Achimota Centre for Children with Autism Barrie -

8 WEEK PROGRAM BEGINS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2010 FROM 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Participants must attend Information Night and Screening on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

For additional information or to register for the Information Night, please contact us at 705-735-2336 or cindyd@achimota.ca

Achimota Centre for Children with Autism offers a social skills program in a fun, safe and inclusive environment.  The program offers small group ratios with opportunities for social and cooperative interactions facilitated by our trained staff.  The planned activities allow the children to be involved in a variety of social interactions with other children while working on such skills as turn taking, sharing, following directions, emotions, feeling and more!

Total Cost Per Child – Based on Small Group Ratio – $300.00 (Families in receipt of SSAH or ACSD may be able to use their funding for this program – contact your MCYS Special Agreements Officer)

Social Skills Program Facilitator – Sue Millington

Sue Millington has been with the Achimota Centre for Children with Autism for nearly 2 years faciliating both our After School and Social Skills Programs as well as working as an Instructional Therapist.  Sue received training from the Geneva Centre for Autism in facilitating social skills programming.  Her experience includes facilitating social skills programming for Autism Ontario.  Sue has worked with children with disabilities in the Education system for more than 10 years including working within ASD classrooms.

September 22 & 29, 2010 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Since 1980, over 5 million human service providers worldwide have been trained through the Nonviolent Crisis Intervention program to provide for the care, welfare, safety and security of everyone involved in a crisis situation. The workshop will provide an introduction to crisis prevention that emphasizes early intervention and non physical methods for preventing or managing disruptive behaviour. As well, an introduction to the study and practice of personal safety techniques will occur followed by a review of methods to re-establish rapport after a crisis has occurred. This is a TWO PART workshop. Part two is on September 29th. You must attend BOTH sessions. No certification will be provided at this workshop.  Workshop will take place at Achimota Centre for Children with Autism.

These workshops are in collaboration with the Respite Training Initiative through Kerry`s Place Autism Services.  Please register for both online at http://www.kerrysplaceautismservices.org/RespiteTraining/ 

Join Achimota Centre as we host National Service Dogs Training Centre Inc. founding member Maureen Butler-Morin, son Brodie and his service dog Shadow.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2010 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Achimota Centre for Children with Autism is pleased to welcome Maureen Butler-Morin and her son Brodie Morin to Barrie!  Maureen is one of the founding members of National Service Dogs Training Centre (NSD).  NSD is the first known organization that breeds, trains, and places Certified Service Dogs with children who have autism.  The National Service Dog program has become the template used by other service dog schools around the world for training service dogs to support children with autism.

Brodie Morin was diagnosed with autism at the age of three.  He is the first child in North America to have a Certified Service Dog working at his side for most of his life.  Now 18 years old, Brodie can share with his audience what life is like for a child who has autism.  Brodie is the Ambassador for National Service Dogs, representing Service Dog Teams for autism with pride.

Maureen and Brodie will present “Service Dogs Working With A Child Who Has Autism… The Past 14 Years”.  After the presentation, Maureen and Brodie will be available for a question and answer period.

In order to register for this presentation, please contact Achimota Centre directly at (705) 735-2336

SUMMER SOCIAL SKILLS PROGRAM RUNS UNTIL SEPTEMBER 03, 2010

MONDAYS, TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS FROM 12:30 PM TO 4:30 PM

Summer 2010 – Social Skills Program - The Achimota Centre is proud to offer a Summer Social Skills Program.  It is is a fun, safe and inclusive environment based on the principals of Applied Behavioural Analysis; small ratios with opportunities for social and cooperative interactions facilitated by our trained staff.  The planned activities allow the children to be involved in a variety of social interactions with other children while working on such skills as turn taking, sharing, friendship, following directions, emotions and feelings.  Our Social Skills Program offers opportunities to develop appropriate life skills. 

Our program will work on new skills and help maintain current skills over the summer!

To register, please contact the Centre directly at (705) 735-2336

BECOME A SPONSOR OF THIS YEAR’S GOLF TOURNAMENT – Sponsor Packages include Speciality Prize Hole, Tee Sponsor, Cart Sponsor, Financial Sponsorship and Prize Donations!  All donations and contributions are tax-deductible and we will be able to provide a charitiable tax receipt.  By being a sponsor, you will be promoting your business to people and professionals in the community.  Your business will also be adverised on Achimota’s website.

Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the world!  By supporting AUTISM and the ACHIMOTA CENTRE will you make a difference in the lives of people affected by autism in our community!

Charitable Registration 859853053

For more information and directions to Bear Creek Golf Course, please visit their website at www.bearcreekgolfing.com

Applied Behavioural Analysis – Autism & Working with Problem Behaviours Workshop – Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 6:30 pm

Anne Miller recently and successfully completed the required course work as a Behavioural Analysis (BCBA).  She is also a Senior Therapist with the Achimota Centre for Children with Autism.  Anne has worked with children with autism for the past eight years.  She has a BA from Nipissing University and a Masters of Science in Teaching Childhood Education.  Anne is also a member of the Ontario College of Teachers.

