Noodles Night - All Day Long

Autism Awareness Noodles Night will be Monday, April 6th (all day long!) at both locations. For dine in and take out. Please join us for a great meal and a good cause! 10% of sales are donated back to Autism Mclean. Please mention Autism McLean when making your order.

Noodles has been a great supporter of Autism McLean and we truly appreciate their continued support and partnership. Come eat with us!

Where: 
Noodles & Company, 305 N Veterans Pkwy #105, Bloomington, IL 61704
Noodles & Company, 609 South Main Street, Normal, IL, 61761
Date/Time: 
Monday, April 6, 2015 - 11:00am to 9:00pm
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Shake and Egg! Music for All

Sensory Concert through the School of Music

This is a interactive, inclusive, sensory-friendly concert for all ages. All attendees will receive a shaker egg that they can keep. All abilities and disabilities will be welcome. An interpreter for people with hearing loss will interpret the concert.

For additional information contact Kim McCord: 309-438-3365.

Where: 
ISU Center for the Performing Arts, 351 S. School Street, Normal IL 61761
Date/Time: 
Saturday, March 21, 2015 - 10:00am to 12:00pm
Cost: 
Free
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Seedling Encore - A Theatre Experience for Adults with Disabilities!

What is Seedling Encore?  Seedling Encore, an extension of Seedling Theatre, is a troupe of adult actors with disabilities who participate in an eight week session* to develop, rehearse and perform a theatrical revue. Revues are shorter than traditional full length productions (30-60 min.) so that rehearsal time can be used to focus on and fine tune acting skills as well as prepare a polished program for public performance.

Who can participate? Seedling Encore is for adults with disabilities ages 18 and up.

When Will Seedling Encore Meet?  Our Spring 2015 session will be held Wednesdays, 3:00- 5:00 p.m., beginning March 25 and continuing through the May 13.   (We will not meet Wed. 4/1).

Our Seedling Encore Showcase (public performance) will be Saturday, May 16, at 4:00 p.m.  Pre-showcase rehearsal begins at 3:00.

Where Will Seedling Encore Meet?  First Christian Church, 401 W. Jefferson, Bloomington, IL.

Session Fee: $50.00 (Scholarships Available: contact Diane Walker 309-824-7921 or email: dcwalke@ilstu.edu).

How Can I Sign UP?!!! Fill out the attached application form, include a check to The Illinois Theatre Consortium, and mail to:

**Diane Walker, Seedling Encore Director

2841 County Rd. 600 N

El Paso, IL  61738

 

*First Christian Church will be unavailable Wed. April 1st, so the Spring 2015 session of Seedling Encore will only meet 7 times.  Future sessions will meet 8 times.

**Diane Walker, Artistic Director of Seedling Encore has over 30 years experience performing, teaching and directing theatre in education and community settings.  Her passion for people with disabilities and the performing arts stems from parenting her own actor, James, who has Down syndrome.

Where: 
First Christian Church, 401 W. Jefferson, Bloomington, IL
Date/Time: 
Wednesday, March 25, 2015 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Wednesday, April 8, 2015 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Wednesday, April 15, 2015 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Wednesday, April 22, 2015 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Wednesday, April 29, 2015 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Wednesday, May 6, 2015 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Wednesday, May 13, 2015 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Cost: 
$50.00
File: 
File Walker Seedling Encore Flyer.docx
File Walker Seedling Encore App.docx

Lego Contest at the Gingerbread House!

Have your child build a Lego display using their favorite Legos and drop off to enter at the Gingerbread House starting March 2nd! Once received, customers will be able to vote on the displays both in-store and on Facebook until the last day, March 29th!

What will your little one create?? 

  • One entry per person
  • Entries may be dropped off at Gingerbread House between March 2 - March 29. The longer they are on display, the more they can be voted on!
  • Entries must remain at Gingerbread House until the end of the contest. Please pick up your entries by Monday, March 30. 
  • Voting will take place in store and on the Gingerbread House Facebook Page. Each like will count as a vote. In-store votes can be made once per day per person. Note: Votes made in-store and online will not be the only deciding factor in determining the winners. Votes will account for 50% of the decision: the other 50% of the decision will be based on input from a Celebrity Guest Judge!
  • Participants should construct their Lego creation ON THEIR OWN! No Help from MOM OR DAD! Creation can be a set built according to directions or creative use of loose bricks to make an original structure.

Categories:

  • Ages 3 – 5
  • Ages 6 – 8
  • Ages 9 – 13

Prizes - Gingerbread House Gift Cards! 

  • Overall Winner: $50 Gift Card 
  • Category Winner 1st Place: $25 Gift Card 
  • Category Winner, 2nd Place: $15 Gift Card 

Autism Services in Illinois at Risk - Your Help Needed!

Dear Parent Supporters of The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP);

Now, more than ever, your child needs your support!

As you may have heard, Governor Bruce Rauner’s recent budget proposal eliminated funding for The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP). We understand our state faces a tough budget year.  We’re willing to SHARE the sacrifice, but in this budget we ARE the sacrifice.

TAP relies on state funding to provide children like yours with screening and diagnostic services for possible autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The program also offers a variety of other resources and services, including social skills groups, ABA therapy, consultation and training. Studies have shown that early intervention can decrease the symptoms associated with ASD and the need for more expensive services later in life.

Overall, the TAP network is unlike any other program in the nation and is vital to improving the quality of life for thousands of families statewide. Without TAP, many children with ASD could go undiagnosed and others may not have access to the care they need.

We believe TAP funding can be restored before a final budget is approved, but it will take hard work from parents like you!

Here’s how you can help:

  • Visit www.save-tap.org and share your story of how TAP has improved the quality of life for your family. You should also upload a picture of your child.
  • While visiting the website, sign our petition to let our elected leaders know just how much TAP means to you and your family.
  • Send an email to Illinois legislative leaders to insist TAP funding is restored. 
  • Send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper calling for restoration of TAP funding.
  • Organize parents like you to support one another and hold events to draw attention to this issue.
  • If you participate in Facebook, visit our new page, Save TAP, and encourage your Facebook friends to support our efforts.

You know how much TAP means to your family. Now it’s time that our elected leaders know it, too.

We must act now. Our children deserve our support! 

2016 Basketball Camp

Want to shoot some hoops?
 
Autism Mclean is ready for another season of our annual basketball camp! This is a great way for our kids to learn some of the fundamentals of basketball, social skills, and teamwork, all while making friends.

Autism McLean basketball:

  • When: Every Thurday from 3/31/2016 - 5/5/2016, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • When: Northpoint Elementary, 2602 E. College, Bloomington, IL, 61704
  • Registration fee: $5
  • T-shirts, if needed, will be provided for free.
  • Contact: AM Sports Director

Please register here: http://autismmclean.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=35.

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!

Where: 
Northpoint Elementary, 2602 E. College, Bloomington, IL, 61704
Date/Time: 
Thursday, March 31, 2016 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, April 7, 2016 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, April 14, 2016 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, April 21, 2016 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, April 28, 2016 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, May 5, 2016 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Cost: 
$5
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Win/Win for Employers and People with Autism—effective models and supports for employment

a workshop by Marcfirst and Autism McLean - Diversity's Missing Piece

People with autism and other cognitive disabilities have much to offer local businesses. Learn how businesses can tap the unique abilities of this hidden pool of high-potential employees, while strengthening diversity and productivity in the workplace.

  • Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2015 
  • Time: 8 to 10 am
  • Location: McLean County Chamber of Commerce
  • Instructor: Anne Taylor, Marcfirst
  • Fee:  $10 for McLean County Chamber of Commerce members/$15 for Chamber non-members

Register through the McLean County Chamber of Commerce.

For CE CREDIT: This program, 235150, is approved for 2 (HR (General)) recertification credit hours toward PHR, SPHR and GPHR recertification through the HR Certification Institute.

Where: 
2203 East Empire Street, Bloomington, IL 61704
Date/Time: 
Wednesday, April 22, 2015 - 8:00am to 10:00am
Cost: 
$10 for McLean County Chamber of Commerce members/$15 for Chamber non-members

BNYP Garage Sale Fundraiser for Autism Camp

The Bloomington-Normal Young Professional Kiwanis Club (BNYP), will be hosting their 6th annual Garage Sale Fundraiser for Autism Camp on Saturday, April 11th, 2015.

All proceeds from the garage sale will be given to Autism McLean for Autism Camp.

Here are the details:

  • The garage sale will be on Saturday, April 11th, 2015 from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM @ the Crossroads Center, 310 Wylie Drive, Suite 468, Normal, IL (near Farm & Fleet and next to Wehrenberg Theaters)
  • The garage sale itself will be a “name your own price” garage sale – no listed prices. The goal is to sell each and every item.
  • All unsold donated items will be given to the Mission Mart, Home Sweet Home, ReStore, etc.

