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Run-Walk for Autism 2010
The annual ASMC Run-Walk for Autism will take place Saturday, September 18, 2010 @ Tipton Park Trail.  Join us in the timed 5K race through Tipton and the Constitution Trail where there will be awards for each age division and/or sign up to walk 1 mile around Tipton and help us raise funds and awareness for our autism families!
 

Run-Walk for Autism 2010 Information
Registration includes a Run-Walk t-shirt and a snack. Participants may register at any time, even the day of the event, however, the registration fee must be paid by September 1st to guarantee availability of a t-shirt.  For more information about the Run-Walk, please visit the Run-Walk web site here.
 

Register for the 2010 Autism Run/Walk

What: Run/Walk for Autism 2010
When: Saturday, September 18, 2010
Where: Tipton Park Trail - Bloomington, IL
 
Run Check-In: 8:00am 5K Run Starts at: 9:00am
Walk Check-In: 11:00am Walk Starts at: 12:00pm
 

Parent-Implemented Communication Strategies (PiCS) Project

The ISU Department of Special Education is looking for participants for an exciting research project funded by the Institute of Educational Sciences (IES), US Department of Education.  The project is called Parent-Implemented Communication Strategies, or PiCS.

Title of the Project: Parent-Implemented Communication Strategies (PiCS) project

Purpose of the Project: We are Drs. Hedda Meadan, Maureen Angell, and Julia Stoner from the Department of Special Education at Illinois State University.  We invite you to participate in an exciting research project that focuses on improving the communication skills of young children with developmental delays.  The project involves teaching and coaching parents in their homes to use strategies that will promote and enhance the communication skills of their young children.  We feel this project is important since it will lead to the development of intervention strategies for your child and will provide information that we will use to develop communication interventions that many parents can use in their homes with their young children with developmental delays.

Potential Participants: Families with young children (between the ages of 2 and 5) with developmental delays and very limited communication skills.  Participating families will be paid a small stipend.  If you are interested, please contact us.  We would love to have you join our PiCS team!
 
For more information, please see the attached document.

Please contact us if you have questions and/or would like to take part in this project. Hedda Meadan (hmeadan@ilstu.edu), Maureen Angell (meangel@ilstu.edu), Julia Stoner (jbstone@ilstu.edu)

When Do You Need To Review Your Special Needs Estate Plan?

By: Steve Newbold, Attorney
NewboldLaw-Special Needs Legal Services
snewbold@newboldlaw.com
www.newboldlaw.com
(309) 826-1658
 
"Securing the Future for Your Loved One"
 
Many of us have done considerable special needs planning and have developed a formal estate plan to ensure our child’s future security.  For those that have, I congratulate you! The question you should have is, “When do I need to review my estate plan?” To give you guidance consider the following:
  • At least every five years-the law is always changing and so are the circumstances in our private lives.  If more than five years have gone by, chances are some vital part of your plan is out of date.
  • Whenever there is a significant change in your financial situation-whether good or bad, it will affect the plans you made.
  • Whenever there is a significant change in your family situation-you marry, divorce, become a parent, your spouse or other family member dies, your child with a disability has a change in circumstances.  Any one of these will impact your plan significantly.
  • When your wishes for part or all of your estate plan change-you may desire a different guardian for your child in your will, you may want to now apply for guardianship, you want to change how you distribute your assets.
  • When you move to another state-laws vary from state to state and any differences can greatly impact your current plan.
  • When there have been major changes in tax, trust, probate or other relevant laws, procedures and techniques-an example is the major change in estate tax laws in 2010 and to happen again in 2011. These type changes may require radical changes in your current plan.
If you need changes made to any of your estate planning documents, be careful not to make them yourself without first consulting with a professional.  Your “small” change may have a rippling effect for your child with a disability. For example, it could invalidate their eligibility for government benefits.
 
For those who have not taken that first step to put a plan in place, THE TIME TO START IS NOW.

What Others Already Know - Building Careers for People with Developmental Disabilities in the Community

What Others Already Know - Building Careers for People with Developmental Disabilities in the Community - featuring Dr. David Mank,  Indiana Institute on Disability and Community; Michael Callahan, Marc Gold & Associates; Marsie Frawley, Health & Disability Advocates; and Joe Steffy, Poppin Joe's Kettle Korn.
 
Date:  Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Time:  8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
 
Location: Embassy Suites Hotel & Riverfront Conference Center, 100 Conference Center Drive, East Peoria, IL  61611
Registration Fee:  $60 (includes lunch buffet)
6 CEUs/CPDUs
Date: 
08/17/2010 - 8:30am - 4:30pm

EIU Study for Children with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's

Eastern Illinois University will be conducting a research project involving language patterns in children with high-functioning autism and Asperger's Syndrome.
 
To participate in the study, each child must be between the ages of 6-12, have a diagnosis of high-functioning autism or Asperger's Syndrome, and be able to come to the EIU clinic for 1-2 sessions of testing this summer. With each evaluation, we will generate a summary report of the child's performance and provide copies for the parents to relay to their respective speech-langauge pathologists. In essence, each participant will undergo a mini language diagnostic.
 
Interested families can email or call Hannah Petitt at hrpetitt@eiu.edu or (847) 322-1524.

Takoda Camp 2010 Pictures

Pictures from the 2010 Takoda Camp are beginning to trickle in.  You can check them out here: http://autismmclean.org/gallery/takodaCamp2010.

