August 12, 2006. Johnny attended Devereux CARES. He loved reading, math, computer and Leapster. The Johnny Bellopede Scholarship Fund is specifically for parents of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. It is part of Delaware County Family PASS Inc. The fund provides money for parents to:
Each parent may submit for reimbursement up to $200 in one calendar year. The fund only pays for registration fees and conference costs to attend the conference. We regret that we can not pay for travel, mileage, hotel or respite care at this time. |
2008 ASCEND SUPPORT MEETINGS - Delaware County Meetings, Havertown
All parents and other adult family members or caregivers of children/ adolescents/adults with AS and similar
diagnoses are welcome to attend any of these meetings (regardless of your county of residency). You do not have to
be a member of ASCEND to attend support meetings, and there is no charge to attend. For more info, including links
to directions, visit www.ascendgroup.org .
DATES: 1/8, 3/11, 5/13 (second Tuesday every other month)
TIME: 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Grace Chapel, Darby & Eagle Roads, Havertown, PA
All parents and other adult family members or caregivers of children/ adolescents/adults with AS and similar
diagnoses are welcome to attend any of these meetings (regardless of your county of residency). You do not have to
be a member of ASCEND to attend support meetings, and there is no charge to attend. For more info, including links
to directions, visit www.ascendgroup.org .
DATES: 1/8, 3/11, 5/13 (second Tuesday every other month)
TIME: 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Grace Chapel, Darby & Eagle Roads, Havertown, PA
| Team Delco Family PASS raised $2,075 for the 2007 Walk Now for Autism! Great job! Thank you for helping to increase the pace of autism research and awareness. The 2007 Walk raised more than $926,000!!! |
| September 20, 2008 Citizens Bank Park Philadelphia, PA www.walknowforautism.org |
Upcoming Support Group Meeting Speakers January 7th – It’s the start of a new year! At this meeting parents are welcome to come and network with other parents and then view the DVD: "Understanding & Implementing Dietary Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorders" by Karyn Seroussi & Jorgen Klaveness, February 4th – Dr. Nancy Silverman from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia will speak about the cognitive- psychological evaluation process. Dr. Silverman will describe the tests used for this evaluation, the information these tests provide and how to apply test results to the IEP process. March 12th – (Wednesday) – Dr. Robert Naseef, family psychotherapist and author of Special Children, Challenged Parents, will speak about the impact of an autism diagnosis on the family system. **Note the location of this meeting has changed! This meeting will be held at the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce at 602 E. Baltimore Pike in Media. April 7th – Debi Namey, Coordinator of the Pennsylvania Verbal Behavior Project, will speak about Verbal Behavior, the ABLLS and how school districts can apply to establish a verbal behavior classroom. May 5th – Shelbi Bordner, BCBA, behavioral specialist with Chester County Intermediate Unit, will speak about behavioral based strategies in the home and school. June 2nd – TBA |
Winter & Spring Events & Conferences:
Autism Awareness Night with the Philadelphia Flyers
Wednesday, February 6, 2008, 7:00 PM
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals - Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA
Bring your family and friends and join us for the 3rd Annual Autism Awareness Night with the
Philadelphia Flyers. Discounted tickets are available in two different sections, with a portion of the
proceeds from every ticket purchased through this order form donated to benefit the Athletes
Against Autism and their parent organization, Autism Speaks. The night will feature PSAs, information
booths, a special Mites on Ice game and more.
Also, 14 exceptionally generous donors will have the opportunity to watch the game from a luxury suite and have a
meet and greet with Flyers legends and a player following the game. This exclusive opportunity is one you won’t want to
miss.
For more information on the evening and to order your tickets, please contact Sam Levitt with Athletes Against Autism at
(323) 549-0500, x747 or slevitt@autismspeaks.org.
Autism Awareness Night with the Philadelphia Flyers
Wednesday, February 6, 2008, 7:00 PM
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals - Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA
Bring your family and friends and join us for the 3rd Annual Autism Awareness Night with the
Philadelphia Flyers. Discounted tickets are available in two different sections, with a portion of the
proceeds from every ticket purchased through this order form donated to benefit the Athletes
Against Autism and their parent organization, Autism Speaks. The night will feature PSAs, information
booths, a special Mites on Ice game and more.
Also, 14 exceptionally generous donors will have the opportunity to watch the game from a luxury suite and have a
meet and greet with Flyers legends and a player following the game. This exclusive opportunity is one you won’t want to
miss.
