DECEMBER 2010 Disabilities Thread

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Please feel free to add any event/organization that you feel may be useful to the disabilities community.

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This was sent by Kat Brown, a fellow autism parent. It's a link to a really cute online book you can print out & put together for any child who as issues with impulse control. A really nice way to help teach a child to self-regulate.

www.onecobble.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/HHpdf-format.pdf

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Attention to solders and professional athletes helps raise awareness for all victims By Meredith Cohn, The Baltimore Sun

Austin Story doesn't remember the late-summer outing at a friend's lakefront home in New Jersey, or the rocks he climbed near a waterfall. Or how he lost his footing and, as his horrified mother looked on, fell about 50 feet. The 14-year-old lay motionless with a traumatic brain injury as his father tried to get him off the rocks and find help. Two months later, Austin is still being treated at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, though he has learned again to walk and talk. And his family is coming to grips with a grim statistic: Kids are the largest group among the 1.7 million Americans who suffer serious brain injuries each year. Such injuries are receiving more attention lately, as the National Football League seeks to prevent concussions and the U.S. military struggles to cope with those wounded on the battlefield. Government officials say further efforts are underway to raise awareness on playing fields.

Austin's family hopes this accident furthers that cause - by promoting recognition, prevention and treatment - especially for the youngest victims. "I have long feared that something like this could happen [to his child], even while I trusted it would not, or tried to prevent it, or tried not to worry about it, or struggled to let go at the same time," said Shane Story, Austin's father. "That's the challenge we live with."

Story, a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve stationed in Alexandria, Va., has served two tours in Iraq and has known fellow soldiers to suffer traumatic brain injuries. He believes injured service members, as well as pro athletes, are helping raise awareness. But Austin is a reminder that accidents can happen anywhere to anyone, he said. Indeed, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say kids up to age 4 have the highest rate of emergency room visits for traumatic brain injuries - 1,256 per 100,000 people - and together with kids up to 14 make up about a third of the sufferers. The number of cases seen annually from 2002 to 2006 in the nation's emergency rooms rose about 62 percent from the five previous years, according to data recently released. That pushed total annual cases to 1.7 million from 1.4 million.

Dr. Mark Faul, a behavioral scientist with the CDC, said officials there attribute the rise to awareness, not a spike in cases. And he agreed attention to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as on playing fields, is helping. Traumatic brain injury "is the signature injury associated with the wars and we suspect more people are going and getting themselves looked at," he said. "We believe there is more awareness. ... We don't know enough to say for sure." Falls on and off the playing fields, he said, are the major causes of head injuries, ahead of car accidents. Faul and Kelly Sarmiento, director of communications in the CDC's division of injury response, said many states are starting to ban school kids from returning to games after they've been hit in the head. The CDC has helped "craft the thinking" and encourage lawmakers to take head injures seriously, from mild concussions to major blows such as Austin's.

They say long-term consequences for sufferers include problems with thinking, perception, language and emotions. Officials at the CDC and elsewhere are working on better science and educational outreach. Austin is lucky, his doctors and therapists at Kennedy Krieger say. He was taken to the specialty hospital for children with brain and spinal disorders about two weeks after the accident. The Prince William County, Va., teen had been airlifted to a hospital in New Jersey after his accident. He was diagnosed with an epidural hematoma, or a buildup of blood between the inside of the skull and the outer covering of the brain. Emergency surgery was necessary to stop the bleeding, and he could barely open an eye 24 hours later.

Today, it's hard for casual observers to tell that anything is wrong with him, though his parents say he is a slimmer 127 pounds, down from 144, and has a slight tremor in his hand. He doesn't remember the accident, or much of September for that matter. His short-term memory hasn't fully returned and words don't always come to him, though his parents are mindful that 14-year-olds aren't always the chattiest. He declares many things a simple "awesome." Austin relearned to walk, talk and do everyday things at Kennedy Krieger. He's already completing sentences, texting friends and playing some of his favorite sport, lacrosse. He now holds a hospital record on the Wii video game in soccer's performance, a better performance than the one given by his beloved Dallas Cowboys' Tony Romo in a late October game. Austin called the quarterback's possibly season-ending collarbone break "depressing."

But not all kids do as well as Austin, who will soon transfer to an outpatient facility, where he'll continue therapy to improve his cognitive abilities. His parents hope he can return, probably next year, to his regular school, where he'd be a ninth-grader. He still may have some short-term memory issues and other problems, though his parents say they expect him, like his two older sisters, to go to college. The family credits the fast action of rescue workers and the team at Kennedy Krieger with his recovery - and Shane Story hopes other families will take all head injuries seriously and seek immediate treatment. Dr. Stacy Suskauer, director of Kennedy Krieger Brain Injury Program, said it becomes clearer in the first few weeks how well the children there will fare. She said it's apparent, however, that immediate care and early intervention and therapy benefit all of the injured children.

