Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Brooklyn DD Council Annual Legislative Brunch

The Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Council cordially invites you to its Annual Legislative Brunch to discuss with local representatives

The Future of Services, Supports and Funding for Brooklyn Residents with Developmental Disabilities and their Caregivers

Friday, March 6, 2009, 9:30 to Noon
at Gargiulo's Restaurant
2911 West 15th Street, Coney Island, NY 11224

Cost: $25 per person (Families and consumers can contact their service provider regarding fee subsidies)

For registration information, please contact:
Ms. Joyce Levin
HeartShare Human Services
12 MetroTech Center 29th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 422-3268
Joyce.levin at heartshare.org
Please RSVP by February 20, 2009

Support at the JCC: Parents of Adults, Adult Siblings, Grandparents, Parents, and Parents of Teens, Whew!

Support Group for Parents of Adult Children with Learning Disabilities and Other Developmental Delays

This group will provide an opportunity for parents of adult children to come together, in a small group format, to share resources, problem solve, gain support and build community. Parents of young adults face issues and concerns related to the independent activities of daily life and the future goals of their children. These concerns, as well as others, will be addressed with experienced support group facilitators, Dr. Wendy Kamaiko-Solano, a psychotherapist with a private practice on the UWS and Hannah Cohen, life coach working with young adults and families.

For additional information & intake please contact Hannah Cohen, 646-505-4460

11 Mondays: Feb 2 & 16, Mar 2,16 & 30, Apr 27, May 11, Jun 8 & 22, July 6 & 20
5:45-7:15pm FSASPT01W9
7:30-9:00pm FSASPT02W9
$330/$350



Adult Sibling Support Group

This group provides support for adult siblings who grew up in families where a brother or sister had special needs. In a small group format, the personal experiences of the participants will be shared as a way to better understand and cope with some of the life-long issues they face as siblings. Emotional support, insight, strategies and community will be facilitated.
Facilitated by Hannah Cohen, life skills coach working with young adults and families.

6 Wednesdays: Feb 11, Mar 18, Apr 22, May 13, Jun 17, Jul 15
7:30-9pm
$15/$20 (per meeting) HSRSIB00W9
Pre-registration is required

Please call Hannah Cohen for information at 646-505-4460


Grandparent Support Group

A support group is designed to help grandparents deal constructively with the challenges that face their families when a grandchild has special needs. Share with other grandparents the range of feelings and stressors that make up this unexpected journey.
Facilitated by Hannah Cohen, life skills coach working with young adults and families.

6 Wednesdays: Feb 25, Mar 25, Apr 29, May 20, Jun 24, Jul 22
7:30-9pm
$15/$20 (per meeting) HSRGSG00W9

To register call 646.505.5708, or visit www.jccmanhattan.org/specialneeds
Pre-registration is required.
For additional information, please call Hannah Cohen, 646-505-4460



Groups for Parents of Children with Developmental Challenges

This group provides support for parents of children who have been identified with developmental challenges. The combined expertise of the facilitators and the parents’ personal experience provides resources, networking, strategies, therapy options, emotional support and community. Facilitated by Dr. Wendy Kamaiko-Solano, psychotherapist with a private practice on the UWS and Hannah Cohen, life skills coach working with young adults and families.

13 Mondays: Feb 9 & 23, Mar 9 & 23, Apr 6 & 20, May 4 & 18, Jun 1, 15 & 29, Jul 13 & 27
Section 1: noon-1:30pm $325/$390 HSRDEV01W9
Section 2: 5:45-7:15pm $325/$390 HSRDEV02W9
Section 3: 7:30-9pm $325/$390 HSRDEV03W9

11 Tuesdays: Feb 10 &24, Mar 10 & 24, Apr 28, May 12 & 26, Jun 9 &23, Jul 7 & 21
Section 4: 5:45-7:15pm $275/$330 HSRDEV04W9
Section 5: 7:30-9pm $275/$330 HSRDEV05W9

11 Tuesdays: Feb 3, Mar 3, 17 &31, Apr 7, May 19, Jun 2, 16 & 30, Jul 14 & 28
Section 6: 5:45-7:15pm $275/$330 HSRDEV06W9

Prior to registration, please call Hannah Cohen at 646-505-4460

Registration for groups is ongoing and a prorated fee will be offered to those who begin anytime after the scheduled start date.

Limited scholarships available.

Grandparent, Father and Sibling Support Groups are also offered.



