DONATIONS may be mailed to ASGC P.O. Box 41066 Brecksville, OH 44141 or Click here to donate online today using PayPal!
|
The Ohio Autism Awareness License Plate is now available! |
|---|
WELCOME ...
ASGC Mission Statement: “To serve the autism community by providing information, coordinating support services, and facilitating communication for the benefit of those with Autism Spectrum Disorders from diagnosis through adulthood.”
First Word - July 2009
| These are truly exciting and dynamic
days for the Autism Society of
Greater Cleveland. We are finalizing
our plans for our first ever Summer
Social Skills Camp. This camp will
service children on the Autism
Spectrum who are ages six through
nineteen. Many hours of hard work
have gone into planning this fabulous
camp. A special word of thanks goes
out to Jim and Lori Wotowiec, Special
Education Teachers, who have given
many hours of their time to make this
camp a reality. We could not have
done it without them. Also, we wish
to thank The City of Independence for
allowing us to use their buildings and
park to facilitate this experience. We
are hopeful that we will be able to
make this opportunity available every
year to youngster affected by Autism
Spectrum Disorders.
Eileen Hawkins —Administrator ASGC |
|
Read our current newsletter: July 2009For Past News, Visit our Newsletter Archive
|
Petition Asks for Tax Break for Special Needs FamiliesAs special families, I believe we need all the help we can get!!! If you can agree with this statement, please sign the petition. As of July 01, 2007 there are 7,664 signatures...let's see if we can get it up into the HIGH THOUSANDS! Forward this to your other lists/friends with special kids!! |
Autism and the ASGC
Autism is a neurological disorder that can significantly affect one’s ability to communicate, to reason, and to interact with others. It is a spectrum disorder that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees of severity. It is estimated that as many as 1 in 150 children born today will have some form of autism, a statistic that represents a profound increase over recent years.
The Autism Society of Greater Cleveland (ASGC) is our local branch of The Autism Society of America (ASA), the largest and oldest grassroots organization advocating on behalf of the 1.5 million Americans living with autism. The ASGC is a volunteer organization that provides support and guidance to those with autism spectrum disorders and their families and caretakers.
ASGC Mission Statement: “To serve the autism community by providing information, coordinating support services, and facilitating communication for the benefit of those with Autism Spectrum Disorders from diagnosis through adulthood.”
New ASGC programs for this year include autism training of student aides and teachers of religion to allow easier access for those with autism, more resources for parents with a new diagnosis and autism education for police and other first responders that may save lives.
We can’t make any of this happen without the support of donors like you. The Autism Society of Greater Cleveland is an Ohio-based 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.
Ohio Autism Task Force
Please contact your state senator and state representative as soon as possible to set up a meeting with them to discuss the recommendations - either in Columbus after the rally or in your home district. If you aren't able to set up a meeting - please write your legislators. There are 43 different recommendations that cover the spectrum of persons with autism and services for them and their families. Pick the two or three that you are most passionate about and speak to your legislators about those. Your meeting should be short - 15 minutes or less. Have a "bullet point" type list to speak from. Have your information in writing, as well as a copy of the report to give them so that they can refer to it at a later date. Tell a brief personal story of how you are directly impacted by the lack of a particular service. Any letters should be no more than one - two pages. Be clear and to the point! Remember - we want to win legislators over to support our issues, not beat them up or abuse them about the lack of services. Keep the meeting positive!
Not sure how to find your state legislators? Visit www.house.state.oh.us, click on "Your Representatives" and enter your zipcode. Visit www.senate.state.oh.us, click on "Your Senators" and enter your zipcode.
The next several months will be critical in reaching legislators with this important message. So please make an appointment today - or send a letter if you are unable to set up a meeting.
Credit for this message: Autism Society of Ohio
Purchase tickets for the Bridgestone Invitational Golf Tournament on August 4th - 9th at Firestone Country Club to benefit the ASGC.
View the flyer.
More information here.
Important Downloads
Service Guidelines for
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder 
A Profile of Ohio's Publicly Funded Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