The ABLE Act

By: Steve Newbold, Attorney
NewboldLaw-Special Needs Legal Services
snewbold@newboldlaw.com
www.newboldlaw.com
(309) 826-1658 
 
"Securing the Future for Your Loved One"
 
The ABLE Act
 
In March of 2009 the ABLE Act (Achieving a Better Life Experience Act) was introduced in Congress.  The Act would allow individuals with disabilities or their families to set up accounts, similar to 529 Education accounts, to save money for qualifying expenses. This would be the first ever tax-advantaged financial savings vehicle set up specifically for individuals with disabilities.  This would provide considerable flexibility in planning to take care of a child with a disability.
 
Some of the benefits include:
  • either the individual or other family members can set up the account
  • tax free accrual of earnings on the account
  • tax free withdrawal of money for qualifying expenses
  • allows control of the account by either the individual and/or their families
  • assets saved through the accounts would not count against an individual's eligibility for any federal programs like Medicaid or SSI which require an individual not own assets greater than $2,000
  • the list of allowable expenditures is very broad including education, medical and dental, employment training and support, assistive technology, personal support services, transportation, housing, plus other expenses for life's necessities.
  • The accounts should be easy and inexpensive to open
  • The account would be established under Federal law so that every state should operate the same allowing for portability of the account should families move from state to state.
  • Contributions can be made up to $500,000
  • The individual with a disability may qualify for a tax deduction up to $2,000 for contributions to the account.
Funds remaining in the account on the individual's death would be used to "pay-back"  the state Medicaid program up to the value of services provided during the individuals lifetime.  After the pay-back is made, money remaining in the account could be distributed according to the estate plan set up by the individual.
 
ABLE accounts would not necessarily replace Special Needs Trusts and their use use would depend on each family's unique circumstances.  The accounts would be a very welcome additional tool available for many circumstances.  I continue to monitor the bill in hopes it will get moved along and passed this year.  I will keep everyone posted!
 
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ News
 
I am pleased to announce that as of May 25, I am now officially a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™  professional.  This is a symbol of excellence in financial planning. In combination with my legal background and my experience as a parent of a child with a disability, I am in a unique position to assist you with any special needs legal services you require.  Please feel free to contact me for a free consultation regarding any matter of concern to you.

The Latest Autism Society of America Newsletter

The latest Autism Society of America's newsletter is now available.  Here a few cherry-picked items from the newsletter:
 
There’s Still Time to Help us Set Up a 24/7 Support Line for Families Affected by Autism
The Autism Society is disappointed to report that our “Set up a 24/7 support line for families and people with autism” idea did not get Pepsi Refresh project funding in May (money was only awarded to the two ideas that got the highest number of votes). However, our idea was in the top 100 in number of votes cast, so we now have a second month to try and get to the top! Please continue to vote every day at www.refresheverything.com/autismsource. Read more ...
 
Autism Journeys: Kim
In Autism Journeys, we ask individuals on the spectrum, professionals and family members of all kinds to share their stories of what they have learned in their journeys with autism. This week, a mother talks of how her teenage daughter has grown and learned since her diagnosis in early childhood. Read more …
 
Autism Headlines Weekly
The Autism Society brings you the best autism news from around the Web. This week we go international with stories from Nepal, Canada, Australia, China and right here in the U.S. Read more …
 
New Book on Coping with School Transitions
Moving to a new school can be a daunting prospect for the child with Asperger syndrome (AS), and parents are often left feeling powerless to help prevent the anxiety and loss of confidence that may ensue. Clare Lawrence’s new book,Successful School Change and Transition for the Child with Asperger Syndrome, provides parents of children with AS with practical advice on how to prepare their child for moving to a new school, and how to help make the transition as smooth as possible. Read more …
 
New Parent Guide for High-Functioning Autism
Children with High-Functioning Autism: A Parent’s Guide offers parents information to help them navigate the path as they first perceive differences, seek assistance and treatment, and help their child with autism develop into his or her full potential. Read more …
 
Schilling Family Offers Memoir of Asperger’s
In The Best Kind of Different, Shonda Schilling, wife of former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, details every step of her family’s journey with Asperger’s, offering a parent’s perspective on this complicated and increasingly common condition. Read more …
 

ASMC Membership Survey

ASMC wants to know what you think!  Vice President Katie Kelley is leading an effort to do a phone survey of our membership to ask the following questions:
  1. Have you participated in ASMC events?
  2. What would you want to see ASMC offer?
  3. How did you find out about ASMC?
  4. What should we stop doing?
  5. Are you willing to help with other parents or get involved?
During the Months of June or July, a member of the Board of Director’s will be calling you to get your feedback on those questions.  This will help us better support you on your journey and help us to better meet your needs and provide the support you want.  Please take a few minute when you get the call to tell us what you think.

ASMC Movie Event: Toy Story 3

Please join the Autism Society of McLean County on July 10th at Wehrenberg 10:00am for a private screening of Toy Story 3 in 2d.  All current members are free with presentation of your member card.  If you want to bring a guest, please bring $5.00 per guest.  We also will have discounted concessions available.
 
The theater will be lowering the volume of the presentation as well as leaving the lights up slightly. This is an ASMC Tradition and we look forward to seeing you at the show.  Special thanks to Jennifer Trevarthan, ASMC Board of directors for coordinating and to Wehrenberg Theaters for their hospitality.
Date: 
07/10/2010 - 10:00am
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