Welcome to ASPEN

ASPEN's Annual Fall Conference
October 23, 2009

Please mark your calendars, you won't want to miss our fall conference on Friday, October 23rd at the Hilton Woodbridge!

Keynote Presentation

The Hidden Curriculum: Practical Solutions for Understanding Unstated Rules in Social Situations, presented by Brenda Smith Myles, Ph.D.

Afternoon Workshop Sessions

• Bullying Issues presented by Ira Fingles, Esq.
• Medication Management presented by Barbara Winograd, MD
• Sensory Integration presented by Jude DeProspo, MA, OTR/L
• Behavior Strategies presented by Michael Selbst, Ph.D.
• Grandparenting presented by Miriam Rosen

How to Register

Please check here again closer to the event date for our Fall Conference brochure and registration form

Location Information

Hilton Woodbridge, 120 Wood Avenue South, Iselin, NJ

For hotel accommodations, please call 1-800-HILTONS as soon as possible in order to receive the best available rate at the Hilton Woodbridge.

Mark Your Calendars!

ASPEN Spring 2010 Conference Sunday, March 21, 2010

ASPEN Fall 2010 Conference Friday, October 22, 2010

Introducing the Google Lime Scholarship

We're pleased to announce the most recent addition to our scholarship programs, the Google Lime Scholarship for Students with Disabilities. We're partnering with Lime to offer scholarships to students with disabilities who are pursuing university degrees in the field of computer science in Canada or the U.S. Lime is a not-for-profit organization that brings together global corporations and people with disabilities, bringing to light an untapped source of talent. Scholarships will be granted for the 2009-2010 academic year, and recipients will be invited to attend an all-expenses-paid retreat at the Googleplex in Mountain View in 2010.

We hope that this program will increase opportunities for students with disabilities and encourage them to pursue careers in computer science. We also hope to foster long-lasting relationships through which these students can support each other over the course of their academic studies.

The deadline to apply for this year's Lime Scholarship is June 1, 2009.

For complete details, visit www.google.com/jobs/scholarships.

July 30th - August 11th, 2009

This innovative adventure encourages and enhances independence, self reliance, and the ability to participate as an active member in a group of teens with Asperger's syndrome. Over the course of 13 days, students experience the culture and landscape of England and Scotland through the lens of the theatre.

Facilitated by professionals from USC University Center For Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) and graduate students selected for their skills and experience in working with students with AS, the program offers an opportunity for learning and personal growth in a community that meets the needs of most teens with AS. Small group activities with low adult to student ratios enable the staff to guide and mentor students through activities. Behavioral expectations are clearly delineated and reviewed throughout the trip. Students have multiple opportunities to develop independence and discuss their reactions to and observations of the day's activities. Active participation in activities fosters the evolution of a group spirit in which friendships can develop and thrive.

For more information, please contact Beverly Daley, Ph.D. at bdaley@chla.usc.edu or 323-361-2490.

Submitted by Vincent Varrassi

On Friday, November 14th our President, Lori Shery received the Humanitarian of the Year Award from ASAH, a professional organization of private schools and agencies in New Jersey providing specialized services to over 11,000 infants, children and young adults with disabilities. Lori was recognized on behalf of her tireless efforts on behalf of children, adults and families with Asperger Syndrome.

In her speech accepting the award, Lori commented,

"I would like to thank ASAH for this wonderful honor... when my son was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome at age 9 in 1996, I didn't know of one other parent whose child had this disability...

There were no support groups, and there was only one book written on the subject at that time (and it) painted a very bleak picture for the future of our loved ones... I work with a dedicated group of parent volunteers who give generously of their time and their hearts to provide support, information and advocacy so that today's children and young adults on the Autism spectrum have a better future."

In thanking the membership of ASAH, Lori remarked,

"in the 12 years since ASPEN's inception, i have had the opportunity to meet and work with hundreds of professionals like you who view their work not just as a job, but as a mission... on behalf of ASPEN and the families we serve, thank you, thank you, thank you for making a such tremendous difference in so many lives."

And thank you Lori for all you have done for the rest of us, the families and friends of the Asperger community in New Jersey. Congratulations on a well deserved award.

The State of New Jersey Adults with Autism Task Force is asking about the type of services you or your adult family member with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (including Asperger's Syndrome) need. This new state task force can't help us unless it gets very specific facts about our adults' needs.

Make sure the Task Force's recommendations accurately reflect the services you want:

• Is it housing assistance?
• Employment assistance?
• Education or training?

New Jersey can't help unless it knows the extent of the problem and the type of services we need. This is your opportunity to speak directly to a state-level task force that will listen. Please take this important online survey now. It should only take 10-15 minutes.

Please do it now before you forget. Every NJ Asperger's family will thank you!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=x33lcx4bxbMZ6Bwm55ApOQ_3d_3d

Please feel free to forward this request to your distribution lists. Our goal is to capture data from as many ASD individuals over the age of 14 as possible.

Thanks for your help!

Your online purchases are also gifts to ASPEN.

By traveling to Amazon.com via the link below, Amazon will donate up to 20% of your total sale to ASPEN.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/aspaspsynedun-20

Thank you for your support!

Beautiful ASPEN donation cards

Acknowledge a special event by making a donation to ASPEN. Send one in honor of a birth, a graduation, a birthday, an anniversary, or in memory of someone special and a beautiful card will be sent to the person or family to let them know of your generosity and concern. In addition to supporting and promoting ASPEN, you will be promoting awareness of Asperger Syndrome.

Minimum donation is $10 per card. Please contact Ann Hiller at 1-732-446-7610, 6 Danielle Drive, Manalapan, NJ 07726, or by email at ann0912@aol.com.

You can order cards one at a time and have them sent out directly by our Secretary, Ann Hiller, or purchase several at $10 each to keep on hand and then send out yourself when the occasions arise.

Congratulations to Mr. James Bayley, resource room teacher in the Emerson public School District and recipient of ASPEN's 2nd Annual Inspiration in Education Award.

Nominated by parent and ASPEN member Lisa Corcoran, Mr. Bayley was honored at our 23rd Semi-Annual Conference held on October 24th. We are thrilled to recognize educators who have gone above and beyond in creating environments where our children are able to thrive.

Thank you, Jim Bayley!