Researchers are working on improving treatment and ways to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) to better evaluate the extent of damage and the length of time recovery might take, she said. "Those are always the first questions." In the meantime, she said, use of helmets by kids on bikes and better protection for student athletes is crucial. She supports efforts in many schools to teach athletic trainers to identify symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury, or concussions, such as dizziness, blurred vision, confusion, ringing in the ears and mood changes. Suskauer supports the many schools, including the University of Maryland and Howard County public schools, that are doing baseline testing of kids before an injury happens so they can tell when something is wrong. "Our goal is to maximize the potential of these kids," she said of Kennedy Krieger patients, who include more than 13,000 children with neurologic injury or illness, as well as those with spinal cord injuries, behavior problems related to autism, feeding disorders and other maladies.

But she argues that not getting hurt in the first place is the ultimate goal. "Traumatic brain injury is the No. 1 cause of acquired disability among kids," she said. "Recovery is long and hard and not everyone does as well as Austin. ... Preventing injury would be huge." In addition to the physical damage, the costs are high, about $56 billion a year, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke .Those who survive may need physical, occupational and speech-language therapy, as well as psychiatric care and social support and care for the rest of their lives. Shane Story says the family is thankful for church and friends, who are taking care of the family's house and dogs. And he's grateful for support at work, where he returned this week, and his health insurance. He still frets about the freedom Austin will soon crave. "I survived my teens and early 20s and realized later in life how foolish young men can be," he said. "This is a reminder life can turn bad very quickly. ... We need to overcome the idea that there's something cool about getting back in the game after a blow to the head. We need more attention, more research and more seriousness."

[e-mail]
twitter.com/baltsunhealth

Traumatic brain injury: *.About 275,000 people are hospitalized annually because of one. The majority are treated and released from an emergency room. *.About 52,000 a year die from one. *.Children up to 14 years old make up the largest group of sufferers, making up a third of the total. *.Falls are the leading cause, ahead of car crashes. *.An estimated 10 percent to 20 percent of service members serving in Iraq and Afghanistan have sustained one.

Sources: Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, the CDC

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Where disabilities become possibilities

EAST TENNESSEE TECHNOLOGY ACCESS CENTER, INC.
116 Childress Street • Knoxville, TN 37920
[phone] • FAX [phone] • [e-mail]• www.disoveret.org/ettac

Public Service Announcement Date: November 24, 2010

From: Marsha Willoughby---Next Chapter Book Club Program Coordinator
Re: Wanted: People who love to read books and want to help someone else

WANTED: The Next Chapter Book Club is seeking volunteers for Knoxville, as well as Oak Ridge. The club is part of a grant awarded to the East Tennessee Technology Access Center, a regional nonprofit technology resource. The club is for individuals with and without disabilities of all reading abilities.

Volunteer facilitators help to provide a comfortable and welcoming environment for the members. Facilitators help guide the weekly book discussion and social interactions. Volunteer facilitators assist in reading the length of one book. For more information, please contact Marsha Willoughby at [phone].

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Tennessee Disability MegaConference, June 2-3, 2011 @ Nashville Airport Marriott

Conference Highlights include:

· Nationally renowned speakers
· Informative workshops
· Fun evening events
· Awards banquet
· Door prizes

Conference Attendees include:

· Persons with disabilities
· Family members
· Professionals in related fields
· Teachers
· Therapists
· Service providers
· Direct support professionals

More information will be available soon at the conference website at: www.TNDisabilityMegaConference.org

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Comuníquese con el Seguro Social
Visite nuestro sitio de Internet
Nuestro sitio de Internet es un recurso valioso para obtener información sobre todos los programas del Seguro Social. Hay un número de cosas que usted puede hacer por Internet (sólo disponible en inglés).
Además de usar nuestro sitio de Internet, también puede llamar a nuestro número gratis, 1-800-772-1213. Oprima el 2 si desea el servicio en español y espere a que le atienda un agente (si es sordo o tiene problemas de audición, marque nuestro número TTY, 1-800-325-0778). Tratamos todas nuestras llamadas confidencialmente. Podemos contestar preguntas específicas de lunes a viernes desde las 7 a.m. hasta las 7 p.m. Ofrecemos servicios de intérprete gratis tanto por teléfono como en nuestras oficinas. Además, ofrecemos servicio telefónico automatizado las 24 horas del día.
Queremos asegurarnos que usted reciba un servicio cortés y correcto. Por eso, es posible que un segundo agente del Seguro Social escuche algunas llamadas.