Support Group for Parents of Teens with Developmental Disabilities & LD

New challenges arise for parents whose children have reached their teen (12-18) years. This group will provide an opportunity to address these challenges, hear from other parents, exchange resources, network and build community with the help of experienced support group facilitators. Facilitators: Dr. Wendy Kamaiko-Solano, a psychotherapist with a private practice on the UWS and Hannah Cohen, life coach working with young adults and families.

For additional information please contact Hannah Cohen, 646-505-4460

Limited scholarships are available.

11 Tuesdays: : Feb 3, Mar 3, 17 &31, Apr 21, May 19, Jun 2, 16 & 30, Jul 14 & 28
7:30-9pm
$275/$330 HSRTEE00W9

The Jewish Community Center in Manhattan
The Samuel Priest Rose Building
334 Amsterdam Ave. @ 76th St.
New York, NY 10023

A beneficiary of UJA-Federation.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Manhattan DD Council Legislative Breakfast: SAVE the DATE

THE MANHATTAN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COUNCIL INVITES YOU TO ITS 20TH ANNUAL

LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST

on
FRIDAY, MARCH 13TH, 2008

at
BARNES & NOBLE UNION SQUARE
33 EAST 17TH STREET

8:00-10:00 a.m.

For information, please call 212-677-4650

This annual event is a great place to get up to date on the legislative business affecting individuals with disabilities and the agencies that provide services for them throughout New York City. City and state legislators attend, and the OMRDD Commissioner often provides a summary of the budget outlook for that agency, along with a counterpart from NYC Department of Health on Early Intervention. Some issues that concern the segregated special education programs are also covered.

This is a time efficient and affordable way to put some faces with the names of people you see in advocacy e-mails you might get from our listserv.

With modest city and severe state budget cuts projected, this is a really good way to get informed, and see if you may want to put a trip to Albany on your spring calendar.

Story Pirates in Brooklyn Heights in Formation

Mom of developmentally delayed 8-year-old son in Brooklyn Heights is forming an inclusion Story Pirates class.

For more info about Story Pirates www.storypirates.org and or
http://www.youtube.com/user/StoryPirates

FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THE CLASS: MLEVINE@PACKER.EDU

CLASS WILL MEET SATURDAYS AT GRACE CHURCH
12 WEEK SESSION $420

ASA and AMC Movies bring us Sensory-Friendly Movies

Sensory-Friendly Showing of:

Hotel for Dogs
Saturday, January 31st
10:00a.m.

AMC Entertainment and the Autism Society of America have teamed up to bring families affected by autism a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis.

With Sensory-Friendly Films, the movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up and the sound turned down.

WHERE:
AMC 34th Street 14
312 West 34th Street
New York, NY 10001
212-244-8846

AMC Kips Bay 15
570 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10016
212-447-0638

AMC Bay Plaza 13
2210 Bartow Avenue
Bronx, NY 10475
718-320-1659

Tickets are $6, and available at the theater box office the day of the event.

Sign up for ASA Manhattan chapter news by mailing rosslovell@gmail.com

Friday, January 09, 2009

Study Recruitment for "Simplex" Families

At my house, we are enrolled in the AGRE Genetic Study, which uses samples from multiply affected families to focus the population sample. The Simons Foundation has now funded a genetic study that is enrolling "simplex" families, where there is one spectrum and one or more typical children.

While I can't say that AGRE has provided us with work product that changed my boys' lives, they've been accommodating at every turn (even sending the phlebotomist to our house once!), and provided reports on what they measured.

I know we all have overburdened family lives, and many have at best mixed views of the utility of genetic study, but I that, like AGRE, this is a smart study design and worth encouraging your participation. Their recruitment letter follows. --LD



Dear Parents,

The Simons Simplex Collection is following in the tradition set by AGRE in setting up a biobank of phenotype and biological samples of families with exactly one child with ASD and at least one child with typical development to be available to interested scientists around the world.

We are looking for families interested in helping researchers understand the genetic causes of ASD. Sponsored by the Simons Foundation, Columbia University is one of 11 clinical centers around the U.S. and Canada that are recruiting families to participate. The Simons Foundation provides support to researchers studying ASD. For additional information about the Simons Foundation, see: www.simonsfoundation.org and http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05349/622925.stm

For this study, we are recruiting families who have:
- One child aged four or older with an ASD or a suspected ASD diagnosis,
- (Preferably) one or more child(ren) age three or older without ASD, and
- Both biological parents also willing to participate.

Family participation in this study involves the completion of interviews, questionnaires, and a blood draw. Families are also asked for permission to donate a portion of their blood samples to the Simons Simplex Collection. The Simons Simplex Collection obtains, stores, and distributes DNA to researchers who are studying the genetics of ASD. Through performing genetic analyses, we hope to discover information that will help us better understand and treat this disorder.

