Don't Forget! - ASD Seminar from MATC

ASD Seminars from MATC (Manitoba Adolescent Treatment Centre)
MATC Neurodevelopmental Services/Autism is offering a 2-day seminar in Winnipeg for parents/family members and school and community professionals involved with school-aged children with an autism spectrum disorder. The next workshop will be held February 10-11, 2010. Follow this link for the application form.

Topics covered include diagnosis and sensory processing, social skills, parent support, school strategies, ASD and anxiety, hygiene, puberty, challenging behaviours, and AAC strategies for the functionally non-verbal child. For more infomation, contact Shellie Hatch at 958-8447 {shatch@matc.ca} or Mary Jo Quarry at 958-9682 {mquarry@matc.ca}

Temple Grandin

They made a TV biograghy movie about Temple Grandin starring Claire Daines and Catherine O'Hara.

Based on the writings by its title subject, HBO Films’ Temple Grandin is an engaging portrait of an autistic young woman who became, through timely mentoring and sheer force of will, one of America’s most remarkable success stories. With a tour de force performance by Claire Danes in the title role, the film chronicles Grandin’s early beginnings as a child diagnosed with autism; her turbulent growth and development during her school years; and the enduring support she received from her mother, her aunt and her science teacher. Against all odds, Temple eventually transitioned into a highly-functional, esteemed inventor in the cattle industry, which she revolutionized with her scientific research and designs. This visually inventive film offers stunning insights into Grandin’s world, taking the audience inside her mind with a series of snapshot images that trace her self-perceptions and journey from childhood through young adulthood to the beginning of her career, and beyond.

Schedule
Saturday Feb. 6 at 8:00PM ET / MT
Sunday Feb. 7 at 2:00AM ET / MT
Wednesday Feb. 10 at 10:50AM ET / MT
Thursday Feb. 11 at 1:10AM ET / MT
Sunday Feb. 14 at 2:40PM ET / MT


Also until Feb 17, 2010, Barnes & Noble is offering a free Temple Grandin Autism coloring book

Autism Portage support meeting

Tonight's Autism Portage support meeting, featuring Christine Longford from Child and Adolescent Mental Health, has been CANCELLED due to the weather.

1st Tuesday of the month....

Next Meeting :Feb 2/10 in the boardroom @ BTHC

Primary Caregiver Tax Credit

Manitoba’s New Primary Caregiver Tax Credit

Manitobans who act as the primary caregivers for family members or others may now be eligible for a $1,020 tax credit. This credit recognizes the vital support caregivers provide to those needing care. Manitoba’s new Primary Caregiver Tax Credit provides up to $1,020 a year to people who act as primary caregivers for spouses, relatives, neighbours or friends who live at home in Manitoba. For this tax credit, people requiring care must be assessed at Level 2 or higher under the Manitoba Home Care Program guidelines. They are assessed based on the amount and type of care required for tasks like bathing, dressing, eating meals, mobility and receiving medical care. Level 1 requires minimal care in most cases and is not eligible. Level 4 requires maximum daily support for most tasks.

Who is Eligible
To be eligible, the primary caregiver must be identified by the person receiving care (or their parent if the person receiving care is under 18) and must not be paid to provide care to this person. The tax credit will help cover caregiver expenses. This could include respite care, taking the client shopping, to medical appointments or on recreational outings.

How it Works
The credit is effective January 1, 2009, following a three-month qualifying period. This means caregivers who started providing care October 1, 2008, or earlier, and continued throughout 2009, can claim the full refundable tax credit on their 2009 income tax return. Caregivers may earn $1,020 per client, for up to three people, for any given time. If care giving began during 2009, a partial claim will be allowed.



For More Information

More information about the Primary Caregiver Tax Credit is available:


•Manitoba Government Inquiry: 1-866-626-4862
•Manitoba Health and Healthy Living: 204-788-6646
For information on claiming this tax credit through the income tax system,contact the Manitoba TaxAssistance Office at 204-948-2115;1-800-782-0771 toll free;or e-mail TAO@gov.mb.ca.


Note: If you are caring for someone who is in the Supported Living or Children’s Special Services programs, contact Manitoba Family Services and Housing at:
204-523-5230; toll free at 1-800-563-8793; TTY at 204-948-3698 or 1-800-855-0511 (Manitoba Relay Service), or via email incsup@gov.mb.ca.

