NEWS AND EVENTS

• Maggie’s Miles…5 K Run, 1 Mile Walk or Roll for Maryland Children and Young Adults with Special Needs The Maggie’s Light Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, in partnership with the Students of Towson University, is hosting its signature event, Maggie’s Miles, on Friday, September 25, 2009, from 6 – 9 PM at Burdick Field on Towson University’s Campus. Maggie’s Miles is open to all Towson University Students, individuals from the greater community, and local businesses. We hope the community will join us and/or support our efforts through participation in the event, available sponsorships and/ or donations. Cost: Towson University Students (with ID) $10.00           Non-students $20.00           Families (3+) $25.00   Register on line at www.maggieslight.org  or contact Mary Anne Kane Breschi at 410.527.1401.   Individuals not interested in participating in the race, walk or roll are welcome to join us free of charge, but are required to purchase their food and drink for a nominal fee.   Sponsorships: Contact Mary Anne Kane Breschi at maryanne@maggieslight.org or 410.527.1401 Maggie’s Light supports Maryland families caring for children and young adults with special needs. It provides funding for respite (i.e. camp, therapeutic horseback riding etc…) and ongoing support services (i.e. after school care); helps families to identify caregivers; and obtain local and state wide resources. The purpose of this event is to increase disability awareness within the college and local community, and to raise $10,000 dollars for respite and ongoing support services. All proceeds go directly to Maryland families to pay for these services! There are over 217,000 children with special needs living in Maryland!  Help us to support Maryland families! Register today! And, join us for live music, food and great fun! Maggie’s Light Foundation is grateful to the administrators and students of Towson University for “Thinking Outside,” and partnering with us in hosting this event, to help improve the lives of children and young adults with special needs, and their families. Download the Flyer.     Tuesday, September 22, 2009 4:00pm - 9:00pm If your family is impacted by autism, eating out just got a little easier.  Pathfinders for Autism and The Main Street Tower Restaurant in Bel Air, will host a night of dining out with other families that understand your unique situation in a setting that accommodates your family's needs. Pathfinders for Autism 303 International Circle, Suite 110 Hunt Valley, Maryland 21030 443.330.5370

  Autism Expo
  October 10, 2009 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.: Jim Rouse Theatre, Columbia. Featuring nationally recognized autism experts, Dr. Vincent Carbone, Dr. Rebecca Landa, Dr. Stephen Shore, Dr. Griff Doyle, and many others. Free admission. Tickets must be reserved in advance at www.autismexpo.com. 

  Dr. Temple Grandin Presents “Why Animals Make Us Human”
  October 14, 2009 (Wednesday) 7:00 p.m.: Smith Theatre, Howard Community College, Columbia. Dr. Grandin will offer a 90-minute presentation, including an opportunity for questions and discussion, and book signing. Cosponsored by Howard County Library and the Howard County Autism Society. For more information, call Tracie Palm, Office of Student Life, HCC, 410-772-4024. 

  One Step Closer...Autism Walk
  October 17, 2009 (Saturday) Register 8am: Join us for the third annual “One Step Closer . . . Autism Walk” to benefit the Howard County Autism Society on Saturday, October 17, 2009, at Centennial Park (Route 108) in Ellicott City. 

• Fall 2009 Programs and Activities Calendar

  General Information

• The Social Group will meet once monthly on Friday evenings (from 6:00-8:00 pm) in Room 120 of the Administration Building.  The Administration building is located at the corner of York Road and Cross Campus Drive.  Download the social groups calendar here.
  *Please bring snacks or drinks to share. Cups/plates/napkins/ice will be provided.
  *Please bring a game of your choice. (Please---No video games that require the big screen, such as Wii)

• The Women’s Group will meet once monthly on Friday evenings in Room 313 of the University Union. The University Union is located on Cross Campus Drive.

• The Wellness Center Program will meet twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (6:00-7:30), at the Wellness Center located in Room 113 of the Administration Building. The Administration building is located at the corner of York Road and Cross Campus Drive. 

• The Adult Language and Pragmatic Skills (ALPS) group will meet on Thursday evenings (5:30-7:00) during the fall in Room 120 of the Administration Building.  The Administration building is located at the corner of York Road and Cross Campus Drive. 

Full Calendar (.pdf)

COME AND JOIN THE FUN!!!

• Free National Park Passes for Lifetime for individuals with "permanent"
  disabilities such as autism.  Go to http://www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm and scroll down for the Free Access Pass on their website.  This is a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Documentation is required to obtain the pass. Acceptable documentation includes: statement by a licensed physician; document issued by a Federal agency such as the Veteran's Administration, Social Security Disability Income or  Supplemental
  Security Income; or document issued by a State agency such as a vocational
  rehabilitation agency. The pass provides access to, and use of, Federal
  recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity. The pass
  admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per
  vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, 
  at per person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free). The pass can 
  only be obtained in person at the park. The Access Pass provides a 50 percent
  discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for facilities and 
  services such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and specialized interpretive ervices. In some cases where Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50 percent price reduction. The pass is
  non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special 
  recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.
  

• Thursday, March 5, 2009:  Advisory Panel Releases First Federal Strategic Plan for Autism Research The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), a federal government advisory panel, has released its first blueprint for autism research. The IACC Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder Research will advise federal agencies and Congress on needs and opportunities for research investigating autism, a complex developmental disorder that affects 1 in 150 children.

  "This plan will help fill the gaps between what we know about autism and what we need to do to help affected families and communities," said Thomas Insel, M.D., chair of the IACC and director of the National Institute of Mental Health, part of the National Institutes of Health. "This document marks a significant achievement in that it is the product of a truly collaborative effort involving the IACC, scientists, advocacy groups and the public."

  In establishing the IACC, the Combating Autism Act of 2006 mandated that the body develop and annually update a strategic plan for autism research. The IACC, composed of both federal and public members, developed the plan through an extensive process engaging a wide range of federal agencies and public stakeholders. The IACC convened four scientific workshops to identify research opportunities as well as expert workgroups to recommend research objectives. The committee also sought extensive public input on ASD research priorities through means such as town hall meetings and Requests for Information. The resulting plan reflects a diversity of views and the breadth of research that will be required to address the needs of people with ASD and their families.

  Autism is a complex developmental disorder characterized by repetitive behavior and pervasive impairments in language and the ability to relate to others. It is often grouped with related disorders, such as Asperger's syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder, all of which may be referred to collectively as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The underlying causes of ASD are unclear and currently, there is no cure for the disorders. Prevalence of ASD has increased more than ten-fold over the past two decades, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2007.

  The IACC strategic plan is organized around six critically important questions for people with ASD and their families regarding diagnosis, the biology of autism, risk factors, treatments and interventions, services and supports and questions about issues faced by adolescents, adults and seniors with autism and their families. Each question is followed by a brief discussion of what is currently known and what more is needed through research. The plan then states an aspirational goal and describes research opportunities and objectives in each area. Each objective includes a professional judgment budget estimate, provided by programmatic and agency experts.

  Recommendations in the strategic plan include objectives to: develop new diagnostic tools; complete longitudinal and comprehensive studies of the biological, clinical and developmental profiles of children; identify genetic and environmental risk factors; conduct clinical trials of interventions; and assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of evidence-based services for people with ASD of all ages in community settings.

  Over the next year, the IACC will monitor the implementation of the strategic plan and update the document for its annual release.

  The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder Research is available on the IACC Web site.

  The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) mission is to reduce the burden of mental and behavioral disorders through research on mind, brain, and behavior. More information is available at the NIMH Web site.

  The National Institutes of Health (NIH) - The National's Medical Research Agency - includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit the NIH Web site.

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