Autism and Communication Center at Cal Lutheran

Yesterday was all about joy, community, and therapeutic surfing! The team made the day awesome for our Autism and Communication Center families. More videos will be posted soon! Thanks to for helping coordinate the event. We had a blast!

One spot has become available for our sold out surfing event! Please register if interested!

Flow Surf Academy is excited to host a surf camp for Cal Lutheran University and its Autism and Communication Center families.
Saturday, August 10th
10am
Mondos Beach in Ventura, CA
Event cost: $50

Register at: https://forms.gle/k3qt7iisoFpSYEir5

Thanks to generous donations, the cost of this event has been greatly reduced to $50 per surfer. Costs include one-on-one surf coaches, wet suits, food, and fun! Only 10 spots are available. Building a stronger community relies on coming together, and this event exemplifies that spirit perfectly. Flow Surf Academy believes in the transformational power of surfing and strives to introduce surfing to those who need it most.

We are proud and grateful to have hosted such an important event this week in partnership with Communication for Education! Participants visited California Lutheran University from NY, Ohio, Oregon, Arizona, and all over California. So many people came together, including autistic mentors, communication partners, professionals, and parents, to work on communication skill progression. A special thank you to James, Bella, William, Samuel, and Diego for providing feedback and insights to help communication partners flourish. Reach Every Voice and Autistically Inclined created a powerful training curriculum. A big thank you to Lisa and Julie for making this happen!

Spots are full but sign up for the waitlist!

New event for ACC spellers and typers! Flow Surf Academy is excited to host a surf camp for Cal Lutheran University and its Autism and Communication Center.
Saturday, August 10th
10am
Mondos Beach in Ventura, CA
Event cost: $50

Register at: https://forms.gle/k3qt7iisoFpSYEir5

Thanks to generous donations, the cost of this event has been greatly reduced to $50 per surfer. Costs include one-on-one surf coaches, wet suits, food, and fun! Only 10 spots are available. Building a stronger community relies on coming together, and this event exemplifies that spirit perfectly. Flow Surf Academy believes in the transformational power of surfing and strives to introduce surfing to those who need it most.

Our ACC Summer Camp, run by , was a hit! Not only did we have fun but the participants shared advice with their communication partners and parents on how to support them and treat them with dignity. Powerful words!

We love having families visit from all over California and Arizona. Our 3-day ACC Summer Camp families are enjoying creative games, bowling, and meals together this weekend. ⭐️

New event for ACC spellers and typers! Flow Surf Academy is excited to host a surf camp for Cal Lutheran University and its Autism and Communication Center.
Saturday, August 10th
10am
Mondos Beach in Ventura, CA
Event cost: $50

Register at: https://forms.gle/k3qt7iisoFpSYEir5

Thanks to generous donations, the cost of this event has been greatly reduced to $50 per surfer. Costs include one-on-one surf coaches, wet suits, food, and fun! Only 10 spots are available. Building a stronger community relies on coming together, and this event exemplifies that spirit perfectly. Flow Surf Academy believes in the transformational power of surfing and strives to introduce surfing to those who need it most.

3 spots are still open! The ACC Summer Connections Camp is a three-day workshop that brings students who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) together to practice communication by engaging in structured activities and games. The workshop series will be facilitated by Julie Sando (Certified in Assistive Technology Application) of Autistically Inclined. Each student will need to bring their own communication partner; all levels of communication are welcome. Registration for each AAC user and communication partner pair is $275. For additional information and to register, click the following link: https://forms.gle/zT3SwNGLfobNNWBd9

Week 1 of ACC Summer Academy is complete! So much fun and excited for week 2.

Week 1 of our ACC Summer Academy is going strong! Our teen and young adult participants are learning, communicating, and having fun! Thanks to Pearl Castro for facilitating this year’s academy!

We have two spots left in our ACC Summer Academy! Register today!

