PBS NewsHour's Autism Now series

Last week, I accompanied our senior associate executive director Noreen Quinn and applied behavioral specialist Mike Kephart to WXXI's studios in Rochester.  We were there to promote the opening our of autism center and the new, wide range of resources available to families, educators, and the community. 

Our visit actually coincides with the part 5 of PBS NewsHour's Autism Now series.  Robert MacNeil returns to PBS to explore the rapid increase of autism diagnoses.  MacNeil shares his own personal story with autism -- his grandson Nick was diagnosed at 15 months old. 

Part I, II and III are available to view online at PBS NewsHour.  They are also being aired locally on WXXI Channel 21.

And, just in case you are wondering -- Noreen and Mike will appear on this Friday's episode of Need To Know Rochester at 8:30.  Thanks to Steve Dawe for inviting us up to the station and bringing attention to this important issue.

Disability and the Arts Festival 2011

Through the month of April there have been many activities on the HWS campus for people with disabilities. Some have included an Abstract Art workshop, Journal writing workshops, Movement workshops and Creating Video Advertising workshops.

The individuals at the HWS College Experience have really enjoyed themselves and have met many new friends from other ARCs that have attended.

Wednesday, May 4th is the Arts Gala Finale from 5-8pm on the campus in the Vandervort Room. Every ones art will be displayed. Hope to see you there!

FLCC College Experience Helps with Day of Caring

United Way Day of Caring was another fun adventure for us this year. We signed up to volunteer and were asked to work at Sonnenberg Gardens for the day. We were given the responsibility of helping to clean the inside of the mansion, such as dusting, sweeping and vacuuming. We met some great people and really got to appreciate the beautiful mansion and gardens.

In case you missed it...

We've been hard at work in the PR / Development department, putting the finishing touches on the grand opening of The Autism Center at Ontario ARC.  Yesterday, we had a great turn out with our workshop for teachers and educators.  A special thank you to all to everyone who volunteered -- both staff, members of our Autism Advisory Board, and participants from our Community Experience and College Experience programs at Finger Lakes Community College and Hobart & William Smith Colleges.  Its back to work for me, but I just wanted to leave you with some of the great media coverage we've gotten over the past few days.  Thank you to Ted Fioraliso at Channel 10, Patrice Walsh at Channel 13, Julie Sherwood at the Daily Messenger and Mike Hibbard at The Finger Lakes Times for bringing attention to autism spectrum disorders and letting people know that there are resources like Ontario ARC for support.




Patrice Walsh's story after the jump...

The Community Experience helps the United Way

The Community Experience has enjoyed a pizza party in the past when we have saved enough money from their pop cans and bottles. Recently we decided to spend the money on non-perishable food for the United Ways food drive. We went shopping at Aldi's and purchased as much food as we could. We kept track of the total amount using calculators. We then delivered all the food collected by the Eberhardt Center and the Main Facility to the Zion Fellowship Church on Thursday April 14th.