Here’s how you can help:

  • Donate items for the garage sale. If you’re interested in donating in advance of the garage sale please contact Craig Luchtefeld, at c.luchtefeld@autismmclean.org or 309-319-6006.
  • We will have early drop-off on the following dates/times at the garage sale location:
    • Monday, April 6th from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
    • Wednesday, April 8th from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    • Friday, April 10th from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    • We’ll have volunteers to help unload and sort your items.
  • If you have items you’d like to donate but cannot make one of the early drop-off dates, please contact Craig Luchtefeld at c.luchtefeld@autismmclean.org or 309-319-6006 and we’ll work out a time to retrieve your items.
  • If you’d like to volunteer to help unload or sort items at any one of the early drop-off times, the help would be very much appreciated! You can register to volunteer here: http://doodle.com/r9v5qr3yrpscdx4i.
  • If you’d like to make a monetary donation in lieu of donating garage sale items, we’d welcome the donation!

So, please, help us get the word out for this fundraising event and do some garage sale-ing!

Where: 
310 Wylie Drive, Suite 468, Normal, IL
Date/Time: 
Saturday, April 11, 2015 - 7:00am to 2:00pm
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Behavioral Health Issues Conference

Audience: Healthcare providers and community caregivers (teachers, healthcare professionals, family members, social workers, etc.)

Conference Objectives

  • Identify local and state-wide resources for both professional and family caregivers (i.e. Autism Speaks 100 day tool kit).
  • Define behavioral health issues as related to underlying conditions such as autism and psychosocial disorders.
  • Discover new approaches to setting goals and limitations while caring for behaviorally challenged patients/family members using the Love and Logic Model.
  • Express concerns regarding management of co-existing relationships with siblings and other family members while caring for a patient with behavioral health issues.
  • Examine legal and ethical principles as well as documentation with regard to advanced care directives for the patient/family member with a behavioral health disorder.
  • Discuss strategies to advocate for patients/family members with behavioral health disorders or developmental delays.

 

8:00-8:15AM Welcome and Introductions
8:15-9:45AM A.M. Session Keynote Speaker
9:45-10:00AM Break
10:00-11:30AM Keynote Speaker
11:30-11:45AM Door Prizes
11:45AM-12:00PM Transition to Lunch and Learn
12:00-12:50PM Lunch and Learn Sessions
12:50-1:00PM Transition to Afternoon Session
1:00-2:30PM Afternoon Session Keynote Speakers "Love and Logic Model"
2:30-2:45PM Break
2:45-3:45PM "Love and Logic Model"
3:45-4:00PM Evaluations and Door Prizes

 

Questions? Please contact Lori Wagner at (309) 672-5548 or lwagner@methodistcol.edu.

Sponsored by Methodist College, UnityPoint Health- Methodist, and the  UnityPoint Health-Methodist|Proctor Foundation

Where: 
Methodist College, 415 Northeast Saint Mark Court, Peoria, IL 61603
Date/Time: 
Thursday, March 12, 2015 - 8:00am to 4:00pm
Cost: 
$35 (fee waived for UnityPoint Health employees). Payment can be made via check (made out to Methodist College). Please send payments to: Lori Wagner, 415 St. Mark Ct. Peoria, IL 61603
File: 
PDF icon Caregiver Resources conference brochure_mailer.pdf
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"HOME" Movie Day - A Sensory Friendly Showing

AM is partnering with Wehrenberg Galaxy 14 to present a sensory friendly showing of "HOME" on March 28th. The lights are brought up and sound is turned down. It’s OK if people need to get up and move around or talk.

The movie starts at 11:00 AM, but please be there by 10:30 AM.

All families who have a child with special needs welcome.

There is no cost for AM members. Non-member adults are $7 for and $6 for children (ages 2-11), with 12% off concessions. If you are not an AM member, please view the benefits of being a member and consider joining us. Events like this are often free for our members. Learn more about joining ASMC as a member.

Please register here for the movie.

We are looking forward to a great turn out!

Where: 
Wehrenberg Galaxy 14, 1111 Wylie Drive, Bloomington, IL 61701
Date/Time: 
Saturday, March 28, 2015 - 10:30am
Cost: 
The movie is free for AMmembers and $7 for non-member adults and $6 for children.
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