For more information on the evening and to order your tickets, please contact Sam Levitt with Athletes Against Autism at
(323) 549-0500, x747 or slevitt@autismspeaks.org.
| Conferences: (Some are local and some require a little travel.) January 18-19, 2008 (Friday & Saturday) Going to the Heart of Autism Conference with Dr. Steven E. Gutstein in South Orange, New Jersey, at Seton Hall University's University Center. Dr. Gutstein will discuss his Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) program for autism spectrum disorders via audience participation and hours of video taken from intervention sessions. The goal of RDI is for each person to be excited about expanding their world, rather than to be afraid of it. Registration and information: call (713) 838-1362 or visit the RDI web site. Cost: $250-$300, depending on time of registration. February 2, 2008 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m Pennsylvania’s Education for All Coalition, Inc. - 3rd Annual Membership Meeting on Inclusive Education - For Parents, Educators, Related Professionals and Others PEAC is a partnership of parents, educators, related professionals and others who believe that Children of all backgrounds and abilities should be successfully educated together in their neighborhood schools within the general education curriculum. www.paedforall.org At Three PaTTAN Locations Across Pennsylvania. March 12 - 14, 2008 (Wednesday - Friday) 7th Annual Autism Conference: Transition - Heading for the Bright Lights 'Heading for the Bright Lights' is a three-day event that will be held at the Crowne Plaza West Hotel in Richmond, Virginia. The conference will feature presentations by keynote and breakout speakers who specialize in autism research and treatment, drawing hundreds of parents, caregivers, special education teachers and health care professionals. In the past, the event has also included moving presentations by young adults with autism who have defied stereotypes to realize remarkable accomplishments. Presentations have been given by a writer, a meteorology student and a college graduate. The Social Security Administration will host an exhibit at the event with representatives from the Virginia Disability Determination Services. Social Security will provide information on disability programs and benefits, the rules and requirements for receiving these benefits, and information on how work affects continuing entitlement to the benefits. Representatives will also demonstrate how to apply for disability benefits online. Location: Crowne Plaza West Hotel, I-64 & West Broad Street, Richmond, VA. For more information, call 1-800-649-8481 or go to www.autismva.org/cas_annual_conference.php March 28, 2008 (Friday) Third Annual Penn Autism Network Conference University of Pennsylvania Campus, Philadelphia, PA WHO SHOULD GO: Family Members, Individuals with ASD, Educators and Professionals - This conference presents a unique and exciting opportunity to focus on promoting systems of supports and services for adults with ASD, including transition to adulthood issues. For information about the Penn Autism Network and a review of our first two conferences, visit www.med.upenn.edu/pan. More info to be posted shortly! |
April 2, 2008 (Wednesday) – World Autism Awareness Day
Around 11 a.m. on December 18th, 2007 the United Nations General Assembly, by unanimous consent,
passed the resolution of the Third Committee designating April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day in
perpetuity starting in 2008. The resolution was passed with minimal fanfare, but the day will be marked around
the world with education, awareness and celebration.
April 4-7, 2008 (Friday - Monday)
Annual Defeat Autism Now! Spring biomedical treatment conference in the Crown Plaza Hotel in Cherry
Hill, New Jersey. More details to be posted in January. Registration: see DAN! site.
April 9, 2008 (Wednesday) - 9:30am–3:30pm
Course on: Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Spectrum of Treatments
University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2)
Instructor(s): Dr. Scott Browning
Fee: $125 CE Contact Hours: 5
Overview: The purpose of this seminar will be to introduce the audience to a full range of understanding
Autism Spectrum Disorder. The students will be introduced to general diagnostic criteria, and the following
treatment modalities: ABA, Greenspan’s Floor-time, TEACCH and Gutstein’s RDI approach.
As both a scholar of Autism and the parent of a teenager with Autism, the presenter will provide both
practical advice and theoretical perspectives to the disorder. This seminar will assist students in recognizing
ASD, and a discussion of the primary treatments will assist them in determining the issues of “best fit” when
working with someone with the disorder. Classroom issues will also be discussed.
Objectives: Participants will: 1) know how to identify the primary symptoms of ASD; 2) have the ability to
initiate clinical work with people who are diagnosed with ASD; 3) be informed of some of the personal dilemmas
that affect a parent of someone with ASD; and 4) have the ability to shift treatment approaches when they are
not succeeding with someone with ASD.
Method(s) of Instruction: Lecture, handouts, video and case presentation
Dr. Scott Browning is a professor in the Department of Professional Psychology at Chestnut Hill College in
Philadelphia. He has published in the areas of: Stepfamily therapy, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Co-
Dependency, Strategic Family Therapy and Empathy. He is a member of APA, AFTA, Council on Contemporary
Families and PPA. Although his time is primarily involved in writing, teaching and supervising, he keeps a
limited private practice Erdenheim, PA.
April 27, 2008 (Sunday)
Autism Awareness Day at the Philadelphia Zoo
Hosted by ASA, Greater Philadelphia Chapter
Keep an eye out for Autism Awareness Night at the Phillies!
Around 11 a.m. on December 18th, 2007 the United Nations General Assembly, by unanimous consent,
passed the resolution of the Third Committee designating April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day in
perpetuity starting in 2008. The resolution was passed with minimal fanfare, but the day will be marked around
the world with education, awareness and celebration.
