Georgia Autism Center

On this Memorial Day, we remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Their courage and dedication will never be forgotten. Let us take a moment to reflect on their contributions and express our deepest gratitude. 🇺🇸

High Hopes Children's Therapy has three groups starting Fridays in May: Fine Motor Promoters, Preschool Readiness, and Meeting for the Feeding. These groups are created for preschool age children for the month of May.

Please contact them for more information regarding these upcoming groups.

If you are a concerned parent or guardian and suspect your child may be showing signs of a neurodevelopmental disorder such as an Autism Spectrum Disorder, then take a look at these early signs.

None of the signs alone can indicate a diagnosis of ASD, but if you are noticing or worried about any behaviors displayed by your kiddo, then we encourage you to complete our online assessment, found here: https://www.georgiaautismcenter.com/autism-assessment and also talk to your child's pediatrician.

One of our psychologists will follow up with you, once completed, and discuss the assessment process and how we can help you.

Starting intervention when ASD is suspected, even before a formal diagnosis, can make a huge difference in your child's developmental journey. Early support means your child's specific needs can be targeted early on, reducing delays and helping your little one thrive. Plus, it's not just about your kiddo. As a parent or caregiver, there is support for you too!

If you're ready to take that first step, then we encourage you to reach out to your child's pediatrician to discuss your concerns in order to obtain referrals for interventions, such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, etc.

Our psychologists at GAC are also here to help you and can provide you with a comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessment to determine if a diagnosis of ASD is present and what additional resources that may be of benefit to your child and your family.

🙌 We've partnered with our friends at Sistahs With Ausome Children for a Webinar on the importance of choosing a guardian for your child when they're a minor and why guardianship may be appropriate for your child when they turn 18. ⚖️

🎯 Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/yd8e6kmm

When: April 23, 2024 at 7 p.m. ⏰
Where: Online (Register with the link above) ⬆️
Who: Everyone's invited 😎

"Protecting Special Needs Families Is Our Mission" 💪💞

Early screening for ASD is key! Pediatricians play a crucial role in identifying signs of autism before age 3 years, paving the way for early intervention and support.

Did you know?

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April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month! Embracing and celebrating differences is what matters!

Join us for a day of learning and fun with the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park! It’s free to eligible Georgia high school students with a disability. BDI will coordinate transportation to the Atlanta Braves Truist Park. Lunch and t-shirts will be provided for the event.

Contact Monique Bell at [email protected], BDI Manager, Programs and Business Services for registration questions.

Deadline for sign-up is May 17th, 2024. Register at https://bobbydodd.org/events/gvra-day-with-the-atlanta-braves/

What's the difference between ABLE accounts (STABLE in Georgia) and Special Needs Trusts? Is one better than the other? Do you need both? 🤔

Attorney DJ Jeyaram will answer these questions - and more - during this free online Webinar on March 28th at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. 💻

Registration required. Send an email to [email protected] for the link.

We look forward to seeing you then! 😎

Sign up now before we fill up for our preschool summer camp. It’s lots of fun and we will be in our new amazing building for our upcoming preschool !! Join us for a fun summer. Call and reserve your spot

Marietta City Schools is having a Transition Services Resource Fair on April 18th. This event is free and does not require registration.

Check out Therabeat, Inc. Music Therapy 2024 summer camps.

Another opportunity for your kiddos to connect socially. A to Z Pediatric Therapy is offering Spring social play groups, beginning April 13th!

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! Let's come together to celebrate the unique abilities and talents of individuals with developmental disabilities. Let's promote inclusivity, understanding, and support for all members of our community.

Every March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) and our partners and council members celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM) highlights how people with and without disabilities come together to form strong communities. DDAM raises awareness of the inclusion and contributions of people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of community life, and it’s a time to explore the work we still need to do to remove barriers.

With this year’s them; ‘A World of Opportunities’, we’re celebrating people and working together to remove obstacles. Our goal is to build a community that’s committed to creating a world where everyone can do well and succeed.

Just as March 1st kicks off Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, it also commemorates Disability Day of Mourning; a day to remember disabled victims killed by family members, or filicide. We hope that today allows for new opportunities and dialogue within and out of the disability community.