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Our website, www.socialsecurity.gov, is a valuable resource for information about all of Social Security’s programs. At our website you also can:
• Apply for certain kinds of benefits;
• Get the address of your local Social Security office;
• Request important documents, such as a Social Security Statement, a replacement Medicare card or a letter to confirm your benefit amount; and
• Find copies of our publications.
Call our toll-free number
In addition to using our website, you can call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. We treat all calls confidentially. We can answer specific questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. We can provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day. (You can use our automated response system to tell us a new address or request a replacement Medicare card.) If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.
We also want to make sure you receive accurate and courteous service. That is why we have a second Social Security representative monitor some telephone calls.

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December 2nd - Thursday: ASMT Family Fun Event - Crimson and Cream Christmas Party!
- Vanderbilt Alumni Hall - 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Save The Date
January 28th - Friday: ASMT Family Fun Event @ - Adventure Science Center
- More info coming soon

ASMT
1-615-385-2077 or 1-866-508-4987
tnautism.org
[e-mail]

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Twelve Tips for Helping People with Autism and Their Families Have a Happy Holiday

While many happily anticipate the coming holiday season, families of people on the autism spectrum also understand the special challenges that may occur when schedules are disrupted and routines broken. Our hope is that by following these few helpful tips, families may lessen the stress of the holiday season and make it a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved. The following tips were developed with input from the Autism Society, the Indiana Resource Center for Autism, Easter Seals Crossroads, the Sonya Ansari Center for Autism at Logan and the Indiana Autism Leadership Network..

1. Preparation is crucial for many individuals. At the same time, it is important to determine how much preparation a specific person may need. For example, if your son or daughter has a tendency to become anxious when anticipating an event that is to occur in the future, you may want to adjust how many days in advance you prepare him or her. Preparation can occur in various ways by using a calendar and marking the dates of various holiday events, or by creating a social story that highlights what will happen at a given event.

2. Decorations around the house may be disruptive for some. It may be helpful to revisit pictures from previous holidays that show decorations in the house. If such a photo book does not exist, use this holiday season to create one. For some it may also be helpful to take them shopping with you for holiday decorations so that they are engaged in the process. Or involve them in the process of decorating the house. And once holiday decorations have been put up, you may need to create rules about those that can and cannot be touched. Be direct, specific and consistent.

3. If a person with autism has difficulty with change, you may want to gradually decorate the house. For example, on the first day, put up the Christmas tree, then on the next day, decorate the tree and so on. And again, engage them as much as possible in this process. It may be helpful to develop a visual schedule or calendar that shows what will be done on each day.

4. If a person with autism begins to obsess about a particular gift or item they want, it may be helpful to be specific and direct about the number of times they can mention the gift. One suggestion is to give them five chips. They are allowed to exchange one chip for five minutes of talking about the desired gift. Also, if you have no intention of purchasing a specific item, it serves no purpose to tell them that maybe they will get the gift. This will only lead to problems in the future. Always choose to be direct and specific about your intentions.

5. Teach them how to leave a situation and/or how to access support when an event becomes overwhelming. For example, if you are having visitors, have a space set aside for the child as his/her safe/calm space. The individual should be taught ahead of time that they should go to their space when feeling overwhelmed. This self-management tool will serve the individual into adulthood. For those who are not at that level of self-management, develop a signal or cue for them to show when they are getting anxious, and prompt them to use the space. For individuals with more significant challenges, practice using this space in a calm manner at various times prior to your guests' arrival. Take them into the room and engage them in calming activities (e.g., play soft music, rub his/her back, turn down the lights, etc.). Then when you notice the individual becoming anxious, calmly remove him/her from the anxiety-provoking setting immediately and take him/her into the calming environment.

6. If you are traveling for the holidays, make sure you have their favorite foods or items available. Having familiar items readily available can help to calm stressful situations. Also, prepare them via social stories or other communication systems for any unexpected delays in travel. If you are flying for the first time, it may be helpful to bring the individual to the airport in advance and help him/her to become accustomed to airports and planes. Use social stories and pictures to rehearse what will happen when boarding and flying.

7. Know your loved one with autism and how much noise and activity they can tolerate. If you detect that a situation may be becoming overwhelming, help them find a quiet area in which to regroup. And there may be some situations that you simply avoid (e.g., crowded shopping malls the day after Thanksgiving).

8. Prepare a photo album in advance of the relatives and other guests who will be visiting during the holidays. Allow the person with autism access to these photos at all times and also go through the photo album with him/her while talking briefly about each family member.

