Partnership for Effective Programs for Students with Autism (PEPSA)

Accepting Applications for 2011-2012!

About the Program

The Partnership Program is funded by the Florida Department of Education, K-12 Public Schools, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services, and is designed to provide training and technical assistance to educators or a school program that aims to enhance the educational program for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
 

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Program Benefits
 

Each educator or school will be matched to a Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) professional who will mentor the educator or school staff in developing a plan for implementing innovative and effective practices within educational programs for students with ASD. The CARD staff partner will provide support, resources, technical assistance, and training that is specific to the needs identified by the educator or school.

In addition to embarking in this amazing professional development experience and impacting  students with ASD, accepted partners receive:
$$ Paid $$ registration to the annual CARD Conference (January 13-15, 2012)
$$ Stipend $$ to offset costs for attending the conference
$$ Stipend $$ at the completion the project
 

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How do you apply?

Apply Online 

(http://doepartnership.usf.edu/application_process.asp)

or download an application brochure, type directly on the application, print and follow the instructions for proper submission.

Deadline September 30, 2011

Download the PEPSA Brochure

Questions:

 
Contact your regional CARD center or
Tanisha Clarke Dobney
ttclarke@usf.edu / 813-974-3126

Florida Certified Teacher Free Offers

SeaWorld

 

For the thirteenth year, SeaWorld Orlando thanks teachers by offering a Teacher Study Pass to all active and certified K-12 grade school instructors. The Study Pass allows unlimited admission to SeaWorld Orlando now through 12/31/2011, with no blackout dates.

For even more savings, until May 31, teachers can purchase up to six additional tickets at $20 off each admission, sharing the SeaWorld Orlando fun with family and friends.

Getting the “Study Pass” is easy. Teachers simply bring their Florida teaching certificate, recent paystub and photo ID to any ticket window at SeaWorld Orlando’s front gate. There they can purchase discounted admission for family and friends.

The “Study Pass” is intended to be an inspiration, too. Whether it’s visiting Penguin Encounter to prepare for a classroom session on environmental issues in the southern hemisphere or riding Manta, the flying roller coaster, to help explain physics and gravity, the park’s experiences give teachers the unique opportunity to use their SeaWorld visit to help enhance their curriculum.

More details can be found at http://www.SeaWorldOrlandoTeachers.com.

Florida Teachers, Explore LEGOLAND^® Florida
With Your Free Standard Annual Pass

LEGOLAND^® Florida is offering Florida teachers one year of free admission with a Standard Annual Pass*.

To receive your free Standard Adult Annual Pass: please print this page and bring it, with your most recent paystub, Florida photo ID and teaching certificate to the Ticketing windows at the entrance to LEGOLAND® Florida.

Discount Code: 11080605

To receive this offer you must print and bring this page with you to LEGOLAND^® Florida found at:

http://florida.legoland.com/freeteacherpass

You can get your Annual Pass before the Grand Opening of LEGOLAND® Florida by attending Advance Pass Distribution, September 16, 17, 23 & 24 from 10am to 5pm as well as September 18 & 15 from Noon to 5 pm.

*This offer is valid for currently certified teachers in the state of Florida only, and may not be transferred to any other person. Pass expires either one year from the date of first use or December 31, 2012, whichever comes first. LEGOLAND^® Florida reserves the right to refuse entry or use of this promotion to any individual upon its presentation. Guest must present discount page, current teaching certification, paystub and Florida ID to receive this offer. If all forms of eligibility are not presented, LEGOLAND^® Florida has the right to withhold this offer. This offer may not be redeemed online and has no cash value. This pass has no value toward the purchase of an upgraded Annual Pass.

Additional free offers and discounts can be found at the Florida Department of Education website:

http://www.fldoe.org/justforteachers/discounts.asp

Donations of Books and Small Toys/Rewards Wanted

As many of you may or may not know, I teach Elementary Education.  My small school is in need of books for upper elementary and middle school from grades 4th-8th.  If you are cleaning out your child's books and have books to donate, please send me a message to: leeannmelchor@gmail.com.  Include Book Donations in the subject line.  I will email you the address to send them to.


If you want to purchase a new book, that is great.  I'm attaching the reading list of new books students will be reading this year:

Grades 3-5


http://myssyra.org/grades3_5/35list.html

and Grades 6-8:

http://myssyra.org/grades6_8/pdfs/11-12List6-8.pdf

Note:  The books cannot contain reference to violence, witchcraft or wizardry, ghosts, etc.

I can also accept donations of small toys, including Happy Meal toys, stickers, pencils, or other small reward items.  Same conditions as above apply.

