ANNOUNCING

4th Autism Spectrum Resource Fair
Being Held At:
Southern Connecticut State University
Michael J. Adanti Student Center
345 Fitch Street
New Haven, CT 06515

Sponsored by the CT Autism Spectrum Resource Center and the
Department of Education Division of Special Education at Southern CT State University

When: November 7, 2009
When: Doors open at 12:00 pm and close at 4:00 pm
Don’t Miss This Wonderful Opportunity!

FREE ADMISSION

Exhibitors from:
Advocacy Groups Financial Resources
Adult Resources & Agencies Large Bookstore
Alternative Therapy Recreation Programs
Camps Schools
Community Providers
Social Skills Resources
Consultants
State Agencies
AND MORE!!
For more information, contact Lois Rosenwald at the CT Autism Spectrum Resource Center at 203-265-7717.

ASRC 101 No. Plains Industrial Road, Harvest Park, 1A
Wallingford, CT 06492
www.ct-asrc.org

-------------------------------
ASRC is proud to offer three morning workshops that will take place prior to the start of the Resource Fair. For participation in a workshop, registration is required! There will be a modest fee of $10 to reserve your spot and space is limited. The workshops being offered have been put together to help prepare you for your child’s future. Seats will be filled on a first come basis so act fast and return the attached registration form to ASRC.

Topic: SOCIAL SECURITY FUNDAMENTALS
Presenter: David Hampton
Bio: Mr. Hampton worked for 26 years, as a claims representative for the Social Security Administration. During his years with the agency he processed thousands of disability claims; his knowledge in this area is extensive. In 2008 he started Professional Secure Assistance, LLC. As an advocate/representative for individuals, companies and organizations he has won for his clients in excess of $350,000.00, just in the short time PSA has been operating.
Target Group: Families
Time: 10 – 11:30 am
Purpose: This workshop has been designed to maximize your understanding of SSA disability. He will cover basic rules to disability benefits and any problems that may arise.


Topic: GETTING STARTED PLANNING FOR YOUR CHILD’S FUTURE
Presenter: Jim Lyman
Bio: Jim is the father of an eighteen year old young man with autism and is one of the architects of the vocational program for adults with autism called Growing Possibilities at the Pinchbeck Rose Farm in Guilford, CT. Jim is a resident of Madison, CT and an agent with Farm Family Insurance and works with families on developing long term financial plans.
Target Group: Families
Time: 10 – 11:30 am
Purpose: One thing is certain, when your child reaches 21, their educational program will end and they will start the biggest part of their life. Children with autism will most likely need financial support during the course of their lives. For a parent with an ASD child this is a very uncomfortable discussion because of the emotional issues regarding their child, and their personal finances. Jim has lived this first hand; he understands financial planning is a process that develops as you reach different points in your life. This will be an open discussion that will cover:
□ Understanding where you currently are emotionally and
financially and how it relates to developing a plan
□ Why you need to get started today
□ How to get started
□ Setting up basic coverage on a limited budget
□ Creating your financial team


Topic: TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL
Presenter: Carol Barans
Bio: Carol Barans has recently joined the staff of the ASRC to coordinate our new division of transition planning services. Carol has over 30 years of experience in the public schools in Connecticut as a special education teacher and administrator. As such, she was instrumental in developing and supervising a community based independent living program for 18-21 year old youth, an extracurricular social skills club at the secondary level, as well as individualized education and transition plans for many different students. She has also worked in the field of young adult services developing vocational and independent living opportunities for young adults with autism spectrum diagnoses. In addition, she is a parent of a son on the autism spectrum.
Target Group: Families and teens/young adults
Time: 10 – 11:30 am
Purpose: This will be a workshop to begin to prepare you for this most important transition. This is information that families need to make this a successful transition, and unfortunately they often only receive it after the fact. If you have not attended a good workshop on transition yet, get to this one!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE MAIL REGISTRATION FORM TO:
ASRC, Lois Rosenwald
101 North Plains Industrial Road, Harvest Park, Wallingford, CT 06492

Registration Deadline is October 30th
Limited Seats Available

Name: ________________________________ Phone: ( )_____________________
Address: _________________________ City: _____________ State:________ Zip:__________
E-Mail: ________________________________________________
_____ I am enclosing a check for $____ made out to ASRC
_____ I would like to charge my Visa MasterCard Discover
Card Number _______________________________________
Name as it appears on card _______________________________ Expiration Date___________
Please indicate which workshop(s) you are registering for:
Topic: SOCIAL SECURITY FUNDAMENTALS
Time: 10 – 11:30 am
Fee: $10.00

Topic: GETTING STARTED PLANNING FOR YOUR CHILD’S FUTURE
Time: 10 – 11:30 am
Fee: $10.00

Topic: TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL
Time: 10 – 11:30 am
Fee: $10.00

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Special Needs Program is district-wide and accommodates students from age three through age twenty-one.  Whiting Lane is one of two elementary schools that provides the special needs program for grades K-5.Students within the program are diagnosed as having severe language disabilities, autism, multiple disabilities or mental retardation.  The students enter the program with significant delays in the areas of cognitive, language adaptive, personal-social, and motor skills.  Students require intensive intervention and direct instruction.  The students typically maintain the same progression through elementary, middle and high school as their age-mates.  The philosophy of the Special Needs Program is oriented toward preparing the student for life beyond graduation, socially and vocationally.  Also at Whiting Lane is a class for students with more significant multiple handicaps.  This class is a sensory integration program for children from kindergarten through grade five.

 Program Description:

The Special Needs special education staff work collaboratively with general education teachers and support staff which can include an occupational therapist, physical therapist, speech and language clinician, social worker, school psychologist, and outside agencies to meet the diverse needs of students. Support services can be provided in the regular classroom, special education learning center or in a therapy room.  The educational team meets regularly to ensure that objectives are written and carried out in an integrated manner throughout the student's day.  The team is also responsible for planning and implementing student goals and objectives to promote the generalization of skills to many settings.

Students in the Special Needs Program require intensive special education  in the areas of reading, written language, math, personal-social skills, adaptive skills, motor skills, vocational skills and communication.  In a learning resource center or self-contained class, instruction is provided in small groups or individually.  Special Education staff foster learning by providing support in mainstream classrooms. 

Significant modifications are made to the West Hartford Essential Curriculum to meet the educational needs of each individual student.

The Special Needs Program provides an individualized educational program for each student to become as independent as possible, to be prepared for a successful mainstream experience and to be productive members of the school and community.