This will be our second year offering this innovative program for teens and adults who use alphabet stencils, letter boards, keyboards, and tablets to communicate. This program is designed for students and adults (14+) who want to engage in enriching academic and social experiences during the summertime while practicing typing, pointing, and spelling skills among peers.

This summer's Academy will be facilitated by Pearl Castro, a local communication partner and longtime ACC instructor. The program is designed by Nikki Hrach, a credentialed Education Specialist, CLU Graduate School of Education instructor, and graduate of the Communication for Education training course.

All participants are required to bring their own communication partners and communication materials. In the future, we hope to build the capacity to train more communication partners and partner with Cal Lutheran’s teacher credentialing program.

The Summer Academy will be held at California Lutheran University this June (6/17, 6/19, 6/21, 6/24, 6/26, and 6/28) from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM. For more information and to register for the program, go to: https://forms.gle/k9WCGiwJheZsK45T9

Registration is open! The ACC Summer Connections Camp is a three-day workshop that brings students who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) together to practice communication by engaging in structured activities and games. The workshop series will be facilitated by Julie Sando (Certified in Assistive Technology Application) of Autistically Inclined. Each student will need to bring their own communication partner; all levels of communication are welcome. Registration for each AAC user and communication partner pair is $275. 10 participants max; first come, first served. For additional information and to register, click the following link: https://forms.gle/zT3SwNGLfobNNWBd9

Connect with friends while practicing your AAC skills! The ACC Summer Connections Camp is a three-day workshop that brings students who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) together to practice communication by engaging in structured activities and games. The workshop series will be facilitated by Julie Sando (Certified in Assistive Technology Application) of Autistically Inclined. Each student will need to bring their own communication partner; all levels of communication are welcome. Registration for each AAC user and communication partner pair is $275. 10 participants max; first come first served. For additional information and to register, click the following link: https://forms.gle/zT3SwNGLfobNNWBd9

We have room for three more students in our ACC Summer Academy! Register today!

This will be our second year offering this innovative program for teens and adults who use alphabet stencils, letter boards, keyboards, and tablets to communicate. This program is designed for students and adults (14+) who want to engage in enriching academic and social experiences during the summertime while practicing typing, pointing, and spelling skills among peers.

This summer's Academy will be facilitated by Pearl Castro, a local communication partner and longtime ACC instructor. The program is designed by Nikki Hrach, a credentialed special education teacher, CLU Graduate School of Education instructor, and graduate of the Communication for Education training course.

All participants are required to bring their own communication partners and communication materials. In the future, we hope to build the capacity to train more communication partners and partner with Cal Lutheran’s teacher credentialing program.

The Summer Academy will be held at California Lutheran University this June (6/17, 6/19, 6/21, 6/24, 6/26, and 6/28) from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM. For more information and to register for the program, go to: https://forms.gle/k9WCGiwJheZsK45T9

Tomorrow (Wednesday)!

The ACC Innovations Speaker Series continues with a presentation from Teva Community!

Wednesday, May 1st
4pm Pacific/7pm Eastern
15 minute presentation
15 minute Q&A

RSVP: https://forms.gle/Nf2f6U1qaZx9zp7R7

"At Teva Community, we’re creating a new model for learning and living for nonspeaking autistic individuals who communicate by spelling and typing. We will offer education, retreats, professional trainings, and special events. We are also creating a safe, self-directed living community for autistic adults on 35 acres in the beautiful Prescott National Forest. We envision a world where all nonspeaking people are listened to, valued and fully included in all aspects of society."

Bios:

Sara Reisman

Teva Community Board President Sara Reisman has a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Arizona and a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Services Administration from San Diego State University. She has been not-stay-at-home mother for over 21 years. Sara is Secretary of the Board for the Pioneer Foundation of San Diego, which seeks to create high-quality, entrepreneurial programs for young adults with developmental disabilities. Her current main focus is creating a residential camp in Arizona for her son and other young adults with autism who communicate by spelling. Sara lives with her family in San Diego. Their 21 year old son, Jacob, is on the autism spectrum.

