Franklin Health Dept: April is World Autism Month

April is World Autism Month. 

About 1 in 36 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder. 

Learn more: cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html 

Franklin Health Dept: April is World Autism Month

 

Jersey Mike’s Celebrates 14th Annual “Month of Giving” in Partnership with the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism

Jersey Mike’s Subs is celebrating their 14^th annual “Month of Giving” in partnership with the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism (Flutie Foundation), a Massachusetts-based organization that’s mission is to help people affected by autism live life to the fullest. 

Throughout March, customers at 71 Jersey Mike’s Subs locations in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont have the option to roundup their purchase to the nearest dollar or donate $1, $3, or $5 when placing their order in support of the Flutie Foundation. 

 

Participating Jersey Mike’s Massachusetts stores include the following locations: Attleboro, Beverly, Bourne, Brighton, Brockton, Burlington, Dedham, Fairhaven, Fall River, Franklin, Hanover, Hingham, Hyannis, Longmeadow, Mansfield, Medway, Methuen, Milford, Newburyport, Newton, Norwood, North Dartmouth, Pembroke, Plainville, Plymouth, Quincy, Randolph, Raynham, Saugus, Seekonk, Somerset, Stoughton, Swampscott, Swansea, Walpole, and Wareham (see here for a full list of locations).

Jersey Mike’s Celebrates 14th Annual “Month of Giving”

Recognizing the Needs of People on the Autism Spectrum and Their Families

Social Security’s programs touch the lives of nearly every American. We remain steadfast in our commitment to reducing barriers to ensure people eligible for our benefits receive them. We provide income security for the diverse populations we serve, including people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families.

Many parents and caretakers of children with disabilities lose work hours and income because of their children’s care needs. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides monthly financial support to low-income families with children who have developmental and behavioral disabilities. This includes ASD – and physical impairments.

Children under age 18 can get SSI if they meet Social Security’s definition of disability for children and live in a household with limited income and resources. We define a disability as:

• The child must have a physical or mental condition(s) that very seriously limits the child’s activities.
• The condition(s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 1 year or result in death.

Continue reading the article on the Social Security page->

https://blog.ssa.gov/recognizing-the-needs-of-people-on-the-autism-spectrum-and-their-families/

Recognizing the Needs of People on the Autism Spectrum and Their Families

 

Reminder: A new Support Group for Parents forming at St John's

A new Support Group for Parents of Children struggling with Mental Health, Autism, ADHD, or other challenges is forming at St John's

Love Parenting is a 6-week series created by Collette Potts, who also created the Love First children's curriculum that St John's uses.

Rev Kathy will moderate this group on Thursdays, Jan 12 - Feb 16, 2023. Contact her if you are interested.  https://lovefirstresources.com/loving-parenting/
 
For more information:
Call 508-528-2387 Email Rector@StJohnsFranklinMA.org
Like us on Facebook  and Twitter
See our website at www.stjohnsfranklinma.org  

St John's Episcopal Church

St John's forms New Support Group for Parents

A new Support Group for Parents of Children struggling with Mental Health, Autism, ADHD, or other challenges is forming at St John's

Love Parenting is a 6-week series created by Collette Potts, who also created the Love First children's curriculum that St John's uses.

Rev Kathy will moderate this group on Thursdays, Jan 12 - Feb 16, 2023. Contact her if you are interested.  https://lovefirstresources.com/loving-parenting/
 
For more information:
Call 508-528-2387 Email Rector@StJohnsFranklinMA.org
Like us on Facebook  and Twitter
See our website at www.stjohnsfranklinma.org  

St John's Episcopal Church

"Sharing gives meaning to life" (video)

"Life is for service." Those are the words Rollins College valedictorian Elizabeth Bonker lives by -- words that inspired Rollins' most famous graduate, Mr. Fred Rogers. Bonker, who is nonspeaking and has autism, gave a remarkable address during her school's recent commencement ceremony in Winter Park, Florida. 

Clad in a cap and gown decorated with flowers, Bonker explained, through a text-to-speech program, how she typed her remarks using a single finger with the help of a communication aide. People with nonspeaking autism have trouble developing speech, and in Bonker's case, neuromotor issues inhibit her communication and her ability to do some other basic tasks. 

Learning to type changed everything. 

