Celebrating Black History Month! Screening & Diagnosis for BIPOC Communities | |
|
This February, the Autism Society as a network and community is celebrating Black History Month, while addressing inequalities in screening, diagnosis, and care, along with vaccine-related resources. Here are some helpful resources from our friends at the national Autism Society:
| |
Making AAC More Inclusive: Spectrum Support BLAAC | |
Joy F. Johnson, M.Ed., MS, BCBA, of the Black Spectrum Fund, is developing an AAC app for children called Spectrum Support BLAAC to combat the lack of diversity and representation in current AAC apps. The illustrations feature Black Autistic characters with he, she, and they pronouns. People can download PDFs of the picture communication versions for free from her website while the app is still in development at https://joyfjohnson.com/ under "Free Resources" at the end of the page (and if you want to support the project, you can donate to the Black Spectrum Fund on the same page!). | |
The Amazon Smile Program is Ending on
February 20, 2023!
| |
We are sad to say that Amazon is ending their Amazon Smile giving program. You can still shop Amazon Smile until February 20th, so please continue to do so until then, especially for those Valentine's Day gifts!
Make us your Amazon Smile charity organization by going to this URL: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-1864361 and thank you to everyone who has made us your Amazon Smile charity over the years!
| |
Become a ASBC Member for $15 a Year! | |
The ASBC Membership Fee is now $15 a year!
Don't miss out to enjoy the membership benefits below - become a member TODAY for only $15 a year, sign up here: https://www.baltimoreautismsociety.org/get-involved/become-a-member/
Family membership includes:
- Access to member-only social events
- Up to $100 per family per year to attend Autism related workshops and conferences provided by the Charles J. Fowler, Jr. Memorial Fund
- Access to ASBC grants and funding opportunities (for families living in Baltimore City and County)
Your membership helps the Autism Society of Baltimore Chesapeake:
-
Connect people to valuable information and resources through our phone line, website, calendar and info@baltimoreautismsociety.org email
- Provide monthly groups like our virtual discussion groups for adults with Autism, and parents/caregivers
- Provide monthly socials for those in the Autism community
Not a member yet? Don't miss out - become a member TODAY, sign up here: https://www.baltimoreautismsociety.org/get-involved/become-a-member/
| |
January February Member Social: Adaptive Ski/Snowboard Lessons for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum
| | |
|
|
Our ever-popular Adaptive Ski/Snowboarding Lessons for our members are back!
Dates: February 12th and 19th
Location: Ski Liberty
78 Country Club Trail
Carroll Valley, Pennsylvania
(https://brasski.org/)
THIS IS A MEMBERS-ONLY SOCIAL. Members: please look in your inbox for an event registration email! This is a first come, first served event! See you on the slopes!
| |
Towson Tigers vs. North Carolina A&T Autism Advocacy Game on Saturday, February 18th at 4PM | | |
|
|
The Towson Tigers will be hosting their annual men's basketball Autism Advocacy game on Saturday, February 18 against NC A&T. Tipoff is at 4 p.m. inside SECU Arena.
This will be the ninth season TU has hosted a game to raise awareness and provide advocacy. In 2014, during his third season as Towson men's basketball coach, Pat Skerry wanted to find a way to honor his son Owen, who was diagnosed with ASD at the age of two.
They are offering half-priced tickets for any of our ASBC community members who would like to attend the game - use the code provided in this ticket sale link:
https://am.ticketmaster.com/towson/ism/MjJNQjAyMTg=?promoCode=QURWT0NBQ1k=
| |
Get Connected: Special Needs Resources Fair Hosted by St. Elizabeth's School on March 25th | |
|
GET CONNECTED: Special Needs Resources Fair
Saturday, March 25, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
St. Elizabeth School
The Get Connected: Resources Fair will bring together Central Maryland families who are looking for services, products, and/or agencies. Whether you are looking for resources or looking to participate as an exhibitor, you will benefit from this one-stop informative event.
The Special Needs Resource Fair, hosted by St. Elizabeth School, brings together therapists, experts, consultants, products, and services that foster happy, healthy, and productive lives for those with special needs. Our goal is to connect families with special needs to the many resources available—whether it’s information on speech therapy, sensory integration, summer camps, assistive technology devices, advice on estate planning, and more.
CLICK HERE to learn more and REGISTER as an attendee or exhibitor!
| |
Apply Now to Be a Part of Parents' Place of MD’s FREE Baby LEADers Training Program! | |
|
Apply now to be a part of PPMD’s FREE Baby LEADers training program. This training is for parents/guardians of children ages birth-5 whose child has a suspected or diagnosed developmental delay or disability. The program includes topics such as:
- Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
- Transition from Early Intervention Services to Special Education
- Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- Developmental Milestones and Recommended Practices
- Leadership and Advocacy
All sessions will be held online via Zoom.
IMPORTANT DATES
- February 10, 2023: Application due
- February 17, 2023: Applicants will be notified of acceptance
- February 28, 2023: Mandatory Orientation (choice of 12-1pm or 7-8pm)
The series will be held on five Saturdays from 9:30am-12:00pm:
March 25, April 1, April 15, April 22, April 29, 2023
There will be two networking sessions from 7:00pm-8:00pm:
April 11 & April 25, 2023
To apply, please fill out an application by clicking here: https://www.tfaforms.com/5040352. Participants must be able to attend all five sessions and an orientation webinar; networking sessions are optional but highly recommended. See the program flyer here: https://www.ppmd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Spring-2023-Baby-LEADers.pdf
| |
The Organization for Autism Research's 2023 Youth Art Contest is Now Open! Submissions Accepted Until 2/28! | |
|
The Organization for Autism Research's third annual Youth Art Contest officially opens on February 1st, and will accept submissions until February 28th. This year's Youth Art Contest theme is "Community" to help celebrate the importance and uniqueness of community. We look forward to seeing what community looks like through the eyes of our young artists!
The contest is open to autistic youth and all youth who are allies to those on the spectrum! We will announce the winning artists at the beginning of Autism Awareness Month in April and subsequently feature the winning pieces on our website and social media. One grand prize winner will receive a $100 Amazon gift card and one winner in each age group will earn a $50 Amazon gift card. Please start spreading the word to any young creatives you know! Learn more and enter here!
| |
Virtual Groups, Meetings & Other Resources | |
|
|
Upcoming ASBC Virtual Groups
Click the group name to register and receive the email reminders and login information.
| |
General Session
An inclusive space for all adults to learn and grow in their understanding
Tuesday, February 28th, 2023, at 7:00pm
| |
Parent / Caregiver Discussion Group
A supportive environment to meet other parents and share
Tuesday, February 21st, 2023, at 7:00 pm
| |
Autistic Adult Discussion Group
Every Thursday @ 9:00pm
For Autistic Adults (18+) Only
A casual, neurodiverse space to connect and share
| | | |
|
Join The Autism Society of Howard County's Latino/Latina Parent Support Group!
GRUPO DE APOYO PARA PADRES LATINOS
| |
|
GRUPO DE APOYO PARA PADRES LATINOS (Virtual Support Group)
January 16, February 20, March 20, April 17, May 15, June 19, July 17
7:00-8:30pm
Virtual via Zoom. Speaker TBA
Para más informatión llame o envie un correo-e a:
Marianela Estrada, emailnella22@gmail.com, 973-223-1024
Alex Arevalo, ax.areval1@gmail.com, 240-374-3368
| |
Maryland Insurance Administration's "Lunch with Mia" Session on Mental Health & Heart Health on February 8th | |
SECAC February Meeting on 2/6 | | | | |
