What's New
Heart of Texas Autism Network
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Updated 1/21/12 " Refresh" for latest information
| The Heart of Texas Autism Network provides support, encouragement and information for people affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD), their families and the community. We work to improve the resources available to help people with ASD live, work and participate as fully and independently as possible in our society. There is no charge for membership and no dues. Monthly meetings with speakers usually include free childcare for children with ASD and their siblings, with a reservation. Other activities and programs promote inclusion, independence and participation in the community for all people affected by ASD. For more information on child care, speakers, topics, meeting date, time and location, please visit our meetings page. HOTAN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and donations are tax deductible. For a free HOTAN brochure PDF file click here. The 2nd Annual Mardi Gras Celebration of Art The Mardi Gras Celebration of Art is accepting entries for the High School competition and the general competion! The Celebration weekend will be Friday and Saturday, February 17 and 18, 2012. Art students of all ages and abilities will be participating in this unique event! HOTAN is seeking volunteers for the Fifth Annual Walk for Autism (April 15, 2012) and other fundraisers, programs, community relations, volunteer coordination, and communications (website, newsletters and publicity). Creativity and enthusiasm is needed! To volunteer, please contact Anita Karney by email, or call (214) 766-3260. TAKE ME HOME Program The Take Me Home program is a free registry available to McLennan County residents, for adults and children who may have difficulty communicating due to a developmental or cognitive disability. This could be crucial when a person is unable to speak or identify themselves properly, if they seem disoriented or are acting in an unusual manner. Registration forms are available on the McLennan County Sheriff's website (click here). APPS -- and Funding -- for Autism and Special Needs Families with special needs children may find grants and funding available to help them afford medical treatments, therapies, assistive technologies (INCLUDING iPADS) etc. Click here for a list of resources for funding/grant assistance, as well as a list of apps for mobile technology devices, for autism and special needs. ASD Childcare A number of the staff members who worked at the Arc of McLennan County Summer Day Camp for Children with Disabilities are available for childcare . For a list of names with contact information, go to the CONTACT US page. HOTAN seeks people who speak Spanish to help the parents of ASD persons whose primary language is Spanish. Contact HOTAN through our Contact Us page. |
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| Heart of Texas Autism Network -- Classes and Activities: Parents and Young Children (3-5) with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Drama For Development Workshops! Parents, this is a fun, innovative way to help build stronger foundational skills! You'll explore using drama-based games and activities with your child to interact and facilitate communication, socialization, and more! Starting in January, workshops in Waco and Killeen will be led by behavior therapist and drama teacher Tina Ulrich. Dates: Saturday, January 21, 28th and February 4th. Cost is FREE! Click here for an information flyer. For more information and to register, contact: Tina Ulrich; 646.337.0597; ulrichtina@gmail.com Let's Get Growing ... Master Gardener Lynn DeMuynck is leading children/youth in adventures with plants! In addition to learning about Nature and the growing process, students also do "hands-on" projects and activities. The Heart of Texas Autism Network also participates with Waco's "We Care" Community Garden, taking care of two of the Garden's planting spaces, and contributing the harvest to Caritas. For more information email anitakarney@hotautismnetwork.org or leave a message on the "Contact Us" page of this website.. ART CLASSES! Betty Vela, owner of B's Art School (254-644-1323, 504 Hewitt Drive, in Hewitt), is partnering with the Heart of Texas Autism Network and organizing an art class for children with autism. Classes are the first and third Thursday of the month, from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Cost is only $10 per class, which includes all art materials! For more information contact Jacquelyn Baumann at makeadiff@gmail.com or leave a message on the "Contact Us" page of this website. Special Needs Scouting meeting Thursday, February 16, 7 pm This opportunity is open to ALL special needs kids/youth! Meet at the Hewitt VFW Post 6008, 725 Sun Valley Blvd (next to the Dairy Queen). Special Needs Boy Scouting for kids/youth with autism and other disabilities -- the Hewitt VFW will sponsor the troop, and other local troops are available to mentor the Scouts. Troops may be formed for Boy Scouts: ages 11 - 18; Co-ed: ages 14 - 21; Cub Scouts: ages 8 - 10 Email anitakarney@hotautismnetwork.org or leave a message on the "Contact Us" page of this website for more information. ========================================================================================== |
