AffiliateResources for Adults on the Spectrum
May Game Day
Sunday, May 20th (1-3PM)
No June or July Meeting!
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. If you do not see our group, you will have to ask someone that works there. This free support group is run by volunteer members of the Autism Society. Please support this activity. Parents can bring small door prizes or volunteer to help. Please consider joining the Autism Society of Washington as a member.
Our next meeting will probably be a picnic or Spokane Indians Baseball team trip.
ASW Meeting—
Wednesday, May 16 (6:30-8:30PM)
St. Luke’s Rehab Center, Conf 200
711 S. Cowley, Spokane
The Spokane Chapter will host Dr. Michael Skinner, of WSU School of Biological Science for a short talk titled “Environmental Epigenetics and Ancestral Ghosts in your Genome”. Recent research shows autism may have both an epigenetic and environmental cause. Epigenetics are heritable changes in gene expression caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence. Environmental factors could trigger changes in the genome that impact not only the brain, but other system such as the GI tract, immune system and reproductive systems.
If this topic is interesting to you, you are welcome to come. Our meetings are free and open to the public. For more information on Dr. Skinner’s research, you can visit http://skinner.wsu.edu/
For information about our meeting, contact us
mailto:spokane@autismsocietyofwa.org
Sensory Friendly Movie
Selected Saturdays at 10AM
AMC Theater,
River Park Square Mall
Tickets are $6
Saturday, May 5
Pirates! Band of Misfits
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 and eat in our reserved area. 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 loss for them. If you go, please remember to thank them.
Teens Softball Teams
TRS Playball (Ages 12-18)
The Spokane Parks and Rec has two softball programs. The TRS Play Ball (Ages 12-18) works on skill development. Many of the players are on the spectrum. If you know a high school age student who would like to get together with others and play ball, please let them know about this team. Schools will be out soon, and this is an opportunity to socialize with others.
Chief Garry Park field C (Mission and Regal)
Fridays 6:00 – 8:00 PM Starts 6/15 to 8/3 (Cost $30)
Contact Spokane Parks and Rec for more information & registration 625.6200
Adults Unified Softball Team (Ages 18+)
This program brings together developmentally disabled people and non-disabled siblings, parents and friends to play on the same team.
Shadle Park Softball fields (off of Wellesley)
Monday & Wednesday (6:30 to 8PM) Starts 6/11 – 8/8 (Cost $39)
Contact Spokane Parks and Rec for more information & registration 625.6200
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.
Job Corps Orientations
Every Tuesday 3pm
WorkSource
140 S. Arthur Explore Job Corp
Free Education & Job Training; Ages 16-24, Meet income guidelines, US citizen, Be motivated and committed. This isn’t for everyone, call 509 534-2269. Facebook Search for “Northwest Job Corps”
Arc of Spokane
320 E. Second Avenue
Spokane
Ron Kurtz, Community Center Manager
There is a new 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.
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. I personally checked this place out and it was a quiet place with friendly people.
ARI Adults with ASD e-newsletter
Autism Research Institute is a well known resource for those dealing with autism. You can subscribe to their monthly newsletter which has all sorts of information. Here is a sample:
http://autism.com/gen_page.asp?PID=390
New National Autism Website
This new website affiliated with the ARC has information and webinars every week.
PACE Services
PACE (People Accessing Careers and Education) Services assists people with significant obstacles to employment or community inclusion to achieve life goals through education, resource coordination and vocational support. Most of our students have cognitive, physical, sensory or psychiatric disabilities and we want to see them achieve independence, employment and ongoing education.
Its mission is providing job readiness and specialized programs to individuals with disabilities. PACE services is not intended to be a day program or drop in center. It is designed to increase employability and independent skills.
A variety of noncredit classes are offered at Spokane Community College and Spokane Falls Community College. Classes are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to live and work in the community. For more information and to download registration forms go on online to www.iel.spokane.edu. On the left side of the main page, click on “Improve Your Life”, then select “PACE” then “classes”. On the bottom of the page that lists the classes, you can click to go to the forms page. You can complete most of the forms online and print them off to mail them in or bring them in.
The following two courses are designed to meet the specific needs of individuals on the autism spectrum:
- Introduction to Life Skills Through the Arts: Students learn advanced communication skills conversation skills related to identifying social cues as needed for successful employment. Scheduled for Tuesday/Thursday at 11:00 am to 12:20 pm.
- Introduction to Communication Skills: Students learn interpersonal skills needed to prepare for employment. Will include role playing and small group presentations. Scheduled for Monday/Wednesday at 2:30 pm to 3:50 pm.
For more information:
Office is at The Lodge: 3305 W Ft George Wright Drive
509.279-6033
www.iel.spokane.edu
Registration forms can also be found on line at www.iel.spokane.edu. On the left side of the main page, click on Improve your Life, the select PACE and then classes. On the bottom of the page that lists the classes, you can click to go to the forms page. You can complete most of the forms online and print them off to mail them in or bring them in.