Your donations will save me (and other teachers) from having to fund items for my class from my (our) salary.  

Thank you for your support!

Is Asperger's Disorder Disappearing?

Today is my first day back as a teacher for the school year.  While I do not have students until next week, I am busy with pre-planning, writing lesson plans, organizing my classroom and meeting with parents.  My feet are tired and I feel that I have run a marathon today.

I have found a few interesting things to post today.  I hope you enjoy them. 


--LM

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Why the Diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome Will Disappear

-Lisa Jo Rudy

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is now in the process of developing and finalizing the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) Version 5. The DSM is used by doctors to decide whether a particular group of symptoms qualifies for a specific diagnosis. In May 2013, when the DSM 5 is put into practice, autism spectrum disorders as we know them will change radically, and many people who are now considered to be "autistic" may find themselves with a brand new diagnosis. Unless something changes between now and then, as of 2013, Asperger syndrome will no longer exist as a diagnosis.

I wanted to know more about this decision, so I asked the APA directly. The responses I received were written by Dr. Bryan King of the Neurodevelopmental Disorders workgroup.

Question: Where exactly does a person with the present symptoms of Asperger syndrome fall in the new DSM?

A person with present symptoms of Asperger syndrome would fall in the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, and we would expect there to be additional specifiers like "without intellectual disability", "with fluent speech", etc., which we believe will better describe the diagnostic picture for such a person than is currently done with the term Asperger Syndrome alone.

Question: What is your "official" perspective on the concerns of the Asperger's community that their new-found sense of identity will be lost with the DSMV?

We cannot speak to these issues from an “official” perspective. However, these concerns are certainly very important to us, and we have actively sought feedback from the community throughout this process. Actually, many individuals have shared with us their pleasure in not being separated from autism by the Asperger diagnosis, as there can be differential access to necessary services and supports in some settings. Ultimately, our official position is that the diagnoses should reflect the state of the science, and all of the changes that we are considering derive from that position.

Read more: http://www.autismsupportnetwork.com/news/why-diagnosis-asperger-syndrome-will-disappear-autism-29283792#ixzz1V8dyKBvM

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Like UCF-CARD PALS on Facebook to get the latest on community events for ASD families in the greater Orlando area:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/UCF-CARD-PALS-Providing-Autism-Links-Supports/145099608942

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Knight Pals for Autism is sponsoring a fundraising event this Saturday, August 20th from 7:00pm-9:00pm at Boardwalk Bowl located at 10749 East Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL, 32817. You can also like them on Facebook to get updates on community events:

http://www.facebook.com/knightpalsforautism

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TACA (Talk About Curing Autism) is offering free membership and sign up for their newsletter now at:

http://ow.ly/63y80

Center for Autism Related Disabilities (CARD) for Florida ASD Families

In response to the growing needs of families of ASD children in Florida, seven non-residential resource centers have been established in Florida.  These centers, called the Center for Autism Related Disabilities or CARD, have been established at the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida/Gainesville, the University of Florida Health Science Center/Jacksonville, the University of South Florida, the University of Miami and Florida State University and Florida Atlantic University. The University of Central Florida CARD office serves over 6,000 ASD families in the Orange, Lake, Osceola, Sumter, Brevard, Volusia, and Seminole Counties.

CARD provides assistance for individuals and their families who have been diagnosed with Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), PDD-NOS, Asperger's Disorder and other Autistic-like disabilities, Dual Sensory Impairments, or Sensory Impairments with other disabling conditions.The goal of CARD is to provide direct individualized support services.  

Services include parental education classes, technical assistance and consultation, professional training programs and public education activities. CARD services are designed to build on the capacities of state and local resources, not to duplicate or replace them. The Center is funded by the Florida Legislature through the Florida Department of Education and all services are provided free of charge.

CARD also offers many volunteer, fundraising opportunities and educational programs throughout the year. To find your CARD office, register for services, or to find ways you can help, please contact:

CARD Locations in Florida

 

