| Welcome to our Western New York Autism Community Website |
Friends of Autistic Services Inc., is a community website for friends, families and all Western New York residents who are connected to the world of autism. We’ve recently expanded our site to include resources for parents who are looking for inexpensive yet effective ways of adapting the home environment for a child with autism. We’ve also added a community spotlight where we’ll feature members of our growing Asperger’s Group. Along with podcasts and autism related news and events, this site is an excellent resource for anyone in the Greater Buffalo Area who is seeking to become more engaged with the Autism Community in Western New York. To know more about Autistic Services and our program services please visit our Agency Website at www.autisticservices.org |
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There's no better combination than
ART, WINE & FRIENDS |
Arts Work Buffalo Gallery
Wine Tasting and Reception:
Friday, March 19th 6-9pm
ASI Hertel Site, 699 Hertel Ave. Buffalo, NY 14207
Contact Frank Andzik for details
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| What's on the Horizon? |
Autism Awareness Month and WNED Horizons Gallery
For Autism Awareness Month, Autistic Services, inc. will be returning to WNED's Horizons Gallery, featuring a performance by No Words Spoken
April 2nd – April 30th
Opening Reception: April 2nd, 6-8pm
No Words Spoken performing at 6:30pm
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The Sensorial Artist:
The Natural Link Between Art and Autism |
Art,
by its own virtue, is an engagement of the senses. Autism, by the same
virtue, is a hyper-engagement of these senses in ways that we still do
not fully understand. Physiologically their ability to receive or not
receive sensory information results in an objective reality that is
quite different than ours. To put the artists’ tools in the hands of
someone on the spectrum is to open the floodgates of sights, sounds,
textures, tastes and smells. Read The Sensorial Artist : The Natural Link Between Art and Autism >>
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| The True Colors of Autism
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From the very beginning the autistic child is neurologically
predisposed to seeing and experiencing the world in a way we do not.
Parents know this all too well when they witness their child showing an
unrelenting fixation with sights, patterns, textures and objects that
to a typical person are mundane. Of course, sights, patterns, textures
and objects all belong to the language of artists, which makes the
person on the spectrum ideal contributors to the landscape of visual
arts.
Read Our Fall-Winter 2009 Autism Newsletter >>
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| A Parent Talks About Breaking Communication Barriers with his NonVerbal Autistic Son |
Over the past six
years, the stats for Autism have continued to change, with the numbers
revealing that there are more people on the Autism spectrum then
previously imagined. The next estimate is expected to raise the
existing numbers to 1 in every 100th person. Autism is a neurological
disorder. This means that while Autism may be physiologically present
in any given person, it offers no physical cues to alert us of its
presence... so the only way to know that you are talking with someone
on the spectrum is by their behavior. Unfortunately, with Autism
awareness not being nearly as ubiquitous as Autism, behavioral cues can
sometimes result in disastrous encounters. No one knows this more than
Julius Thomas. Read this Story on Nonverbal Autism >>
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Autism Sensory Resources
You Can Find In Your Home |
Music therapy is not just for Autism. It is an age-old method that reaches back into ancient times. This old fashion technique for calming the nerves has survived the test of time for a reason. While we all have our own taste for tunes, you will want to go for the soft sounds for the person with Autism. This can be something that you and your child enjoy together. Instrumental music, like classical, is a great way to meet audio sensory input without over-stimulating your child. This is a great way to wake up your child and even better when putting your child to bed. Avoid heavy percussion music and music with lyrics.
More Autism Sensory Resources You Can Find at Home >>
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| Sweet Charlottes Launches New Website |
Sweet Charlottes is now online. Sweet Charlottes are the makers of unique treats and gifts centered on the sensory themes of Autism. With the first Sweet Charlotte product being a puzzle shaped lolipop, the first of these sensory themes is, of course...Taste.