9. Practice opening gifts, taking turns and waiting for others, and giving gifts. Role play scenarios with your child in preparation for him/her getting a gift they do not want. Talk through this process to avoid embarrassing moments with family members. You might also choose to practice certain religious rituals. Work with a speech language pathologist to construct pages of vocabulary or topic boards that relate to the holidays and family traditions.

10. Prepare family members for strategies to use to minimize anxiety or behavioral incidents, and to enhance participation. Help them to understand if the person with autism prefers to be hugged or not, needs calm discussions or provide other suggestions that will facilitate a smoother holiday season.

11. If the person with autism is on special diet, make sure there is food available that he/she can eat. And even if they are not on a special diet, be cautious of the amount of sugar consumed. And try to maintain a sleep and meal routine.

12. Above all, know your loved one with autism. Know how much noise and other sensory input they can take. Know their level of anxiety and the amount of preparation it may take. Know their fears and those things that will make the season more enjoyable for them.

Don’t stress. Plan in advance. And most of all have a wonderful holiday season!

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Autism Society’s 2011 Conference to Take Place in Orlando, Florida

The call for papers for the 2011 Autism Society National Conference will close on December 22. The 42nd National Conference will be held in Orlando, Florida, at the Gaylord Palms Hotel and Convention Center July 6-9, 2011. The call for papers is for all conference breakout session presentations and poster presentations. Visit www.autism-society.org/conference for more details.

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THREE Autism Articles

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/207961.php

Do Handwriting Problems In Autistic Children Continue Into Teen Years?


www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/208381.php

IQ Scores Fail To Predict Academic Performance In Children With Autism


www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/208821.php

New Approach Finds Success In Teaching Youth With Autism

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PROPOSAL DEADLINE EXTENDED AND
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
FOR THE TN CONFERENCE ON VOLUNTEERISM
AND SERVICE-LEARNING

Workshop and Showcase proposal deadline
has been extended to December 10, 2010
Because of the holiday and the numerous requests to extend the deadline for proposal submissions, proposals for workshops and showcase presentations for the Tennessee Conference on Volunteerism and Service-Learning will now be due December 10, 2010. For more information, visit www.volunteertennessee.net.

Student Scholarships available
State Farm will be sponsoring student scholarships for students interested in attending the conference. Go to
www.regonline.com/tn_conference_on_volunteerism_and_service_learning
and mark "student" during registration. It will then prompt the student to answer a few application questions. Scholarships are for the full registration fee and are available on a first come, first serve basis.


About the Conference
Join us for the Tennessee Conference on Volunteerism and Service-Learning to be held Feb. 28-March 1, 2011, in Nashville. This second annual conference (with a broader focus and new name) will engage K-12 community-based and school-based youth and practitioners, higher education practitioners, the Tennessee Campus Compact and national service members (Learn and Serve America, AmeriCorps, VISTA, Senior Corps) from across the state and region by connecting service and service-learning leaders through general sessions, workshops, exhibits and networking opportunities.

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Journeys in Disability: Information and Support for Families - January 8, 2011

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt will offer two free 2-hour disability orientation sessions.
· The first session (9-11 a.m.) is for parents/caregivers of children under 12.
· The second session (1-3 p.m.) is meant for adults and high school students with disabilities, their families, and support personnel.

The sessions will provide support and educate in the following areas:

• Important terms, definitions, and relevant laws
• People-first language and civil rights issues
• Sources of information and support
• Federal, state, and local non-profit agencies
• Choices that lead to more positive outcomes (from a parent presenter)
• Notebook with resources

The sessions will take place on Saturday, January 8, 2011.

9-11 a.m. for families with children 12 and under

1-3 p.m. for family members, adults and high school students with disabilities, and support personnel

Both sessions will take place in room 241 Vanderbilt Kennedy Center/MRL Building

Free and open to the public. Childcare is available with 48-hour notice

Please register at: kc.vanderbilt.edu/registration

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Join us for the 2011 Child Engagement Conference!

March 31 - April 1, 2011
Chattanooga Convention Center

Early childhood professionals are invited to participate in lively discussions and learn from some of the top scholars in the field of child engagement. Learn About:

Strengthening Families
Intervention through Reinforcement
Prevention of Challenging Behaviors
Reggio Emilia
Routines-Based Early Intervention
Engaging Children with and without Disabilities
Zone Defense Scheduling
How Academics are Addressed through Play
Attachment Relationships in Infants and Toddlers
Giving Feedback to Teachers

Save $25 when you register by Jan. 28!

Learn more at www.childengagement.com

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Special Holiday Caregiver Support Workshop!!

This workshop is for all Caregivers/Family member of a Individual with a Brain Injury!

Date: Friday - December 17, 2010

Location: Downstair Conference Room - 955 Woodland Street, Nashville, TN 37206

Time: 11:00am - 2:00pm

This workshop will provide support to caregivers/family members for the Holidays - We will talk about the positive and negatives of stress and caregiving during the Holidays.

