The Cafe provides ongoing support, trainings and discussions on the many areas of autism that families are challenged with. Come join other family members to share your knowledge and problem solve. This month's topic: Visuals.

Childcare provided by ISU's SSID at Skill Sprouts. Trainings and discussion will be facilitated by Illinois Autism Training and Technical Assistance Project.

RSVP to Jacquie at 309-824-4555 so as to ensure proper coverage.

Please see the attached flyer for more information.

SSID is hosting a day in the park with the families from the Autism Society. 

Who is SSID? Students Supporting Individuals with Disabilities is a student organization at Illinois State University that provides volunteer opportunities for students to work with individuals with disabilities in the community.

We will be meeting by the Miller Park playground near the zoo to play games and have snacks. Parents are welcome to drop off their kids or stay. All ages and siblings are welcome.

Please email Marlee Goldsworthy at [email protected] to RSVP by September 22nd, or with any additional questions.

We hope to see you there!

Are you ready for flag football?

ASMC is ready for another season of our annual football camp! The idea of organized sports seemed impossible, but at least we had catch, right? Special kids don’t have the same opportunities as “normal” kids. That’s just the way it is, right?

What kid doesn’t like to play tag, to run, be chased and play? I know our kids do. With our flag football camp, our kids will get the chance to play!

For registration, t-shirts, and more, please click here: https://member.autismmclean.org/Sports/Football.php.

Contact the ASMC Sports Director with any questions, comments, or concerns.

About the program:

This camp is open to any kid who wants to be there. As long as they want to play, they are welcome to join us.

Our mission statement is simple: provide our kids the same experience as any other kid who plays a sport. This means, of course, uniforms, practice, frustration, achievement, daydreaming, running, sharing, communicating, bonding, teamwork, turn taking, following directions and friendship.

Parents can help coach (which really means play and share the experience)

We look forward to seeing you there, and watching our kids succeed!

Marcfirst will hold its very first camp Saturday, September 21 through Sunday, September 22. Camp will be held at East Bay Camp at Lake Bloomington. Family Camp Weekend is designed for middle school age children with an intellectual or developmental disability. Camp is for families – this includes parents, siblings or other individuals that form the students’ support system.

Camp is designed to provide entertainment, relaxation and exciting new activities for all children in the family and respite for the parents. Food, lodging, and activities are included in the price for camp. If you are interested in a weekend designed with fun activities, meeting new people or getting better acquainted with friends you already know contact Emily at Marcfirst 309-451-8888 ext. 265 or [email protected].

The Starplex hosts a sensory friendly movie monthly for children who might be overstimulated attending a typical movie experience. Starplex turns the lights up and the sound down so the movie is more enjoyable for children that can not handle or do not enjoy all that stimulation. Children are free to walk around and vocalize during the movie.

Special screenings will happen the 2nd Saturday of each month.

• Planes - September 14
• Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 - October 12
• Free Birds - November 9
• Frozen - December 14

One free child admission with adult ticket purchase. Seating is limited - first come, first serve.

Please check out the Starplex site for more information.

It is that time a year again to sign up for our Annual Run/Walk for Autism. Our event will again be at Tipton Park on Saturday, September 21, 2013. The 5K run will be at 9 a.m., following the results of the run will be our Kids Fun Run at 11! The walk will be at 12. We hope that you will consider joining our event as it will benefit our local community and families that are impacted by autism.

This year our theme is "Hero Walk". We want to take the time to pay tribute to the many heros who touch the lives of our children and families. We especially want to honor one of our members who recently passed away. Jon Miskulin made a huge impact on our local autism community and his legacy of the HEAL foundation (Heroes Embracing Autistic Lives) continues to touch lives.

We again are hoping to raise $20,000. We need your support. Please consider joining the event and also helping us fundraise to better serve our community.

For more information and to register, click the following link: https://member.autismmclean.org/AutismRunWalk/home.php.

Register by September 10, 2013 to guarantee a t-shirt.

if you are interested in a yard sign, please contact Jacquie Mace at [email protected]

Please let me know if you should have any questions or would like to help out in any way.

Thanks in advance for your support,

Katie Kelley
Run/Walk Coordinator
Autism Society of McLean County

Let’s play ball!

ASMC is ready for another season of our annual baseball camp! This is a great way for our kids to learn some of the fundamentals of baseball, social skills, and teamwork, all while making friends.

For registration, t-shirts, and more, please click here: https://member.autismmclean.org/Sports/Baseball.php.

Contact the ASMC Sports Director with any questions, comments, or concerns.

About the program:

This camp is open to any kid who wants to be there. As long as they want to play, they are welcome to join us.

Our mission statement is simple: provide our kids the same experience as any other kid who plays a sport. This means, of course, uniforms, practice, frustration, achievement, daydreaming, running, sharing, communicating, bonding, teamwork, turn taking, following directions and friendship.

Parents can help coach (which really means play and share the experience)

We look forward to seeing you there, and watching our kids succeed!

The COUNTRY Youth Classic (CYC) igolf tournament is right around the corner. CYC has special needs divisions for ages 3-22 and would love to have your participation. CYC will take place June 24-26.  On Monday, join a fun, family-friendly event - the COUNTRY Skills Challenge. The Skills Challenge consists of three events: Longest Drive, Short Game and Putting. A free meal is offered to contestants and prizes are handed out to the winners of each division during an awards ceremony.

This is a great opportunity for special needs youth ages 3-22 to participate in some friendly competition and meet people from across the country and the world.

Please visit www.countryyouthclassic.com for registration and tournament information. The deadline for registration has been extended until Tuesday, June 18th at noon. 

The Cafe provides ongoing support, trainings and discussions on the many areas of autism that families are challenged with. Come join other family members to share your knowledge and problem solve. This month's topic: a chat with Marty Murphy - a one hour presentation followed by Q&A. Marty is an adult with autism. She delivers insightful and a humorous look into what it is like to live with autism..

Childcare provided at TAP. Trainings and discussion will be facilitated by Illinois Autism Training and Technical Assistance Project.

RSVP to Jacquie at 309-824-4555 so as to ensure proper coverage.

Please see the attached flyer for more information.