KindTree is dedicated to serving and celebrating the Autism Community through art, education, and recreation. With warm hearted whimsy, an open sense of family and a deep level of caring, we reach inside ourselves to embrace our flaws, gather our strengths, and offer our love while reaching out to people with autism spectrum disorders, their families and care givers. Through the power of self-advocacy in an atmosphere of acceptance and respect, autistic and neuro-normal people alike can work toward self- realization.
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Sunday, May 18, 2008, 1:00 - 5:00PM
Hilyard Community Center
Eugene, OR

The Spectrum Speaks
a celebration of autism culture

The Spectrum Speaks
booklet here

 

Art by people with Autism:
Notecards and More...
Help Support Artists
With Autism

 

The Spectrum Speaks booklet here

KindTree Autism Forum 2008
The Spectrum Speaks
a celebration of autism culture

Free
($5 suggested donation)
Sunday, May 18, 1 pm - 5 pm
Doors open at 12:45 pm.
Hilyard Community Center, 2580 Hilyard, Eugene, Oregon
Sponsored by Doris Germain, MA, Autism Specialist 541.520.0463


- Presentations and Readings by People with Autism
- And their Family and Friends
- Cooking demonstrations of gluten free items
- Special movement excercises by "Transforming Disabilities into Strengths"
- Kids' Art Creation Area
- Informational Agency Tables

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

KindTree needs your stories about the positive side of living with autism.
*  All written entries will be included in a document available at the event and on the web.
*  A limited number will be chosen for reading by the author (or a stand-in) at the Forum, May 18.
* Please send your entry (limit - 500 words) to forum@kindtree.org, or 2096 1/2 Arthur St Eugene 97405
*   Include a statement about the author, your age, name, and contact information.
*   All entries agree to allow KindTree to publish their work.
*   May 10 deadline.

We are seeking entries in 4 different catagories:

1. Autobiographical essays about your personal, social, academic, athletic, employment, etc, successes.
2. Creative writing, expressions of your feelings and observations, from an autistic point of view.
3. Biographical essays about someone you know's personal, social, academic, athletic, employment, etc, successes.
4. Songs, poetry or musical performance about autism.

Please join us in sharing the world of autism. Submit today. And join us to celebrate autism culture May 18.


AGENCIES:

This event is sure to generate a lot of interest. This is a great oppotunity to share your services and mission with the autism community when they are having fun.
To reserve your bit of the limited space, write to forum@kindtree.org and register for a table. $25 fee required.



Last year: KindTree Autism Forum 2007
Free
($10 suggested donation)
Sunday, April 29 1 pm - 5:30 pm
Hilyard Community Center, 2580 Hilyard, Eugene, Oregon
Sponsored by Doris Germain, MA, Autism Specialist 541.520.0463

Format: presentation 45 -60 minutes followed by questions and discussion. Doors open at 12:45 pm.

Sexuality and Autism with Geri Newton
Oregon’s foremost expert on sexuality and disabilities, and a consultant in ethics and therapeutic interventions. Former KindTree board member. 1 - 2:30 pm

Expressing sexuality in a safe and healthy way is an integral part of every person’s life. Learn what you can do to help people on the spectrum develop a healthy sexuality.

Building a Community Center with Rick Newton, associate director of Mount Angel Developmental Programs.
How to plan and fund a community resource center with recreational, vocational, and educational elements.
3 - 5 pm

Our local autism community has begun discussions about a possible autism resource center. Learn what has been discussed and how we can articulate and realize our common dreams.

refreshments - agency tables welcome
Please join us in discussions of these important topics.


Two Yars ago : KindTree Autism Forum 2006
Free
($5 suggested donation)
Navigating "the System"
Saturday, May 20 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Hilyard Community Center, 2580 Hilyard, Eugene, Oregon
Sponsored by Doris Germain, MA, Autism Specialist 541.520.0463

Mission: To bring together families, individuals, service providers and caregivers whose lives are impacted by Autism or Aspergers; to provide an opportunity for dialogue and exchange of information; and to provide a platform to discuss prevailing issues, concerns, and possible solutions. Escalating demands on the system, a diagnosis rate of 1 in 120 in Oregon children (one diagnosis every 20 minutes), and state budget resources for adults that are constantly shrinking, all present challenges to access services. These panelists will help you find your way while you help them understand what you need. Come, learn, share.

Panel Format: brief panelist intro's, questions, answers, and open discussion. Doors open at 12:45 pm.

1:00 - 2:30 Children's Services and Support
2:30 - 3:00 Networking
3:00 - 4:30 Adult Services and Support
4:30 - 5:00 Networking
Panelists include:

Larry Sullivan, 4J School District
David Abramowitz, Sheldon HS Life Skills
Chris Peck, Lane DDS
Seth Pfaefflin, Path Finder School
Pat Wigney, Bridgeway House
Pam Ring, Arc of Lane County
Alison Miller, Direction Service

 

Dr. Charlotte Higgins-Lee, Ph.D., psychologist
Tracy Clark, OVRS
Sarah Fields, Full Access Brokerage
Liz Fox, Alternative Work Concepts
Doris Germain, autism consultant, Linn Benton E.S.D., social skills teacher
Molly Elliott, Hilyard Community Center
Tom Keating, advocate for brother with autism

 

Agency display tables available.

Refreshments will be provided. Questions? 689-2228 Forum@kindtree.org


Forum 2002

2005 Autism Forum Brainstorm Notes

Needed:

Representation agreement
Help in navigating “the system” workshop
Awareness building:
Outreach – Florence, Oakridge
Awareness event
Easy definition – what is autism? . . . . “sound bite”
Frame the difference
-- sensory overload
-- the “autism room” – experiential training

Autism awareness card
Autism stimulation chamber
Mobile room?
Invite Jim Torrey next year
School program
Neurodiversity.com training
o Sounds, lights, hanging strings, too many people talking (directions)
o Conclude with autism success stories – positive spin
o Specific subject obsessed on
o Special skills
o Famous person w/autism – highlight subtle differences/raise consciousness:
· facial expression/social reaction
· taking things literally
· hear tone of voice only

Psycho-static cling
Sensory trespass/sensory assault
Autism mentorship with successful person with autism
· Role models – (big brother/big sister)
Autism handouts for clinicians to distribute
30-second autism commercial
Invite News to retreat
Simulation chamber at county fair/Eugene Celebration
Camel Club, 1640 Alder/community help
Blog (TR)


Resources

Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN)
tkeating@eugeneresearch.org
www.freecyclingeugene.org
www.craigslist.org