The Echo Keeping you informed! October 2012 Volume 11, Issue 2 Join us this month for a fun evening of Bingo! IN THIS ISSUE ASCC & Circle of Parents The ASCC is working together with the National Circle of Parents program to provide a support group program to parents of young children diagnosed with ASD. See Page 2 Upcoming Fundraisers Are you ready to win beautiful Vera Bradley bags on October 12? Or how about a game of golf? See Pages 4—7 ASCC Programs & Events Find information on upcoming programs and events in the enclosed program and calendar pages. See Pages 2/3 Peer-Mediation Programs Possible Answer for Autistic Students in Rural Schools EDUCATION WEEK, Diette Courrege NASET Week in Review, Volume 8, Issue 32 Peer-mediation instruction and intervention programs could be a good option for rural schools that want to address the communication and social needs of their autistic students. A new paper, "Power-PALS (Peers Assisting, Leading, Supporting): Implementing A Peer-Mediated Intervention in a Rural Middle School Program," recently published in the Rural Special Education Quarterly highlighted one rural district's program as a "promising practice." The paper's authors made it clear that they had little quantitative data, but they said the qualitative feedback from students, teachers, and parents showed this effort was worthwhile and beneficial to students with and without autism. They didn't name the middle school where they did their study, but they said it was in rural, northeastern Wisconsin. The district has three schools on the same campus with less than 1,000 total students, and the school selected was one of the state's model sites for the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders. Teaching staff, supported by the national center, implemented a peer-mediation program with four autistic students and 18 of their peers for a semester. The students without autism were taught how to support their classmates' social skills both inside and outside of classrooms, and the group divided into teams and met weekly. The program was so successful that it expanded to more middle school students and to the nearby elementary and high schools. One of the study's authors described it as "the most rewarding program that I have participated in thus far in my career. I have seen lives changed in so many positive ways for students in need of peer relationships." The paper noted rural schools face challenges such as high poverty, a high percentage of students in special education, and higher program costs, and it cited this as "an excellent example of effective and relevant action research that addresses many of these challenges." Welcome! Please welcome Katelyn Soja, ASCC Student Intern, coming to us from Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts. Katelyn is in her senior year of psychology studies and will work in the ASCC office during the fall semester.
Transcript
The Echo Keeping you informed!
October 2012 Volume 11, Issue 2
Join us this month for a fun evening of Bingo! IN THIS ISSUE
ASCC & Circle of Parents The ASCC is working together with the National Circle of Parents program to provide a support group program to parents of young children
diagnosed with ASD.
See Page 2
Upcoming Fundraisers Are you ready to win beautiful Vera Bradley bags
on October 12? Or how about a game of golf?
See Pages 4—7
ASCC Programs & Events Find information on upcoming programs and events in the enclosed program and calendar
pages.
See Pages 2/3
Peer-Mediation Programs Possible Answer for
Autistic Students in Rural Schools EDUCATION WEEK, Diette Courrege
NASET Week in Review, Volume 8, Issue 32
Peer-mediation instruction and
intervention programs could be a good
option for rural schools that want to
address the communication and social
needs of their autistic students.
A new paper, "Power-PALS (Peers
Assisting, Leading, Supporting):
Implementing A Peer-Mediated
Intervention in a Rural Middle School
Program," recently published in the
Rural Special Education Quarterly
highlighted one rural district's program
as a "promising practice."
The paper's authors made it clear that
they had little quantitative data, but
they said the qualitative feedback from
students, teachers, and parents
showed this effort was worthwhile and
beneficial to students with and without
autism.
They didn't name the middle school
where they did their study, but they said
it was in rural, northeastern Wisconsin.
The district has three schools on the
same campus with less than 1,000
total students, and the school selected
was one of the state's model sites for
the National Professional Development
Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Teaching staff, supported by the
national center, implemented a
peer-mediation program with four
autistic students and 18 of their peers
for a semester. The students without
autism were taught how to support their
classmates' social skills both inside and
outside of classrooms, and the group
divided into teams and met weekly.
The program was so successful that it
expanded to more middle school
students and to the nearby elementary
and high schools. One of the study's
authors described it as "the most
rewarding program that I have
participated in thus far in my career. I
have seen lives changed in so many
positive ways for students in need of
peer relationships."
