A Stay at Home Event You Don’t Want to Miss- Donate to HEAL Now!

This year, charitable giving comes from the comfort of your home. We have decided to throw our yearly gala without the party, which will allow for 100% of the proceeds to go towards Autism programs, camps, and financial aid.  There will be a chance to win a wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres, with the wine provided by Republic National Distributing Company & Deb Alfaro.

To see the online invitation, click here.

Support HEAL by attending a Jacksonville  NFL Jaguar football game or attending the Nationwide TOUR

Winn Dixie Jacksonville Open at TPC Sawgrass October 18-24. The Jacksonville Jaguar Give and Go program allows you to purchase tickets to the Jaguar games through HEAL. $10 from each ticket purchase will be donated to HEAL along with a $10 match from the program.
Purchase tickets to attend the Nationwide Tour  Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open, October 18-24, 2010 at TPC Sawgrass tickets are $25 for the week and 100% of the ticket price goes to HEAL. Not only will you get a chance to see the PGA TOUR stars of tomorrow at TPC Sawgrass, but you will make a difference by helping HEAL.  Proceeds from  the ticket purchases from both events will come to HEAL to help fund many local projects and schools. Ticket prices range from $40-$50 depending on the seating section.

To purchase tickets for Jaguar football and donate to HEAL, click here!  
To purchase Winn Dixie Jacksonville Open TICKETS for CHARITY Click here!

Summer Tips From Puzzle Peace
By Janeen Herskovitz

Ask any parent of child with special needs what they did on their summer vacation, and they will invariably respond with, "What vacation??"  This time of year, when school is on hiatus, siblings spend an inordinate amount of time together, and daily routine is replaced with easy-going days, is a nightmare for most children with autism spectrum disorder, not to mention their parents.  Our family, for example, makes an effort to stay away from the amusement parks and zoo, and only attempts the community pool or beach during dinnertime when the crowds have dispersed.  There was a time when summer was an awful experience, filled with dread, anticipating increased tantrums for my autistic child and regression due to lack of school structure.  But I've learned that with a little planning, and some self-forgiveness, summer can actually be a time for our family to enjoy. 

There are a few lessons I've learned along the way in raising a child with autism, that have made it easier to embrace change.  Because situations are difficult to change, and other people are near impossible to change (i.e.: kids and spouses), I've spent the last few years changing my perspective and re-framing situations in order to cope better. Click here to read the full article.

Lose the Training Wheels comes to Jacksonville

The Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville is hosting an opportunity for children with disabilities to develop the skills and confidence needed to ride a two wheel bike for the first time.  This program uses specially adapted bikes so children progressively build their coordination and balance.  Volunteers jog alongside each bicycle, encouraging the children and sharing their joy!

This will take place July 19-23rd at the Harvest Fellowship Church’s gym on Burnett Park Road in Jacksonville.  A donation of $100 is needed to participate.  The Down Syndrome Association is taking care of all other costs.
This is open to children 8 and up with a minimum height of 40 inches.  There are limited spaces left and open to children on the Autism Spectrum.  Click here for a flyer on the event.  Contact Debbie Revels at Debbie.revels@dsaj.org or call (904) 353-6300.

Jacksonville Family Healing Autism Through Better Documentation and Collaboration!

Tim and Nicole Clark began their journey in the autism world when their oldest son Asher was diagnosed with autism at age 2. By quickly intervening with diet, medications, and traditional therapies, the Clark family was able to see immediate improvements in Asher’s symptoms. Shortly after beginning the interventions, Asher’s parents created a web-based record-keeping application that tracked his daily activities and overall treatment goals. The website allowed Asher’s parents to give his doctors and therapists access to view and add to his journal. By having all of Asher’s medical interventions and traditional therapies organized and documented in a single online source, his treatment team was able to collaborate much more effectively. The Clark family has recently opened up the web application to other families who would benefit from tracking their patient’s activities and sharing this information with the treatment team, which is now available at www.AshersJournal.com.

For more information about Asher’s Journal, contact Tim Clark at (904) 713-2020 or tim@ashersjournal.com.

