Matthew8187
Let me extend to you my personal welcome to our AutismOne Social Network. AutismOne is now the “one-stop-shopping center” for information about autism. We have the annual conference in Chicago, AutismOne radio, the Elizabeth Birt Center for Autism Law and Advocacy and now the AutismOne Social Network (and more to come).
I notice that you’ve not made any entries into your profile. Remember, this is a social network. Part of the function of a social network is to meet and interact with others who have common interests. Of course autism is a common interest. But there is more than that. Individuals like to know about a person before becoming a “friend.” That’s where the profile comes in. So whenever you can find the time, please fill in some of the entries of your profile. To do that just click on “My User Menu” next to the Welcome area on the right. From the resulting menu click on “Edit My Profile” and you will be in business.
Helping you interact with others is one of the many things we can do for you. Now here’s something you can do for us. Log in on a regular basis and read the blogs and articles then write a blog yourself. It can be on any subject of interest to you, preferably with some relevance to autism but not necessarily. It can be short or long, whatever it takes for you to express your thoughts. If you have a question then ask it in a blog--people read then they respond. If you see something with which you agree or disagree then please add a comment with your thoughts. This is an open community designed to help and support. We like to hear all sides.
I am looking forward to reading your opinions in future blogs and/or articles.
With my best regards
Will Price, CFO
AutismOne
Dear Matthew,
I wanted to welcome you to the Autism One.
By becoming an active participant you can support and inspire others. Your sharing experience can lift other parents to help them move forward on this path. Autism can be challenging and puzzling. You can make a difference; together we can effectively resolve issues in a collaborative manner by addressing questions and providing feedback.
My son Jordan has made remarkable progress so please don’t ever give up hope!
Feel free to share your thoughts, stories and wisdom for we are all in this together.
To quote, Brandi Snyder: “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.”
Should you need any further assistance or information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
rbrunett@autismone.org
Sincerely,
Rhonda Brunett
Autism One International Inc. Chicago Liaison
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About Me
I'm a Proud parent and Advocate for our son Jeremiah who was first diagnosed shortly before age 3 with Autism. We also have 2 other children who are not on the Spectrum--Lilly and Katelyn! Jeremiah was completely non-verbal until almost 5 years of age. My wife and I began to research the entire gamut that is the Autism Spectrum, the treatments, what works, what didn't. Most Thankfully, Jeremiah is now 6 in 1st Grade and testing at Grade Level in School. I'm a firm believer that these Children can Overcome their diagnosis!
I work for Monarch Teaching Technologies the maker of VizZle Software for Autism. I found the company as a Parent, and was given the blessed opportunity to be a part of this Wonderful Software Company! Please Contact Me at mbrownfield@monarchtt.com to Learn More about VizZle or to get a Free Trial of the Software!
My wife and I also have our own Website www.Autism-Visuals.com that provides FREE Autism-Visuals and Information on Autism
My wife and I are always looking to connect with other Parents, Educators, and others who are for the advancement of Autism Awareness!
If You'd like to learn more about our Autism-Visuals.com website or VizZle Software for Autism or just want to chat about Autism Awareness please feel free to contact me!
I was so glad to find AutismOne! I heard about the conference while we were on the East Coast last year; we were not able to make it to Chicago, but hope to this Year!
I'm glad that organizations like AutismOne exists--they provide a Resource and one-stop-shop (so to speak) for Parents and Educators to connect with one another to find out what is working for others.
I work for Monarch Teaching Technologies, Inc the maker of VizZle Software for Autism. Where Our Mission is: "To empower educators, clinicians, and parents to effectively engage, communicate with, and educate individuals with Autism or other communication disorders." I Love what I do as I get to Advocate for Autism Awareness every day!
VizZle™ is state-of-the-art web-based Special Education software for quick and easy
creation and sharing of customized, interactive visual activities. With a searchable library
of over 10,000 images, sound effects and video clips, and the ability to upload personal
images, VizZle™ is revolutionizing the world of visual supports. The lessons created with
VizZle™ can be used interactively on a computer or Smartboard or printed out for table
top use. Lessons from the shared library can be quickly and easily edited. Templates to
build lessons from scratch are available for stories, games, matching boards and more.
