From Autism Speaks: World Autism Awareness Day - April 2, 2008

 

World Autism Awareness Day  
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
www.worldautismawarenessday.org

On December 18, 2007 the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 62/139 declaring April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in perpetuity. This UN resolution is one of only three official disease-specific United Nations Days and will bring the world’s attention to autism, a pervasive disorder that affects tens of millions. 

The World Autism Awareness Day resolution encourages all Member States to take measures to raise awareness about autism throughout society and to encourage early diagnosis and early intervention. It further expresses deep concern at the prevalence and high rate of autism in children in all regions of the world and the consequent developmental challenges. 

Autism Speaks believes that World Autism Awareness Day will shine a bright light on autism as a growing global health crisis. WAAD activities will help to increase and develop world knowledge of the autism epidemic and will impart information regarding the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention. Additionally, WAAD will celebrate the unique talents and skills of persons with autism and will be a day when individuals with autism are warmly welcomed and embraced in community events around the globe. 

By bringing together autism organizations all around the world, we will give a voice to the millions of individuals worldwide who are undiagnosed, misunderstood and looking for help. Please join us in our effort to make this possible.

Events Happening in the Tri-state Area

Barnes & Noble Let’s Be Friends Storytime Event featuring Kim Raver
Date: April 2, 2008
Location: Lincoln Center Triangle, Store # 2628
Time: 4:00pm
More details here

Inaugural World Autism Awareness Day Event at the United Nations
”Panel Discussion on the Global Awareness of Autism: Challenges, Responsibilities and Actions”

• Hosted by: The Government of the State of Qatar, the World Health Organization and Autism Speaks

Description of event: The event will feature remarks from lawmakers, experts, and families touched by autism as well as a panel discussion about the roles of the international community, NGOs, the private sector, and media in bringing autism awareness to a global level.

Date: April 2, 2008
Time: 3:00-5:30pm
Location: United Nations Secretariat – 42nd and 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10017
RSVP: If you or anyone you know are interested in attending,

Please Contact Us - The deadline for registration is March 24, 2008.

(Please note that adults will need to have a government ID to enter)

The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus Event for Families with Autism
Date: April 2, 2008
Location: Madison Square Garden
Time: 7:30-9:30 pm with Intermission

Description of event: Feld Entertainment’s Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus will host a special performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City tailored to children with autism and their families. The arena will feature a quiet room set aside for families who might need a stimuli free area and a break, but can still enjoy the show.

Ticket Information: Please Click Here to buy tickets at a discounted rate.

  Please join us for a wonderful day of events!

Celebrate World Autism Awareness Day in your Community!

• Wear your Autism Speaks Pin everywhere you go on April 2
• Inform your friends and family about WAAD by forwarding this email
• Read a book about autism (you’ll find some great suggestions here), then donate books about autism that you’ve finished to your local library
• Encourage your local Mayor to make an World Autism Awareness Day Proclamation
• Sign up for a Walk Now for Autism event in your community
• If there is not a walk in your community, participate in the Virtual Walk in honor of World Autism Awareness Day
• Get your School involved
• Corporate Ideas for local business involvement
• How Can I Win a Pin for World Autism Awareness Day?

Autism Speaks NYC Office

2 Park Avenue, 4th and 11th Floors
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-252-8584
 

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1st Annual World Autism Awareness Day - Watch CNN for Coverage

 View the story about the Gaston Family, and mulitples with Autism at CNN.com

Starting today, Monday March 31st,  CNN and CNN International will be running stories on Autism, linked with the proclamation of 2 April as -United Nations- World Autism Awareness Day.  Our story, and those of many other families,  will be broadcast on 2 April on CNN International.