Sweet Charlottes was established from the desire to provide hope, joy, and inspiration to families
affected by autism and to raise awareness
of programs that help parents make informed
choices for their child. You can visit their website at www.sweetcharlottes.org
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Dancing to a Different Drummer:
The Music of No Words Spoken |
A small group of
adults enter the room and take their seats. They are all in their
performance uniforms with the "No Words Spoken" logo emblazoned on
their chests. True to their name, none of these performers say anything
upon their entrance. Nor do they acknowledge the crowd that has come to
listen to their performance. They take their seats, and within a few
seconds... Read Dancing to a Different Drummer Article >>
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| Rudy Simone Announces Two New Books with a Foreward by Temple Grandin |
Rudy Simone, an Asperger Syndrome educator and author who specializes in relationship and employment issues for adult Aspergers, has recently announced two exciting updates for her latest projects. Her most recent book, formerly titled "Working with Aspergers", is now titled "Asperger's on the Job" and now includes a special foreward by Temple Grandin. The book will be published by Future Horizons.
Also, Rudy is proud to announce that Jessica Kingsley Publishers will publish her third book, "Aspergirls". Additional updates about the release date will be posted on this site. For more information about Rudy and her books visit Rudy's official website at www.help4aspergers.com |
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| Asperger's / High Functioning Autism Group |
On the third Thursday of each month, thirty men and women meet at Autistic Services Inc. in Williamsville, New York. It's a social group for people who have one thing in common: they're Aspies (short for Asperger's). Sometimes referred to as ‘higher functioning autism’, Asperger’s Syndrome was first defined in 1944 by an Austrian pediatrician named Hans Asperger. He studied social interactions, communication and behavior in children with different ways of being. In 1943, he studied a group of children who were mostly boys that had difficulty interacting in socially acceptable ways.
Today, our small but growing group of Aspies meet every month to show support for each other and discuss the challenges of Neurological Diversity in today's society. If you've been diagnosed with Asperger's and would like to participate please Contact Veronica Federiconi at 716-631-5777 ext 318 or send and email to veronica@autisticservices.org. |
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For times not listed below you can call and schedule an appoinment to visit: 631-5777
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Winter Schedule
January 2009
Friday's from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Tuesday's from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
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Body Sox
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Body Sox: It may just be that only those in the "sensory integration therapy world" know about the awesome benefits of these lycra sensory delights. They are pretty strange looking, but very therapeutic!
The see-through lycra/spandex "body sock" is a movement, proprioceptive, tactile, and deep pressure experience like no other. Perhaps you are wondering what to do with this "odd" looking thing. Oh, that's easy... just climb in, zip it up, and watch your body make shapes you never thought possible (among other uses).
Because Body Sox are see-through (and breathable by the way), you can have the child do a variety of things with the Body Sox. Besides being FUN, Body Sox sparks creativity and imagination while providing therapeutic benefits.
Body Sox will help children with sensory processing disorders to work on "position in space" skills. They must kinesthetically feel what their bodies are doing and how they are coordinating their body movements. Watching themselves in a mirror, or creating shadows, will help them develop this proprioceptive sense, which is often dysfunctional in children with sensory integration dysfunction / sensory processing disorders .
The unique proprioceptive and tactile input children (or adults) experience with the Body Sox is unparalleled! Any child with sensory processing disorders / sensory integration dysfunction can benefit!
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22 Things a Woman Must Know If She Loves a Man With Asperger's Syndrome
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Although having Asperger Syndrome (AS) can make romantic relations
difficult, having a fulfilling relationship with an Asperger man is
certainly not impossible. This book shows how to maintain a loving relationship with an AS partner.
From an unwillingness to show affection in public or even sleep in the
same bed to problems holding down a job, this book looks at 22 common
traits that women may discover when they are dating, living with or
married to a man with Asperger's Syndrome. Written by Western New York native Rudy Simone, 22 Things a Woman Must Know if She Loves a Man with Asperger's Syndrome explores the
complications of Asperger's relationships with honesty and
understanding, drawing on research and personal experience to inform
and advise women with AS partners.
