OUR 2013 MEETING SCHEDULE AND TOPICS

Please see our 2013 support group dates below.

We will be meeting this year at:

Sewickley Valley YMCA
ACTIVITY CENTER (behind the Y in upper parking lot)
625 Blackburn Road
Sewickley, PA 15143
 http://www.sewickleyymca.org/facility-benefits/

6:30 to 8:00pm


Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Our New Year's Meet and Greet

Spending time getting caught up after the holidays and getting ready for the year ahead. 



Tuesday, February 5, 2013

MARK YOUR CALENDARS
 and please join us as we welcome

Dr. Suzanne Fleeson-DaSilva
Biomedical Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders

http://www.biomedicaldoc.com/index.html

Dr. Suzanne DaSilva is a licensed chiropractor (DC) practicing near Pittsburgh, PA.   After completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Penn State University, Dr. Suzanne attended New York Chiropractic College, where she received her Doctorate of Chiropractic

In 2007, Dr. Suzanne decided to combine her love of children with her passion for natural healing by using biomedical approaches in treating childhood illnesses including Autism Spectrum Disorders.   Dr. Suzanne also has a personal interest in helping children with special needs to due her brother having both brain damage and autism.
She has attended numerous autism conferences including the HOPE for Autism Conference, Great Plains Laboratory Physician Training Seminar for Treatment of Autism & ADHD, the Defeat Autism Now (DAN) Clinician Seminar and is a Generation Rescue doctor.  She has also lectured to many groups on topics such as biomedical treatments of Autism and ADHD, childhood vaccinations, understanding specialized diets, and many other topics related to healing children on the autism spectrum. 


CHILD CARE WILL BE PROVIDED BY PROFESSIONAL STAFF THAT CAN HELP WITH SOCIAL SKILLS.
KIDS WILL HAVE ACTIVITIES IN THE GYM AND/OR IN THE OASIS ACTIVITY CENTER AT THE Y.
The Oasis Center offers the opportunity to enjoy Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360 (+KINECT) on big screen TVs, as well as dozens of board games, card games, and craft supplies. Participants can partake in ping pong or billiards as well.
Activities in the gym to be announced.

We will provide a snack for all of the children.

PLEASE RSVP your name and contact information along with your children's names/ages to

trjp1125@comcast.net

We will be meeting in the Community Activity Center which is behind the main Y building.

You can also join us on our private Facebook support group page at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/WesternPAparents/


Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Meeting Cancelled


Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Please join us for our April meeting as we watch the movie BULLY.

We also welcome special guest, Michelle Chapala of My Austim Consultant, LLC.

She will be providing a great Fitness Class for children 16 and under.

We need all who are attending to RSVP.

We ask you respond to the Facebook invite or send an email to trjp1125@comcast.net by TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2013.
We need the names and ages of children that want to attend the fitness class.
ATTENTION PARENTS WITH CHILDREN ATTENDING: We ask you meet in the main lobby of the Sewickely YMCA to sign in the children and get them introduced to the Fitness staff.

Doors will be open in the YMCA Activity Center (upper parking lot) beginning at 6:30 and we will start the movie by 6:45pm. We will begin discussion time at 8:00pm. Parents will need to pick up their children by 8:30pm in the main building where they signed them in.

Wednesday,  May15, 2013

Jane Stadnik presents THE IMPORTANCE OF INCLUSION, A Parent's Perspective

Please join us on Wednesday evening, 5/15/2013, as we discuss inclusion and what it means for the success of our kids in school and the community. Our group facilitator, Jane Stadnik, recently graduated from the PEACE (Parents Engaged in Advocating for Change in Education) class that was offered this year by The PEAL (Parent Education and Advocacy Leadership) Center in Pittsburgh. www.pealcenter.org
She will be sharing valuable information she has learned. RSVP is needed by 05/15/2013. You may send an email to trjp1125@comcast.net Refreshments will be served. Please share this event with others who would like to attend. Hope you all can make it!