Link to the full story at CNN online: http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/03/31/autism.main/index.html

1st World Autism Awareness Day (April 2, 2008) at the United Nations

 

United Nations, DPI/NGO Resource Centre, Room L-1B-31

* Fax: (212) 963-2819 * E-mail: dpingo@un.org

Website: http://www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/index.asp

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The DPI/NGO Section invites you to the briefing and discussion

• Understanding and Celebrating Autism
• In observance of the 1^st World Autism Awareness Day (2 April)

•  United Nations Thursday, 3 April 2008 NOTE: CONFERENCE IS ON THURSDAY
• 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Conference Room 1

• Speakers: Dr. Edwin Trevathan, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Mrs. Suzanne Wright, Co-founder, Autism Speaks
• Mr. Bob Wright, Co-founder, Autism Speaks
• Mr. Lee Grossman, President and CEO, the Autism Society of America
• Ms. Valerie Paradiz, co-founder of the Open Center for Autism 
• Moderator: Ms. Lynda Baquero, News Anchor, NBC, Channel 4, NY 
• Briefing description:    The briefing will celebrate people with autism, their families and friends. It will pay tribute to their daily struggles and highlight the importance of a better understanding of the condition. A short video, providing an overview of autism will be screened at 10:00 a.m. The panelists will speak about their efforts in raising awareness and eliminating the stigma associated with autism. During the course of the event, several special guests - whose dedication and commitment have contributed significantly to enhanced acceptance and appreciation of people with autism - will be acknowledged. Personal perspectives on the impact of autism will be shared during the discussion. At noon, after the panel discussion, there will be an opportunity to engage in conversation and exchange of views both inside and outside of Conf. Room 1, where information material on autism will be displayed.   
• Attendees: Members of the Autism community, as well as representatives of the media, NGOs, UN staff and Permanent Missions are invited and encouraged to participate during the Q & A segment.
• Access: The Visitor’s entrance is on First Avenue at 46^th Street. Bring a printout of this invitation (link here: united-nations-autism-day-2008-invitation.doc ) together with a picture ID.  After obtaining security clearance, guests will be met by NGO/DPI volunteers at a welcoming station near the Information Desk, where they will receive their passes, and will be escorted to Conference Room 1. This process may take between 15 to 30 minutes. 

S.I. Advance - Letters to the Editor - PS 373 Mom Speaks Out

YOUR OPINION

Staten Island Advance - Thursday, March 27, 2008

As a parent of two children who attend the District 75 school, PS 373, I am writing to let you know that our children deserve to be educated in a classroom large enough to meet their needs.

Over the summer of 2007, the Department of Education (DOE) split seven classrooms in half to make 14 in our mini-building, which is where most of our autistic children are taught. This is not an acceptable solution for making space for the many needed seats at PS 373 and will not be tolerated.

Overcrowding is a huge issue for us as we need to accommodate the influx of students requiring our services.

The DOE has announced plans for the building of several schools which will have some District 75 seats, however the earliest any of these schools will be ready is September 2009.

The DOE has since filled the seats made available by splitting our classrooms down the middle with approximately 42 students in just one academic year!

The need for these special education seats is so great, the DOE needs to step up the pace, so that we can provide the best education possible for our children. Please support our request for a three-story facility behind our main site.

LAURA STROHM DONGAN HILLS

“Mom, What’s Fun this Weekend?” - Kid’s Events for Friday, March 28 - Monday, March 31, 2008

 

• Friday, March 28 Toddler Time.  Play, rhymes, stories. 2 yr olds w/caregiver. Huguenot Park Library, 718 984-4636
• Richmond County Savings Foundation Cool School Holiday: Easter Recess. S.I. Children’s Museum will be free to the public on this day, 718 273-2060
• Family Camping. Pitch a tent, build a campfire & go on a night hike. High Rock Park. Urban Park Rangers. To register call 718 967-3542 on March 24
• AXIS Dance Company. A powerful & inclusive dance developed by dancers with & without disabilities. Center for the Arts at CSI, 718 982-2497

