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With your support...The ASGC is able to conduct programs vital to the LOCAL assistance of those dealing with ASD. Click
to donate today!
| WELCOME ...
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| Greetings to all
the
membership and friends of the Autism Society Of Greater Cleveland... First, a warm word of thanks to Judith Saltzman, Atty. at Law. She was gracious enough to donate her time to discuss the new Ohio Department of Education changes. This information was very beneficial to many of our members. We really appreciate the time she spent answering our was very beneficial to many of our members. We really appreciate the time she spent answering our questions. For our December 2, 2008, meeting we will welcome a local school administrator. The topic of discussion will be the IEP process and Non– Violence Crisis Intervention. This will be a two part meeting that will address some very important issues for our members. Chapter Meetings When: 1st Tuesday of each month Time: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm Where: Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, 8001 Brecksville Rd. in Brecksville. Next meeting is Tuesday January 6, 2008. Please RSVP the number of children attending. Call
(216) 556-4937 for
information. |
If you would like to use our free childcare, please RSVP at (216) 556-4937 or suport@asgc.org no later than November 27 in order to take advantage of this service. In January, we will host an informal parent support meeting. Parents will be encouraged to discuss among themselves topics that are important for their families. This will be a great way to start the new year. Please plan on joining us for our “2nd Annual ASGC Holiday Party” on December 13, 2008. (RSVP required). We will host this party at St. Michaels Woodside Lower Hall (In Rear of bldg.),5035 Mill Rd., Broadview Hts., OH 44147 - from Noon till 3:00 PM. Lunch is provided. In addition, each child/teen will receive a free gift. RSVP is required with ages and number of children attending. Please call (216) 556- 4937 or e-mail holidayparty@ asgc.org. Please Note: Parents must stay with their children. No child care will be provided at this event. Again, thank you to all of our members, volunteers and board members who give so much of their time to help our organization grow. Eileen Hawkins —Administrator ASGC |
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 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.
The full report of the Ohio Autism Taskforce is now available!
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.