We will also have lunch, chair massage, music and other activities.

Please RSVP by Wednesday, December 15. I will need to know how many to plan for lunch.
You can contact me by email: [e-mail] or reply to this email.
You can also call me at 615-248-2541 or 1-877-757-2428

Pam Bryan, CBIS
Executive Director
Brain Injury Association of TN
955 Woodland Street
Nashville, TN 37206
Office: 615-248-2541
Family Helpline: 1-877-757-2428
Fax: [phone]
Website: www.BrainInjuryTN.org

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I wanted to send out an announcement to let you know that we have a number of funding slots for doctoral students beginning in Fall 2011 and I hope that you will encourage any of your promising students (current and former) to make an application to our program. The basic funding package provides for tuition, stipend, health insurance, and professional travel for four years. Additional support may be available from the college and/or university. We have available funding in each of our content areas (high incidence, low incidence, and early childhood). I’m including a link to a flyer that provides more information. Feel free to pass this along to your colleagues. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me or anyone else on our faculty.

peabody.vanderbilt.edu/Documents/pdf/sped/SPED_Doc%20funding%20_2010.pdf

Joseph Wehby, Ph.D
Peabody College Box 228
110 Magnolia Circle, 303B MRL
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN 37203
Voice: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

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Calling all Artists!

In conjunction with the Division of Intellectual Disabilities Services' transition to the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, DIDS is sponsoring a contest to design their new logo. The contest is open to all Tennesseans with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The logo will be used in all capacities of the department's business including print and electronic applications.

The logo should reflect either graphically or in words the phrase, "All about people" as well as the acronym "DIDD." DIDS reserves the right to revise the winning logo in order to include all necessary information and adapt it to the business needs of the department.

The DIDD Transition Team will judge the entries and determine the winning submission. The winning individual will be announced during the week of January 10, 2011. DIDS will own the copyright of the logo and the winner reserves the right to use the logo and to identify themselves as the winner of the contest.

Entries must be received by DIDS by December 20, 2010

Submit your entries to: [e-mail] or
DIDD Logo Contest - Public Affairs
15th Floor Andrew Jackson Building
500 Deaderick Street
Nashville, TN 37243.

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UT Boling Center is looking for new members for their advisory council across the state.

The Community Advisory Council (CAC) is the primary consumer advising and guiding body for Boling Center faculty. The purpose of the CAC is to review, advise and make recommendations that will assist the UCEDD to maintain and develop initiatives that reflect the UCEDD mission. The CAC provides a forum for individuals with disabilities, their families and provider representatives to voice interests, views, and issues related to disability laws and reforms. The UCEDD faculty values consumer input, guidance and feedback regarding training, research, technical assistance and direct services.

We meet quarterly via Internet and phone, face to face.

To become a member of the CAC contact Elizabeth Bishop, [e-mail] or 901-448-6511 or Suzanne Colsey, [e-mail] or 901-603-5864

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The Autism Foundation of TN: PRO BONO Preschool Group

Effective. Affordable. Individualized.

At the Autism Foundation of Tennessee, our goal is to provide exceptional, comprehensive, evidence-based services to children on the autism spectrum at the lowest possible cost. Our dedicated staff is passionate about all aspects of our children’s development. We strive to be a one-stop facility for all autism related needs to help these amazing children and their families lead productive and fulfilling lives. We are continuously growing to provide the best evidence-based services available.

AFT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Karen and Steve Blake, parents of a child with autism. After years of various therapies, trials, disappointment, and research, they developed an understanding of what children with autism and their families need. It takes a combination of evidence-based, effective programs that the AFT provides to our families and their children.

AFT is proudly offering a FREE preschool group to children aged two to four on the autism spectrum. The program will be held pro bono on Mondays and Wednesdays 9am to 12pm from January 17th to May 25th. The program will be offered through the summer for a low rate if you decide to continue enrollment. Typical peers are encouraged to join the group to serve as role models for our students. Each student will receive a family-focused developmental assessment at the beginning of the program and be reassessed throughout in order to document growth and progress. Results from the assessment will guide each student’s individual goals targeting social skills, school-readiness skills, and behavior. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and certified teacher will conduct the programming and lead classroom activities. Our program has been developed by a doctoral student and is based on empirically proven research that combines beneficial elements from other effective research-based programs around the country to provide the best services available. Our program includes:

· evidence-based, family-centered programming
· individualized goals for each child
· emphasis on social skills, school-readiness, & appropriate behaviors
· low student to teacher ratio
· accountable, data-driven progress

For additional information & to register please contact Amber Waterman, MS, BCBA at 615-691-3405 or [e-mail].