Click Here for Ongoing Friday Events

• Saturday, March 29 Doo-Wop and Rock & Roll Greats Perform. Sounds of the fifties & sixties fill the air. St. George Theatre, 718 442-2900
• Children’s Etiquette Class. Prereg. Chaperones may stay to watch. SI Museum, 718 727-1135
• Spring Migrants. Arriving spring migrant birds. Conference House Park. Protectors, 718 961-7496
• Pom Pom Critters. How to make these adorable little creatures. Ages 6+. Prereg. Clay Pit Ponds, 718 967-1976
• Birding. Blue Heron Park. Urban Park Rangers, 718 967-3542
• Nature’s Fakers. Some of Mother Nature’s warning signs &  hidden items. Willowbrook Park. Urban Park Rangers, 718 967-354Summer Zoofari Registration. “Member” only.  SI Zoo, 718 442-3101
• Gone Fishing. Learn about local fish, art of fishing & places to fish. Ages 6+. Prereg. SI Zoo, 718 442-3101
• Tavern Concert. Two shows: 7:30 and 9pm. Prereg.  S.I. Historical Society, 718 351-1611

Click Here for Ongoing Saturday Events

• Saturday and Sunday, March 29 and 30 Robert Merlino Memorial Antique Show & Sale benefiting the Alzheimer’s Foundation of S.I. At the Cromwell Center. 718 667-7110
• Spring Has Sprung. Create a beautiful (real) flower arrangement. SI Children’s Museum, 718 273-2060
• The Home Show.  At CSI. For more info 718 727-1900

Click Here for Ongoing Saturday and Sunday Event

 

• Sunday, March 30 Explorers of the Wild: Spring is in the Air. Seek out the first signs of spring. Ages 6-12. Blue Heron Nature Center,718 967-3542
• Serpentinite. The First of five geology walks. S.I. Expressway Road Cut. Protectors, 718 477-1974
• Atka Returns to the Greenbelt. An encore presentation of wolfolgy. Meet Atka, the arctic grey wolf. Prereg. Greenbelt Nature Center, 718 351-3450
• History Club: Richmond Turnpike. Urban Park Rangers, 718 967-3542
• Yoga. Renew your body and mind. Prereg.  Blue Heron Nature Center, 718 967-3542
• Concert. New York Operetta-Fest Trio. St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 718 984-7756

Click Here for Ongoing Saturday and Sunday Event

 

• Monday, March 31Story Hour. Ages 7+. Tottenville Library, 718 984-0945

Click Here for Ongoing Monday Events

 

• March 31 and April 1Stone Soup. Enrichment Thru the Arts at the Center for the Arts at CSI. 718 982-5678

Jennifer Richman and Friends at the CARGO CAFE

 

One of our students has a para (Jennifer Richman) who is performing at CARGO CAFE this Wednesday, April 9th from 8:00 p.m. to 11 p.m. Cargo Cafe is located at 120 Bay Street, T. (718) 876-0539.

Accompanying Ms. Richman on guitar, will be Tony Tino on upright bass and Tom Papadaos on percussion and drums. Some of the money will go towards Autism Awareness.

HBO: “Autism: The Musical” and the Miracle Project

 

HBO has an amazing new documentary that is currently airing called “Autism: The Musical”. It is a story that is wrenching and uplifting at the same time. If you have a child with a disability I recommend watching this movie. It tells the story of a group of children on the Autistic Spectrum, from non-verbal to Aspergers, as they work together with a drama coach to put on a musical.

You may view it for free from Wednesday March 26th to Saturday March 30, 2008. Here is the link:

http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/autism/index.html

Workshop Reminder: Tonight from 7-9 p.m. “Navigation of the ISC”

Education Committee

Navigation of the Integrated Service Center (ISC)  District 31

Date: Thursday, March 27th, 2008

Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Location: Institute for Basic Research

1050 Forest Hill Rd. 10314

Contact: Early Childhood Direction Center @ 718-226-6670

Support the YAI Central Park Challenge - May 31, 2008!

 

Come support the YAI Central Park Challenge! On Saturday, May 31st YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities is hosting a day of events where you may WALK…RUN…or…PLAY to raise money to support their worthy cause.

 Click onto the link for more information about this day of fun!

http://yai.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=CPCHomePage08

Free Picture Exchange (PECS) Kid’s Recipes - Check out the Bubble Pizza!

This web page has numerous downloads for kid’s picture recipes:

 http://www.bry-backmanor.org/picturerecipes.html