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It is almost time for the South Carolina Autism Society Strides for Autism event in Columbia!! It is time to start your teams, register, and obtain sponsorships! Please join us…. Saturday, May 19, 2012 – Midlands Strides for Autism at Finlay Park in Columbia Honorary Chair: Judi Gatson, WIS-TV Emcee: Joe Pinner, WIS-TV Music by the Carolina Sunshine Band Free sample music therapy class by Key Changes Music Therapy Services Current Exhibitors
More announcements coming soon! Onsite registration at both events begins at 8:00 am, with the fun-walk beginning at 9 am. Note that this is a “walk-what-you-can” event. In addition to the walk, we will have a Resource Fair, family-fun activities, and music! About Strides for Autism: Strides for Autism is SCAS’s signature fund-raising and awareness walk. The Upstate and Midlands events are the first two of four statewide walks that take place each year. The walks are among various activities that benefit the organization and the families it serves. SCAS is the only statewide agency advocating for children and adults with autism spectrum disorders and their families, while also providing assistance and resources. SCAS promotes, educates and raises awareness that one in every 110 births in the U.S. is a child with autism, and provides support for South Carolina-based research and development. Most importantly, SCAS works to ensure that the 42,000 individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) living in South Carolina have opportunities to achieve a quality of life comparable to their peers. Monies raised for South Carolina Autism Society stay in South Carolina and go towards family supports, education, advocacy, and South Carolina-based research. Registration and other information for Strides for Autism, along with information about autism and SCAS, is available at the event Web site,  
The University of South Carolina’s Psychological Services Center has recently opened an autism diagnostic clinic to provide comprehensive, evidenced based autism evaluations. For more information please email Dr. Lindsay McCary at lmmcdona@gmail.com. To schedule an appointment, please call (803) 734-0378 and request an autism evaluation. A member of our staff will then contact you for a pre-appointment screening and scheduling.
Upstate SCAS Family on WYFF News{wmv}MichaelWYFFsmaller{/wmv} Raising autism awareness is family affair for mother, sonApril is National Autism Awareness MonthWhile April is designated as National Autism Awareness month, one Upstate family finds time to educate others year-round about the disorder. Susan Leiby, of Greer, is a special events coordinator with the South Carolina Autism Society. Her son, Michael, 8, has autism. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention refers to the disorder as "autism spectrum disorders" and describes ASDs as a "group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges." The CDC estimates that 1 in 88 children have an ASD. Leiby said statistics also show her son is far from alone. "For boys, it's one in 54," Leiby said. "So if you look around your community and your classrooms and your churches, anywhere you go, there is likely someone there with autism." Leiby said Michael showed signs of autism as early as age 2, when he experienced language delays. He was diagnosed as a preschooler. He is now a third-grader at Buena Vista Elementary School. "He is doing wonderfully. I can't speak highly enough about early intervention and how important that is," Leiby told WYFF. "He's always been in a regular classroom. He is actually in gifted and talented and he gets all As and Bs." Leiby said Michael still has some behavioral issues and difficulties with language and social interaction. "But anticipate that he's going to go on to college one day and be whatever he wants to be," Leiby said. For now, Michael is an eager advocate for autism awareness. He has accompanied his mother to special events to bring attention to the disability. Michael has also met with his legislative representatives and Gov. Nikki Haley. Michael said he had a suggestion for the governor. "Make sure that all schools and families have plenty of money for kids and adults with autism ... so that they have the money to be treated how they need," the young Leiby told WYFF. His mother echoes those sentiments. "If your child is under 3, they can start getting speech, physical and occupational therapy, and applied behavior analysis. They're going to be one step ahead," Leiby said. "Hopefully, by the time they're in second grade, they may be indistinguishable from their peers. That doesn't always happen, but the quicker you start these therapies, the better chance there's going to be." For more information on autism, check out the website for the South Carolina Autism Society: www.scautism.org
Don’t miss out on the annual Mother’s Day weekend Spectrum Camp at YMCA Camp Greenville! Join other families affected by autism for a weekend of traditional camp activities. Each family has it’s own cabin with modern bathrooms. All meals are provided (including GF/CF or Feingold, if requested). But most of all, spend a weekend where everyone can be themselves and everyone gets it! AUTISM is welcome! You do not have to be a member of a YMCA to attend. Nor do you have to live in Greenville (or even South Carolina!). Everyone is welcome. Scholarships are available for those who need financial assistance. For more information, click here for the registration forms, or contact Ryan at rjames@ymcagreenville.org.
