CHoSS

Thurston/Mason Counties Chapter of the Autism Society of WA meetings

Currently we are offering three types of meetings in the Thurston/Mason counties area:

1. Parents Living with Autism meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month, at 7:00 at the Olympia-Lacey Church of God, on the corner of Ruddell Road and Lacey Blvd. Patty Gee is the facilitator. They are planning the following focus topics for the next few months (subject to change, call for more info):

November: Parents who have used the "Floor time" Intervention approach will share.

December: Parents familiar with the "ABA" approach will share.

January: Educators/therapists familiar with TEACH will share.

February: Social Stories will be described and ideas how to use them will be shared.

March: Augmentative support/technology will be discussed.

April: Inclusion, How is it working from a parents' point of view.

May: The difference between a 504 and IEP, and how parents' see them working to support their child.

2. The 3rd Thursday of each month, Parents Living with Aspergers meet, also at the Olympia Lacey Church of God, at 7:00. Many who come have children who have been recently diagnosed, and want to meet other parents of children of like ages.

3. In January 2005, a new program will begin. Patty and Jerome Gee plan to host a Saturday Breakfast for People who have Aspergers or High Functioning Autism at the Olympia Lacey Church of God, every Saturday morning from 9:30 to 11:00. There is a need by many to meet other people, and learn social skills that are necessary to establish friendships. As the group forms we will also take outings to practice skills they are exposed to during our breakfast time.

For more information please contact Patty Gee at (253) 964-8200 or Email: PattyJGee@aol.com