AffiliateResources for Adults on the Spectrum
Hello All:
Here is some information about upcoming events that may be helpful for adults on the spectrum brought to you by the Autism Society of Washington, Spokane Affiliate. Please also check our web page at the www.autismsocietyofwa.org and find the ASW community tab and scroll down to Affiliates and click on Spokane! Any questions: mailto:spokane@autismsocietyofwa.org there is an event calendar for various autism related training in Eastern Washington.
Additions or corrections to this list welcome
ASW Activities
March ASW Meeting
Housing for those on the Spectrum
Wednesday, March 20 (6:30-8:30PM)
St. Luke’s Rehab Center, Conference Room 200
711 S. Cowley, Spokane
Adults on the spectrum who may wish to move out of their family home or find independent living arrangements find there are barriers to affordable, safe and appropriate places. The traditional choices of group homes or adult family home are not the answer for those who are higher functioning, yet need some assistance. This meeting will cover thinking outside the box for alternatives for various types of shared housing. Meetings are free and open to the public.
Parking is free on south side of the building.
mailto:spokane@autismsocietyofwa.org
Adults on the Spectrum Discussion Group
Saturday, March 9 (Board Meeting at Noon)(12:30 to 2:30pm)
Saturday, March 23(10:00AM -noon—drop in times
Spokane City Library Eastside Branch,
5th and Stone (just west of Altamont and 5th)
Adult discussion group has reserved a separate meeting room at the Spokane City Library Eastside branch. The Adult Discussion group is getting off the ground! This is not therapy, but a chance to meet other intelligent adults on the spectrum who are advocating for themselves. Future plans may include speakers or workshops, depending on interests of the group.
Participants need to be able to listen politely to others as well as talk. Drop in any time between 10:30 and 2pm. If there is inclement weather, use judgment on traveling.
Tentative plans are meeting 1st and 3rd Saturdays at the East Side Library. Library is located near 5th and a yahoo group is being formed.
ASW Adults Game Day—
Sunday, March 17 (1-3PM)
Service Station Coffee House.
9317 N. Nevada
(Near Winco)
Please bring a board or card game that you like to play and can share with others. Food and Drinks are available for purchase. Since it is winter in Spokane, sometime the weather is frightful, so use your judgment if road conditions are bad.
We reserve the right to cancel if there are poor driving conditions, and will notify the Coffeehouse staff if our volunteers cannot make it. This free support group is run by volunteer members of the Autism Society. Most of our participants are not able to make any contributions because they are unemployed, but if you are a parent please feel free to donate any inexpensive items you could for our cheesy door prizes.
Sensory Friendly Movies
Selected Saturdays at 10AM
AMC Theater,
River Park Square Mall
Tickets are $6
March 31: The Croods
The River Park Square Mall AMC Theater dedicates a matinee movie each month for people who have sensory issues with normal movie showings. For show times, a list of participating theaters and more information about the program, visit www.autism-society.org/sensoryfilms
You can bring a bag lunch or purchase one at the food court. Sensory Movies are the only time people may bring their own snacks to the theater. This is not a fundraiser for us, but AMC is making an effort to be more welcoming to people on the spectrum usually at a financial loss for them. If you go, please remember to thank them. Most of the movies are for kids, but some maybe interesting for you.
Easily Accessible by STA: near the STA Plaza. Cheap street parking can be found across the river.
Education
PACE Programs
Autism Classes are very popular and fill quickly. Spring Term will be here soon)
Lodge (Log Cabin on SFCC campus)
3305 W. Fort George Wright Drive
PACE offers non-credit instruction for those who might not be able attend credit classes through the usual community colleges.
They usually have had 2 noncredit classes: Advanced Communications Skills and Life Skills through the Arts for those on the Autism/Asperger’s spectrum. Contact Linda DeFord or Kelly Long at 279-6033. (There are many other classes offered from Job skills, Money Smart and Computer work Skills Building, not just geared for those on the Spectrum)
http://www.iel.spokane.edu/LNB/Improve-your-life/PACE1/Registraton-forms.aspx
Community Colleges of Spokane
Most community colleges have a Disability Support Services office to assist those who have a disability and need some support. The support is limited as compared to the K-12 support, but it may be enough for you to succeed.
Spokane Falls Community College, Ben Webinger 509.533.4166
Spokane Community College, Denis Johnson, 509.533.7169
Institute for Extended Learning, Paul Susac, 509.279.6037
Training on Computers
1317 W. 2nd, Spokane
(509) 744-0972
This is a small community center that provides free small group training on face book, multimedia and other classes. They are located on 2nd avenue close to the Maple Street Bridge area. Check out the “World of Jobcraft” It is an alternate reality game that helps 18-25 year olds gain interest and experience in an IT career. Open Video Lab at Tincan every Tuesday from 2-5pm. Use professional equipment and software with staff to answer your questions.
Improve Your Self with WorkSource
WorkSource Office
140 S. Arthur, Spokane
The WorkSource office has a free self-paced online careers skills training program called KeyTrain. There are multiple subjects available; reading, writing, math, applied technology (electricity, mechanics) business writing, listening, teamwork, vocabulary and spelling. Improve your career skills. You need to make a visit to the office and have a staff person create an account for you. If you are not working, this would be a good place to learn new skills or brush up on some areas)
WorkSource also has self-paced classes on Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
This is a large busy office and you might want to come with someone the first time to figure out how this office works for you.
Other Resources
Arc of Spokane
320 E. Second Avenue
Spokane
Ron Kurtz, Community Center Manager
There is a community Center. They have a center for digital literacy that provides courses in Photoshop, Multimedia Fusion (computer game development) and Text Documents. The center teaches members one-on-one. Although most of the participants are intellectually challenged, these are some good resources and all the volunteers and staff are trained and motivated to assist people on the spectrum.
The ASW has donated a collection of autism books to their library.
Spokane County Transition Fair
Friday, March 29 (9am-1pm)
Free ($2 parking fee)
Spokane Community College Lair building
Many community resources to assist young people transition from high school to adult services will be located in one place at the same time as the ARC Family Resource Fair.
Adults on the spectrum who are interested in housing, employment, transportation, government agencies and non-profits may find it helpful to ask questions in person to these representatives, rather than navigating the maze of services or playing phone tag. Pick up helpful brochures and flyers from many organizations.
Family Support Conference
Friday, March 29 (8:30am-3pm)
Registration required ($2 parking fee)
Spokane Community College Lair building
The is the 8th Annual conference put on with breakout sessions in the morning and afternoon on topics important to persons with disabilities or parents . Guardianship, Addressing the fears about loss of Social Security Cash & Medical Benefits, Assistive Technology, and much more. Plus inspirational speaker, Gabe Murfitt.
Registration Forms available on the Arc website:
or call (509) 328-6342
Spokane County Transition Panel Meetings
Mar 12 CenterPlace in Spokane Valley, 2426 N. Discovery Place
Mar 14 NEWESD 101, South Hill, 4103 S. Regal
Mar 26 Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley
Presentations are from 5:30 to 7:30 PM
A panel of presenters will talk about the transition from high school to adult life for students with developmental disabilities. Topics: How to make a plan, Employment Services in the community and other resources. Pizza will be served, so RSVP! Denise Magee, 477-2725
Webinars and Online Classes
ARI Adults with ASD e-newsletter
Autism Research Institute is a reputable resource for those dealing with autism. You can subscribe to their monthly newsletter which has all sorts of information.
March 5: Neurodev Assessment Pt 1* | Claire Schutte, PsyD, BCBA-D
March 19: Neurodev Assessment Pt. 2* | Claire Schutte, PsyD, BCBA-D
March 20: ABA in Schools | Ron Leaf, PhD
March 25: Preconception Health and Wellness* | Kelly Barnhill, CN, CCN
March 28: Biomarker Research & ASD* | Laura Hewitson, PhD
Space is limited and RSVP is required.
National Autism Website
This new website affiliated with the ARC has information and webinars every week.
KSPS Health Matters Special on “Understanding Autism”
Northwest Autism Center has a presentation available for viewing on line from their Dec 13th Program. Featuring a panel of local experts.
Link has been corrected—aften
http://www.ksps.org/programming/ksps-productions/health-matters/
TACA (Talk about Curing Autism)
Talk about Curing Autism is a great online resource. All TACA families can sign up for free webinars. Space is limited and RSVP is required. Check with TACA for March classes.