VizZle™ is appropriate for any age, IEP goal, state standard or ability level. Easy sharing
through student folders and the lesson library saves time and money. With an aggressive
development schedule planned (including the addition of Topic Boards and Scene Cue
displays funded by an NIH grant) VizZle™ provides seamless continuous upgrades of
tools and content as part of the basic subscription. VizZle was developed by Monarch Teaching
Technologies, Inc. in collaboration with The Monarch School for Children with Autism and
Howard Shane PhD., from Childrens Hospital Boston/Harvard Medical School. Please Contact Me at mbrownfield@monarchtt.com to Learn More or to get a Free Trial of the Software!
My wife and I also have our own website www.Autism-Visuals.com that provides FREE Visual Aids and Resources for Autism!
Faith is my Foundation.
Family is my Framework.
Friends are for freakin-out and Fun! :)
Truly, I get up each day to live that day to its fullest. Carpe Diem--Seize The Day!
Ear to listen to others--eyes too if done online :)
We've been through a lot with Jeremiah having gone from Non-Verbal to Now Testing at Grade Level Academically. We have Free Resources via our Website and I really believe in the VizZle Software developed by Monarch Teaching Technologies.
I'd be glad to help anyway I can....Listening to Others, Speaking to Others.
I have a deep love and passion for working with children & adolescents with Autism. Over the last 11 years, I have spent countless hours dedicating myself to several children and their families. After working in a variety of settings, I noticed a common trend between conventional therapeutic modalities that I found problematic. Most programs for children with autism only focused on the child with the diagnosis, ignoring an essential dynamic of the child’s life: their family. I wondered what life might look like for these families if services expanded beyond the child with Autism to include support for parents, siblings and others who played important roles in the child’s life. I made it my goal to create a program for children with Autism that would embrace the entire family system in the therapeutic process. Earlier this year, that goal came to fruition with the opening of S.M.I.L.E. Autism Services, LLC a small private practice, serving children with Autism near Denver & Boulder, CO.
However, the instant and incredibly high demand for services from S.M.I.L.E. made me realize that my small business could only help a tiny percentage of the families in Colorado who desperately need assistance. According to the Center for Disease Control, a new case of autism is diagnosed every 20 minutes. Currently 1 in 110 individuals are diagnosed and this number is continuing to rise. Colorado currently ranks 48th in the nation in funding and treatment for Autism and right now there are close 1000 children on various wavier waiting lists, hoping for services (Children’s HCBS Waiver Interim Committee Report to Legislative Council – November 2009).
Considering these facts has made me dream big. Clearly changes need to be made nationwide, but ESPECIALLY here in Colorado. I asked myself what I could do to provide services to a larger number of the children and families who cannot get help simply because there is not enough services available to meet the demand of the population.
I am happy to say I have an opportunity for us to work together to radically change the landscape of Autism treatment in Colorado!
Recently, I applied for a $250,000 grant through Pepsi’s Refresh Everything Program to open a Cutting-Edge, Comprehensive Family-Based Autism Therapy Clinic and it is now one of the finalists being considered. Beginning April 1 and ending April 30, the general public will be able to vote for the proposal they like the best, with a winner to be announced May 1, 2010. It is my hope that we will not only impact the state of Colorado, but that the idea of a family systems approach to Autism here will be the starting point to changing Autism services throughout the country!
All you have to do is log on and vote! You can vote once EVERY DAY!
Today I am asking you to join with me in dramatically changing the lives of many children and families. Every Day, Every Person & Every Vote Counts!!
1.Please go to: www.refresheverything.com
2.Click on: Join Refresh Everything
3. Enter in your information- this will only take a minute
4.VOTE!!! You can go directly to my page and idea at:
www.refresheverything.com/smileautismservices
5. Pass on my idea and information to your friends & family
6. VOTE EVERY DAY FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL!!!!
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!!!!
Thank you so much for your help, care and support.
Sincerely,
Andrea Fasula, MA
Certified Autism Specialist
www.smileautismservices.com
~Supporting, Mentoring, Including, Loving & Educating Children with Autism & Their Families~