Be sure to follow NACDD, our councils and our partner organizations to find and share resources, news and other materials to highlight new opportunities through the month of March.

Join us for another cohort of our parent training. Beginning March 16, 2024 to April 13, 2024. Facebook users can register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpc-qsqT0tHt24vGQ0fvac0ZUUukJSWetj #/registration

Instagram Users can click the link in our profile.
This training is for parents and caregivers.

The virtual expo is coming up on March 7th! Be sure to tune in if you're interested in learning more!

The Summer Experience Expo in-person event kicks off today, February 29th, while the virtual expo is set for March 7th, 2024.

Don't miss out on the chance to explore a wide range of summer programs! Scan the QR code to register and unlock access to the full catalog of offerings. And for those navigating the waters of choosing a summer camp for kids with ADHD & LD, check out our article here: https://impactparents.com/blog/adhd/choosing-summer-camp-for-adhd/

For parents who are not local to the Atlanta area, we encourage you to seek out summer Expos in your areas, and to look for resources that understand the unique needs of complex kids!

For additional resources, check out these articles:
How to Make Home like Camp: https://impactparents.com/blog/complex-kids/how-to-make-home-like-camp/
And more: https://impactparents.com/?s=willson
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AT in the IEP? NBD! This free webinar presented in partnership with ISET will break down assistive technology myths and explore new guidance from the US Department of Education.

https://exceptionalchildren.org/events/cec-webinar-answering-question-yes-it-should-be-iep

For our women caregivers in the South Metro Area. Check out this upcoming support group session.

https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E360290&id=44

March AAC Program Announcement: Planning for the Future of Loved Ones with ASD

This virtual program will review how to plan for the care of loved ones, including “What is a life care plan?”, “What timelines should I have?”, “What are comprehensive life care planning steps?”, and “How do I get started?”. Audience members will hear from a diverse panel of speakers with personal and professional experience in planning for the future, creating estate plans that allow older individuals to protect their savings, maintain their benefits eligibility and choosing a personalized level of care that aligns with their wishes and expectations. Additional topics include Medicaid waivers, social security survivor benefits, transition planning, and supplemental security income (SSI).

We are pleased to be joined next month for this event by Michael Kipness, CLU, ChFC, CASL, ChSNC, David Morrow, and Heather Nadler, Special Needs and Elder Law.

We hope you can join us for a rich discussion on future planning! While this program is virtual, advanced registration is required. Register today at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/7417092245212/WN_A1ecRp-YTTOmypTig97fog

WAZE to Adulthood Training For Families and Professionals:

Vocational Rehabilitation ... The Who, What, When, Where and How

This workshop will cover various aspects of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) including:
What is VR?
Why VR?
How to Connect to VR?
Who is eligible for VR?
Who is involved in VR?
When can VR start?
Where do you go for VR?

This presentation is for Parents and Professionals

When: Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Time: 6:30 - 7:30 pm

Register via this link:
https://tinyurl.com/pnashxwm

GA Tutor Home GaTutor is groundbreaking program powered by Georgia Virtual Learning. Georgia-certified teachers with solid content area expertise provide one-on-one tutoring sessions tailored for each individual student. 

Check out these upcoming events

🤩 We can't wait to see everyone this Saturday, February 3rd at 10 a.m. at Southside Support Incorporated in partnership with ClearWater Academy.

✏️ Bring your legal questions! 🥰 Although on-site childcare is full, there are still a few seats still available ⬇️

https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E360290&id=39

One Church at 2130 Redwine Road, Fayetteville, GA 30215

Questions: 803-261-5370 or [email protected]

MDE School is now enrolling for the 2024/2025 school year. We have openings in the new preschool program, MDE School and MDE Vocational Academy. Spots are filling fast. Call 770-971-4633 for more information.

Here's to a brand new chapter, a brand new season, and a brand new year filled with endless possibilities, joy, and success! GAC wishes each of you a spectacular New Year filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments.

Getting back into our routines can bring a sense of normalcy. Start with small, manageable steps to ease into your regular schedule. https://www.autisminblack.org/ 🖤📅