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JOB OPENING AT THE ARC OF TENNESSEE

Below is a job description for the available Project Director’s position. Please send your resume and cover letter to [e-mail] or fax to 615.248.5879. The deadline for applying is December 31, 2010. Candidates do not necessarily have to be located in the Nashville metro area.

_______________________________________________________________________



The Arc of Tennessee

JOB TITLE: Project Director – Self-Directed Services STATUS: Exempt (Salary: $45K-$60K)

SUPERVISOR: Assistant Executive Director DATE: 12/15/2010

STATEMENT OF JOB

Responsible for development, implementation and oversight of all projects related to self-directed services within The Arc of Tennessee. Assures that all outcomes identified within the self-directed projects meet the standards established by project contract monitors, that services are of high quality, and that they are delivered within the approved budget

POSITION SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

A bachelor’s degree in human services, education, social work or other related field. Individuals with a disability and/or individuals with experience in self-directed services are encouraged to apply.
Program operation experience including program and budget development, implementation, oversight, and evaluation.
Management experience including hiring, training, and evaluating staff.
Ability to understand, support and educate others on the principles of self determination
Ability to assess the personal needs of individuals, deliver fiscal intermediary services and develop a structure to accomplish self directed services in Tennessee.
Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, laws from our funding sources.
Demonstrated skills in advocating for necessary systems change.
Demonstrated skills in collaborating with staff, committee members, agency professionals, elected officials and other community stakeholders.
Knowledge of intellectual and developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, elderly individuals, and the potential to recognize people who could benefit from self-directed services.
Experience with operating a computer and software programs including Microsoft office and other database systems.
Strong communication skills.
Flexibility to travel frequently and a reliable means of transportation.
.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversee day to day operations of each project.
Facilitate Supports Brokerage/Fiscal Administration (SB/FA) enrollment sessions
Hire, train, and supervise Support Brokers and other program staff.
Assist in budget management of project participants.
Serve as liaison with fiscal intermediary for self-direction related projects (currently including PASS, GNRC, DIDS, and CHOICES)
Participate in project conference calls and meetings with state agencies, contractors, and other community stakeholders
Monitor the PASS pilot personal assistance program to ensure the delivery of quality and consistent supports.
Generate and submit monthly invoices to PPL for SB projects through GNRC, DIDS, & CHOICES.
Assure monthly billing reports are completed timely and submitted accurately.
Attend monthly management meetings.
Conduct monthly conference call for Support Brokerage Staff for each project.
Review, develop, seek, and implement needed policies, guidelines, and resources to address, support, and sustain a system of consumer directed personal assistance.
Other duties as assigned


Send resume and cover letter to:

Lori Israel [e-mail]
The Arc of Tennessee, 151 Athens Way, Suite 100 615-248-5878 (phone)
Nashville, TN 37228 615-248-5879 (fax)Project Director

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ASA-ETC is currently looking for "professionals" throughout East Tennessee who would be willing to present the formal state-wide Autism Orientation Workshops that we are doing. Professionals, in this case, are people with degrees or certifications (such as special education, speech pathologist, social worker, psychologist, and so on) who work with kids who are on the spectrum.
Note: ASA-ETC will also be looking for "parent" presenters as well. No formal certifications needed. Look for an email about that later.
DETAILS: ASA-ETC plans to give nine orientations over the next year in the East Tennessee region, with plans to continue this program and reach more cities in the future. The typical audience for these orientations is parents (some with new diagnoses for their children), as well as other professionals (teachers, therapists, etc.) that are just starting to work with children with autism or would like more information about autism. Hope Paultre, SLP, is the professional trainer for the program and she is the professional presenter at the first three Autism Orientations in our region. She will also be the one responsible for training you, should you desire to become a presenter and if you meet the qualifications needed. Professional presenters would be paid a fee $50 per orientation for their time. Also, Stacey Porter is the Autism Orientation Coordinator and she sets up all orientations and attends them to assist you as well. Here is a list of upcoming Autism Orientations that includes the time frames and locations where we could use new presenters:

**PAST** Thursday, November 4th - Mars Hill Presbyterian Church - ATHENS
Tuesday, January 25th - Emory Valley Early Learning Center - OAK RIDGE
Tuesday, February 8th - Siskin Children's Institute - CHATTANOOGA
Tuesday, March 8th - Kodak United Methodist - KODAK (presenter needed!)

Late March/early April - ELIZABETHTON (presenter needed!)
May - DAYTON (presenter needed!)
Late May/early June - TAZEWELL (presenter needed!)
August - MARYVILLE (presenter needed!)
September - KINGSPORT (presenter needed!)

