Easter Egg Hunt for Kids with Special Needs and More

Hello everyone!! Over the week-end I will show you how to make your child a body sock (great for sensory disorders), my son is in his below. I will give step by step instructions along with photos. It's very easy to make & your child will absolutely love it!! Even if you don't have a sewing machine, you can do it by hand. I wanted to start it tonight but remembered we have aquatic therapy. Stay tuned and please, if there is anything you would like to share or see here let me know.

Western New York Family Magazine can now be viewed online at:

 http://www.bluetoad.com/publication/?m=2222&l=1

This month the magazine has a "Special Needs Child" pull out section that has so much information including a section about the Lothlorien Therapeutic Riding Center. I gave information on the riding center in the "Fun Autism Therapies" section of my blog.

 This sounds like a lot of fun:

Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 16th, 2011 inside Lincoln arena (1200 Parker Blvd Tonawanda 14223).  The hunt for kids with special needs is at 10:30am  All participants will receive a prize.  It is free!! 

Check out the following website for the Autism Society of WNY. You can also find more information on the Workshop below on the website.

EnVISIONing a Bright Future for All Individuals with ASD  With Patricia Lemer
Saturday,
April 9, 2011
8:45 am-12:45 pm

at Salvatore's

http://www.autismwny.org/Events.aspx

2011 Walk Now For Autism Speaks: Rochester, NY Chapter Saturday, September 24

I am putting together a team from Buffalo/suburbs named "Buffalo Herd" , for this walk to raise funds for Autism Speaks. Join me by clicking on the link below then click on Team Page and click Join Our Team or contact me through this blog. Bring the kids & make it a family outing!!

http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/rochester/debcordone

Don't forget to LIGHT IT UP BLUE Friday & Saturday to help spread Autism Awareness. World Autism Awareness Day is Saturday, April 2. Wear blue and change the porch light to blue!!

Fun Autism Therapies

When looking for therapies for my son I found it difficult to find many in the Buffalo, NY area. Today I will list some therapies that your child may enjoy as well as In-Home Behavior Therapy.

Buffalo Women & Children's Hospital Aquatic (swim) Therapy- My little guy loves this therapy! The therapy is given at Buffalo Therapy Services 115 Flint Rd, Williamsville, NY
The contact number is 716-878-7470, the website shows the pediatric therapies available through Children's Hospital  http://www.wchob.org/services/services_display.asp?SID=625&CID=9
You just need a prescription from the doctor for "aquatic therapy"

One of the therapies that I think looks great is Horse Therapy (Equine or Hippotherapy).  I am going to register my son for the summer.

Lothlorien Therapeutic Riding Center, 15 Reiter Rd., East Aurora, NY 14052, 716-655-1335
www.lothlorientrc.org

Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc.
950 Amherst Street · Buffalo, New York 14216, (716) 877-9295
www.thebtrc.org

 Moving Miracles is a dance/movement program for children, adolescents and adults who are exceptionally challenged mentally, physically and/or emotionally. 954 Union Road Suite 1, West Seneca, NY 14224
716-656-1321 e-mail movingmiracles_dance@verizon.net
www.movingmiracles.org

In-Home Behavior Therapy- I like this one!!
Requirements: Developmental disability, behavior problems in the home
We have behavior therapy in the home 3 times per week. The therapists we have are great, my son likes when they come to the house. The therapists work with my son as well as my husband and I.
This is a Federally funded program and you are entitled to it at no cost to you. You can contact your Medicaid Service Coordinator, if you have one. Your coordinator or you can contact Sue Olexanko at
716-880-3700.
If your child's behavior is out of control you can call Spectrum Service's C.A.R.E.S. program at
716-882-4357. They will send someone out within 24 hrs. to observe and then suggest the therapy needed in your home and they will provide that therapy.
Remember that you are entitled to these therapies through federal funds as long as the requirements are met.

I hope you find this information useful. The reason for my blog is to help you and your child.

Lowe's Build & Grow Clinics- Birdhouse

https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/

What a confidence builder, your child can have fun & say "I built it!", with Lowe's Build and Grow kid's clinics. Bring the kids into any Lowe's store and build a FREE wooden project. Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project. I believe you can do the project at home if needed. Check out the website for more info.

April's Family Activities

Sensory Friendly Films at AMC Theatres gives us the opportunity to take our children to the movies and we don't have to stress over how they will behave. The movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up and the sound turned down. You are able to bring your own snacks for special diets. The kids are free to move around and make noise as long as it is safe for everyone. The movie is open to all, including kids not on the spectrum.

Saturday, April 2 Autism Awareness Day- Wear Blue Today!!
Movie: Hop
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: AMC Maple Ridge 8, 4276 Maple Rd., Ste C, Amherst, NY 14226
Cost: $4.50

Saturday, April 30
Movie: Rio
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: AMC Maple Ridge 8, 4276 Maple Rd., Ste C, Amherst, NY 14226
Cost: $4.50

The AMF- A Gift for Autism - Child-Parent Bowling League
Spring 2011 Bowling League Feb 26- June 4, join at any time
Time: Saturday mornings 9a.m.
Location: AMF Thruway Lanes, 1550 Walden Ave., Cheektowaga, NY 14225
Cost: $18 per team per week part of the proceeds go to the Autism Society of WNY
An extremely flexible league, if you need adjustments just ask & they can probably accommodate you.
1 adult & 1 child per team, 2 games weekly
For more info. & registration call 716-896-8507 or amf00233@amf.com

Later today/tonight I will be listing some fun therapies in the area so check back.

World Autism Awareness Day

My little guy is finally asleep and I am now wide awake for some reason!! I wanted to make sure that everyone out there is aware of World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. Join Autism Speaks'  "Light It Up Blue" campaign. Many buildings & homes around the WORLD will be lit up blue on April 1 & 2 to recognize Autism. I changed my front porch light to a blue light bulb that my husband purchased at Home Depot, they have a "Light It Up Blue" display. The Empire State Building will be lit up blue, and I believe I read that the lights on Niagara Falls will be blue.
Autismspeaks.org has some nice "Light It Up Blue" items including t-shirts. So change the outside lights to blue, put a string of blue lights in the window, wear blue clothing, do whatever you can do that day to recognize Autism!!

Stay Tuned

Welcome to my new blog. My intent is to help other parents/caregivers of children on the Autism Spectrum. My son was diagnosed with moderate autism last year and since then autism has consumed me!! I'm retired so I  have a lot more time to spend researching than the average parent does. I will be sharing information that I found/find with all of you. I will do my very best to update this blog every 1-2 days. Please feel free to share information, thoughts, and comments with us all.
"I don't know what caused my son's autism nor do I know how to cure it, so I will accept it and deal with it one day at a time." -my quoute