Florida Atlantic University	Department of ESE 777 Glades Rd Boca Raton, FL 33431	Phone: 561-297-2023 Toll Free: 888-632-6395 www.coe.fau.edu/card
Florida State University	625 B North Adams St Tallahassee, FL 32301	Phone: 850-644-4367 Toll Free: 800-769-7926 http://autism.fsu.edu/
University of Central Florida	12001 Science Dr, Suite 145 Orlando, FL 32826	Phone: 407-737-2566 Toll Free: 888-558-1908 http://www.ucf-card.org
University of Florida at Gainesville	Department of Psychiatry 1405 NW 13th Street Gainesville, FL 32610-0234	Phone: 352-273-0581 Toll Free: 800-754-5891 http://card.ufl.edu
University of Florida at Jacksonville	6026 San Jose Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32217	Phone: 904-737-5239 http://www.hscj.ufl.edu/peds/aut/
University of Miami	Department of Psychology 5665 Ponce de Leon Blvd P.O. Box 248768 Coral Gables, FL 33124-0725	Phone: 305-284-6563 Toll Free: 800-9-AUTISM http://www.umcard.org
University of South Florida	CARD-USF MHC2113A 13301 N Bruce B Downs Blvd Tampa, FL 33612-3899	Phone: 813-974-2532 Toll Free: 800-333-453 http://card-usf.fmhi.usf.edu/

 *Chart Created by Kevin Pokerney

For a Free Brochure on CARD:

http://www.ucf-card.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51:card-brochure&catid=25:the-center&Itemid=69

Macy's Shop For A Cause: Autism

FIND THE MAGIC OF GIVING BACK!

              

Since 2006, Macy’s Shop For A Cause Event has partnered with non-profit organizations nationwide to raise millions for their ongoing charitable efforts. This is your chance to be a part of this monumental event.

Create Opportunities for Autism by Giving Back on Saturday August 27, 2011! Macy's Stores together with The PALS; a non-profit organization whose fundamental focus is creating opportunities for individuals with autism spectrum disorders in the Central Florida area invites you and your family to come celebrate in the Macy's Shop For A Cause Fundraiser event. To participate, purchase shopping passes for only $5 and get exclusive savings of up to 25% off and a chance to win a $500 shopping spree at any Macy's Store or Macy’s on-line on August 27th. 

HOW TO SHOP AND SAVE:

1. PURCHASE $5 TICKET FROM PALS

BUY A Shop For A Cause ticket either online at www.pals-ucfcard.org 

  

Or through mail*

                On-Line purchasers for Shop For A Cause tickets will be forwarded an electronic pass to use* In order to ship your tickets on time, the deadline for ordering is Friday, August 19th.

2. YOUR TICKET INCLUDES

* 25% discount on all regular, sale & clearance items  

10% discount on all electronics, furniture, mattresses, and floor coverings

Be eligible to win a $500 gift card, no purchase necessary

*Exclusions and restrictions apply. See shopping pass for details.

3. SHOP

August 27, 2011

4. SAVE

 

While saving you will be creating opportunities for autism in Central Florida

As a participating charity, PALS retains 100% of all proceeds from the sale of each pass to support individuals with autism, their family members and the professionals that support them in Central Florida through innovative programs and services in conjunction with the UCF Center for Autism & Related Disabilities, now providing services and supports to over 6,000 individuals with ASD.

If mailing a check please make payment to PALS and mail to PO Box 781458, Orlando, FL  32878-1458.  Please mark how many passes you are requesting on the memo of your check.  Include your mailing address or the address for the pass to be mailed to along with a phone number and an email.

 

For more information call 407.823.6020 or 407.255.PALS (7257) or www.pals-ucfcard.org

OR BUY NOW:

 http://www.pals-ucfcard.org/SHOP_FOR_A_CAUSE.html

Top of Form

Florida Autism Plate Now on Sale

Florida is now selling the Autism License Plate.  $25 per plate is a donation to the Florida Autism License Plate fund and supports services and awareness throughout Florida.

Every plate generates awareness for Autism.  Show your support by ordering yours today.

To get your Tag:

http://www.autismlicenseplate.com/html/purchaseatag.html

The Eccentrics - Asperger's Disorder

For many years, Autism has been in the background.  It's the disorder that no one talked about or knew anything about.  Although it has been studied and written about since the early 1900s, mainstream society still knows so little about it. I was therefore pleasantly surprised when the show Parenthood featured a child with Asperger's Disorder.


In 1944, Hans Asperger first described the social disorder known today as Asperger's Disorder.  Children or Adults with Asperger's Disorder are characterized by social isolation and eccentric behaviors.  Most significantly, they have trouble with two way communication and often display self focused behaviors.  They have trouble relating to other individuals and showing empathy for others.  



Even though their speech may appear grammatically correct, often their speech is characterized by repetitive speech patterns.  Children with Asperger's often have limited interests and may play with an object repeatedly in a manner that is different than mainstream play.  


Children with Asperger's can display clumsiness.  They may have trouble with handwriting, riding a bike or other motor skills.  Like children with Autism, they may depend highly on schedules and routines and display feelings of anger and frustration easily when routines are changed or when confronted with new situations.  One of the other characteristics may be the inability to look people in the eye while talking or focusing on an object behind the person they are speaking to.


