Miscellaneous

(WCCO) Here is a collection of the stories and resources from WCCO-TV's week-long focus on autism.

Monday: Autism and Adolescence

Read Amelia Santaniello's Report
Watch The Video

Resources:

Valleyfair PCA Program For Children With Autism (PDF)


Tuesday: Adults With Autism

Read Amelia Santaniello's Report
Watch The Video

Resources:

Accessing Disability Services In Minnesota Guide (PDF | Screen Reader)

NOTE: This Disability Services Guide, a comprehensive guide to available services for people with developmental disabilities including autism, was scanned by people with developmental disabilities for use on WCCO.com. The work was performed at Midway Training Services, a private company in St. Paul. Midway Training Services partners with the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities and Johnson Condon Attorneys at Law, P.A., to provide people with autism and other developmental disabilities meaningful work in the area of document imaging.

To date, the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the Olmsted County Corrections Department, the City of Falcon Heights, and one of the schools in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, along with other private businesses, have used people with developmental disabilities to scan millions of documents through this unique program.

If your company would like more information on instituting this document imaging program and employing people with developmental disabilities to help convert paper files to electronic files, please contact:

The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities
370 Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar Street
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: (651) 296-4018

Shamus P. O'Meara, Partner
Johnson & Condon, P.A.
7401 Metro Boulevard, Suite 600
Minneapolis, MN 55439-3034
Phone: (952) 806-0438

Digital Partnering For People With Developmental Disabilities (PDF)
Autism Advocate (PDF)

Minnesota Survey of Attitudes Regarding Developmental Disabilities (1962 – 2007) (.ppt)
Employer Survey On Adults With Developmental Disabilities (.ppt)
GCDD Innovative Employer Nomination Form (PDF)
Midway Training Services, Inc.


Wednesday: Reality Check: Do We Have Autism Legislation?

Read Pat Kessler's Report
Watch The Video

Resources:

Faribault State School and Hospital
What Are Autism Spectrum Disorders?
Time: Is the Autism Epidemic a Myth?
Data Provides Misleading Picture of Autism
Minnesota Administrative Rules: Autism Spectrum Disorders
CDC Studies on Vaccines and Autism Spectrum Disorders
Federal Autism Activities


Thursday: The Autism Diet

Read Amelia Santaniello's Report
Watch The Video

Resources:

Gluten Free/Casein Free Shopping List And Recipes (PDF)
Gluten Free/Casein Free Friendly Restaurant List (PDF)
Gluten Free/Casein Free Support Group Information (PDF)
Angela Litzinger Bio (PDF)
Process For Clarifying Butter


Friday: Autism In The Somali Community

Read Amelia Santaniello's Report
Watch The Video

Resources:

Hiil Naafo Video Clip

NOTE: This video, produced for the Somali community, addresses developmental milestones for children and red flags for developmental delays as well as covering the topics of early identification and early intervention. The video also contains interviews with Somali parents of children who have special needs and an interview with a Somali physician. The set comes with an English transcript, training guide and additional resources.


Selected Previous WCCO-TV Reports

Who Gets To Diagnose Autism?
Program Could Track Autistic People Who Wander
Coping With Autism In Your Family
Service Dogs Give Autistic Kids More Confidence
Is My Child Autistic? A Mom's Search For Answers
Parents Of Autistic Kids Face Role As Care-Givers
Max: An Average Kid With An Average Case Of Autism


Outside Resources

The Autism Society Of Minnesota
Fraser
Autism Speaks
MN Autism Center -- Minnetonka
Partners in Excellence (PIE) -- North St. Paul and Burnsville
Minnesota Early Autism Project -- Maple Grove
RT Autism Awareness Foundation


Upcoming Autism Society Of Minnesota Events

Workshops and Classes

• "Transition Discovery Series," a two-session course for parents of adolescents who have autism spectrum disorder.
Date: Oct. 25 -- 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: AuSM Center in St. Paul
Cost: $40 for two people

• "Discovery Series PDD-NOS," a four-session course for parents of children who are recently diagnosed with autism or persuasive developmental disorder.
Date: Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28
Location: AuSM Center, St. Paul
Cost: $50 for two people

• "Meltdowns: Why do they happen and what can you do about them?"
Date: July 28 -- 7-9 p.m.
Location: PACER Center

Other Upcoming Events

• 2008 Golf Benefit
Date: Aug. 4 (Registration deadline: July 27)
Location: Hudson, Wis.
Cost: $125 per golfer; dinner $25 per person

• 2nd Annual Northern Lights Adult Autism Retreat (NOLAR)
Date: Aug 29-31 (Registration deadline: Aug. 22)
Location: South Haven, Minn.
Cost: $65 + lodging

Upcoming Fraser Events

• Capitol Classic Bike for Autism
Date: Sunday July 27-- 8:00 a.m.
Location: State Capitol

• Seminars
Date: Saturday, Nov. 8 and 15; Sunday Nov. 9 -- 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Private Family Consultations: Nov. 10-14
Location: Fraser Child and Family Center
Cost: $1,500 per family

Upcoming RT Autism Awareness Foundation (RTAAF) Events

• 3rd Annual FREE Beach Blanket Comedy Show
Date: July 23 -- 4:30-7:00 p.m.
Location: Peace Plaza in downtown Rochester
Royal T Band Plays at 5 p.m.

• Support Group Gathering for 12- to 20-year-olds
Date: July 24
Location: 3012 Mayowood Common Circle
BBQ potluck and games at 5:30 p.m.

• Family Carnival Night
Date: Aug. 14 -- 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: Home Design Studio

• Music Fest 2008 (Autism: We All Fit Together)
Date: Aug. 23 -- 1:00-10:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door

• Fundraiser/Car Show
Date: Sept. 12
Location: Mall of America

• Vikings vs. Colts home opener
Date: Sept. 14 at noon
Location: Metrodome

For additional information, and complete list of autism events, check out the WCCO Event Calendar.

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