"That one critical intervention unlocked my mind from its silent cage," she said during her address."

Continue reading the article on Elizabeth Bonker online

https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/13/us/autism-graduate-nonspeaking-commencement-rollins-college-cec/index.html

Direct video link -> https://youtu.be/8g5aJExZQwg

Autism & Creating a Fulfilling Life for the Family and Child with Special Needs - Feb 28

Autism & Creating a Fulfilling Life for the Family and Child with Special Needs

Join us as we welcome author, journalist, public speaker and special needs parent Susan Senator. Susan is the mother of three boys, the oldest of whom has severe autism. Using her experiences and speaking from the heart, Susan speaks about the impact that autism has had on her family. She has authored books including: Making Peace with Autism, Autism Adulthood, and The Autism Mom's Survival Guide. Susan speaks around the country and maintains a blog and website, www.susansenator.com.

When: Thursday, February 28 at 7:00 PM
Where: Third floor Training Room of the Franklin Municipal Building, 255 East Central Street, Franklin, MA.

This event is free and open to the public.

If you have any suggestions for workshops or social events for the kids, please send us an email at franklinsepac@gmail.com.

WWW.FRANKLINSEPAC.ORG

Franklin SEPAC: Autism & Creating a Fulfilling
Life for the Family and Child with Special Needs

Franklin SEPAC: Autism & Creating a Fulfilling Life for the Family and Child with Special Needs

Autism & Creating a Fulfilling Life for the Family and Child with Special Needs

Join us as we welcome author, journalist, public speaker and special needs parent Susan Senator. Susan is the mother of three boys, the oldest of whom has severe autism. Using her experiences and speaking from the heart, Susan speaks about the impact that autism has had on her family. 

She has authored books including: Making Peace with Autism, Autism Adulthood, and The Autism Mom's Survival Guide. Susan speaks around the country and maintains a blog and website, www.susansenator.com.

When: Thursday, February 28 at 7:00 PM
Where: Third floor Training Room of the Franklin Municipal Building, 255 East Central Street, Franklin, MA.

This event is free and open to the public.

If you have any suggestions for workshops or social events for the kids, please send us an email at franklinsepac@gmail.com .

WWW.FRANKLINSEPAC.ORG

Franklin SEPAC: Autism & Creating a Fulfilling
Life for the Family and Child with Special Needs

GoFundMe: A service dog for PJ

"Our son PJ has an extensive medical history. He used to stop breathing and he would turn fluorescent blue. We found out when he was 9 months old that he needed brain surgery for a malformation of his brain. This surgery saved PJ's life. 

PJ also has a cleft in his Larynx that causes him to aspirate. He has a paralyzed vocal chord, and is completely non verbal. PJ was diagnosed with Autism just shy of his third birthday. He also has PICA disorder, which causes him to want to ingest non edible materials, such as metal, glass, wood chips, rocks etc. 

PJ has truly had a difficult beginning. But PJ is a beautiful, sweet, fearless little boy. He started about a year ago at a special school for children with autism and has really made some great progress. Since being there we have seen more of his personality blossoming and his communication has increased. He is now able to use a special ipad to help him communicate his wants and needs. This school has helped PJ in so many ways. He has become a happier little boy. 

However as he has gotten older/bigger our day to day lives have gotten more challenging for our family and more dangerous for PJ. He is a runner, and has no safety skills as far as traffic and a fetish for any water he can find. Even though he is making some progress we believe there is still more we can do to help him live the best life he can, to help him with his life skills and day to day activities. 

Having done some research on Autism Service Dogs, we have discovered Ry-Con, an Organization in Raleigh NC, that breeds and trains service dog specifically for Autism. Mark Mathis founded this non profit Organization after training a Briard for his own son who is also diagnosed with autism. We have recently gone down to visit Mark and meet some service dogs in training and it was AMAZING!! 

Our son PJ blossomed before our eyes. He made a very magical connection with one dog in particular and we saw a side of PJ that we have never seen before. He was connecting with this dog on a level I never could have imagined. He was seeking him out for interaction. Looking for him as he would try to run towards the road and responding when this dog would herd him back towards the safety of the interior of the yard. PJ was in love with an animal for the first time in his life. 

