Autism Society of the Panhandle

News Worthy!!!!

Kids in the News!!

LEANING POST RANCH’S OPEN HOUSE/DEDICATION SET FOR MAY 3RD
L to R Ryan O'Connell, Garrett Little, Lauren Crounse, Robin Grossman

“Riders, Reverse”. “Riders, Diagonal”. Both are commands given loudly and said with confidence to other riders on horseback in the arena. What makes this scenario so unique is that all the riders have autism. What is even more amazing is that these children live right here in the Pensacola area.

On Saturday, May 3rd, our children will be performing together for the first time as a drill team at an Open house/Dedication at the Leaning Post Ranch in Molino, Florida. Led by the groups’ Captain, Ryan O’Connell, the group has all ridden at the ranch for varying amounts of years. The drill team consists of Garrett Little, Lauren Crounse, Robin Grossman and Ryan O’Connell. They have all known each other for years, but have never ridden together as a group until recently. The chemistry between the four has been remarkable. They have practiced for several months and have worked incredibly well together. While watching them perform one would never know that they are children on the spectrum.

The Leaning Post Ranch is a Premier Accredited Center of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). The Ranch’s mission is to provide equine assisted activities and therapeutic riding to individuals with disabilities and at-risk youth in Northwest Florida. They offer health, hope and healing through horses. Fran and Newman Gersin are the Executive Directors of the Ranch.

Information on the Leaning Post Ranch is Phone: 850-587-5940, email: ngersin@frontiernet.net.

Parents! E-mail your child's accomplisments to Jocrn1@aol.com

Autism Awareness Day held at zoo

It was just another day at the zoo last Saturday for several area children – but it meant so much more, because those children are autistic. “The zoo reduced the rates for families with autism,” said Myra Fowler, a member of the Autism Society of the Panhandle. “The day is special for us because there are many children here with autism today. They are in the majority instead of the minority.” The outing was also a way to support The ZOO Northwest Florida. “This is a great way for our families to support the zoo and they have shown us how much they support families with autism,” said Susan Byram, executive director of the Autism Society of the Panhandle.“We are so appreciative of the efforts of zoo director Danyelle Lantz and her staff. They have really made us feel welcome today. “The staff learned a little more about autism.They had to show a little more patience but really got to know some of our families.” The day featured lots of hands-on activities, including face painting by Tee and Lee Face Design.They transformed kids into animals in just a few minutes. Holden Whatley chose to have his face painted to look like a tiger, and as Tanya Westerkom finished the design, he jumped down because he couldn’t wait to see a mirror. Soon after he saw himself, he ran off to show his mom. “Besides the face painting, we have a bouncer and a fire education station set up for the children,” said Amanda Whatley, executive director of the Emerald Coast Autism Society and Holden’s mom. “I have a pretty good relationship with Santa Rosa County Sheriff Wendell Hall and he is aware of autism issues. I hope to work with the local fire departments and emergency response teams to help them become aware of these issues.” SRSO Lt. Patrick Vega and Deputy Diana Younghanse attended the festivities. “We have had special training for autism as well as other disabilities,” said Younghanse. “We are trained members of a Crisis Intervention Team.” Upon entering the zoo, visitors who were not part of the autism group were given cards that featured hints on how to deal with an autistic child.These included: Speak slowly and use simple language. Use concrete terms. Repeat simple questions. Allow time for responses. Give lots of praise. Do not attempt to physically block self-stimulating behavior. Remember that each individual with autism is unique and may act differently than others. Autism is the world’s fastest growing developmental disability. People on the autism spectrum may: Not understand what you say. Appear deaf. Be unable to speak or speak with difficulty. Engage in repetitive behavior. Act upset for no apparent reason. Appear insensitive to pain. Appear anxious or nervous. Dart away from you unexpectedly. Engage in self-simulating behaviors like hand clapping or rocking. The zoo’s docents walked around as part of the event, showing off a collection of snakes and lizards, and the children seemed to really enjoy the petting zoo as well. Michael Nygaard liked petting the snakes, especially the albino python. For those attending the zoo, there was nothing that could identify an autistic child from just another visitor. “That’s what this event is about,” said Whatley. “These are all just kids enjoying the zoo and all that it offers.”

By John Richardson Navarre Press

"A Slice of Life"

A photographic essay by Trista Blouin is now available for purchase!
Please visit Trista's website lookwhojustblouin for more information on the book!

Purchase information, price and pick-up information can be found on the join page. join page

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Sacred Heart's Autism Center is currently seeking an experienced professional for the position of Director of Sacred Heart Autism Center. As the Director, the selected candidate will be responsible for providing the direction to improve the identification and education of children with autism spectrum disorders and related conditions. Director of Sacred Heart Autism Center

NATIONAL STUDY AT UNC CHAPEL HILL

The Infant Brain Imaging Study (IBIS) Network is examining the very early features that may be characteristic of infants at risk for autism. Their goal is to study the developing brain in infancy, before a possible diagnosis is determined. There are very few large-scale studies of brain development in autism over time, and even fewer that look at this development in infants and very young children. With your support we will be able to investigate more thoroughly the initial stages of significant brain overgrowth. Please see the following documents for more information on this study funded by the National Institute of Health.
UNC Autism Research Program

IBIS Network at UNC

Please help us get more funds through grants, etc. This short on-line survey will give us much needed demographic information to better serve you! It only takes a moment and is all done on-line. This survey is for anyone living in Santa Rosa or Escambia Counties, FL.
Survey if your oldest child on the spectrum 5 years and younger

Survey if your oldest child on the spectrum is 6 or over

Survey if you live in Okaloosa or Walton Counties

See below for information found in the news!

Use this link to the Schafer Autism report on the web. The site provides the latest information compiled from news stories, websites, and research data. The news archive is one day old. Schafergroupnews
You may subscribe directly by going to their home page www.sarnet.org

HandsOnPensacola has volunteer opportunities for our children; individual and group projects. visit their website at www.handsonpensacola.org for more information on their organization. Please have your child complete the attached form so that they can best match you with the appropriate volunteer opportunity! If you have any questions please call (850)-432-9445.