Understanding Autism workshop series
Starting Wednesday May 3rd at 12:00 noon, The Arc is going to start a new informational workshop series "Understanding Autism" or "Autism for newbie parents".
The series is four weeks, each wednesday at the same time. Depending on interest, we plan to repeat this series each month.
The outline is:
- Week 1 Unpack the diagnosis & Find Local Supports: Understanding Autism Video and Identifying Current Resources paths (P2P, DDA, SSI, PAVE/local IEP supports,Task Force classes, current events, available ABA, Respite, options, etc)
- Week 2 Online or Distance Resources: UC Davis, Mary Barbera BCBA classes, skillsforautism.com, etc. Present 1 training video as a demo--showing the usefulness of online resources.
- Week 3 Family Stress Reduction: Keeping yourself healthy for the long haul (Identifying stress levels, desired hobbies, workable plan for healthy life, connect to P2P mentor)
- Week 4 Training Video: Increasing communication and understanding problem behaviors
Please RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you're interested!
Great new article about youth employment
This is a great article that was written for PacMtn Workforce Development Council.
PacMtn's Summer Youth Program Matches Special Needs Students With Local Businesses
On the last day of the Uplift training at the Arc of Grays Harbor, Americorps volunteers asked the class a seemingly simple question: "Tell me a little bit about yourself."
Many of us could answer with relative ease, but for students with special needs, getting to the point where they could reply with clarity and confidence took five days of hard work. They'd spent hours learning about how to be prepared for the workforce, do interviews, set goals, get along with co-workers, and prepare a resume.
By Friday, their efforts had paid off. One by one, each student responded, using all the tools they'd gained during the week. "They answered that so beautifully," says Americorps volunteer Tyler Zinck. "I almost cried. They hit it on the head."
The Uplift training is part of the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council's Summer Youth Program which connects special needs students with local businesses through internships. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) provides funding for the program, and Arc of Grays Harbor and Morningside Services recruit and manage the students. To qualify, participants must have an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) or 504 Education Plan. Now in its second year, the Summer Youth Program will serve 25 participants in Lewis and Thurston Counties and 12 in Grays Harbor County.
Participate in field research and earn money!
The Arc is partnering with Tess Lawson and Pearson Clinical to help develop better evaluation testing tools for academic and developmental screening. To create the best possible test materials, they need to give the tests to specific populations - to test the test, as it were. The results can then be evaluated for their effectiveness and accuracy.
Tests take a few minutes and you can earn $15 while helping science! Contact Tess for details.