Each family member will receive $50 upon completion of the protocol. We will also provide each family with a brief written report describing the results of the assessment.

Thank you in advance for your time and assistance. We look forward to working with you in the near future.

Regards,

Cassandra D’Accordo
Recruitment Coordinator
________________________________________
Name of Study: “Genetics of Developmental Differences” and “Molecular and Family Genetics of Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (Simons Simplex Collection)”

Location: New York State Psychiatric Institute at Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032

Eligibility Criteria: One child age 4 or older with ASD or a suspected ASD diagnosis, and both biological parents willing to participate

Principal Investigator: Bradley Peterson, MD

Contact Information:
Research Coordination (phone: 212-543-6705, e-mail: autismresearch@childpsych.columbia.edu)
Cassandra D’Accordo, Recruitment Coordinator (212-543-0153, daccordc@childpsych.columbia.edu)

Monday, January 05, 2009

AHRC New York City's Family Education Series

How to Access Appropriate Educational Services for Your Child with Autism
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
6pm-8pm
AHRC Main Office - Penthouse
83 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038
Phone: 212/780-2713 Fax: 212/780-2353


Upcoming 2009 Sessions
The following is a list of Family Education Sessions for 2009. Please contact Donna Gifford at 212/780-2713 or Jennifer Amendola at 212/895-3446 if you are interested in attending.

January 2009
Topic: Overview OMRDD/Waiver Services:
How do I know what services I am entitled to?
Location: AHRC Middle/High School
1201 66th Street, Brooklyn NY 11219
Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Time: 6pm-8pm

February 2009
Topic: Advocacy 101, Ask the Advocate
Location: Institute for Basic Research (IBR), Seminar Room, 1st Floor, 1050 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island, NY 10314
Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Time: 6pm-8pm

February 2009
Topic: Overview OMRDD/Waiver Services:
How do I know what services I am entitled to?
Location: AHRC’s Main Office - Penthouse
83 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038
Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Time: 6pm-8pm

March 2009
Topic: Turning 5: Transitioning from Preschool
Location: AHRC’s Main Office - Penthouse
83 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2009
Time: 10am-12pm

March 2009
Topic: Your Child’s IEP:
What Every Parent Needs to Know
Location: AHRC’s Bronx Day Hab
1500 Pelham Parkway South, Bronx, NY 10461
Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Time: 10am-12pm

April 2009
Topic: Guardianship and Future Care Planning:
Providing for your child’s future today
Location: AHRC’s Main Office - Penthouse
83 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2009
Time: 10am-12pm

April 2009
Topic: Overview of Medicaid and Social Security Benefits: Do you understand your benefit options?
Location: AHRC’s Main Office - Penthouse
83 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038
Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Time: 6pm-8pm

May 2009
Topic: Guardianship and Future Care Planning:
Providing for your child’s future today
Location: AHRC’s Dean O’Hare
113 Water Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Time: 6pm-8pm

June 2009
Topic: Overview of Medicaid and Social Security Benefits: Do you understand your benefit options?
Location: AHRC’s Weinberg Adult Day Center
32-03 39th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101
Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Time: 6pm-8pm

June 2009
Topic: Respite Services: Do You Need A Break?
Location: AHRC’s Main Office - Penthouse
83 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038
Date: Wednesday, June 24 2009
Time: 6pm-8pm

Sunday, January 04, 2009

Stand Ups Give BAC; a Benefit for the Brooklyn Autism Center- Tuesday, February 3rd

Carolines on Broadway, 1626 Broadway between 49th and 50th Sts. (212)757-4100. Subway N,R ,W to 49th St. 1 to 50th St. Doors open at 7 pm. Show starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. Tickets- $150 premium seats or $100 general admission per person tax deductible donation includes 2 drinks! You won't want to miss the finest standup comics in New York City when they come together for one night only to support the Brooklyn Autism Center. Scheduled to appear*- David Cross (Mr. Show, Arrested Development), Zach Galifianakis (as seen on Letterman, Conan, Jimmy Kimmel, Comedy Central) , Janeane Garafalo (24, The Larry Sanders Show), Demetri Martin (The Daily Show), John Oliver (The Daily Show), Paul F. Tompkins (Best Week Ever), Triumph the Insult Comic Dog (Late Night with Conan O'Brien) and other surprise guests. Advance tickets can be reserved at www.BrooklynAutismCenter.org via paypal or in cash or check at the door. Hurry! This show will definitely sell out fast.

* final lineup is subject to change