Autism Ontario
Halton

What's Happening in Halton?

(Click on Menu Item for details)

Index:

1. Social Skills Program

1a. Reading Comprehension Program

2. Parent Support Group

3. Family Swim

4. SIBSHOPS Program

5. Camp Wannago (March Break Camp)

6. Camp Wannago (Summer Camp)

7. Chapter Leadership Council Meetings

8. Together for Autism 2008

9. Aspergers Friends Network

      AFN Events News

10. Chapter Soccer League

11. Chapter Baseball League

12. Chapter Children's Christmas Party

13. Autism Ontario Halton - HART Fall Workshops

14. Chapter Adults's Christmas Party

15. Wannago Away for the Weekend

16. Outdoor Adventure Club

17. Hockey/ Skating Program

18. Preschool Autism Group

19. Midnight madness 2008

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1. Halton Chapter Social Skills Program
Our next Social Skills and Reading Comprehension Groups Intake will be held on June 25, 2008 at 7:00 pm. In order to be considered for admission, all applicants (new and returning) must submit the Application Questionnaire (*) to The Autism Ontario - Halton Chapter Office on or prior to June 23, 2008 at 1:00 pm. Note that there is an abreviated Application Package for returning participants. Returning participants will not be required to attend the intake. New applicants will be contacted for Intake.
Location: Autism Ontario - Halton Chapter Office, Rotary Youth Centre, 560 Guelph Line, Burlington. Phone # 905-631-1233. FAX # 905-631-1033. Email aohalton@sympatico.ca
Note: WE ARE REQUIRING THAT EVERYONE SEND IN NEW 'PROGRAM APPLICATION QUESTIONNAIRE (*)' FORMS.
All ages and functioning levels are considered for admission.
Social Skills Program Description
Social Skills Program Consolidated Application Package
Social Skills Application for Returning Participants
Fall 2008/2009 Session Schedule
Click here for Location Information

The Autism Ontario - Halton Chapter Social Skills pilot program was so successful that the program has been continued and expanded. If you are interested in this program for your child, please fill out the above questionnaire and return it to us. One of our program coordinators will then contact you prior to the next intake session.

Cost: $50.00 per session. Per child billing will apply. Autism Ontario - Halton will subsidize the cost according to our new Program Subsidy Policy. Billing and intake rules are as per the above Program Intake policy.

Note: To be considered for the Social Skills Program, parents must read, agree to, and sign the Social Skills Program Intake Policy Form.

1a. Halton Reading Comprehension   Program

Our next Social Skills and Reading Comprehension Groups Intake will be held on June 25, 2008 at 7:00 pm. In order to be considered for admission, all applicants (new and returning) must submit the Application Questionnaire (*) to The Autism Ontario - Halton Chapter Office on or prior to June 23, 2008 at 1:00 pm. Note that there is an abreviated Application Package for returning participants. Returning participants will not be required to attend the intake. New applicants will be contacted for Intake.
Location: Autism Ontario - Halton Chapter Office, Rotary Youth Centre, 560 Guelph Line, Burlington. Phone # 905-631-1233. FAX # 905-631-1033. Email aohalton@sympatico.ca
Note: WE ARE REQUIRING THAT EVERYONE SEND IN NEW 'PROGRAM APPLICATION QUESTIONNAIRE (*)' FORMS.
All ages and functioning levels are considered for admission.
Reading Comprehension Program Information

Reading Comp. Program Consolidated Application Package

Reading Comp. Application for Returning Participants

Fall 2008/2009 Session Schedule

Click here for Location Information

Program Objective: To teach the crucial skills of reading and comprehension, “Reading to Learn”, to youth with ASD.

Activities: Reading, Inferences, Summarizing details, Sequencing, Story maps,    Meaning, Meta cognitive, Relevant vs irrelevant, Novel studies, Etc.

Cost: $50.00 per session. Per child billing will apply. Autism Ontario - Halton will subsidize the cost according to our new Program Subsidy Policy. Billing and intake rules are as per the above Program Intake policy.

2. Parent Support Group

Monthly support group for Parents
- a great time to meet other parents and Beth Nolan, our facilitator, in an informal relaxed atmosphere to discuss any Autism or related issues.

Upcoming Dates:

Monday August 25, 2008

Last Monday of each Month

Time: 7 pm

Location:

Autism Ontario - Halton Chapter Office

Room 8, Lower Level - Rotary Youth Centre

560 Guelph Line

Burlington

3. Family Swim

Join us for free (to current members of Autism Ontario) Family Swim on the following Sundays (Note the different start times for Burlington and Milton):

Check our Chapter Calendar for Fall 2008 Dates.