| Special-Needs Swimming Instruction at YMCA YMCA of Central Texas offers swimming instruction to those with special needs. Instruction is individualised to meet the needs and abilities of each student. Classes are on a 4-session cycle, on a mutually agreed upon schedule, and meet at either the Doris Miller or Waco Family YMCA locations. Cost (total cost for each cycle of four classes): $25 (non-YMCA members), or $10 (YMCA members) Contact Chris Bernard, Director of Aquatics, at 254-405-3764, or chris.bernard@ymcactx.org for more information and to schedule classes. ============================================================================================ |
| Special Needs Resources in the Heart of Central Texas Does your area have anyone offering equine (horse) therapy? Swimming for special needs? Music classes? Is it easy, or difficult, to find a medical specialist for your special-needs family member where you live? Baylor is working on compiling a more comprehensive list of resources and services for families and individuals with special needs in the Heart of Central Texas area. This online survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SpecialNeedsResources) will help identify resource needs throughout the Heart of Central Texas area, and highlight opportunities for growth. For other news about research, studies and surveys, go to the Conferences and Studies page on this website. ======================================================================================= |
| 2nd Annual Mardi Gras Celebration of Art ENTER BY FEBRUARY 1st Click here to see KWTX interview This regional art competition, show and sale is open to art students of all ages and abilities; entries will be judged and prizes awarded on Mardi Gras Celebration of Art weekend, Friday February 17 and Saturday Februrary 18, 2012. Registration for the general competition, open to ALL art students of all ages and abilities, registration deadline is FEBRUARY 1st. Click here for more information; to volunteer, donate or for more information contact Betsy at meklesse@aol.com or Jacquelyn at makeadiff2010@gmail.com. The fantastic "Super Friday" Mardi Gras celebration party and the next day's Family Celebration will take place at the Palladium in Waco (729 Austin Avenue, across from the Hippodrome Theatre). Get your tickets now! GUEST ARTISTS: Grant Manier and Alexandria Sias! Click here to learn more about these two amazing artists! Funds raised will benefit the Heart of Texas Autism Network, and support arts programs that benefit people affected by autism spectrum disorders. ============================================================================================ |
| Lifetime Financial and Legal Planning for Special Needs Families Saturday, January 28th, 1:00 - 4:00 pm Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Education Center presented by Elisa Rainey, Rainey & Rainey law firm Keith Reed, New York Life Planning for the future is advisable for all families, but there are unique challenges when one of the members of the family has special needs. Elisa Rainey, partner with Rainey and Rainey law firm, and Keith Reed, with New York Life Insurance, will discuss key topics involved in planning for persons with disabilities. This workshop will address critical issues, including Wills, Special Needs Trusts, Medicaid, Social Security, Guardianship/other options, and more. Not to be missed! WHAT: Lifetime Planning for Special Needs Individuals and their Families WHERE: Texas Rangers Hall Of Fame Education Center (I-35 & University Parks) WHEN: Saturday, January 28, 1 – 4 pm COST: FREE. To RSVP, call 214-766-3260 or contact anitakarney@hotautismnetwork.org DRIVING DIRECTIONS: Take I-35 to Waco; The Museum is located at Exit 335-B (University Parks Drive). The Education Center is behind the Museum. CLICK HERE for a printable flyer! ===================================================================================================== |
| GIVE AUTISM A CHANCE! Recognise and celebrate the talents and skills of people with ASD ... give us a chance to create a better community and a better world for all! "It's not what we can't do ... it's what we CAN do!" ============================================================ |
Heart of Texas Kart
Club's "Kids Racing
For Kids" collected
donations for the
Heart of Texas
Autism Network.
THANK YOU, from our
hearts to yours!
For photo click here.
Club's "Kids Racing
For Kids" collected
donations for the
Heart of Texas
Autism Network.
THANK YOU, from our
hearts to yours!
For photo click here.
| First Annual Texas Angels Special Needs Pageant Saturday, February 25, 2012; Lee Lockwood Scottish Rite Museum, 2801 W. Waco Drive, Waco, TX This pageant is open to boys and girls with special needs between birth and 21 years of age. There is no entry fee for competitors. For Sponsorship letter click here; for Pageant Entry form click here; and to download a flyer, click here. Entry forms may be faxed to (254) 299-1384 or scanned and emailed to texasangelspageant@yahoo.com. ========================================================================================= |
The Give Autism a Chance campaign was launched to
spread the message that people with autism have incredible
potential, talent and skills. They can have meaningful
employment and contribute to society -- when given a
chance.
Give Autism A Chance began in Britain; 16-year-old Bella
Tommey, whose brother Billy is diagnosed with autism, set
up Billy's Cafe, a temporary cafe staffed almost entirely by
individuals with autism. It opened to rave reviews
throughout England and Europe. Go to
http://tinyurl.com/6lfhud9 and watch a report on the very
successful launch of Billy's Cafe!
