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MARCH 2023 NEWSLETTER

Welcome, March! Developmental Disabilities Month & Women's History Month

Ramadan Mubarak to our families and community members observing Ramadan later this month!


This March, the Autism Society will focus on Women's History Month to highlight Autistic women and diagnostic research. Additionally, we will observe Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and share resources on signs, screening, and diagnosis of Autism. Here are some helpful resources from our friends at the national Autism Society:


Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month:


Women & Autism Resources:

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 belowbecome 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/

Introducing the Avery Berman Scholarship Fund

Thanks to our generous donors, ASBC is able to support a scholarship in honor of Avery Berman's memory. The Avery Berman scholarship fund is designed to provide up to $200 in financial assistance to families who may have a need for goods and/or services to improve the daily functioning lives of their loved one with Autism.


There is no age limit for applicants. Applicants will be reviewed by the ASBC Board, and 2 recipients will be notified of being selected each year. Funds can be used for goods and services to improve daily functioning in school/home/community and will only be disbursed to the company or entity that will provide the goods or services. There will be no payments made to individuals. This scholarship will be available until the secured funds are depleted.


Interested in applying? Please fill out the application form here: https://forms.gle/c86yX8kgX15kMxgaA

Local Events & Programs

Stress Relief Yoga Session for Our Parents and Caregivers

Thank you for all that you do to support the Autism community! The ASBC would like to provide all our community parents and caregivers a moment of stress relief and relaxation. Join us for a free, professional yoga session to unwind and re-center. NOTE: A signed waiver is required for entry.


When:

Saturday, March 18, 2023

11:00 AM to 12:00 PM EDT


Where:

Aluma Yoga

10151 York Road, #108

Cockeysville, MD 21209


Register Here:

http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/regform?llr=gk56aj7ab&oeidk=a07ejn2yiai978635bb




Making Autism Work in the Community Day: A Not So Typical Resource Fair! April 8th

ASBC is partnering with Coppin State University on "a not so typical resource fair" on Saturday, April 8th from 9:00am to 3:00pm. This event is dedicated to creating spaces for connections and information sharing to facilitate neurodiversity acceptance and inclusion. The fair will highlight job opportunities, resume building, resources, a community forum, and many engaging activities like a VR demo and a softball game!


Register today at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/2y3zfa28

JHU Men's Lacrosse Developmental Disability Awareness Game - March 4th

To mark Developmental Disability Awareness Month in March, the Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health will be highlighted at the Johns Hopkins University men’s lacrosse game Saturday March 4 at Homewood Field! The game against Saint Joseph’s will start at 2 pm. The Wendy Klag Center will also have a resource table at the event. A quiet room will be available for individuals and families who need a place to regroup.

 

March 4 is also Hopkins Athletic Day, so there will be giveaways. Food vendors HomeSlyce Pizza and Capitol Kettle Corn will be on-site.

 

Admission is free for all Johns Hopkins affiliates with Hopkins ID, plus one guest. Children under the age of 12 dressed in sports attire (jerseys, sports T-shirts, sports hats, etc.) also will be admitted free. Additional guest tickets are $12. If you need guest tickets, you may register for tickets at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hopkins-athletics-day-tickets-526097922047

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!

A Winning Time at the Towson Tigers vs. North Carolina A&T Autism Advocacy Game!

The Towson Tigers hosted their annual men's basketball Autism Advocacy game on Saturday, February 18 against NC A&T. The final score was Towson 87 and NC A&T 75!!! Thank you for inviting us and our community for an enjoyable time, Towson Tigers!


This is 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.

Striking Up Some Fun at our By Autistics For Autistics Bowling Event!

Wow! Our BAFA Bowling event (By Autistics For Autistics) was a smashing success. The ASBC sponsored an outing in February that provided a safe and welcoming space space for Autistic adults to gather and socialize with their peers. Our attendees and supporters had a great time and made many new connections. We're pleased to be able to facilitate these spaces for all Autistic adults, regardless of ability or status. Keep an eye out for information on forthcoming events!

Virtual Groups, Meetings, Workshops

& Other Resources

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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, March 28th, 2023, at 7:00pm

Parent / Caregiver Discussion Group

A supportive environment to meet other parents and share

Tuesday, March 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

Check Out Our New Searchable Resources Directory (a Work in Progress)!

In an effort to support our community even more, ASBC has created a searchable resource directory for both local and national organizations and businesses serving the Autism community! We are still testing out some of the features, so please pardon our dust while we continue to improve the directory. Check it out here: https://www.baltimoreautismsociety.org/directory-local-national-autism-resources/


Have an organization you would like to recommend? Contact James Orman jorman@baltimoreautismsociety.org to make a suggestion!

Sign Up for R.I.S.E. Arts Center's Performance Ensemble for Children and Youth!

R.I.S.E. Arts Center provides a multidisciplinary arts education to youth in underserved communities and youth and young adults with Autism and/or other intellectual disabilities in Baltimore City. R.I.S.E. aims to strengthen creative skillsets by utilizing art exhibitions, musical theater, art therapy, creative writing, and entrepreneurship education. 


Is your student between the ages of 8 to 24 and love performing arts? Have them join R.I.S.E. for their Performance Ensemble this spring!


When: Saturdays

Starting: March 4th

 Ending: June 24th

 Time: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM 

Where: Eubie Blake Cultural Arts Center

847 N Howard Street


REGISTER HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6Qepkmcr_6FcS1d0RhPNBJ-yt0q5i-Ar0ZZ1Wti-3ZJmSkg/viewform

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)


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

SECAC February Meeting on 2/6

Baltimore County SECAC


NEXT Meeting: Monday, March 6th, 2023

7:00-8:30 PM


Topic: Transition


Access the meeting via Google Meets: https://meet.google.com/fak-czgt-dvf

If you would like to participate in the meeting by phone please email egalvez@bcps.org.

We hope to see you there!


Click link below to review SECAC's updated Recommendations for SY 2022-2023:

SECAC Recommendations for SY 2022-2023

LEARN MORE ON OUR WEBSITE!