Swim Time: Burlington: 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm

                          Milton: 11:30 am to 12:30 pm

Burlington Location:    Tansley Woods Community Centre

                                                 1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington

Milton Location:    Milton Leisure Centre

                                       1100 Main Street East, Milton
(between Thompson Road and James Snow Parkway)

We are pleased to bring you this program in co-operation with The City of Burlington Parks and Recreation.

4. SIBSHOPS Program

1. SIBSHOPS is a joint program with Autism Ontario-Halton, Community Living Burlington, Community Living North Halton (CLNH), Halton Support Services and Kerry's Place Autism Services.
2. This program will be run by qualified facilitators from the above organizations, modeled after the successfiully running program by Kerrys Place in Mississauga and York Regions.
3. Registering your child for this program does not obligate you to attend on any given month. You only pay for the months that you attend.
4. Each month will have a theme and the youth will also have a fun and social time. These workshops will be filled with fun, games and a great chance to meet some new friends. Dinner will be provided.

NOTE: This Program is designed for (NON SPECIAL NEEDS) siblings of children with special needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder among others.

The SIBSHOPS are scheduled as follows (Mondays, 5:30-8:00pm):

June 9th - Autism Ontario Halton, Burlington

Call the office at 905-631-1233 or email asohalton@sympatico.ca to register for a particular evening. Each SIBSHOP is $12

5. Camp Wannago - March Break Camp

Camp Wannago March Break Flier

Stay tuned for Wannago march Break 2009 info

Includes gym activities, recreational swimming, crafts and games.

A subsidy rebate is available to members of Autism Ontario - Halton. Please contact us directly for further details.

Please note that each child with ASD will need to attend with a one to one worker, parent or parental selected volunteer.

Registration: Tansley Woods Community Centre

                    1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington

City of Burlington, Parks & Recreation Department

6. Camp Wannago - Summer Camp

CAMP WANNAGO FLIER - Click Here

Please submit a copy of your City of Burlington receipt, to the Autism Ontario Halton office, to get your rebate. The rebate is available to current Autism Ontario Halton members.

Dates: Starts June 30, 2008

Age: 5 to 18

Location:    Tansley Woods Community Centre

                         1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington

Wannago Camp Boating/Sailing Pictures

Wannago - More Camp Pictures

  We've got some great trips coming up, including days at the movies, gymnastics club, and Wild Waterworks. We go swimming every day. Look out for some fun games, crazy songs, cool crafts, and lots of water balloons!

* A $25.00 rebate is available to members of Autism Ontario - Halton. Please contact us directly for further details.

Please note that each child with ASD will need to attend with a one to one worker, parent or parental selected volunteer.

Registration: Tansley Woods Community Centre

                    1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington



To Register on Rec Express, click here

For more information, contact:
City of Burlington, Parks & Recreation Department (905) 332-1996 Ext 227

7. Chapter Leadership Council Meetings

Next Meeting: August 29, 2008

Regular Exec. Mtgs. - Third Tuesday of each Month

Time: 7:30 pm

Autism Ontario - Halton Chapter Office

Room 8, Lower Level - Rotary Youth Centre

560 Guelph Line

Burlington

8. Together for Autism 2008

For schools or organizations who wish to register for "Together for Autism" (formerly Toonies for Autism), Click the link below:

Together for Autism WEB Site

There are four Videos available to anyone doing a presentation:

Meet My Brother - for younger children

Chance to Be Me - for older children

My Friend Dylan - 2005 Video

Experiencing Autism - 2006 Video

To borrow a copy, of either video from our library, for use by Halton parents or educators, call the Autism Ontario - Halton office at 905-631-1233.

Copies of these videos are available for purchase from Autism Ontario. For more information, click the link Below:

Autism Ontario Resources

9. Aspergers Friends Network

The Aspergers Friends Network is a social group organized and run by parents with the goal of providing our kids with special social and educational opportunities. The activities of the group include:

- Social outings organized on a rotating basis by each participating family. These outings provide opportunities for the children to interact with their peers.

   AFN Events News
If you are interested, please contact:
Grades 1-5, contact Lisa Morgan-Long at lmorganlong@cogeco.ca
Grades 6-12+, contact Melanie Quinn at mquinn37@cogeco.ca
Participation Liability Form (Acrobat)

Who: A-Kid and one of his/her parents
What: A-Team event
Where: Valleyridge Splash Pad in Oakville (west of Bronte Rd, just south of Dundas St)
When: Sunday, August 17, 2:00-4:00pm
Why: To have fun (preferably in the sun this time!)

Be sure to bring a bathing suit, towel and sunscreen. There is a shaded area. Moms & Dads, feel free to bring a folding chair or picnic blanket.