Scott Pralinsky

For the past 20 years, Scott has dedicated himself to the social impact sector, leading organizations in both the US and Costa Rica. His passion for empowering individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities shines through in everything he does. With a deep understanding of spiritual psychology, Scott fosters inclusive and nurturing environments where individuals can thrive. His ability to build strong teams and navigate complex challenges is evident in his achievements, including strengthening the financial positions of organizations and building dynamic leadership teams.

This summer, the ACC is sponsoring a 3.5-day advanced training opportunity for educators and parents who have completed the Communication For Education Online Training Course! The CFE Skill Progression Workshop allows participants to build on the foundational skills they learned in the online course with in-person, hands-on learning experiences led by course creators Lisa Mihalich Quinn, Julie Sando, and Edlyn Peña. Click the link to learn more and register for this new training opportunity: https://www.communicationforeducation.com/skill-progression-workshop

Save the date for our Summer Connections Camp!

Connect with friends while practicing your AAC skills! The ACC Summer Connections Camp is a three-day workshop that brings students who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) together to practice communication by engaging in structured activities and games. The workshop series will be facilitated by Julie Sando (Certified in Assistive Technology Application) of Autistically Inclined. Each student will need to bring their own communication partner; all levels of communication are welcome. Registration for each AAC user and communication partner pair is $275. Registration opens soon.

The ACC Innovations Speaker Series continues with a presentation from Teva Community!

Wednesday, May 1st
4pm Pacific/7pm Eastern
15 minute presentation
15 minute Q&A

RSVP: https://forms.gle/Nf2f6U1qaZx9zp7R7

"At Teva Community, we’re creating a new model for learning and living for nonspeaking autistic individuals who communicate by spelling and typing. We will offer education, retreats, professional trainings, and special events. We are also creating a safe, self-directed living community for autistic adults on 35 acres in the beautiful Prescott National Forest. We envision a world where all nonspeaking people are listened to, valued and fully included in all aspects of society."

Bios:

Sara Reisman

Teva Community Board President Sara Reisman has a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Arizona and a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Services Administration from San Diego State University. She has been not-stay-at-home mother for over 21 years. Sara is Secretary of the Board for the Pioneer Foundation of San Diego, which seeks to create high-quality, entrepreneurial programs for young adults with developmental disabilities. Her current main focus is creating a residential camp in Arizona for her son and other young adults with autism who communicate by spelling. Sara lives with her family in San Diego. Their 21 year old son, Jacob, is on the autism spectrum.

Scott Pralinsky

For the past 20 years, Scott has dedicated himself to the social impact sector, leading organizations in both the US and Costa Rica. His passion for empowering individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities shines through in everything he does. With a deep understanding of spiritual psychology, Scott fosters inclusive and nurturing environments where individuals can thrive. His ability to build strong teams and navigate complex challenges is evident in his achievements, including strengthening the financial positions of organizations and building dynamic leadership teams.

Registration is open for ACC Summer Academy! This will be our second year offering this innovative program for teens and adults who use alphabet stencils, letter boards, keyboards, and tablets to communicate. This program is designed for students and adults (14+) who want to engage in enriching academic and social experiences during the summertime while practicing typing, pointing, and spelling skills among peers.

This summer's Academy will be facilitated by Pearl Castro, a local communication partner and longtime ACC instructor. The program is designed by Nikki Hrach, a credentialed special education teacher, CLU Graduate School of Education instructor, and graduate of the Communication for Education training course.

All participants are required to bring their own communication partners and communication materials. In the future, we hope to build the capacity to train more communication partners and partner with Cal Lutheran’s teacher credentialing program.