Don’t Forget to Shop For HEAL

Don’t forget that you can support the HEAL Foundation by purchasing products and gifts on line.  The HEAL Foundation now offers several products online through Café Press. Proceeds from the sale of the products go towards the HEAL Foundation. Products such as coffee mugs and water bottles sport the HEAL logo while the beach tote and the note cards feature a beautiful illustration of the HEAL House by Kyle Walsh.

To view or purchase the products, please visit: http://www.cafepress.com/HEALfoundation!

Upcoming Events in Northeast Florida

If you have an event you would like to suggest for the HEAL calendar, please email details to events@healautismnow.org. Also, send your camp information to events@healautismnow.org to reach out the thousands of First Coast residents who read the HEAL Newsletter.

• May— July
  Classes for children on the Autism Spectrum at The Cummer Museum and Gardens begin. Children with Autism can participate free of charge thanks to a HEAL grant to the Cummer Museum. Click here for the list and more information
• June 14- July 23
  The Cummer Museum and Gardens is offering five one-week sessions of Camp Cummer.  This camp is for children entering grades 1 through 6 and lasts 9:00AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday.  Camp Cummer is FREE for children with Autism thanks to a grant from the HEAL Foundation.  Please mention this when registering.   For more information or to register your child, call (904) 355-0630. 
• June 21 – July 2           
  HEAL Film Camp with Joey Travolta. Students must be Nominated and Registered by a teacher or therapist. To download the application materials and learn more about the camp, please visit: http://www.filmlabproductions.com/heal-foundation/
• June 28 & 29
  City of Jacksonville Beach Surf Camp.  Sign up May 15 between 9-11am must be present to sign up- first come first serve basis. Contact  Children must be pre-registered to participate. http://www.jacksonvillebeach.org/DocumentView.aspx?DID=456
• June 14- July 23
  The Cummer Museum and Gardens is offering five one-week sessions of Camp Cummer. This camp is for children entering grades 1 through 6 and lasts 9:00AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Camp Cummer is FREE for children with Autism thanks to a grant from the HEAL Foundation. Please mention this when registering. For more information or to register your child, call (904) 355-0630.
• June 28 & 29
  City of Jacksonville Beach Surf Camp.  Registration is full.
• June 28, 29, & 30
  HUG - Help Us Golf Camp from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the TPC Sawgrass. Jarrad Kogos is back with a three-day session of professional golf lessons for children with Autism. Click here to download application. This camp is free and open on a first come first serve basis to children ages 7-17 on the Autism Spectrum. For more information email kogosfamily@aol.com.
• July 19-23
  Lose the Training Wheels at Harvest Fellowship Church.  The Down Syndrome Association brings this learn to ride a bike program to Jacksonville.  Click here to download the flyer.  Space is limited but open to children 8 and up with disabilities.  Email Debbie.Revels@dsaj.com or call (904) 353-6300.
• July 26-30
  Middle School Art Camp at The Cummer Museum and Gardens. This one week camp runs from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM Monday through Friday for children entering grades 6 through 8. Camp Cummer is FREE for children with Autism thanks to a grant from the HEAL Foundation. Please mention this when registering. For more information or to register your child, call (904) 355-0630.
• August 7
  Special Education Law and Advocacy Workshop hosted by Florida Developmental Disabilities Council and The Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities. Training will focus on sections of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504. Visit http://www.fddc.org/registration to register.
• August 28
  Surfers For Autism one-day surf clinic in Daytona Beach. Surfers are provided a safe environment where two to four highly skilled and trained surf instructors carefully guide them into waves. A catered lunch is also provided, all at no cost. This is a very special day where children with ASD interact with typical peers and wow families with their capabilities. These events are examples of inclusion at the highest level. Visit their page on facebook page for more information.
• August 30
  Project Chance Inaugural Golf Tournament. Foursomes will play a round of golf with proceeds being donated to Project Chance. It is $100 per golfer and sponsorships are available. It will take place at St. Johns Golf and Country Club in St. Augustine. Visit their website for more updates about the tournament.
• September 11
  SPARC 2010 Education/ Resource Conference will be held in Largo, FL at Fitzgerald Middle School. The conference will provide parents, teachers, and therapists with resources that will help their children make achievements. State, regional, and local organizations will be present for information and questions. For more information, visit www.standadvocates.org