To RSVP to this event, please contact Vani Rouse vrouse@cogeco.ca or Lisa Morgan-Long lmorganlong@cogeco.ca and advise one of them as to what you would like to bring.

If you'd like to join the Grades 1-5 group (the A-Team) or have any questions about the group, please contact Lisa at (905) 337-9784 or lmorganlong@cogeco.ca. In general, meetings will be held the third Sunday of every month.

Note: The "official" diagnosis that your child had at two years old is irrelevant (or lack thereof at two). How your child got to this grade school aged, "Asperger" situation is irrelevant, nor is it relevant if this is their "official" diagnosis.

Grades 6-12+ Attention to all those with children in grades 6-12. The next AFN outing has been scheduled for Sunday, June 8, from 1-3 p.m. It will be held in Milton at "The Deck". The Deck is a youth drop in center and has several game tables such as ping pong, air hockey, pool, foosball, etc. It is a very large room and can easily accommodate 80 people. Please feel free to bring any siblings along. It is located at 200 Main Street (Main & Martin, beside Bergsma's Paints). It is in the basement of Milton Bible Church. The door to enter is in the back, so if you park on Main Street, walk down the ally way to the back. There is also a large parking lot directly behind the building, on Mary Street. There will be a minimal fee of $5.00 per child, or $10.00 for two or more children. Limited snacks will be provided. If you have any questions or if you are planning on going, contact Gwen Holroyd at sunnydays76@hotmail.com.

10. Chapter Soccer League
This is a non-competitive recreational outing. The rules of the game have been modified to accommodate all levels.

SOCCER 2008:

July 6, July 13, July 20, July 27, Aug 10, Aug 17, Aug 24, Aug 31

(every July-August weekend except the August Civic Holiday)

Time: 11 am to 12:30 pm

Soccer Waiver Form

Where: Central Park - Rotary Youth Centre

Contact Sally at our office at 905-631-1233 or asohalton@sympatico.ca to register your child or to volunteer. We will need the following information:

1. Parent and Family name and contact information

2. Child's first name, age and t-shirt size

There is no fee for this program. Participating families must be current members of Autism Ontario Halton Chapter. Pre registration is required.

Sponsored by The Halton Regional Police Association

11. Chapter Baseball League

This is a non-competitive recreational outing. The rules of the game have been modified to accommodate all levels.

See you in 2009. A great time was had by all this summer. Thanks to all the volunteers.

Time: 11:00 am to 12:30 pm

Where: Mohawk Park, Burlington

Baseball Waiver Form

Contact Sally at our office at 905-631-1233 or asohalton@sympatico.ca to register your child or to volunteer. We will need the following information:

1. Parent and Family name and contact information

2. Special Needs Child's first name, age and t-shirt size

There is no fee for this program. Participating families must be current members of Autism Ontario Halton Chapter. Pre registration is required.

Sponsored by The Halton Regional Police Association

12. Chapter Children's Christmas Party

A good time was had by all. Stay tuned for news of the 2008 Children's Christmas party.

Christmas 2006 photos

Location:    Tansley Woods Community Centre

                    Community Rooms 1 -3

                    1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington



More Christmas Party Pictures
Sponsored by The Halton Regional Police Association
Special thanks to Jeff Corey and Walter Bucci, from The Halton Regional Police, for their hard work in fundraising on behalf of the children.

13. Autism Ontario - Halton / HART Fall 2007 Workshops

Stay tuned for Fall 2008 workshop dates.

14. Chapter Adult's Christmas Party

Stay tuned for Adult Christmas party 2008.

This is a great time to meet other parents and have some fun. Food is provided. Cash bar. Open to all Chapter adult members and friends of the Chapter.

15. Wannago Away for the Weekend

Stay tuned for information . A big thank you, from me and the organizing committee, to Phil Power and the East Burlington Venture Company for an awesome job done for us.

Chuck Learn

Pictures - October 2005

16. Outdoor Adventure Club

For more information please contact Autism Ontario - Halton at 905-631-1233 or email asohalton@sympatico.ca

17. Hockey / Skating Program

Goal

To allow autistic children or adults the opportunity to free skate, learn to free skate or to play supervised non-contact shinny (hockey), which they may otherwise never experience in their lifetime due to their disability, and in doing so allow them to share the sense of pride and accomplishment that countless fellow Canadians experience every year when they participate in these revered Canadian traditions.

Scope

* Free skates and shinny games for autistic children and adults and at municipal arenas in Burlington Ontario

* Families of autistic children and adults and others will participate in the free skates

Ice Times and Locations

See our Calendar on the main page for 2008 dates and information.