This special dog laid with PJ in a bed for a rest and PJ was hooked. He was giving love like we have never seen him do. We are sold on the wonderful things this animal can help him with. such as:

• Prevent him from running and wandering into dangerous situations
• Enhance his current therapies
• Help with his sleep patterns
• Ease his anxiety in new or difficult situations
• Allow for some independence at home and when in public
• Engagement and interactions with his peers
• Keep him from ingesting dangerous non edibles

Please consider making a donation.  https://www.gofundme.com/a-service-dog-for-pj

Please also visit Ry-Con Briard Service Dogs website or Facebook page to learn more about the Briard Breed and Autism Service Dogs.

Thank you so much for your consideration."

The Maxfield family from Franklin

GoFundMe:  A service dog for PJ

“We’ve developed a pretty unique model to make sure everyone is successful"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Dining out with children can often be a challenge but even more so when those children are autistic. 

Santa will be sitting down for lunch with the families of children with autism at the 45 Restaurant on Sunday Dec. 3, to give everyone to a chance to spend time with the big guy before Christmas. 

Local nonprofit, Autism Eats, will host the lunch at the 45 Restaurant on 45 Milford St., from noon to 2 p.m. The meal costs $21 for adults and $15 for children. Reservations are required, and space is limited. Payments are made online beforehand. 

The event will be held in a private section of the restaurant, and food will be set up buffet style, so there’s no waiting."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171125/opening-doors-to-autistic-children

Make your reservations online
https://bostonwebcreative.wufoo.com/forms/r1h0te2l0x42jv7/

Meet Santa at this very special Autism Eats-
Dell True Ability holiday lunch event - Dec 3

For more about the non-profit organization Autism Eats visit their webpage

http://www.autismeats.org/

With #givingTuesday approaching consider a donation to this cause

http://www.autismeats.org/#page_donate

Meet Santa at this very special Autism Eats-Dell True Ability holiday lunch event - Dec 3

Calling all Local Autism friends

Meet Santa at this very special Autism Eats-Dell True Ability holiday lunch event!

Meet Santa at this very special Autism Eats-
Dell True Ability holiday lunch event - Dec 3

Join us at Restaurant 45 in Medway on December 3 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Meet, eat and take pictures with Santa in our private room. Treats for the kids!

Autism Eats now in its fourth year was started to give autism families an opportunity to enjoy restaurant meals without the stress that often accompanies these outings. Since everyone in our private room "gets it" there is no need to explain any behaviors or feel like all eyes are on us.

Student produced video on Autism Awareness

Demi Seremetis writes: 

"This is a video that me and my friend Lauren Ballinger made for our local police department. It shows the importance of autism awareness because most people in our community do not know what the disorder entails. We hope that in watching this you will learn and realise more about autism."

The video is shared on YouTube and by the Franklin Police Dept as part of their campaign on autism awareness

Autism Eats - May 2 at Restaurant 45

"Going to a family restaurant should be an enjoyable experience. A time to relax, enjoy good food and spend time with your family. Let someone else do the cooking and cleaning. 

Unfortunately, for those of us who have a child with autism dining out can be anxiety provoking and stressful. As parents, we may feel that "all eyes are on us" when our kids exhibit certain behaviors, have outbursts or refuse to sit still. Other diners may be disturbed and the well intentioned wait staff doesn't really know the best way to help out. 

Many of us decide it is just not worth the effort and that is unfortunate.
We created Autism Eats to bring the fun back to eating out. 

Our dinner parties are held in private rooms of restaurants or function facilities. Food is served buffet or family style so there is no waiting. Music and lighting are adjusted to accommodate those with sensory sensitivity. These are family dinners and all attending have a loved one on the spectrum so there is no need to apologize, explain or feel uncomfortable. It is an opportunity to enjoy a night out and socialize with others who have many of the same joys and challenges in common."

From the Autism Eats webpage   http://autismeats.org/#page_about

May 2, 2016 - Medway, MA

Restaurant 45, 45 Milford St. Medway, MA 02053
6:00pm to 8:30pm

Ticket Prices: Adults: $23.00. Kids: $15.00

Click here to To Order Tickets for May 2, 2016

April is Autism Awareness Month - Autism Eats - May 2

April is Autism Awareness month

April is Autism Awareness month.  In conjunction with Autism Awareness Month:

The Franklin Police Department has posted a new form on its website.  The form is for first responders and is designed to assist them in a search or interaction with a person who is on the Autism Spectrum.   