Please let Stacey Porter, (Autism Orientation Coordinator) know if you would like to know more and especially if you would like to present one of these orientations and she will connect you with Hope to discuss the next steps for becoming a presenter. Stacey Porter's email is [e-mail]

P.S. It is also our hope to extend the program to 9 other counties/cities next year, including Cleveland, Morristown, Greeneville, Knoxville, Pikeville, Loudon, Johnson City, etc.

Please help us spread the word about this great autism education workshop and reach our autism professional community!!
Warmest regards and Happy Holidays!!!


--
Brook Dickerson
Executive Director, ASA-ETC
2890 Alcoa Highway
Knoxville, TN 37920
[phone] Phone/Fax (call before faxing)
[e-mail]
www.asaetc.org

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Families First new winter schedule starting back up in January:

Beginning Toilet Training - Saturday, January 22nd
Communication 101 - Saturday, February 5th
Out and About: Grocery Stores and Restaurants - Saturday, March 19th
You can register at kc.vanderbilt.edu/famfirst and please find attached the related flyer.

Please contact me (Sarah Walker) for any questions you may have about Families First Program. We hope to see you next year!

--
Sarah Walker
Outreach Assistant, TRIAD

Treatment & Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders
615-322-6027
[e-mail]
kc.vanderbilt.edu/triad

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www.tennessean.com/article/20101211/NEWS01/12110321/2066/NEWS03

Autism's growth leaves TN schools unprepared/Parents lament lack of teacher training, resources

By Julie Hubbard • THE TENNESSEAN • December 11, 2010

Cara Crosby-Wilson collects about two pink slips a week from Fairview Elementary School in Williamson County, outlining her second-grader's disciplinary problems. He's too blunt, which makes other kids feel bullied.

Jim McCarten knew something was wrong with his daughter, but screenings at her Oak Ridge public
school produced no diagnosis. It took a trip to Stanford University to find answers.

Their children have autism spectrum disorders, and they want schools to do a better job handling that
population of students — which has tripled and quadrupled in some districts since 2002. Tennessee does not require teacher training on children with autism, nor does it track whether any training that schools do offer is effective, a recent state study noted. But many say the state should be doing both.

"Unfortunately, there are teachers with students with autism that have not been trained," said Nicolette
Bainbridge Brigham, training director for Vanderbilt University's Treatment and Research Institute for
Autism Spectrum Disorders. "It's a complex disorder and requires certain interventions, and if personnel haven't been trained … it can be very challenging."

Autism is a nervous system disorder that affects how a person perceives the world and communicates.
Researchers have yet to uncover the cause, although many believe it is linked to genetics and
environmental factors.

More...

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Some good articles:

www.mtairynews.com/view/full_story/10470603/article-PBIS-creating-better-atmosphere-in-county-schools

www.rtinetwork.org/essential/tieredinstruction/tier3/consideringtier3

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Upcoming Workshops:

Journeys in Disability: Information & Support for Families - For parents with children 12 and under
Saturday, January 8, 2011 @ 9–11 a.m.
What is it? 2-hour orientation session to provide support regardless of diagnosis. Brought to you by the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
Presenter who works in field will orient parents/caregivers to:
• Important terms, definitions, and relevant laws
• People-first language and civil rights issues
• Sources of information and support
• Federal, state, and local non-profit agencies
Experienced parent presenter will discuss:
• Choices that lead to more positive outcomes
• Notebook with resources

Free and open to the public. Child care is available with 48-hour notice

Where is it? Workshop will be held in Room 241 of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center/MRL Building
Registration: kc.vanderbilt.edu/registration/

***************************************************************************

Journeys in Disability: Information & Support for Families - For family members, high school students and adults with disabilities, and support personnel
Saturday, January 8, 2011 @ 1–3 p.m.
What is it? 2-hour orientation session to provide support regardless of diagnosis. Brought to you by the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
Presenter who works in field will orient attendees to:
• Important terms, definitions, and relevant laws
• People-first language and civil rights issues
• Sources of information and support
• Federal, state, and local non-profit agencies
Experienced parent presenter will discuss:
• Choices that lead to more positive outcomes
• Notebook with resources

Free and open to the public. An attended relaxation room will be available for attendees

Where is it? Workshop will be held in Room 241 of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center/MRL Building
Registration: kc.vanderbilt.edu/registration/

******************************************************************************

The 4th Annual Summer Opportunities Fair: Resources for the Autism and Disability Community.

We are excited to continue our collaboration with the Junior League Family Resource Center of the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The Fair will be held in the First Tennessee Theatre in the Children’s Hospital, on February 24th from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Participation is FREE to providers and attendees.