Information Flier

Intake Form

General Waiver for Photos

Adult and Minor Waiver

Program Highlights

18. Preschool Autism Play Group

Preschool Autism Network Flier

If you are interested, please contact:
Heather Kavsak at kavsak@sympatico.ca
Who: All Families Welcome, especially those with toddler-tokindergartners

on spectrum

What: Parents can meet and chat with each other and the kids

can play and socialize. It’s a great way for everyone to

meet new friends!!!!!

When: Monthly

Cost: Dependent on activity or outing

Please provide:

Parent name(s), address(es), phone number(s), email(s),

child(ren)’s name(s) & birthdate(s) – please note which

child(ren) is(are) on spectrum.

The Kindergarten/Preschool Spectrum Play Group will be Saturday, Aug. 30th 9:00-10:30 at the chapter office, 560 Guelph Line, Burlington. Bring kids (and toys/snacks)... we can sit and talk, get to know one another, share information, etc.) There is a climber right across the parking lot.

To join the Kindergarten/Preschool Spectrum Play Group, please contact Heather Kavsak at "Preschool Group" austimhalton.PreschoolGroup@gmail.com or 905-847-2963. In general, future meetings will be the last Saturday of every month.

NAME CHANGE: This group is for any preschooler/kindergartener ANYWHERE on spectrum, regardless of the child's diagnosis. Aspergers, Fragile X, Autism, ASD, PDD-NOS, Global Delay with ASD Features, Semantic Pragmatic Language Disorder (what speech paths are legally allowed to say, as they are not licensed to "diagnose" ASD).

19 Midnight Madness - July 18, 2008

Woohoo... Midnight Madness is just around the corner. July 18th, 5:00-12:00

Celebrating 30 years, Midnight Madness is downtown Oakville’s largest retail event of the year, drawing over 50,000 people. Featuring live music on every block, good food, strolling entertainers, bouncies, crafts, etc. See link for more details on Midnight Madness:
http://www.oakvilledowntown.com/DOBIA_EVENTS.htm

We will need volunteers to staff our giant multi-tent booth of kids games (e.g., fishing with magnets, chicken flip, bean toss, face painting). We'll have an awareness booth as well. And... Nicki Bonneville will be there selling her beautiful hand-beaded autism awareness bracelets (proceeds to our chapter). YEAHHH... This event is TONS of fun and the more the merrier out there volunteering. Last year we had SIXTEEN people out there (and some of those have moved away, and others are away on business or holidays this year). We need at least that many this year! Get the hint? : ) To that end...

Volunteers are needed for the following:

SET UP [4 to 6 people needed]: Which begins at 5:00 pm and we have to be up and ready by 6:00 pm. We have to set up Qty 2 – 10 x 20 tents and Qty 1 – 10 x 10 tent. All the games (Qty 6) have to have carnival skirts attached to the tables and the actual games need to be set up as well. The 10 x 10 tent will house our awareness booth, we have to set up the banners and the tables with all our awareness materials.
CARNIVAL GAMES [minimum 6 people needed: We will need a minimum of 6 people that can stay from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight (or MANY more for shorter shifts) and run the games and give out prize tokens. In a perfect world it would be great to have 2 extra volunteers that would rotate to provide breaks...

AWARENESS BOOTH [3 to 4 people needed]: In this booth you will hand out awareness materials, answer questions for the people who inquire about autism, sell autism awareness pieces ie: key chains, car magnets etc. This area also sells something that glows as a fundraiser ie: glow bracelets... and last but not least trade in prize tokens from the carnival games for a prize.

FACE PAINTERS [2 or 3 people needed]: Face painters will be needed from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight. In the past this is where Cindy Faria has been stationed with Elf Wendy Benoit (What Cindy and just about everyone call Wendy)... it’s not the Christmas Party yet... but that’s okay because she behaves like one of Santa’s endearing elf’s all year round. This year Cindy will not be able to face paint as she will have a tent right beside the our booth for her new business. Therefore Elf Wendy will need help because we have line ups of children all night long to get their face painted. So if you have any face painting talent (or maybe you’re a closet artist) or know of anyone who does please sign up or recruit them to help out this year.

TAKE DOWN: At midnight everything has to be taken down and packed up again. This job usually takes about an hour if we have around 5 volunteers pitching in.

Did we mention that this is one of the MOST FUN EVENTS we do every year... so come on out and help! Your participation will be greatly appreciated and you’ll have a blast at the same time. Also for all those that volunteer... you need to know that Elf Wendy has a direct line to Santa and she always puts in a good word with Mr. Clause for those that help out. And never fear... Cindy may have stepped down as a CLC member (after who knows how many dedicated years)... but she's still our organizing force behind Midnight Madness (and... just in case you didn't know... she's Santa Cindy).

Please contact Wendy Benoit at 905-339-3022 or wbenoit2@cogeco.ca and let her know that you can help out this year at Midnight Madness.