Hi everyone! Just wanted to post here about the upcoming "Water Wednesdays" starting next week. The first one will be next Wednesday the 10th of June from 5:30-7:30pm. They will run every Wednesday until August 12th unless you hear differently from me (like if our family is heading north to the lake for a week) or there is really bad weather the day of our meet. Please be aware this is an outside activity and your child will be getting wet and dirty--that's half the fun right!!??!! Please bring a change of clothes, swimsuit, and towel... There will be sprinklers, a water table, a sand box or two, ring toss, bean bag throw, the pool, and the swing set to name some of the activities. I'll also have chalk/art and bubble stations set up. Please email me at Jennifer@autism-hope.org if you have any questions or don't already have my address. I don't want to leave anyone out of this activity, but I'd suggest to most parents that the things we'll be doing are most appropriate for the 2-10 age range. Thanks! Jennifer Landstrom and family

Parent meetings are updated on the site and on the calender of events. ----- Janet, I hope you make it out to the next one on June 16th.

Hi Janet, The meeting are at the church just for the summer months. We will begin meeting again at the Porter center in Sept. The time is the same 6pm,Keep an eye on the calendar. Doyle will change the info there. If you have any ? feel free to contact again. Hope to see at the parent meeting they are a lot of fun.

I've been wanted to come to a parent meeting, just curious r they goin to be @ the church instead of porter center? What time are they going to be?

We have a place to meet this summer!! Adrian First Church of the Nazarene have graciously lent us their conference room. These dates are what we have reserved...6/16, 7/7, 7/21, 8/4 and 9/1. 9/15, we'll be back at Porter.

Doyle, I see you already posted the "Play To Talk" author Dr. James MacDonald on the website. Thanks! All Autism Hope members: If you have late-talking children and are trying to learn how you can be your child's best facilitator of speech, attend the FREE lecture by Dr. MacDonald on June 15th at Madonna College. And get Play To Talk, his book which is available on Amazon.com. I am going and am taking 2 parents and a speech therapist from LISD with me. Hope some of you can take advantage of this. His website is www.jamesdmacdonald.org for more info. Terry.

Hey Jennifer C. (Jenni). I didn't realize that was you. Glad you made it by. I look forward to meeting your family at the Social Saturday! ---------Brandi, good luck with the hyperbaric oxygen therapy. I don't know much about it. You'll have to keep us updated on how it works. -----------Terri, I'm sorry to hear your book got misplaced. I hope you find it. We'll have to get together on a date and time for "therapeutic play". I've contacted Holli regarding the IEP Advocate. We'll get her some help one way or the other.

Terry--Did you check with Dr. Linsk to see if he picked up the book by mistake? I know I had to leave early that night, but I remember him having it in his hand at one point in time. Just a thought! Hope you're doing great... Jennifer

Several parents have approached me about teaching our support group a little about therapeutic play. Even though the strategies that I plan for each child is different (depending on the individual sensory needs, distractibility, level of ASD, ADHD, etc.)----I could at least cover the basics of what it is, the different types, and how it helps. Busy summer with family events, etc. but I would try if the membership is interested in learning more. Does anyone from the group have my McCandless book mentioned in the prev. message? If not, I will call Porter to see if someone honest turned it in in the school office. Terry.

Brandi... I believe Deb is right about the laying still part... Though I was told that you could lay with your child during treatment. This might not be true at Dr. Linsk's office though, so you might want to "shop around" for the best fit as far as pediatricians go. Then again he may allow that too! I know a few parents who have used this therapy and a lot have reported improved attention span and some increased use of language. None however reported any drastic change/improvement. We've not tried it with Drew... Email me if you'd like to talk or need anything else: Jennifer@autism-hope.org

Dear Brandi, Dr. Linsk is my sons doctor and I know from the information sent by E-mail from him that each session is 60 dollars and it is like a lot of things trial and error. It may or may not make a difference. I will be at the next meeting with the information and will be glad to show you or anyone that is interested. Your child has to be able to lay in a tube and watch a video and Joey will not lay still like that. That is my understanding.

Hello all. I finally made it to one of your meetings...I came to hear the DAN doctor speak. It was excellent and what all of you are doing is excellent!!! He wants to start my daughter Samantha on hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Has anyone tried this and if so what improvements or outcomes have been seen? ANY info on this would be greatly appreciated....thanks to all!!!

Wow, the website is wonderful! I have a six year old daughter, diagnosed with ASD. I think Social Saturdays are a super idea. Elle and I hope to attend the next scheduled event at St. Francis.

You got it Jennifer! I hope everyone is having a safe, fun Memorial Day Weekend!

Doyle--Thanks for putting our wednesday playnight info up! Can you remove the June 3rd date please? We won't be starting those until the 10th! Thanks:)