In comparison to children with Autism, children with Asperger's Disorder usually have a more positive outcome.  Most children with Asperger's are diagnosed later than children with Autism, they have a higher verbal IQ vs. performance IQ whereas in Autism, verbal skills are often lower than performance skills, as well as there is less difficulty with social and communication than those children with Autism.  Asperger's disorder can co-exist with other disorders such as ADD, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.


There are many successful strategies for treating children with Asperger's Disorder.  These include parent education, behavior modification, educational interventions such as speech therapy, social skills training, psychotherapy or counseling services as well as medications for coexisting behaviors such as irritability and anger, aggression, hyperactivity or compulsions. 


I have two sons with Asperger's Disorder ages 10 and 20.  While we do not know the cause of their Asperger's, I have come to accept them for what they are.  I have reached a level of peace in knowing that I may never see a cure for Asperger's in my lifetime.  My energies have instead shifted to enjoying them for what they are and I hope using my experiences in helping other parents who are struggling with coping with parenting a special needs child.  I hope to educate more people about Autism and other special needs.


Our experience with Asperger's has been at times challenging.  When our 20 year old first received a diagnosis of ADHD, I knew that the ADHD diagnosis did not answer all the symptoms of eccentric behaviors, social problems and problems adjusting to change.  Upon receiving the diagnosis of Asperger's, it was a tremendous relief to me to finally know what was going on with him to being able to predict behaviors and how to prevent them.  


When our second son was diagnosed, it was so much easier because so much more information was readily available than 10 years previously and our oldest had prepared us for coping with our 2nd son.  I also found it enlightening to read the book Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's Disorder which chronicled the life of the author John Elder Robison.  Oddly enough, while our oldest son wasn't diagnosed with Asperger's until he was nearly a teenager, John Elder Robison wasn't diagnosed until in his 40s.  This book gave me the inside view of what living with Asperger's Disorder was like, which I hope in turn gave me the ability to show more compassion and understanding toward my children.


What strategies have worked for us? Trying to establish routines.  Be prepared for your child to display frustration.  Take time to prepare your child in advance for change.  Be an advocate for your child.  Utilize resources available such as speech therapy, social skills training and motor skills training to work on handwriting.  For us, the biggest help has been to love and accept our children as they are and do what we can to give them the resources to build self coping skills.


For more information on Asperger's Disorder, visit:


http://www.aspergers.com/


http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/tc/aspergers-syndrome-topic-overview


http://aacap.org/page.ww?name=Aspergers%20Disorder&section=Facts+for+Families


For more information on John Elder Robison, visit:


http://johnrobison.com/

What is Autism?

What is Autism?  Autism is complex developmental brain disorders known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). The other pervasive developmental disorders are PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified), Asperger Syndrome, Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.  People with Autism can be in the high or low functioning areas.

How common is Autism?

Today, it is estimated that one in every 110 children is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. An estimated 1.5 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide are affected by autism. Government statistics suggest the prevalence rate of autism is increasing 10-17 percent annually. There is not established explanation for this increase, although improved diagnosis and environmental influences are two reasons often considered. Studies suggest boys are more likely than girls to develop autism and receive the diagnosis three to four times more frequently. Current estimates are that in the United States alone, one out of 70 boys is diagnosed with Autism.
 

What causes Autism?

The simple answer is we don't know. The vast majority of cases of Autism are idiopathic, which means the cause is unknown.

The more complex answer is that just as there are different levels of severity and combinations of symptoms in Autism, there are probably multiple causes. The best scientific evidence available to us today points toward a potential for various combinations of factors causing Autism – multiple genetic components that may cause Autism on their own or possibly when combined with exposure to as yet undetermined environmental factors. Timing of exposure during the child's development (before, during or after birth) may also play a role in the development or final presentation of the disorder.

A small number of cases can be linked to genetic disorders such as Fragile X, Tuberous Sclerosis, and Angelman's Syndrome, as well as exposure to environmental agents such as infectious ones (maternal rubella or cytomegalovirus) or chemical ones (thalidomide or valproate) during pregnancy.

There is a growing interest among researchers about the role of the functions and regulation of the immune system in Autism – both within the body and the brain. Piecemeal evidence over the past 30 years suggests that autism may involve inflammation in the central nervous system. There is also emerging evidence from animal studies that illustrates how the immune system can influence behaviors related to Autism. 

Autism Speaks   (http://www.autismspeaks.org)  is working to extend awareness and investigation of potential immunological issues to researchers outside the field of autism as well as those within the autism research community.

For more information on Autism Speaks, visit http://www.autismspeaks.org/