Autism Speaks Family Services LECTURE SERIES

Autism Speaks’ Georgia Regional Office announces the 2008 “Autism Speaks Family Services" lecture series. This six-lecture series will address important topics for parents and caregivers of children with autism.

“Educating Children with Autism - Pitfalls of the IEP process”
Thursday, January 31, 2008, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at The Marcus Institute.
Leading the education a session will be Jon Zimring, renowned Special Education Attorney from Zimring & Associates, who will discuss “Pitfalls of the IEP Process.” He will be joined by Heather Taylor, M.A. CCC-SLP, Cobblestone Therapy Group, and author of “The Role of Speech Therapy in Education Programs for Children with Autism.” Heather will also discuss how to effectively write IEP goals for speech for children with autism. Susan K. Tauber, Founder and Executive Director of the Adaptive Learning Center, Inc., an early intervention program that partners children with disabilities with Atlanta area preschools, will discuss the importance of early intervention in an inclusion setting.

“Team Captain Training - How to lead a successful Team”
Thursday, February 21, 2008, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at The Marcus Institute.
Thinking about becoming a Team Captain? Were you a Team Captain last year and wished you could have increased your fundraising amounts? Join with the Georgia Walk for Autism Team Recruitment Committee and learn why being a successful Team Captain is more than just showing up on Walk Day. Team Captains are responsible for encouraging their team to be the best fund-raisers possible. This does not have to be a daunting task, being a Team Captain can be not only a fun role to play, but also can be incredibly rewarding.Previous Team Captains and Walk participants will share online registration tips, recruitment tools and fundraising ideas. This will be a strength building lesson for us all.

“How to Pay for it All : Financial and Estate planning targeted to parents of children with disabilities”
Thursday, March 13, 2008 from 7:00 – 9:00pm at TBD:
Leading the discussion will be Pam Hoppe, Financial Planner at Metlife, and MetDESK Specialist - MetLife's Division of Estate Planning for Special Kids. She will be joined by Mark Biernath, Law Offices of Mark E. Biernath, an attorney specializing in Estate Planning and Special Needs Planning and Ann Elliott, A Labor of Love, Medicaid and Deeming Waiver Consultant who has obtained more than 60 Deeming Waiver approvals for her clients.

“Temple Grandin: Accomplished Adult”
Thursday, April 25, 2008 from 7:00-9:00pm at the CDC Roybal Campus
Thomas Harkin Global Communications Center (Building 19)Temple Grandin, Ph.D., is one of the most accomplished and well-known adults with autism. She has been featured on major television programs, such as ABC’s “Primetime Live” and “20/20,” NBC’s “Today Show,” CNN’s “Larry King Live,” and CBS’s “48 Hours” and in national publications, such as Time, People, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report, and New York Times.

Dr. Grandin didn’t talk until she was three and a half years old, communicating her frustration instead by screaming, peeping, and humming. In 1950, she was diagnosed with autism and her parents were told she should be institutionalized. She tells her story of “groping her way from the far side of darkness” in her book Emergence: Labeled Autistic.

Today, Dr. Grandin is a designer of livestock handling facilities and a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. She also speaks around the world on autism. Please plan on joining us to hear Dr. Grandin tell her story in recognition of Autism Awareness Month.

“Taking Care of Yourself is as Important as Taking Care of Your Child”
Thursday, May 15, 2008 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Marcus Institute.

Leading the discussion will be Moshe Manheim, Senior Clinical Social Worker at The Marcus Institute, who will discuss ways to reduce stress and keep your marriage healthy while raising a child with autism. Joining her will be Aida Miles, Registered and Licensed Dietician at The Marcus Institute, who will discuss ways to keep you and your family healthy.

These programs are complimentary and open to the public, but space is limited and reservations are required. For more information and to make reservations, call 770.451.0570.