It has space for a description, emergency contact information, other characteristics and a photo can be attached.  If you have an Autistic Child or adult that you care for and would like to submit a form for us to have on file should we need to assist your loved one the link is attached.   

Paper copies are available at Franklin Police Dispatch also.   

All information will be kept strictly confidential.

The form

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Police/forms/Autism%20Elopement%20Alert%20Form%20Fillable.pdf

Franklin Police - 911 Panther Way

"what makes MSSNG more impressive ... absolutely massive scale"

From Pantherbook, we find this article on the MSSNG project share worthy:

In the past few weeks, Autism Speaks has launched a massive, new campaign in order to raise awareness of and study the genomic information behind Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Called the MSSNG Project, it is already catching the attention of large-scale communications organizations such as Fox Business and Bloomberg TV. 

According to the project’s website, “Autism Speaks is collaborating with Google to store sequenced data from MSSNG on the Google Cloud Platform, providing an open resource for scientists worldwide to access and share autism research.” (AutismSpeaks.org).

Continue reading the article at pantherbook: http://pantherbook.org/news/2015/02/06/autism-speaks-the-mssng-project/#sthash.TftQQAOu.dpuf

screen grab of pantherbook webpage

Timeless Barber Shop - Autism Fundraiser

Steve, 

The Timeless Barber Shop at 334 Union Street is having a fundraiser on Sunday from 9 to 3. There will be a bake sale, a raffle, haircuts and all proceeds will go to Autism Speaks. 

You can also contact the owner for more info at 508-520-1984. 

Trevor

Timeless Barber Shop, 334 Union St

You can find more information about Autism Speaks on their website here
http://www.autismspeaks.org/

In the News - marathon, autism, brush fires

Franklin woman runs for her buddies

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Study shows autism rates are on the rise

by David Riley/WickedLocal.com

‘Red Flag’ warning today for higher brush fire risk

by Matt Tota/Daily News correspondent

"How can awareness be a bad thing?"

... Engelman is confident in Franklin police officers' ability to respond to autistic people. 

Besides participating in regular training on autism, the department is participating in a special event to raise autism awareness. 

Officers will bathe the police station in blue lights to raise awareness about the neurobiological disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop socially. 

Beginning last night, officers lit several blue spotlights as part of Light It Up Blue, an international campaign by the Autism Speaks advocacy organization. Buildings throughout the world - including the State House, Prudential Center and Fenway Park in Boston - were expected to turn on blue lights yesterday and tonight. The event coincides with World Autism Awareness Day, which is today.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x719608937/Franklin-Police-join-autism-awareness-event#ixzz1IMMVxqdh

Read ore about World Autism Awareness Day here http://www.worldautismawarenessday.org/site/c.egLMI2ODKpF/b.3917065/k.BE58/Home.htm


Franklin, MA

"I want to change their way of thinking"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

Posted Apr 23, 2009 @ 12:12 AM

---

FRANKLIN —

Marina Smoske, an eighth-grader at Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School, looks and sounds no different than any other 14-year-old.

She is energetic, beautiful and loves theater. She can't wait to join other kids who know all the lyrics to musicals at Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick where she has been accepted. She is just crossing her fingers, praying that she'll get the scholarships she needs to attend her dream school.

And she definitely knows what she believes - she's got strong opinions and enjoys expressing them.

But Smoske is different than most of her peers: She was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a mild form of autism, , at age 4.

Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, repetitive behaviors or narrow, obsessive interests, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Web site.

Read the full article about Marina's effort in the Milford Daily News here

it's been an emotional and financial challenge

By Danielle Ameden/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted May 11, 2008 @ 09:58 PM

Last update May 11, 2008 @ 10:55 PM

---

When Joe and Kelly Hurley's two boys were babies, the Franklin couple brought them to the pediatrician for standard shots. Like good parents, they were trying to protect their kids from whooping cough and tetanus.

Both boys suffered bad reactions to the vaccines, coming down with 104-degree fevers and rashes with ballooned cheeks, Kelly Hurley says. Now 9 and 10, one has moderate autism; the other has a non-verbal learning disorder.

Today, the family has its eye on Washington, where a federal court takes up a hot theory in the autistic community, and one the Hurleys believe: a mercury-based preservative in vaccines can trigger the developmental disorder.