Give Autism A Chance is coming to Austin on April 22, and
will be setting up at the Spider House Patio Bar and Cafe to
showcase the talents and abilities of people on the autism
spectrum.
Grant Manier, one of the guest artists at Mardi Gras
Celebration, will also be at the Cafe on April 22. He designed
the flyer on the left.
Give Autism A Chance wants people with autism to send in
examples of artwork, jewelry, crafts --- whatever shows off
that individual's talent, whether created with or without
support.They are also looking for people with autism to
work at the Cafe. Click here for more information.
spread the message that people with autism have incredible
potential, talent and skills. They can have meaningful
employment and contribute to society -- when given a
chance.
Give Autism A Chance began in Britain; 16-year-old Bella
Tommey, whose brother Billy is diagnosed with autism, set
up Billy's Cafe, a temporary cafe staffed almost entirely by
individuals with autism. It opened to rave reviews
throughout England and Europe. Go to
http://tinyurl.com/6lfhud9 and watch a report on the very
successful launch of Billy's Cafe!
Give Autism A Chance is coming to Austin on April 22, and
will be setting up at the Spider House Patio Bar and Cafe to
showcase the talents and abilities of people on the autism
spectrum.
Grant Manier, one of the guest artists at Mardi Gras
Celebration, will also be at the Cafe on April 22. He designed
the flyer on the left.
Give Autism A Chance wants people with autism to send in
examples of artwork, jewelry, crafts --- whatever shows off
that individual's talent, whether created with or without
support.They are also looking for people with autism to
work at the Cafe. Click here for more information.
| APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS THERAPY OFFERED Baylor University graduate students in the ABA specialization program will provide ABA therapy to selected participants under the supervision of Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Dr. Tonya Davis. Individual, one-hour therapy sessions will be provided twice per week to each client at the BARC on Baylor University campus. This program is NOT intended to replace an in-home ABA program, but instead to supplement such programs and other therapy programs that the client may be receiving. Therapy goals will be selected by parent/caregiver, and progress monitoring results will be provided twice throughout the semester. Applicants must have a diagnosis of a developmental disability, including, but not limited to autism, PDD-NOS, intellectual disability (i.e., mental retardation), Down Syndrome, or Rett Syndrome. The program has limited openings. Applications will be reviewed, and accepted applicants will be placed with an available therapist or on the waitlist on a first come, first serve basis. Clients will be notified of acceptance and/or placement after application review. Cost: $50 registration & $7 per session; Fees subject to change For more information, contact Dr. Tonya Davis: Tonya_Davis@baylor.edu, 254-710-6166 ========================================================================================== |
| Heart of Texas Autism Network Next Meeting: Monday, February 13th, 2012 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm SPEAKER: SHARRON STEPHENSON Transition Specialist, Region 12 Education Service Center Sharron has been in the field of special education for 19 years, from elementary through the high school level. Sharron was also involved in researching the use of art therapy as a method of improving self-concept in elementary age children with disabilities and was the recipient of the "Apple" award which provided funding for this project. Sharron was co-creator of the "Big Blue D.R.E.A.M.S." (Developing Real Employment and Management Skills) program while working for Temple Independent School District. She is currently working with adult service agency representatives to develop this program into a thriving adult business as well for individuals with disabilities. Meeting Location: Room 919, 811 Washington Ave., Waco, Texas For printable direction to the meeting location click here. Limited childcare is available, however you must RSVP! If you have not previously registered your children, please download and fill out this form. Please send the registration form and your reservation to Natalie Passanante at natalie_passanante@baylor.edu. ========================================================================== |
| OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS Issues Guidance Letter on Legal Rights for Students With Disabilties The ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) and the Rehabilitation Act (which contains Section 504) were amended by Congress in 2009 to broaden the definition of disability. The Office of Civil Rights has published a Guidance Letter (along with a FAQ document) to remind school districts on their legal obligations to students with disabilities as mandated by Section 504 and the ADA. It's also very helpful for parents to read and become enlightened and empowered as to the rights of their child(ren). "When Congress changes the law affecting those rights, districts must ensure that their policies and practices reflect this altered landscape," said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Russlynn Ali. To review the Dear Colleague letter, visit http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201109.html. The FAQs are posted at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-504faq-201109.html. Another good resource to learn more about ADA and Autism-specific information and resources: Know the ADA: Guide to Autism . ========================================================================================= |