• Buy 22 Things A Woman Must Know if She Loves a Man with Asperger's Syndrome
• Click Here to Watch the 22 Things YouTube Video
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"With the Light" by Keiko Tobe.
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When
Graphic Novelist, Keiko Tobe, heard the words "With the Light" used by
a parent with Autism, she knew right away that her next book would be
about a Japanese family learning that their son was on the Autism
Spectrum. The result has been her most successful graphic novel series
to date. "With the Light" offers a realistic, informative and warm
story about a boy named Hikaru (translated as "light") who is on the
Autism spectrum. Autistic Services has now added volume 1 of "With the
Light" to our Lending Library. Parents will identify well with the
story, while others will find a great introduction to the world of
Autim. The illustrated format is ideal for siblings or anyone who
enjoys the Graphic Novel medium. Call us at 631-5777 to schedule a time to visit our Lending Library and browse "With the Light" by Keiko Tobe.
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Is This Your Child? by Doris Rapp
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These are the major symptoms of potentially unrecognized allergies. Does your child suffer from any of the following?
• Allergic Nose Rub • Eye Circles • Red Ears • Red Cheeks • Eye Wrinkles • Aggression • Lack of Alertness • Mottled Tongue •
In this breakthrough book, Dr. Doris Rapp offers a simple yet effective approach to handling "problem" children. Is This Your Child? shows parents how to identify the common foods, chemicals, or common
allergic substances that could be the culprits that cause some children
or adults to feel unwell or act inappropriately. If your child is
always sick, hyperactive, a slow learner, or cranky, the first question
you should ask is not "What drug should be prescribed?" or "What have I
done wrong as a parent?" Instead, find out the cause.
Dr. Rapp
gives sensible suggestions about how these reactions to foods and
environmental factors can be recognized, prevented, and treated. With
this information, many affected children should feel, act, behave, and
learn better. If you can detect unsuspected environmental illness in
your child--or yourself--you can change your lives so you're more
content, happy, and free of illness.
This helpful book is also available in Autistic Services' Lending Library. Call us at 716-631-5777 for visitation hours. |
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SWEET CHARLOTTES ARE HERE
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These lolipops take the shape of the Autism Awareness puzzle, and are ideal for anyone who wants to satisfy their sweet tooth...while spreading the message of Autism. Sweet Charlottes made their official launch on April 28th. Find out how to get your hands on a Sweet Charlotte by contacting Molly O. Pittman at sweetcharlottes@yahoo.com |
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Raise Money for Autistic Services, Inc with GoodSearch.com
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Raise Money For Autistic Services Every Time You Search The Internet By Using GoodSearch.com.
Just Choose Autistic Services As The Organization You Wish To Support And Each Search You Make Will Earn Money For Us! |
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CASE: Center for Autism Support and Education
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CASE provides
information, training and support for families of individuals with
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the professionals who work with
them. CASE will enable family support staff and community recreation providers to better serve families. CASE will also support parents in effectively advocating for their children.
CASE provides a variety of specialized workshops to help families and
professionals better understand ASD and the behaviors and
characteristics that come with it. CASE will always seek to offer workshop topics that are meaningful and relevant to both families and providers.
CASE has been designed to enable families to become more equal partners with
professionals. When families and professionals are equal partners, the
individual with ASD will have an increased opportunity to be more
successful in all areas of their life.
CASE is comprised of the following agencies: Autistic Services, Inc., Daemen
College, Early Childhood Direction Center, Parent Network or WNY and
Summit Educational Resources. Through this collaboration, CASE will provide guidance and information for families, service providers and individuals with ASD from birth to adulthood.
To Learn More about CASE visit their website at www.parentnetworkwny.org
Download a Copy of the Case Brochure |
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This Week's Feature Artist
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