Monthly Archives: August 2011

Actor Joe Mantegna Hosts Annual Charity Golf Classic Presented by CARD

By Daphne Plump | Published: August 31, 2011

Actor Joe Mantegna (Criminal Minds) will host ACT Today!’s (Autism Care and Treatment Today!) 5th Annual Charity Golf Classic presented by the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. The tournament will be held on Monday, September 12, 2011 at the North Ranch Country Club, in Westlake Village, California. Proceeds from the fundraiser will provide resources and treatment for children with autism whose families cannot afford the necessary tools that their child needs to achieve their full potential. Mantegna, who has a daughter with autism, is calling on the community to show their support for autism care and treatment.

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Posted in Autism Events | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

California Families: Help Stop Further Cuts To ABA Services

By Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh | Published: August 29, 2011

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is attempting to implement new regulations that will negatively impact our ability to provide quality services to our clients. The proposed regulation gives DDS the ability to lower our reimbursement rates for therapy work and increases the experience requirement for our therapists. This means that in most cases we will not be able to afford to keep our current therapists on staff. Our Regional Center reimbursement rates are already very low and the planned 25% cut will make it financially impossible for us to hire, train and retain great therapists. Plus, most of our therapists come to CARD for their first clinical position and they do so because of our exceptional training program. However, if they don’t apply to CARD with at least 6 months of previous experience, we won’t be able to hire them. How are these bright people supposed to get experience if organizations like CARD can’t hire them?

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Posted in Autism Events | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Teaching Stranger Danger Skills to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

By Marlena Smith | Published: August 29, 2011

Normally, when deciding which skills to include in a child’s ABA program, they are prioritized based on which skills the child is likely to use most. While the likelihood of ever using stranger danger skills is slim to none (hopefully none), teaching these skills is nevertheless important to better ensure the safety of children with ASD. Thus in this study, CARD researchers set out to evaluate a stranger danger training procedure that can realistically be incorporated into a child’s ABA program.

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Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments

ACT Today!’s Premiere Fall Autism Fundraiser is Going to the Dogs

By Daphne Plump | Published: August 25, 2011

ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today!), a national non-profit organization headquartered in Tarzana, California and founded by CARD’s Executive Director Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh, plans to make its most highly talked about fundraiser, 6th Annual Denim & Diamonds for Autism, go to the dogs. Throughout the year, ACT Today! gets inundated with requests for assistance dogs from families of children with autism. The need has grown so great, that the premiere event, known for its glitz and glamour, celebrity support and corporate sponsors, will include a paddle auction, which will specifically raise funds for assistance dogs for 12 children with autism from around the country. Arizona Goldens LLC, a non-profit organization that places its dogs in the homes of children with special needs, will feature several of its Golden Retrievers at the event. The event, co-hosted by Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh and ACT Today!’s Executive Director Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson, will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the historic Ahmanson Ranch, located at 25345 Mureau Road, in Calabasas, California from 5pm to 11pm.

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Posted in Autism Events | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Autism-Friendly Broadway Showing of The Lion King

By Marlena Smith | Published: August 23, 2011

To support an autism-friendly environment, some changes have been made to the production. These include the elimination of startling sounds and strobe lights. In addition, quiet areas equipped with beanbag chairs, coloring books, and trained staff will be stationed in the theatre lobby for those who need a break from the performance. The TDF also provides a downloadable social story that illustrates what members of the audience can expect during their trip to the theatre.

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Posted in Autism Events | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

A-Word Part 9: Strengths And Weaknesses

By Cheryl and Mike | Published: August 18, 2011

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Posted in The A-Word | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

CARD and Skills® Participate in CBS TV’s Stephanie’s Day

By Daphne Plump | Published: August 15, 2011

The Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) and Skills® participated in this past Saturday’s Stephanie’s Day, hosted by CBS Los Angeles.

It was a fun-filled day—meeting families of children with autism, relaying valuable resources and a whole lot more. Check out the video and the slideshow for a behind-the-scenes look at the successful event!

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Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh Serves as Keynote Speaker at Pasadena’s Autism/Apserger’s Conference

By Daphne Plump | Published: August 12, 2011

Registration is required to attend the conference. For more information and to secure registration, visit http://www.autism-conferences.com.

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Posted in Autism Events | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Social Skills Seminar

By Daphne Plump | Published: August 11, 2011

“We received such positive feedback from parents during our last Social Skills Group session and decided not to only continue the sessions but increase them with a new age group,’ says Evelin Garcia, PsyD, CARD Assessment Director. “The Social Skills Group will help increase your child’s reciprocal conversation, ability to initiate, maintain and take turns during conversations. This will also help your child identify and cope with the physiological symptoms of anxiety related to new social situations as well as learn alongside peers with similar social skills.”

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Posted in Autism Events | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Skills Allows Parents and Practitioners to Treat Children with Autism — CBS LA Reports

By Daphne Plump | Published: August 10, 2011

.rax_tsmdwc_main { float:right; background: ; border: ; padding: 10px; margin:0px 10px 10px 10px; margin-right:0px; } .rax_tsmswc_inner { float:right; margin:0px 10px 10px 10px; margin-right:0px; } .clear { clear:both; } Tweet fbshare

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Posted in VLOG | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments