Light It Up Blue

April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day, and to celebrate, thousands of people are coming together to Light It Up Blue. Join Autism Speaks to Light It Up Blue and help shine a light on autism!

Autism awareness is more important than ever – 1 in 88 American children are on the autism spectrum – a 78% increase in only six years. This increase can only be partly explained by improved diagnosis and awareness.

Please join our efforts and support Autism Speaks Light It Up Blue.

Visit http://www.LightItUpBlue.org for more information.

Date/Time: 
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 (All day)
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ASMC Parent Support Cafe

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.

  • What: October topic is "Visuals"
  • Where: 706 Oglesby Ave., Normal, IL, 61761, in the conference room between TAP and Skill Sprouts
  • When: Thursday, March 14th, 2013, 6:00p - 8:00p
  • RSVP: Jacquie at 309-824-4555 so that we can ensure proper coverage.

Childcare provided by ISU SCEC

Trainings and discussion will be facilitated by Illinois Autism Training and Technical Assistance Project

Please see the attached flyer for more information.

Date/Time: 
Thursday, March 14, 2013 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
File: 
PDF icon asmc_parent_cafe_normal_march_14_0.pdf
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Paint With Us

The Autism Society of McLean County (ASMC) is looking for art created by children with autism to be auctioned at Blueline in April to raise money for awareness, programs and activities. Canvasses, paper, paint, and brushes will be supplied. Bring your child for some painting fun or you are welcome to drop donations off at The Autism Place (TAP) anytime before March 16th. If donating art, please include your child/adults first name and age.

All proceeds from the auctioned art will benefit community activities and programs sponsored by the Autism Society of McLean County. Thank You!

Where: The Autism Place, 706 Oglesby, Normal, IL, 61761

When: March 16th, 2013 11:00a to 5:00p

Date/Time: 
Saturday, March 16, 2013 - 11:00am to 5:00pm
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ASMC 10+ Valentine's Party

  • Who: ASMC 10 through  Early 20s Young Adults
  • What: February Teen Event
  • Where: The Autism Place, 706 Oglesby, Normal, IL, 61761
  • When: Friday, February 15, 6:00-9:00 pm
  • RSVP: mcgolds@ilstu.edu

Date/Time: 
Friday, February 15, 2013 - 6:00pm to 9:00pm
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Seven Steps to Securing the Future For Your Child With Special Needs

You are invited to a free workshop: Seven Steps to Securing the Future For Your Child With Special Needs sponsored by Central Illinois Down Syndrome Organization

This free workshop is suitable for all families with a child or relative with special needs. Every family with a child with special needs must do some legal and financial planning to help ensure that their child lives a fulfilling life in their community, even after we parents are gone. The stakes are enormous. If the child inherits more than the allowed assets, that one glitch could cause the child to lose their health insurance and other benefits. This free, informative workshop will explain the planning process that is designed to include your entire family's needs in coordination with those unique needs of your child with a disability.

  • Who:
  • Where: Calvary United Methodist Church, Rooms L2-L4, 1700 North Towanda Avenue, Normal, IL (corner of Towanda Avenue and Raab Rd)
  • When: Thursday, Feb 21, 2013, 6:30p - 8:00p

There is no fee to attend this workshop however reservation is recommended.

Reserve your spot at snewbold@newboldlaw.com.

Date/Time: 
Thursday, February 21, 2013 - 6:30pm to 8:00pm
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ISU Basketball Game for Teens

  • Who: ASMC Teens (13-19 years of age), up to 10 teens can attend
  • What: ISU basketball game
  • Where: ISU Redbird Arena, Ticket Office
  • When: Saturday, January 26, 6:30p
  • Cost: $5/person

Please RSVP with Jill Enchelmayer.
 
Parents: The maximum is 10 teens, so let me know asap if your teen will be attending so he/she can be guaranteed a spot.

You will be able to drop your teen off with the SSID group and pick them up when the game is finished (the games usually last 2 hours).
 
*Helpful tip: When attending loud events, try sound reducing earphones. It may highly increase enjoyment of the game by not having to worry about when there will be a loud noise. These earphones can be purchased at any hardware type store for under $20.

Date/Time: 
Saturday, January 26, 2013 - 12:30pm
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Hire Autistic People; Here's Why

A good article from inc.com: http://www.inc.com/margaret-heffernan/hire-autistic-people-heres-why.html

Chantal Sicile-Kira is a leading authority on adolescent and early-adult autism. She's written five books on the subject, the latest of which Jeremy co-authored. A passionate advocate for the autism community, she is adamant that autistic adults can and will be valued employees.

"Lots of people are pushed into academic qualifications and that's fine," she says. "But then the system breaks down after high school. It's important for people on the autism spectrum to take an extra school year to learn life skills: self advocacy, relationships, organization. If they can do this, they can become employable. It's utterly wrong that they should end up pushing shopping carts when, a year earlier they were getting high grades."

"It will be an economic failure if the new wave of high school graduates can't be employed. All these kids have talent and ability and a tremendous capacity to contribute. We have to stop thinking that all employees have to be the same, with the same skills, the same attributes."

Read the whole article here: http://www.inc.com/margaret-heffernan/hire-autistic-people-heres-why.html

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Starplex Cinemas Presents Movies for Children With Special Needs

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.

January 12 - Monsters, Inc.
February 9 - The Little Mermaid
March 9 - Toy Story

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

Please check out the Starplex site for more information.

Date/Time: 
Saturday, January 12, 2013 - 10:00am
Saturday, February 9, 2013 - 10:00am
Saturday, March 9, 2013 - 10:00am
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Winter Swim Event at YMCA

It's cold outside, so you know what that means...get out your swimsuit and goggles. What?

That's right- meet us at the YMCA pool on Saturday, January 19, from 6:00-8:00. Don't forget your beach towels and pool toys.

Bloomington-Normal YMCA

602 S. Main Street

Bloomington, IL 61701

Date/Time: 
Saturday, January 19, 2013 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
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Camp Pathfinder

Camp Pathfinder is geared specifically to siblings and friends of people living with autism. Camp is located at Timber Pointe Outdoor Center (TPOC) and run in parallel with Camp Takoda.
 
The goal of Camp Pathfinder is to provide opportunities for siblings/friends to experience the majesty of TPOC and be recognized for their care and support of their siblings/friends. Having a sibling/friend with special needs creates a unique relationship.

Camp Pathfinder will not interfere with our Takoda campers. We are focused on providing an experience that will be special for our Pathfinders and leave them with a sense of accomplishment and confidence.

Register for camp here: https://autismmclean.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=52.

Timber Pointe Outdoor Center's 170 wooded acres bordering four miles of shoreline on Lake Bloomington offers an incredible array of outdoor activities. Camp Pathfinder consists of:

  • Canoeing
  • Swimming
  • Hiking
  • High and Low Ropes Course
  • Zip line
  • Confidence Building
  • Friendship
  • Horses
  • Target Sports

For camp pictures, check out our Facebook picture albums here: https://www.facebook.com/autismmclean/photos_stream?tab=photos_albums.

Many thanks to Easter Seals of Central Illinois for allowing us to use Timber Pointe Outdoor Center.

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