Sonoma County Autism Resources

This group is offered as a series of sessions on an ongoing basis. The curriculum is based on the play and interactive level of participants. Parents receive information about themes that are emerging during group session and skills that can be worked on in the home environment.
Each session lasts 50 minutes. A group of 4 children is selected according to their age and developmental level.

Among other approaches, ideas from “DIR/Floortime” approach developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan and Dr. Serena Wieder, and social skills training based on principles of Dr. Tony Attwood and Dr. Jeanette McAfee are utilized.

Instructor: Stephanie McGlynn, M.A., MFT
When: Tuesdays, 4pm
Where: Sebastopol (at hwy 12)
Cost: $30 per session (required sign-up for 6 sessions)

To sign up call: (707) 824-9106
For more information: stephaniemcglynn.com

Brementown Musicians (Suitable for grades K-5): Beloved animal characters outlive their usefulness to their masters and escape to Brementown to become musicians. Music and new friendships lift their spirits, but they encounter a significant hurdle at a house full of bumbling thieves. The audience is called upon to help.
Performed by Tater Tot Productions which creates uniquely entertaining and educational plays, 30- 40 minutes in length, that capture themes important to children. They also provide moments of structured participation, allowing children opportunities to make choices and help the characters in the story.

The play is taking place at Becoming Independent (Santa Rosa) on this Friday (September 5th) at 12:30 in the Big room. Contact Adam at 707-824-9353.

YMCA in partnership with Becoming Independent is offering inclusive day camp program at Yulupa Elementary School for children 6-12. Some scholarships are available. Children with disabilities are welcome; as the camp counselors will have extra support to work with the children with disabilities.

July 7-18
Island Adventures
YMCA Carnival
$322

July 21-August 1
Super Heroes Cartoons
Snoopy Ice Arena
$322

For more information call 544-1829 or visit www.scfymca.org

The Family Resource and Advocacy Center’s next Parent Forum will focus on the transition to adulthood and how to best prepare.

Come join us for an evening of learning and sharing: June 4th, 6:00-8:00PM, at 1425 Corporate Center Parkway, Santa Rosa.

Child care will be provided. Space is limited, RSVP to Sybil at 524-6725.

Wednesday, 5-28-08, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Adults with autism spectrum diagnoses share their experiences of living with autism, and answer questions from an insider’s perspective.

Damiel Geisler, Julia Pozsgai, Jennie Schultz, and Scott Strayer are active adults with a variety of interests and life-styles, who have a diagnosis on the autistic spectrum.

Where: Becoming Independent, 1425 Corporate Center Parkway, Santa Rosa

Drop In: $10.00 per session at the door (Cash or Check only, please)

Autism: What Every Parent Should Know, presented by Dr. Joan Fallon, is for every parent with a child who has been diagnosed with a Developmental Pervasive Disorder, and for every parent who wants to optimize the health of their child and family. This program will introduce the latest in research and care of autistic children, and what is happening in the world about Autism and developmental disorders. After the program there will be a discussion about how this information can affect you and your family.
Dr. Joan Fallon is an expert in the field of Autism and has lectured extensively around the world on developmental problems in children. She is the CEO of Curemark which is currently commencing a multi-site trial in a novel enzyme replacement for autism. She has served as director of a multidisciplinary health center in Westchester County New York, where she works specifically with children with developmental problems such as Autism, ADHD, OCD etc.

May 20th at 7pm, at the Sonoma Hilton (3555 Round Barn Blvd, Santa Rosa) first come first serve seating. For more information call Solano Family Health & Wellness Center at 707-447-0116.

A donation of $5.00 per person to Solano Feat (Families for Effective Autism Treatment) is requested but not mandatory.

If you can’t make it to the event you can hear them here: Dr. Fallon and Dr. Dave Pergamit will be on KVON 1440 Kelli in the morning on Wed the 14Th at 8:10 or so and the show can be streamed via your computer, simply go the the web site and click on the “listen live” headphones. http://www.kvon.com/

The Collaborative Autism Training & Support program offers free resources to Sonoma County families, including a student in Sonoma State University’s autism training course to work free with your child, free autism seminars and information, networking with other families, access to the director, Dr. Lorna Catford for resources, advocacy, support.

We’re looking for 35 families who’d like to join our program. If you would like to apply, please contact Sybil at 524-6725 and she will send you more information and an application.

Wednesday, 4-30-08, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

How to select the right practices for your child. An Update on the Project: California Autism Spectrum Disorders: Guidelines for Effective Interventions

Presenter: Steve Lohrer, Ph.D., Project Director

Where: Becoming Independent, 1425 Corporate Center Parkway, Santa Rosa

Drop In: $10.00 per session at the door (Cash or Check only, please)

These social skills classes are designed for children who struggle with play skills, social relating, and overall friendship skills, and are suitable for children in the autistic spectrum.
Groups are structured by age and developmental levels to create a learning opportunity for everyone.

Time: Tuesday & Thursday in the a.m. during the first 3 weeks of July
Size: 4 children per group
Fee: $180 for six 60-minute group sessions
$80 for initial parent/child meeting (required)
$80 for feedback session with parents (optional)
Location: Sebastopol

Contact:
Stephanie McGlynn, MFT
(707) 824-9106

Walk Now for Autism will be taking place at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park on Saturday, April 19, 2008. See http://www.walknowforautism.org/sonoma for more details.

Walk Now for Autism is a fundraising event, which creates a safe and fun day for families who are affected with autism. The day includes a 2-3 mile walk and a Community Resource Fair with educational resources, therapists, schools, recreational organizations, and child-friendly activities; a true “one-stop-shop” for families affected by autism.

This successful event not only generates vital funds for autism research, but also raises awareness about the increasing prevalence of autism and the need to accelerate research funding to combat this complex disorder.