•Frequently Asked Questions
•Step-By-Step Process (FSH clients – see above)
•Level of Care Equivalency Guideline (FSH clients – see above)
•Application (FSH clients – see above)

Asperger Manitoba Inc. & University of MB

Individuals with Asperger Syndrome and related disorders often experience difficulty in the area of social competence. AMI, along with its partners, is initiating two socials skills groups. One group will be for adults and the other for children and youth.

Social Skills Group for Adults
Do you have Asperger Syndrome (or a related diagnosis)?
Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you think you would benefit from meeting weekly with a small group of other adults with Asperger Syndrome (or a related diagnosis) to work on social skills (may include social skills, self-esteem, communication, reading non-verbal cues and body language, conversation skills, dealing with anger, frustration and anxiety, dating, building and maintaining friendships, dealing with family and school demands, or employment skills)?
If you answered YES to all of the questions above and you are interested in participating in the group, please follow this link to fill out the application form by January 15, 2010. (If you have already applied, you will have received a reply from us already! You don't need to reapply.)
If you need more information before you decide to participate, please email us at amrc@asperger-manitoba.ca .

Building Social skills Group for Children and Youth
Has your child or youth been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome or related disorders (High Functioning Autism, or PDD-NOS)?
Would your child or youth like to participate in a Social Skills training program designed to help individuals with Asperger Syndrome/Disorder to navigate a wide range of social situations and to make friends?
About the group
Age range of group will be determined based on applicants
Group size will be between 4 and 8 participants and meet once per week for approximately 9 weeks
Most sessions are 1.5 hours for a total of 15 hours. One orientation session for parent(s)/caregiver(s) will occur in the first week
Fees (if required) will be nominal
Group will be held at the Psychological Service Centre ? 161 Dafoe Building (University of Manitoba)
The group will start around the beginning of February, 2010


Contact:
Janine Montgomery, PhD
Department of Psychology
206 Chancellor's Hall, 177 Dysart Rd
University of Manitoba,
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2
Phone (Judy): (204) 474-8039
Fax: (204) 474-7599
asperger@cc.umanitoba.ca


Building social Skills Group is a joint initiative between the University of Manitoba and Asperger manitoba Inc.

Autism Portage Support Group

The Autism Portage Support Group's next meeting will be held on Monday, January 25th, at the Tupper Street Family Resouce Centre, 20 Tupper Street N. in Portage.

This session will feature a presentation by Christine Longford, with Child and Adolescent Mental Health of Central RHA. Her presentation is on "Understanding Depression and Anxiety in ASD Adolescents". Everyone is welcome to attend!

NOTE that Christine has to travel a fair distance to get to Portage, so if the weather or roads are poor, please check the Autism Portage Website in case of cancellation.

lending library

A reminder to those who have borrowed books, please bring them back to tonight's meeting, so they may be passed on!
Thank you

Telehealth Jan 13 2010

MB Telehealth and Autism Society Manitoba are pleased to present:

Cheryl Kehler and Shonna Pepper of Disability Tax Credit Services

Cheryl and Shonna will present on the topic and Shonna will be sharing her own personal experience in obtaining the credit for her autistic son. She will cover what the disability tax credit is, who is eligible, and how to apply. She will also discuss the benefits of using Disability Tax Credit Services, and answer any questions you have.

This session will be of benefit to all parents and caregivers, not only limited to those living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Wednesday January 13, 2010 6:30pm at Boundary Trails Health Centre.
Contact Sandra McKay 204-783-9563 or sandra@autismmanitoba.com if you have any questions.

Autism Awareness pins & bracelets

They are $3 each, and proceeds go to ASM {Autism Society Manitoba} to support programs in Manitoba. We will be bringing them to tonights meeting if you wish to purchase one or you may email us @ southcentralasd@yahoo.ca ... on the back of the bracelet it says "connecting the pieces"

Children's Coalition of Manitoba

The Children's Coalition of Manitoba, along with other service and advocacy agencies and the provincial government, strives to create a coordinated network supporting children with disabilities and their families to be fully included in community life.

They have developed a set of fact sheets and web-based resources that will help parents whose child has been newly-diagnosed with a disability to find services and programs in Manitoba.

There will be a workshop held on Monday, January 11th (snow date January 18th) at 6 - 8 pm at 25 Tupper Street North (the Provincial Building)in Portage. They are asking parents of children with disabilities to attend this workshop and to give them feedback on the new fact sheets and resources. Children's Coalition and its partners recognize that the input of parents who have 'been there' will be a huge value to developing useful and comprehensive resources.

Jan 12th, 2010

is our next meeting, see you there!