Anne will be presenting this one hour workshop as an introduction to parents and front line support workers.  The workshop will be introducing strategies and techniques to help work through problem behaviours.  The strategies and techniques will help educate and empower anyone working and living with children diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.  The strategies and techniques will include differential reinforcement, planned ignoring and reinforcement of an alternative behaviour.  This one hour interactive workshop will allow families and front line support workers to ask relevant questions with specific examples.

In order to register for this workshop please contact the Centre directly at 705-735-2336 or via email at cindyd@achimota.ca

Sunday, April 04, 2010 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm

$2.00 per person – Bulldog Interactive Fitness for Youth

COME AND CELEBRATE WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY while supporting a local charity!  We are inviting the autism community, friends, family and neighbours to come and celebrate World Autism Awarenss Day.  We will be celebrating and building awareness on Sunday, April 04, 2010 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm.  For a $2.00 donation to the Achimota Centre for Children with Autism, you can drop by and enjoy the facilities at Bulldog Interactive Fitness for Youth.

This facility has lots of fun activities including a Treadwall, Dance Machines and Game Bikes as well as other great activities in the gymnasium.  This fundraising event will have lots of prizes available from our raffle draw.  Come out and support the Achimota Centre for Children with Autism with your friends, family and neighbours!  Bulldog Interactive Fitness for Youth is located at 11 King Street, Unit 1 & 2 in Barrie. (World Autism Awareness Day is officially held on April 02, 2009 – Achimota Centre celebrates the first Sunday following World Autism Awareness Day)

COME HUNGRY!!!  Lunch will be provided for a minimal fee courtesy of  Little Ceasars Pizza – Mapleview Drive, Barrie

RAFFLE TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE EVENT! 

ACHIMOTA CENTRE WILL BE AT WAL-MART Bayfiled Street selling raffle tickets on April 01, 2010 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

The following is a list of raffle prizes and value: Beauty Supply KMS Products $30.00, Bikeland Bike Lock $24.95, Boston Pizza Gift Certificate $20.00, Bulldog Interative Fitness for Youth Free Weekday Party $125.00, Cineplex Galaxy Cinemas Barrie 2 Admissions & Popcorn $25.00, Cravings Fine Food Market & Catering $25.00, Crock & Block Restaurant Gift Certificate $25.00, i.d. Hair Studio Gift Certificate $75.00, Klassic Auto Wash Interior Detailing $100.00, Michael J. Alexander Salon & Spa Gift Certificate $50.00, Moose Winooskis Gift Certificate $25.00, Off the Wall Clothing Gift Certificate $50.00, Restored Sports Gift Certificate Skate Sharpening $20.00, Sicilian Gourmet Gift Certificate $5.00, Sicilian Gourmet Gift Certificate $5.00, Sport Mart Soccer Ball $22.99, Sport Mart Soccer Ball $24.99, Teaopia Tea Master Package $35.00

Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Local Special Agreement Officers from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) will give a 1 hour presentation overviewing the three programs administered through the Special Services at Home Progam.  The programs will include Special Services at Home (SSAH), Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD) and Enhanced Respite Funding (REF).  Mr. Roland Damery, Manager of Special Services at Home will provide an update on the status of these program in the Central East Region.  Following the presentation, families will have an opportunity to network with other families during a 1/2 open discussion (7:30 pm to 8:00 pm).

To register for this presentation, please contact the Centre directly at (705) 735-2336 or via email at cindyd@achimota.ca

CANCELLED – DUE TO LACK OF RESPONSE FROM VENDORS - We will re-schedule this event at a later date.

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Saturday, March 06, 2010 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm – Free Admission

The Achimota Centre for Children with Autism will be hosting our first “Charity Craft Show & More“, located at 65 Cedar Pointe Drive – please use entrance beside UPS Store.

TALENTED ARTISANS, CRAFTS, RAFFLE, JEWELLERY, CHOCOLATE, BAKE SALE AND MORE!  Still accepting Vendors!

For more information contact Achimota Centre at (705) 735-2336 or via email at cindyd@achimota.ca

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm – This interactive workshop will provide an overview of visual aids for use with all individuals, including those with special needs.  The workshop will focus on tools used to enhance receptive language and independence, such as visual schedules and organizers.  The evening will focus on strategies for both families and support workers.  Audience participation will be encouraged as we dicuss strategies to develop and facilitate the use of visual aids with people of all ages and abilities.  Participants will leave with a greater understanding of the benefits of using visual aids, as well as factors to consider when designing them and adapting them over time for maximum effectiveness.

The workshop is being presented by Speak Freely Therapy Services.  Joyce Hignett has a Master’s Degree in Speech and Language Pathology and is the consulting therapist at the Achimota Centre for Children with Autism.  She has a multitude of experience working in a multi-disciplinary clinic.  She spent years working with a Children’s Treatment Centre in the high-tech augmentative communication clinic.  Joyce is currently working in a private practice where she focuses on children and adults with autism and other challenging communication needs.

Please register directly with the Achimota Centre at 705-735-2336 or via email at cindyd@achimota.ca