The Summer Academy will be held at California Lutheran University this June (6/17, 6/19, 6/21, 6/24, 6/26, and 6/28) from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM. For more information and to register for the program, go to: https://forms.gle/k9WCGiwJheZsK45T9

The ACC Bowling Party was a blast! Lots of bowling, fun, and building community. Thanks to Nikki Hrach for organizing this event! Another successful event in the books. 😊

Dr. Peña, Diego, and Curly are in deep gratitude for helping the ACC raise over $44,000 on Cares Day! Thanks to all of you who generously donated to our fundraiser, ACC can continue providing essential supports to hundreds of individuals on the autism community. We appreciate you! 💜 A special thanks to Nikki Hrach for being instrumental in assisting with Cares Day, to Lisa Quinn and Julie Sando for hustling and successfully securing donors, and to our photographers and videographers Chelsea Waiton and Pearl Castro. 🙂

We still have a few spots left! Join us for an afternoon of bowling with the ACC on Saturday, April 13th! ACC spellers and typers bowl for free. Lunch and drinks will be available for purchase.
Click on the following link to RSVP: https://forms.gle/YoTT8TVz7nwZ8Rkw9

The Autism and Communication Center is dedicated to building a community of spellers from various time zones by building friendships, exchanging ideas, and practicing spelling/typing skills in an inclusive, comfortable environment. ​One of our ACC regulars, Emi, shares what ACC has meant to her:
“The ACC has made connecting with other typers such a joy in my life. I so look forward to the times I get to spend with my friends at the ACC’s events. They have fun events geared towards socialization and creating community. My family and I in support of the ACC encourage you to donate now!”

Donate to the ACC today by clicking the link below:
https://caresday.callutheran.edu/amb/ACC

Today is the day to make a difference! Your support for the Autism and Communication Center on Cal Lutheran Cares Day will allow us to continue supporting autistic students and adults, caregivers, and autism service providers through our innovative, inclusive programming.
Donate to the ACC today, on Cares Day, by clicking the link below:
https://caresday.callutheran.edu/amb/ACC
and .

ACC community, tomorrow is the big day! Every year, CLU hosts Cares Day–an annual day of giving that offers our community the opportunity to make donations that will assist our students and CLU communities throughout the year. Your support for the Autism and Communication Center on Cal Lutheran Cares Day will allow us to continue supporting autistic students and adults, caregivers, and autism service providers through our innovative, inclusive programming.
Donate to the ACC tomorrow, on Cares Day, by clicking the link below:
https://caresday.callutheran.edu/amb/ACC
and .

REV’s support as we head into Cares Day means the world to us!

Tomorrow! Join Lisa and our pal Julie Sando Johnston from Autistically Inclined to help the Autism and Communication Center at Cal Lutheran raise funds to support their upcoming year of amazing programing!

We'll be giving away access to training from Communication for Education when we go live with some of our friends, so be sure to follow Communication for Education to see the full lineup of events.

[id: a teal image with purple and white accents. The words read "Reach Every Voice supports the ACC. The Autism & Communication Center does so much to help our community. It's time to give back! Autism and Communication Center at CLU: Cares Day, April 10, 2024]

ACC programs brings autistic friends together from across the country!

“Programming like ACC offers is not easily found across the nation. My friend, Reagan, and her family planned their vacation to coincide with last summer's Communication Camp. They traveled all the way from Buffalo, New York! Thank you ACC for your progressive and innovative programming that serves nonspeaking autistic people from all over. Connection for the win!” -Samuel C.


Donate to the ACC on Cares Day by clicking the link below:
https://caresday.callutheran.edu/amb/ACC

Tomorrow is the big day! CLU's annual day of giving begins tonight at midnight! Every year, Cares Day offers our community the opportunity to make donations that will assist our students and CLU communities throughout the year. Your support for the Autism and Communication Center on Cal Lutheran Cares Day will allow us to continue supporting autistic students and adults, caregivers, and autism service providers through our innovative, inclusive programming!
and .

Donate here:
https://caresday.callutheran.edu/amb/ACC