The South Carolina Autism Society is inviting you to join us in bringing Autism Awareness Sunday & Sabbath to South Carolina. We are reaching out to congregations throughout the state to help bring awareness to the faith community.
April is Autism Awareness month - an opportunity for everyone to educate the public about ASD and issues within the autism community. In light of this, we would to request that April 28 & 29 be recognized as a Day of Prayer in the state of South Carolina. With your help, we would like to spread the word to all churches and places of worship to join us in South Carolina’s annual Autism Awareness Sunday & Sabbath. Please visit the following links for more information by clicking the following links: Autism Sunday & Sabbath poster (multiple religions) Autism Sunday poster (Christian) Autism Sabbath poster (Jewish)
The South Carolina Autism Society is hosting an instructed hour of Morning Yoga for parents of children effected by Autism Spectrum disorders.
Class starts on February 28st , from 10:30-11:30 am, and will be located at the SCAS office at 806 12th St., West Columbia.
Class rates are $5 per person but welcome those who can’t pay.
Bring a mat and water bottle and come prepared to be instructed in relaxation and fitness!
For more info, contact Sarah at 803-381-8556 or sarah@scautism.org
SCAS Celebrates 40 Years of Service!
In March 2012, the South Carolina Autism Society will celebrate 40 years of service to families affected by autism. In the early 1970's a group of dedicated parents of children with autism came together for fellowship. They realized how little was known about autism and recognized that children with autism have their own special needs. Services were nonexistent or inappropriate. The parents stood together as a unified voice and worked diligently to improve life for individuals with autism and their families in our state. Their grass roots efforts would come to be known as the South Carolina Autism Society. The organization was chartered by the State of South Carolina in 1972. Our organization has grown immensely over these years; from a handful of families the first years to nearly 2,000 families today. To serve these families better we have expanded by opening additional, staffed satellite offices in Myrtle Beach, Charleston and Greenville. Today we are able to provide a variety of services, including:
SCAS has been extremely fortunate to have your support over the years to help us reach out to families and to expand our services in South Carolina without a waiting list or limiting the amount of support we can offer. In recognition of our 40th Anniversary, we invite you to continue your support of our mission. Please consider becoming an Anniversary Sponsor with your donation of $40. As always, donations in any amount are welcome. Even $10 will help provide an information packet to a family newly affected by autism. Thank you in advance for your support. Please remember, almost 90 cents of every dollar goes directly to programs and your donation is tax deductable. You can donate by mailing a check to: SC Autism Society 806 12th Street West Columbia, SC 29169
or online by clicking here.
Does your child enjoy playing computer games? Dr. Newman-Norlund, Assistant Professor, Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, would like to see how children play some 'cooperative' computer games that he has programmed up. We are looking for children to participate who have been diagnosed with ASD, but we are also looking to have children participate that do not have that diagnosis. If you and your child (6-12) agree to participate, they will get to play a few cooperative computer games with another child. The hope behind this research is that we could use such cooperative games to assess social impairments or create a training program for enhancing social skills in children of all types.
The SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) is hosting eight Stakeholder Sessions across the state. March is Disability Awareness Month, so the timing is perfect for the agency to speak with stakeholders about the future of the service delivery system for our state. The healthcare world is changing. Changes at both the national and state level may impact service delivery options to people with disabilities and special needs. DDSN is thinking forward in order to better navigate and adjust to upcoming changes.
They’ll always remember the danceFathers, take your daughters by the hand, and mothers, guide your sons to the dance floor. The 2012 Spectrum Ball is a night of dancing and celebration for families living with children on the Autism spectrum. It’s a fun, safe, and sensory-appropriate dance. 2012 Spectrum BallWhen Where Who’s invited Dress Cost For more information Register online by clicking here.
Co-presented by the South Carolina Autism Society.
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The South Carolina Autism Society is a 501(c)(3) organization, and a registered charity in the state of South Carolina. Almost 90% of total expenses go to program services.
Click here for more information.