Service Dog Fundraiser for Mikayla Mineard

• • Saturday, November 17, 2012   

    1:00pm

• Faith Lutheran Church  100 Center Grange Drive Aliquippa, PA 15001

• My name is Gail Mineard. I am the mother of 7 year old twin daughters, Mikayla and Elena. Mikayla was diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, and mild cerebral palsy at the age of 3. Some people who don't know our family and sees us out at the store, or even Elena's soccer or softball games, may at first think Mikayla is a kid that misbehaves a lot or acts strange, but those are the people that need educated on autism. Mikayla is a blessing to me and I would love for her to have more enjoyable times shopping, watching her sister play sports, and even a fun place like Tropical Fun Zone. I am getting her a service dog to assist her with emotional and physical difficulties that affect her in several ways. But, the cost, though WELL worth it, is costly. So, Mikayla's Girl Scout leader, and also a good friend of mine, is a Premier Jewelry Consultant and she is having this fundraiser to help Mikayla get her service dog. Besides, awesome jewelry that you will be able to purchase, we are also going to have a Chinese Auction and a 50/50 raffle. This event is open to the public, so please, bring friends and invite EVERYONE!!! If anyone would like to help, by either helping at the fundraiser or making a basket for the raffle, please contact myself.....Thank You and hope to see everyone there!!!  https://www.facebook.com/events/289341794517601/

News Alert: Webinar on Medical Assistance Co-Pays for Services to Children with Disabilities, Friday, October 5th at Noon.

 

 The Department of Public Welfare will begin implementing co-payments for certain services for children in Medicaid’s PH-95 category (sometimes called “loophole”). The information shared with families has produced confusion and a number of questions. Join the Pennsylvania Health Law Project (PHLP) for a one hour webinar led by David Gates and Ann Bacharach on the latest changes to co-payments, what remains to be clarified, and families’ responsibilities and appeal rights. At the end of the webinar there will be an opportunity to ask questions.

To register for the webinar please visit the PEAL Center website.

www.pealcenter.org

 

 The Pennsylvania Health Law Project is a nonprofit legal services organization. As a nationally recognized expert and consultant on access to health care for low-income consumers, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, PHLP strives to educate and inform Pennsylvanians, their families and advocates, and the general public, regarding health policy issues that impact coverage and access to health care services.

These occasional alerts, designed to supplement our regular eNews, PA Health Law News and Senior Health News, allow PHLP to communicate promptly with consumers and advocates when a time-sensitive development in health policy arises.

 

A IMPORTANT MESSAGE AND CALL TO ACTION FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR PENNSYLVANIA FAMILIES, FOLLOWING YESTERDAY'S RALLY AT THE ROTUNDA PROTESTING MA CO-PAYS:

Good afternoon everyone,

I truly appreciated the opportunity to be able to advocate in this capacity to fight for our consumers and families. I truly believe though in my heart, that anyone could have gone up to that podium and did what I did yesterday. Our passion and fight is fueled and inspired by loved ones and/or consumers who have touched our hearts, who need our tireless advocacy efforts to give them every chance in this world to be successful.

In brief, we consider the rally to have been a success, despite the fact that we did not pull the attendance we had hoped for. We know how difficult travel is, the cost involved, and other factors. Thankfully, the rally is getting local, state, and through some bloggers and organizations, national attention.

Many articles and news stories, however, are unfairly projecting false, “regurgitated information” from the DPW. They talk about families needing to “contribute their fair share,” or how “it’s only $1-$3 per service,” or… “we’re looking at 200% of the poverty level,” or “we have no choice with this economy.”

Yes, WE DO HAVE A CHOICE.

Here are some facts that may

Education Voters PA County Legislative Guides Available

 

• Posted by Lawrence A. Feinberg on September 27, 2012

Dear Friends and Allies,
We have now created, and have made available on our website, Legislative Guides for all of Pennsylvania's 67 counties! These Legislative Guides can be extremely helpful tools in engaging your constituents around legislative education advocacy. They include pictures, contact information (local and Harrisburg offices), committee appointments and a list of school districts within each legislative district.
Please feel free to share this resource with your networks and email lists and post on your social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc.). We'd like as many people as possible to have access to this information, because after all, the more people know how to communicate with policymakers the more they will, and the closer we'll come to our shared goal of providing a quality education for every child in Pennsylvania! Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments.
A full list of legislative guides can be viewed and downloaded HERE: http://www.educationvoterspa.org/index.php/site/take-action/legislative-guide7/

New Support Group - Ask-an-Aspie!

Caitlin Freeman and Phil Garrow announce a new support group, Ask-an-Aspie!

Our new group is for parents and families of people with autism, as well as autism service providers.
...

This group is led by Caitlin Freeman and Phil Garrow, two adults on the autism spectrum.

In our group, we will share what we have learned in our seven years of supporting and participating in the autism community.