April 4-7, 2008 (Friday - Monday)
Annual Defeat Autism Now! Spring biomedical treatment conference in the Crown Plaza Hotel in Cherry
Hill, New Jersey. More details to be posted in January. Registration: see DAN! site.
April 9, 2008 (Wednesday) - 9:30am–3:30pm
Course on: Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Spectrum of Treatments
University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2)
Instructor(s): Dr. Scott Browning
Fee: $125 CE Contact Hours: 5
Overview: The purpose of this seminar will be to introduce the audience to a full range of understanding
Autism Spectrum Disorder. The students will be introduced to general diagnostic criteria, and the following
treatment modalities: ABA, Greenspan’s Floor-time, TEACCH and Gutstein’s RDI approach.
As both a scholar of Autism and the parent of a teenager with Autism, the presenter will provide both
practical advice and theoretical perspectives to the disorder. This seminar will assist students in recognizing
ASD, and a discussion of the primary treatments will assist them in determining the issues of “best fit” when
working with someone with the disorder. Classroom issues will also be discussed.
Objectives: Participants will: 1) know how to identify the primary symptoms of ASD; 2) have the ability to
initiate clinical work with people who are diagnosed with ASD; 3) be informed of some of the personal dilemmas
that affect a parent of someone with ASD; and 4) have the ability to shift treatment approaches when they are
not succeeding with someone with ASD.
Method(s) of Instruction: Lecture, handouts, video and case presentation
Dr. Scott Browning is a professor in the Department of Professional Psychology at Chestnut Hill College in
Philadelphia. He has published in the areas of: Stepfamily therapy, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Co-
Dependency, Strategic Family Therapy and Empathy. He is a member of APA, AFTA, Council on Contemporary
Families and PPA. Although his time is primarily involved in writing, teaching and supervising, he keeps a
limited private practice Erdenheim, PA.
April 27, 2008 (Sunday)
Autism Awareness Day at the Philadelphia Zoo
Hosted by ASA, Greater Philadelphia Chapter
Keep an eye out for Autism Awareness Night at the Phillies!
| April is Autism Awareness Month! |
May 21-25, 2008
Autism One Conference on Biomedical Autism Treatments at The Westin O'Hare Hotel near Chicago, Illinois.
Topics include oxidative stress, toxic burden and detoxification, immunological dysregulation and
autoimmune activity, and metabolic profiles. Keynote address will be given by actress and model Jenny
McCarthy, author of the best-selling Louder Than Words: A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism. Speakers
include: Derrick MacFabe, MD; Mark Noble, PhD; Stephen Walker, PhD; Jill James, PhD; Martha Herbert,
MD, PhD; Amy Yasko, PhD; Sudhir Gupta, MD, PhD; Woody McGinnis, MD; William Walsh, PhD; Andrew
Wakefield, MD; Jeffrey Bradstreet, MD; Robyn Cosford, MBBS; Anju Usman, MD; Kenneth Bock, MD; Boyd
Haley, PhD; Richard Deth, PhD; Arthur Krigsman, MD; Manuel Casanova, MD; James Neubrander, MD;
Robert Nataf, MD; and Robert Bransfield, MD. Also features a presentation by chefs Sueson Vess, author of
Special Eats: Simple Delicious Solutions for Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Cooking, Julie Matthews, author of
Nourishing Hope, and Betsy Hicks of Pathways Medical, on cooking for special diets. Information and
registration: www.autismone.org
Autism One Conference on Biomedical Autism Treatments at The Westin O'Hare Hotel near Chicago, Illinois.
Topics include oxidative stress, toxic burden and detoxification, immunological dysregulation and
autoimmune activity, and metabolic profiles. Keynote address will be given by actress and model Jenny
McCarthy, author of the best-selling Louder Than Words: A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism. Speakers
include: Derrick MacFabe, MD; Mark Noble, PhD; Stephen Walker, PhD; Jill James, PhD; Martha Herbert,
MD, PhD; Amy Yasko, PhD; Sudhir Gupta, MD, PhD; Woody McGinnis, MD; William Walsh, PhD; Andrew
Wakefield, MD; Jeffrey Bradstreet, MD; Robyn Cosford, MBBS; Anju Usman, MD; Kenneth Bock, MD; Boyd
Haley, PhD; Richard Deth, PhD; Arthur Krigsman, MD; Manuel Casanova, MD; James Neubrander, MD;
Robert Nataf, MD; and Robert Bransfield, MD. Also features a presentation by chefs Sueson Vess, author of
Special Eats: Simple Delicious Solutions for Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Cooking, Julie Matthews, author of
Nourishing Hope, and Betsy Hicks of Pathways Medical, on cooking for special diets. Information and
registration: www.autismone.org
| Need info about ESY (Extended School Year) Services? Visit www.elc-pa.org, the website of the Philadelphia Education Law Center or call them at 215-238-6970. |
January 2008