The paper noted rural schools face
challenges such as high poverty, a high
percentage of students in special
education, and higher program costs,
and it cited this as "an excellent
example of effective and relevant action
research that addresses many of these
challenges."
Welcome! Please welcome Katelyn Soja, ASCC Student Intern, coming to us from Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts. Katelyn is in her senior year of psychology studies and will work in the
ASCC office during the fall semester.
The Autism Society of Cumberland County is partnering
with the national Circle of Parents program in providing a
weekly support group to parents of young children, ages
1-5 years, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders.
The Preschool Support Group, “The High Fives,” meets
every Thursday in Room 343 of the Partnership for
Children Resource Center. Childcare is provided.
The Circle of Parents program is a national, evidence-
informed, and promising program supported by Prevent
Child Abuse North Carolina (PCANC). We work closely
with PCANC to ensure successful program
implementation and administration. PCANC provides us
with training, technical assistance, materials, support,
and evaluation to ensure program fidelity.
The objectives of the Circle of Parent program include
creating and enhancing social connections, reducing
isolation, increasing knowledge, and linking parents to
community resources. The Preschool Support Group is a
self-help, parent-led, professionally facilitated group
based on a shared leadership model. This model
encourages everyone in the group to take on leadership
roles. It also assumes that everyone in the group has
something of value to contribute.
Research supports the Circle of Parents Program and
contributes to the evidence base for this program as an
important strategy in building strong families. Proven
outcomes include (1) improvement in parent-child
relationship, (2) increased awareness and use of support
systems, and (3) improved personal self-management
skills.
The ASCC is excited to offer this weekly program to our
parents. While this group focuses on parents of young
children diagnosed with ASD, parents of older children
are welcome to join. Please review the calendar on the
next page for meeting times. To learn more about the
Circ le of Parents program please v isi t
www.circleofparents.org.
ASCC Programs—Opportunities for Parents & Children
Parent Education
Program
Please join us on
Monday, October 8, 2012, 6:30 pm
at the
Partnership for Children Resource
Center
351 Wagoner Drive,
Multipurpose Room 343
for a presentation titled
“Cumberland County
Special Olympics “
led by
Jamie Scruggins
Director, Gilmore Therapeutic &
Massey Hill Recreation Centers
Free respite care will be available on
site through Community Based
Developmental Services. Please
contact Cynthia Billops at 488-5820
or 488-4584 to reserve your space
at least 24 hours in advance.
ASCC Support Groups
Support Groups provide an
opportunity to share, learn, and
connect. Parents, caregivers,
guardians, and professionals are
welcome to participate in all of our
support groups. Please check the
calendar on page three for meeting
dates/times/locations.
The HFA/Asperger’s Support Group
meets every second Monday of the
month, Sep—Nov, Jan—May,
immediately preceding the Parent
Education Program. This group
meets in Room 414 of the PFC
Resource Center. Focus: Families of
children, adolescents, and adults
diagnosed with HFA or Asperger’s.
Childcare will not be provided.
The Autism Lunch Club (ALC) Support
Group meets every second Tuesday
of the month at various Fayetteville
restaurants. Focus: Families of
adolescents and adults with ASD.
Childcare will not be provided.
The Autism Breakfast Club (ABC)
Support Group meets every third
Wednesday of the month at the PFC
Resource Center, Room 414. Focus:
Families of children with ASD up to
age 12. Childcare will be provided.
The Preschool Support Group (The
High Fives) meets weekly on
Thursdays at the PFC Resource
Center, Room 343. Focus: Families
of young children with ASD ages 1-5
years. Childcare will be provided.
While every group focuses on a
specific age range, parents of
children of all ages are welcome to
attend all support groups!
Workshops
Please call the ASCC office at (910)
826-3004/3005 to register for all
workshops.
The Newly Diagnosed Workshop led
by Amy Perry, ASNC Parent Advocate,
is held every first Thursday of the
month from 9:30 am—12:00 pm.
The Individualized Education Plan
Workshop, led by Amy Perry, provides
an opportunity for parents and
providers to learn all about IEPs. It
will be offered quarterly.
The Parenting Children with Autism
Workshop will be offered every fourth
Wednesday of the month by Board
Certified Behavioral Analysts. The
workshops will cover different
parenting topics every month.
The Teaching Children with Autism
Workshop will be offered twice a year,
through the Partnership for Children
of Cumberland County. This
workshop is designed for early care
and education providers.