The first topics for our group will be drawn from our popular talks, “Autism From the Inside Out.” Members will be encouraged to suggest topics for future meetings.

We will meet at the Community Human Services (CHS) Building in Oakland, 372 Lawn Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Google Map: http://goo.gl/maps/wbHX8

The meeting room is behind the right end of the building. Go down the driveway, turn left into the parking lot, and the meeting space is visible through the windows.

Our first Meetup will be on Sunday, October 21 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. After the meeting, group members are encouraged to continue the conversation at a local restaurant.

You can join our group and see our meeting schedule at our Meetup website: www.Ask-an-Aspie.com.

If you have questions, you can email: caitlin.freeman@gmail.com, or call: 412-605-0113

Literacy Workshop

PEAL Center presents

 

Literacy Instruction Across the Curriculum: How To Make It Happen

This professional development session is based on the premise that all students can and do benefit from literacy instruction when the instruction is appropriate for their learning needs and when they are provided the supports they require to learn.

 

 

Click here to view the flyer

http://www.pealcenter.org/images/Literacy_workshop_for_web.pdf

 

Click here to register

 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LitWorkshop

Disability Rights Network -FREE DASH Advocacy Workshops

FREE ADVOCACY WORKSHOPS
TO HELP DISABILITY ADVOCACY GROUPS
IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS!!

These workshops are provided by the Disability Advocacy Support Hub (DASH) - a project of the Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania. The DASH project is supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.

Please note that seating is limited and reservations are required.

Different Advocacy Approaches 10am – noon

Understand the different direct and indirect advocacy approaches that groups can use. Understand the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. Provide tips that will help each approach be successful.

Lunch Provided noon – 1pm

Effective Grassroots Policy Advocacy 1pm – 3pm

Understand what information you need and approaches you take to be effective in advocating with policy makers. Get ideas on how to develop relationships and build bridges to key decision makers.

ENROLL NOW TO ATTEND WORKSHOPS IN YOUR AREA!!!

Carlisle– September 10 @ Arc of Cumberland and Perry Counties
Pittsburgh– September 18 @ Three Rivers Center for Independent Living Services
Clarion– September 19 @ PA DCNR Forestry Building, hosted by Arc of Clarion and Venango County
Williamsport– October 1 @ Center for Independent Living of North Central PA
Scranton– October 3 @ Northeast Pennsylvania Center for Independent Living
Glenmoore– October 16 @ Camphill Soltane

To Enroll or for More Information Contact DASH– Call toll free at 800-692-7443 x312 (877-375-7139 TTY) OR send an email to ldo@drnpa.org

No charge for workshops or materials
Accommodations available upon request during registration
Workshop materials are available in alternate formats
Please make all accommodation requests by August 15, 2012.

September support meeting

Beaver County Parents of ASD and

Learning Differences

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

6:30 to 8:00PM

 

BEAVER MEMORIAL LIBRARY

100 College Avenue, Beaver, PA  15009

Let’s welcome in the new school year with a

Meet and Greet!

Join us for coffee, friends and support.

For more information contact

trjp1125@comcast.net

 

We are on break for Summer of 2012

We will be picking back up with speakers and support meetings again in the Fall. Please check back with us for updates on our new schedule and location for meetings!

Have a great summer!

You can always join us on our Facebook group page or on Twitter.
***Please see the links to the left of the page!

Beaver County Support Groups

Support Groups	Where?	When?
Family Support Group for families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders A family-driven support group led by parents	Rachel Cornelius 724-775-1362 Family Behavioral Resources 1301 Riverside Dr. Beaver, PA 15009	second Tuesday of the month from 6:00 to 8:00 * Social Skills/Play Group will be offered during the Parent Support Group.  Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their siblings are welcome.
Trauma Support Group - Parents Lending Empathy Advice, Support and Education Designed for parents, caregivers, and foster parents of children who have experienced loss, out of home placement, adoption or other emotionally charged events.	Rachel Cornelius 724-775-1362 Family Behavioral Resources 1301 Riverside Dr. Beaver PA 15009	second Thursday of the month from 6:00 to 7:30 *Social Skills Group for children and siblings of all ages to run concurrently
Family Support Network A parent led support and advocacy group for parents of children with various disabilities	Shirl Lyndes 724-843-3763 www.familysupportnetwork.info Mental Health Association 105 Brighton Ave Rochester, PA 15074	first & third Tuesdays of the month from 6:00 to 7:30
Aliquippa Council of Men and Fathers An association of men united by a love for Aliquippa and its citizens.  Helping to reduce the violent crime in the community and to improve the academic performance of the children.	Shon Owens 724-378-2882 Broadcast Café, 464 Franklin Avenue Aliquippa, PA 15001	second Saturday of the month at 10:00 AM
Fatherhood Initiative  Designed to educate and empower fathers, support mothers and enable children to develop strong self esteem, family identity and values.	Shon Owens 724-378-2882 Franklin Center 524 Franklin Avenue Aliquippa, PA 15001	third Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm

Fatherhood Initiative of Beaver County  Designed to educate and empower fathers, support mothers and enable children to develop strong self esteem, family identity and values.	Shon Owens 724-378-2882 300 Bridge Street Bridgewater PA 15009	every Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM *Van Transportation upon request
Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (ASCA)	Tiffany Smith 412-980-6542 Beaver Area Memorial Library 100 College Avenue Beaver, PA 15009	Tuesdays from 6:00-7:30 PM
NAMI Beaver County Is an Educational and Advocacy and Support Group for Families, consumers, and professionals dealing with serious mental illnesses or brain disorders.	Diane Watson 724-775-7571 Heritage Valley- Staunton Clinic 176 Virginia Avenue Rochester, PA 15074 (Conference Room)	third Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM
NAMI Connections	Bob Boyer 724-728-1704 Grace Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall 393 Adams Street Rochester, PA 15074	every Thursday from 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Rebuilders - Support for people receiving behavioral health services.	self run by consumer/survivors 724-775-4165 Phoenix Center Mental Health Association 105 Brighton Avenue Rochester ,PA 15074	every Monday at 12:00 pm

Adult Survivor’s Support Group This group is for any woman, who was abused as a child, regardless of the type of abuse suffered: whether sexual, physical emotional and or mental	Amy Frank 724 775-0131 afrank@womenscenterbc.org Women’s Center of Beaver County Call to get Location and Directions Registration is required also has a 24 hr. helpline at 724 775-0131	Wednesdays from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
G.E.M.S. Girls Esteem Made to Shine GEMS will focus on Prevention Life Skills, and Post Teenage Pregnancy.  We will create awareness, equip, empower, and generate opportunities and hope. Y.A.P  Youth at Promise Our objective is to get the youth’s attention to recognize their strengths and realize their potential.  Our interactive teaching techniques encourage the youth to both explore and express his /her own thoughts and feelings. Aftercare Our objective is to provide training, teaching and creating a spirit of enthusiasm which guides, directs and channels the potential of Wo-Men making transitions reach and obtain success. Monday Mom’s Is a group of mothers who get together to discuss nurturing, parenting styles, effects of parenting styles , anger management and support	Mary Burton 724-770-0555 burton162@comcast.net Call ahead to make sure group is meeting.	Meets on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays Rochester Community Center 283 Adams Street Rochester Pa 15074   From 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Panic and Anxiety Support Group	Mary Ramanna 412-720-2317	First and Third Monday Friendship Ridge 246 Friendship Circle Beaver PA 15009 First Floor 7:30 to 900
Hope of Beaver County Whether your family has Had a child die  (At any age from any cause) or you are trying to help those who have gone through this life altering experience. This group exists to provide friendship, understanding, and hope to those going through the natural grieving process.	Nancy Simon 724-846-2252	Meets the fourth Sunday of the month IBEW Building 217 Sassafras Avenue Beaver PA 15009 No one under 15 years of age is able to attend the meeting

PEDIATRIC ALLIANCE PARTNERS WITH WESLEY SPECTRUM SERVICES

Pediatric Alliance continues to strive to provide the best Medical Home for our patients, and to increase convenient access to services. In keeping with these efforts, we have now collaborated with Wesley Spectrum Services to provide a mental health therapist in two of our offices, North Hills Cranberry and St. Clair. The Wesley Spectrum therapist is in our offices a couple days a week, and is able to help families and children address a wide variety of behavioral and mental health issues.

If you have questions or a need for these services, please contact our office or call Wesley Spectrum directly: Dave Grabowski 412-342-2256.

                            Exceptional Care for Your Children

Confidence and Convenience for You

Visit our website www.pediatricalliance.com, follow us on Twitter (PedAlliance) or on Facebook for accurate health information and more about our practice