Jenny Redding,
Education Series Director
Autism Society of Middle Tennessee
615-385-2077
[e-mail]

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www.bookroomreviews.com/2010/08/16/best-ipad-apps-for-autism-and-aspergers-syndrome/

I am the mom of a beautiful and amazing son who just happens to have a diagnosis of High Functioning Autism. A few months ago I read an article on Blogher called ”The iPad a Near-Miracle for my son.” It immediately caught my attention not only because of Shannon’s beautiful writing and story, but because I am always looking for opportunities to help our son succeed.

I am blessed to have a small career here as a product reviewer, so I bravely contacted a lovely Apple PR person about my story. Apple was able to generously loan me an iPad for Nolan and I to try. I am so excited that Apple is noticing us and is interested in what we say about Autism. My hope is this will encourage the geniuses behind the iPad to develop even more resources for our children (and adults). Early intervention is the key and the iPad is a door to the future.

This is a list of the iPad apps that Nolan really enjoyed and that I believe will help him to develop and encourage the skills that he needs to work on. Because of early intervention, he has grown so much with his vocabulary and communication. Most of the apps he and I liked aren’t targeted for autism, but they are “autism friendly”. I tried to find as many free and under $2.00 apps as I could. The iPad isn’t the cure to Autism, it is a resource for parents that is working. My experience with the iPad is unique to my child but I do believe that it can be helpful to many others.

More....

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www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_16860666?nclick_check=1

Rise of the iKids: Schools test iPads in classrooms

By Bruce Newman



[e-mail]

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Voted Out of Kindergarten by Classmates, Autistic Boy, 5, Gets $350K Settlement
ABA Journal, Dec 2, 2010

The family of a 5-year-old boy who, at his teacher's suggestion, was voted out of his kindergarten class by the other children has won a $350,000 settlement of a federal lawsuit.
About $150,000 of the money will be paid in structured settlement, starting in 2020, when Alex Barton is 18 years old and continuing until 2032, TC Palm. The remaining $200,000 will be paid within 30 days.
The settlement with the St. Lucie County School Board and the St. Lucie County School Classroom Teachers Association in the Southern District of Florida suit must still be OK'd by a guardian ad litem and the court before it is final. There was no admission of liability.
Alex Barton, who was being tested for a mild form of autism at the time of the 2008 incident, was reportedly brought to the front of the Port St. Lucie School classroom by his teacher, Wendy Portillo. She gave each of his classmates a chance to say what they didn't like about him, according to his mother, then allowed them to vote on whether he should be allowed to stay in school. He lost, 14-2.
Those involved in the case declined to comment, says the newspaper article, except for attorney Allen Sang, who represents Portillo. She was suspended for a year after the classroom incident, but did not herself have to pay for the settlement because she was indemnified by the school board, he tells the TC Palm.
At this point, she wants to move on and focus on her job and "is just very happy to be back in the classroom doing what she loves to do," Sang says.
Source:
www.abajournal.com/news/article/voted_out_of_kingergarten_by_classmates_autistic_boy_5_gets_350k_settlement /

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Save the Date!!
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2011, 9:00-2:30
Nashville Library - Downtown • 615 Church Street

FAMILY - TO - FAMILY OUTREACH CONFERENCE

Join us for a day of networking, resources and informative trainings that impact families & children with special health care needs and/or disabilities with a special emphasis on transition.

For more information contact Family Voices of Tennessee at 1-888-643-7811 or visit our website
www.tndisability.org/familyvoices

Hosted by: Family Voices of Tennessee A Program of the Tennessee Disability Coalition

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If anyone knows a person who is Legally Blind and will be attending college this upcoming year, please let them know about this wonderful opportunity. I received an NFB scholarship in 2007, and not only did I win a lot of money, I also was flown to Atlanta where I was able to establish relationships with blind doctors, lawyers, TV producers, and many other successful blind people. The self efficacy generated during this event is incredible.

Would you help in spreading the word about the $122,000 in scholarships that will be given away this coming year? A large factor in winning a scholarship is a well written essay. If anyone wants any assistance with the writing process, feel free to email or call James Brown at [e-mail]
615 681 8484

Scholarships for Blind College Students

From college freshmen through graduate level, blind students attending college in fall 2011 may apply to win one of 30 awards, ranging from $12,000 to $3,000, in the National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program. In addition, each winner will be assisted to attend the NFB Annual Convention (July 2011 in Orlando, Florida). This scholarship program is available solely to college students who are legally blind and living in the United States or Puerto Rico. Membership in the NFB is not required. The annual contest began November 1, 2010; all documents required from the applicants must be postmarked by the March 31, 2011, deadline. The application form and full details on eligibility and requirements are available online at www.nfb.org/scholarships.
Questions may be emailed to: [e-mail].