The Echo I Issue 2, October 2012 2
The Echo I Issue 2, October2012 3
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
PFCRC—
Partnership for
Children
Resource Center,
351 Wagoner
Drive, Fayetteville
1 2 6:15 pm—8:30 pm
Teaching Children With Autism Workshop for Providers
(910) 860-2277 x 2537
3 4 pm—10 pm
Fundraising Night at Texas Roadhouse, Sycamore Dairy Road, Fayetteville
49:30 am—12 pm
Newly Diagnosed Workshop, PFCRC, Room 414
5:30 pm—7:00 pm
Preschool Support Group, PFCRC, Room 343
5 6
7 85:45—6:30 pm
HFA Support Group, PFCRC, Room 414
6:30 pm—8pm
Parent Education Program, PFCRC, Room 343
9 11:30 am
Autism Lunch Club (ALC) Support Group at Moe’s Southwest Grill on N. McPherson Church Road
10 119:30 am—11:00 am
Preschool Support Group, PFCRC, Room 343
12 5:00 pm
Vera Bradley Autism Awareness Bingo, St. Patrick’s Church, 2844 Village Drive, Fayetteville
13
ASNC Triangle Run/Walk for Autism
Durham, NC
For more information, please call:
(800) 442-2762
14 15 16 179:30 am —11:00 am
Autism Breakfast Club (ABC) Support Group, PFCRC, Room 414
18 9:30 am—11:00 am
Preschool Support Group, PFCRC, Room 343
19 9:30am
Ben Lucero Memorial Golf Tournament, Bayonet at Puppy Creek Golf Club
For more information, please call:
(910) 643-2787
20 12:00 pm
Hooter’s Charity Golf Tournament, Gates Four Golf and Country Club
For more information, please call:
(910) 868-0070
21 22 2311 am-1 pm
ASCC Board of Directors Meeting, PFCRC, Room 414
24 10—11 am
Parenting Children with Autism Workshop, PFCRC, Room 414
25 9:30 am—11:00 am
Preschool Support Group, PFCRC, Room 343
26 273 pm—6 pm
Partnership for Children Pumpkin Patch Party, PFCRC Parking Lot
Free and fun family event!
28 29 3010 am-11 am
Introduction to Sensory Processing Workshop, Room 414
“Supporting Individuals Within The Autism Spectrum”
Winner of the Autism Society of
North Carolina affiliate of the Year
Award—1996, 2002, & 2003
Membership & Donations
Return Service Requested
The Autism Society of Cumberland
County is an affiliate of the Autism
Society of North Carolina.
Mission Statement:
The Autism Society of Cumberland
County is committed to providing
support and promoting opportunities
which enhance the lives of individu-
als within the autism spectrum and
their families.
Vision Statement:
The Autism Society of Cumberland
County strives to create a community
where people within the autism
spectrum and their families receive
respect, services, and supports
based on individual differences,
needs, and preferences.
Disclaimer:
The Autism Society of Cumberland
County does not take any position
regarding studies of ASD, nor en-
dorse any particular form of treat-
ment, intervention, or therapy. This
newsletter allows us to pass along
current information in the field of
ASD to our families and organization
members.
Please make checks payable to:
Autism Society of Cumberland County
351 Wagoner Drive, Suite 410
Fayetteville, NC 28303
Name:
Parent/Caregiver Professional
Sibling Individual with ASD
Address:
Telephone:
Email:
A great way to help support our program is to
become a member. As a member of the ASCC, you
enjoy voting rights during membership meetings,
you are eligible for election to the Board of
Directors, and you receive priority for conference
scholarships. Membership is effective for one year.
Please remember the ASCC with your tax-deductible
charitable contribution. Thank you!
Annual Membership ($10.00)
Donation $_________
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Cumberland Community Foundation
Board of Directors: Anna Finch President Warren Aronson Vice President Gwen Scott Treasurer Brandy Mello Secretary Cynthia Billops Chris Leacock Dr. Suzanna Fletcher
Staff:
Heidi Choice Director of Programs and Outreach Alvita Blue Program and Outreach Assistant Katelyn Soja Student Intern Endicott College, Beverly, Ma
October 2012 The Echo Volume 11, Issue 2
FY 2012/2013 Board of Directors & Staff Funded In Part By:
