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Programs & EventsASM Annual Meeting and Awards PresentationsSeptember 23, 2016Autism Society of Maine Members, Board Directors and Staffwere present at the Augusta Country Club in Manchester forthis year’s Annual Meeting. Laurie Raymond, ASM Presidentled the meeting and acknowledged current Board Members andappreciation for Marla DiBiase who has finished her 6 years servingon the ASM Board of Directors. Ken Huhn, ASM Treasurerpresented ASM’s financial report of ASM is in good financial health.Cathy Dionne, ASM Executive Director, talked about the successof programs and fundraisers that were held during the course ofthe year with a backdrop of a picture slide show. Dennise Whitley,ASM Legislation Liaison, summed up the important points of thelegislative Second Regular Session of the 127th Maine Legislature.Dennise also expressed the importance for everyone to vote and toremember that “bad politicians are elected because good peopledon’t vote.”Keynote Speaker, Ben York, Bowdoin College Student andColumnist, presented his story about being an individual withautism. Ben shared great strategies he himself has learned that canhelp others with autism to become successful in their lives.The HumphreyFamily; awardpresentedby NancyPonzetti-Dyer,Vice (far left)PresidentDr. Paul A. Nau;award presentedby RichardFarnsworth,ASM BoardDirectors (right)Awards were given to very special people who have made adifference in the lives of individuals with autism and in theircommunity.Award Recipients:*The Humphrey Family for their continued dedication tosupporting Autism Awareness through their “Annual Car Show forAutism”*Dr. Paul A. Nau for his for his dedication to the development ofcritical supports for individuals with developmental disabilities andautism.*Frank Spinney for his outstanding dedication and volunteeringefforts in support of the Autism Society of Maine.ASM Staff is presentedwith flowers by BoardDirectors in appreciation oftheir dedication throughoutthe year: (L)Cathy Dionne,Tara Perry, DenniseWhitley, Susan Vincent and(F) Tena Hinds.4Maine Autism Connections, Autism Society of Maine, Winter 2016Ben York, GuestSpeaker & LaurieRaymond, ASMPresidentFrank Spinney;award presentedby Cathy Dionne,ExecutiveDirector

Programs & EventsCar Show for AutismParsonsfield, Maine. Never heard of it? A lot of people haven’t.It’s a little dot on the map that most people pass through ontheir way to another destination, but for one day in Septemberit is the place to be for car show enthusiasts. This year was noexception! On Sunday September 11 the Humphrey familyhosted the 5th annual Car Show for Autism. Much to everyone’s dismay the day started out with heavy downpours, but bymid- morning the clouds had parted and the sun was shining.Over 500 people gathered to enjoy this year’s event, and withover 130 cars there was something for everyone, includinga burn out contest which continues to be a favorite with thecrowd.The day was full of music, singing, food and more food!Volunteers began bringing food in at 7am and it continuedthroughout the day. Burgers, hot dogs, pork, baked beans, salads and crock pots galore! I can’t forget the homemade bakedgoods, cookies, cakes cupcakes, and chocolates. No one leavesthe car show hungry! The generous people and businesses inthe area also outdid themselves this year when it came to theraffle items. There were over 100 items donated with everything from gift certificates to local restaurants and businesses,quilts, primitive furniture, a generator, and a pellet grill. Thisyear also included a custom built cornhole game which wasraffled off for 800, a very popular item.The Humphreys, many friends and volunteers put a lot oftime and effort into this amazing event and ASM is honoredand grateful to be the recipient. A huge THANK YOU to theHumphreys and everyone who made this year’s Car Show asuccess! With the game, other raffles, food and donations thisyear’s Car Show raised 20,680.00 for the Autism Society of Maine!Amazing!So, if you have neverbeen to the Humphrey’sCar Show in Parsonsfield, be sure to add itto your bucket list, youwill not regret it! Plansare already underwayfor next year’s showwhich will be held inSeptember. ASM willbe posting more infoas the time nears, can’twait to see you all inSeptember!Ride for AutismOn Saturday October 1, The Autism Society of Maine heldtheir 10th annual Ride for Autism at the beautiful Conservation Trust Building in Kennebunkport. Despite the cold andthe rain we had 92 dedicated riders, young and old alike, bravethe elements. All the riders had the option of riding a 10, 25 or50 mile loop, taking advantage of the beautiful coastal scenery our state offers. The riders returned to the Trust wet, coldand a little tired but were quickly warmed up with a deliciousBBQ which included some nice, hot chili prepared and servedby equally wonderful volunteers. Once the chill had wornoff and everyone was dry, this year’s top fundraisers wereannounced. The first place prize, Patriots and beer package( 450 value), was won by Conrad Sastre. The second placeprize ( 350 value) was won by Tammy Mcdade and the thirdplace prize ( 250 value) went to Gwen Mulligan. Congratulations to you all! Any rider who raised 100 or more was alsoentered into a raffle to win a new bike from Kennebec BicycleCompany. Elise Klysa was this year’s lucky recipient! Enjoyyour new ride Elise! Also recognized were the top fundraisingteams. First place recognition went to Team Marston, secondplace to Team Abby, and third place to Team Maine WildYouth Hockey. Congratulations to all the top fundraisers! Because of the dedication and fundraising efforts we were able toraise over 21,000! This money will help us continue supporting programs to benefit children, individuals, and familiestouched by autism. Great job and thank you to everyone whorode and donated.We would also like to again thank our sponsors and volunteers for all of your hard work and generosity. Its people likeyou who make this event possible. Next year’s ride will takeplace on September 23, 2017. We look forward to seeing youall!Maine Autism Connections, Autism Society of Maine, Winter 20165

Upcoming Events15th Annual Walk for Autism5th Softball Tournament for AutismApril 30, 201711:00 am Registration starts12:00 noon Walk for Autism startsRegistration is Open! Start Your autism-2017June 24, 20179:00 am to 7:00 pmUnion Street Athletic Complex, Bangor5 locations: Bangor, Biddeford, Belfast, Farmington andFryeburg! NEW SITEThere will be local vendors, balloons, face painting, snacks,and your local police and firemen on hand to give familiesthe opportunity to register their children for the wanderingprogram. Each site is slightly different from Farmington’spetting zoo to Bangor’s Ice Cream Truck. Be part of a team,family, or school, and come to support someone with autism.If you have been to all 14 walks, you may be interested in thequilt raffle we have made of t-shirts from the past 14 years.You can buy raffles online or at the walk.This is a Co-Ed Softball Tournament for Autism. If you lovesoftball and want to help a good cause, this is the game foryou. Each team needs at least 10 players with a maximum of13. You need to have a team captain. There are two prizesawarded: the team that wins the tournament and the teamthat raises the most money. There is an entry fee of 250,but teams are also encouraged to obtain corporate sponsors.Each corporate sponsor, depending on the level they sponsor, will be offered advertisement, and the team will get thecredit.Contract either ASM at 1-800-273-5200 or David Huffstutlerat 207-385-5474Blueberry GangWelcome to the Blueberry Gang – Bangor Public Library145 Harlow St., Bangor, MENEW PROGRAM! This is a program designed especially forour young patrons on the Autism Spectrum. We will have aprogram on the first Tuesday of each month and each monthwill offer one of three programs. One month it will be Snackand Craft, the next will be Movie Matinee and the third will beStory Time, we will then repeat the order.Snack and Craft 3:30 - 4:15 PMNovember 1st, February 7th, and May 2ndAges 3 - 7Nutritious snack included ( or bring your own)Fun craft to take homeSocial TimeMovie Matinee 3:30 - 5:00 PMDecember 6th, March 7th and June 6thAges 4 - 10G-Rated MoviePopcornToys will be available for children to play with during themovieStory Time 3:30 - 4:15 PMJanuary 3rd, and April 4thAges 3-5Fun Stories, finger plays, flannel board activities, andmovement games207-947-8336 web/Blueberry.htmlASM on Social Media!The Autism Society of Maine has a wonderful FacebookCommunity including parents, professionals, individuals andanyone interested in autism. If you are not already a friend ofour Facebook page, we welcome you to join us!By “liking” ASM’s Facebook page you can help us spread theword to hundreds of new supporters!We have a great collection of videos and will be addingmore throughout the EFollow us on Twitter as we ‘tweet’ about 814992582936Maine Autism Connections, Autism Society of Maine, Winter 2016My Autism Team logo A reputable and friendly placeto connect with other parents in Maine.http://www.myautismteam.com/

Maine Discovery Museum“My Day to Play”Hosted by Maine Autism Institute for Education andResearch, Maine Family PartnershipFree Event for children and teens with Autism andtheir families!Hi, I am Hannah Bracket, seventeen and asenior at Windham High School in Maine. Ihave a passion for the arts and love makingjewelry. I also have a passion for raisingawareness for all illnesses and disabilities,and donating to the charities that help them.I hope you take the time to donate to AutismSociety of Maine by purchasing one of mywraps. Its important to raise money to helpthe ones we love.Date: Sunday December 4thLocation: Maine Discovery Museum, 74 Main Street,BangorTime: 4:00 – 6:00 pmTo register for this event: please call the MaineDiscovery Museum at (207) 262-7200Kids will be able to discover the museum, enjoyholiday activities, & visit with special guests.Thank You, Hannahwww.watershedgeme.comLegislative UpdateEach new session brings newbills and information you needto be informed about. If youdon’t belong to a legislationalert list, this may be the oneway you can stay informedwithout leaving your house.There are many good providers,professionals, and familieswho stay up to date on what ishappening at the state level. It’s these individuals who sharethe impact a bill will have on your family or individual with adisability. The Autism Society of Maine puts out action alerts/legislative alerts based on bills that will impact you. Thealerts will give the date and time of a public hearing, bill nameand LD number, the impact of the bill, and who to contact tovoice your concern.If you’re not connected to an alert, please sign up today and beinformed about issues that will affect you or your loved ones.ASM alert list in located on the homepage of our website inthe middle blue box: Click Here To Sign Up For Our EmailListsMaine Autism Connections, Autism Society of Maine, Winter 20167

Winter Craftsby Tara PerryCinnamon OrnamentsThe cold weather had arrived! That means the kids are spending less time outside andmore time inside. This time of year gives the kiddos a serious case of “I’m bored”syndrome! What better way to fight the boredom than with some great family craftactivities? We have put together a few ideas that will not only help get the family in theholiday spirit, but are also great sensory activities. So make some hot cocoa and let thefun begin!*Send photos of your crafts to susan@asmonline.org to be added to our facebook page***Please for the safety of all the kids, be sure to provide adult supervision with all crafts.www.mccormick.comMaking Cinnamon Ornaments area perfect holiday fun activity forkids. The ornaments are easy to makeand their aroma lasts long after theholidays are over.IngredientsServes: Makes 12 to 15 ornaments.3/4 cup applesauce2 bottles (2.37 oz.each) McCormick Cinnamon,GroundCookie cuttersDrinking strawColorful ribbon30 mins Prep time2 hrs. 30 mins Cook timePreheat oven to 200 F. Mixapplesauce and cinnamon in smallbowl until a smooth ball of doughis formed. (You may need to useyour hands to incorporate all of thecinnamon.) Using about 1/4 of thedough at a time, roll dough to 1/4inch to 1/3-inch thickness betweentwo sheets of plastic wrap. Peel offtop sheet of plastic wrap. Cut doughinto desired shapes with 2- to 3-inchcookie cutters. Make a hole at topof ornament with drinking straw orskewer. Place ornaments on bakingsheet.Bake 2 1/2 hours. Cool ornamentson wire rack. (Or, to dry ornamentsat room temperature, carefully placethem on wire rack. Let stand 1 to 2days or until thoroughly dry, turningoccasionally.)Insert ribbon through holes and tieto hang. Decorate with paint, glue,glitter, etc.Cooking tip Test Kitchen Tip: Or use1 bottle (4.12 ounces) McCormick Ground Cinnamon. If a larger sizebottle of cinnamon is used, measure 1cup plus 2 tablespoons cinnamon.8Frosted Snowflakeswww.kidscraftroom.comCut snowflake shapes from craftfoam, cardboard or cardstock. Paintthe snowflake in your color of choiceand let dry. Using a paint brush coverthe snowflake with glue and thensprinkle with Epsom salt, decorativesugars, or glitter. Once it is dry youcan turn it over and decorate theother side if you wish.How to make “Fake snow”:Mix 3 cups ofbaking sodato 1/2 cup hairconditionerI tried 2 differenthair conditionersand both workedgreat, the onlything is I woulduse the whiteconditioner so thesnow is white. The1st batch I made smelled great I usedstrawberry conditioner, but it had apink tint.This is something that can be usedover again, you can place in a sealedbaggie or if it dries out you can justadd more conditioner to it and makeit snow again.Maine Autism Connections, Autism Society of Maine, Winter 2016Christmas Tree SensoryBagswww.giftofcuriosity.comTo make these bags I gathered somesupplies for each kid, including:quart size ziplock bag (it would havebeen better if the bags had no writingon them, but this is what I had onhand)permanent marker to draw aChristmas tree outline on the bagduct tapeclear hair gel (from the dollar store)green liquid watercolor“ornaments,” including beads,buttons, sequins, and googly eyesSqueeze gel into bag. Approx. ¼bottle for a quart size bag.Add coloring to gelAdd “ornaments”Close bag and seal top with duct tapeLet the fun begin! Kids will lovedecorating their own trees!

Quilt RaffleAutism Society of MaineA full size quilt created with 14 years of Walk for Autism t-shirts!Professionally pieced & quilted with edges bound. A beautifully quilted swirldesign is featured with a green background. The colorful autism awarenessribbon finishes the edge. 10.00 a ticket or two tickets for 15.00 – there will only be 400 tickets sold!Tickets can be purchased at the ASM online store, at events where ASM ispresent (event locations will be posted on the ASM website), at the ASM Office,72 B Main St., Winthrop or call in your ticket request at 1-800-273-5200.The winner of the quilt will be announced on April 30, 2017. The winner maypick up the quilt at the ASM location in Winthrop or can be mailed to you.ASM Store: www.asmonline.org/asm-storefront.aspxMaine Autism Connections, Autism Society of Maine, Winter 20169

Welcome to the Autism Society of Maine Library!ASM’s Lending Library is a valuable and free resourcefor parents, caregivers, educators, children and professionalsworking with children and adults on the autism spectrum.The Lending Library is a FREE resource for Maine residents.The collection can be viewed on the ASM website or you mayrequest a printed list to be mailed to you. Stop by the office, orhave material sent to you (we will include return shipping label)by calling or emailing: 1-800-273-5200 email:library@asmonline.orgA Guide to Writing Social Stories: Step-by-Step Guidelinesfor Parents and Professionalsby Chris Williams and Barry WrightA comprehensive, clear, easy step-by-step guideto writing effective personalized social storiesthat give children social information, creatingmany benefits for them. This book includesmany examples of real Social Stories created forchildren by parents and teachers.Digital Kids: How to Balance Screen Time, and Why itMatters by Martin L. KutscherA whole family approach for limiting the harmfuleffects of too much screen time, such as helpingkids to learn to control their own Internet use.He tackles diverse questions ranging from theeffects of laptops in the classroom and reading ona digital screen, to whether violent videogameslead to aggression. The author also explainshow ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder canmake you more susceptible to Internet addiction,suggesting practical strategies to suit these specific needs.Relaxation: A Comprehensive Manual for Children andAdults with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities(Second Edition)by June Groden Leslie Weidenman and Amy DillerThis new, expanded edition from Research Press focuses onteaching relaxation procedures to an often underserved andoverlooked population: individuals with autism and otherdevelopmental disabilities. Illustrations and simple descriptionsof relaxation procedures so therapists, parents, and teachers can,without prior training, learn relaxation themselves and teach itto others.Something Different About Dad: How to Live with YourAmazing Asperger Parent by Kirsti Evans and John SwoggerFollowing the story of Sophie and Daniel whose Dad, Mark, ison the autism spectrum, this heart-warming comic reveals thefamily’s journey from initial diagnosis to gradual appreciationof Dad’s differences. The family learn the reasons behindDad’s difficulties with communication, the senses, flexibility,and relationships, and find ways to make family life easier foreveryone.Successful Social Stories for Young Children: Growing Upwith Social Stories by Siobhan TimminsThis clear and engaging book introduces ways of thinking aboutthe issues your child finds difficult, and includes 32 storiescreated by Dr Siobhan Timmins for her son during his earlyyears, with helpful explanations of how she did it, and what theunderlying thinking was behind each set of stories.Understanding and Treating Self-Injurious Behavior inAutism: A Multi-Disciplinary Perspective; ExpandedEditionby Editors; Stephen M. Edelson & Jane Botsford JohnsonBeginning with an explanation of self-injurious (SIB) behaviorand its various forms, outlined are the many possible underlyingcauses of self-injury, such as seizures, hormonal imbalance inteenagers, gastrointestinal conditions, allergies, and stress, andshow how a multi-disciplinary approach when uncovering thecauses of self-injury can lead to successful treatment strategies.The online ASM Lending Library page now features book covers!This has been an ongoing project that has taken many hours of matching each book cover to its title. Now that this project hasbeen tackled, our next project is to archive older titles about autism regarding therapies and scientific research. In the meantime,while you search online for autism information, please take note of the publication date as more than likely you will be able to seeother new

Tena Hinds, Autism Information Specialist Coordinator Susan Vincent, Communications Director Tara Perry, Office Assistant Dennise Whitley, Legislative Liaison Maine Autism Connections is a Autism Society of Maine 72B Main Street Winthrop, ME 04364 Phone: 1-800-273-5200 Graphic Designer: Justine Bickford Proofreader: Tena Hinds Contributing .