The Northwest Ohio Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is inviting Toledo area families to attend the 2010 JDRF Family Team Rally on Saturday, June 12.  The Rally is an informational and motivational meeting for anyone interested in participating in the Walk to Cure Diabetes happening in October. 
Attendees will receive tips, tools, and ideas to set their team “in motion” as well as have an opportunity to meet the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes family team coaches.  This is also an excellent venue to connect with other JDRF families living with Type I Diabetes in the Toledo area. 
Registration begins at 10 a.m. in the HCR ManorCare Conference Room, 333 N. Summit St., Toledo.  Following the meeting, families will proceed to Imagination Station to enjoy the rest of the day. 
For more information, call 419-873-1377.  RSVP by  June 7.  

Children are constantly learning. Even outside of the classroom, there is a hidden curriculum, comprised of items that are not typically taught, but are assumed and expected knowledge. Violation of hidden curriculum can adversely affect how well a child or student relates to school, community and home. Brenda Smith Myles, Ph.D. explores this hidden curriculum and its lifelong applicability to individuals on the autism spectrum at What’s Happening With Autism?, the 9th Annual Autism Summit of Northwest Ohio, Saturday, June 5 at the Bowen-Thompson Student Union at Bowling Green State University. The conference, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., includes a variety of presentations from members of the Autism Society of Ohio, Autism Society of Northwest Ohio, and supportive organizations such as Bittersweet Farms in Whitehouse. Registration online at
https://cee.bgsu.edu/registeronline or
call 419-372-8181.

This April, Mercy Children’s Hospital announced a new member of their staff, as the Medical Director of the Mercy Autism Program. Richard Solomon, MD, is an internationally known expert on children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
He is also the founder and director of the P.L.A.Y. (Play and Learning for Autistic Youngsters) Project, based at the Ann Arbor Center for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.  The PLAY Project uses an individualized and relationship-based approach to emphasize “the importance of helping parents become their child’s best P.L.A.Y. partner.”
As Medical Director, Dr. Solomon will be heading up a monthly clinic where children suspected of having ASD can be diagnosed.  The Mercy Autism Program will also offer several additional summer programs for children ages 3-13.
For more information, call  419-865-3314.

Sometimes, the stress of traveling can overshadow the intent of having fun while strengthening family bonds and creating lasting memories. If you plan to travel with a child who has special needs, it is worth taking a few extra steps to reduce everyone’s anxiety.

Consider the mode of travel
All modes of travel are likely to have some special accommodations to assist passengers with disabilities. However, these policies may not suit your child’s particular needs. Before you decide whether to travel by plane, train, or bus, speak with customer service representatives to discuss their policies and your rights.

Prepare for transitionsPrepare your child for the trip by practicing what he or she can expect during travel.  Talk about upcoming activities or show pictures of what adventures are to come.

Stick with familiar routines
Traveling can present a huge disruption in a child’s schedule. It is important to keep your child’s sleep and eating routines as regular as possible. According to child and adolescent psychologist Jane H. Ross, Psy.D., maintaining a consistent schedule is probably the most important factor in successfully traveling with children who have special needs. “You want to keep their diet and sleep schedule as regular as possible, and avoid fast foods and sugary snacks,” says Dr. Ross.

Take a breakTo make the most of a vacation, travelers typically try to squeeze as many activities into a day as possible.  However, keeping it simple and planning breaks between activities are keys to minimizing your child’s anxiety. Fun and Function LLC founder and certified pediatric occupational therapist, Aviva Weiss, suggests parents preserve the moment, while reserving time for breaks. Without doing so, even an activity like taking pictures can become over-stimulating.

Call for back-up
Get extra help by inviting a friend, family member, or caregiver along. This extra set of hands can be especially helpful when traveling with more than one child. A companion can often travel at a reduced cost, saving you money. According to Greyhound’s Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program, your attendant may be issued a 50 percent discounted ticket to travel with you.

Pack your ICEBe sure to have your child’s medications, allergies, physicians’ contact information, and all other In Case of Emergency (ICE) information handy. Let your doctors know your plans and know theirs. If they plan to be out of the office during your trip, know who will be filling in.

With a little pre-planning, you can spend quality family time together, reconnect, relax and meet the unique needs of your child while traveling.

L’Tanya Durante is a freelance writer who enjoys traveling with her fifteen-year-old son who has ADD and her five-year-old son who was diagnosed with a mood disorder, oppositional defiant disorder and ADHD.

Workers and residents from across the state are gathering in Mayfield Heights, Ohio on Monday, June 22 for the 8th Annual Autism/Asperger’s Conference, Promoting Life Long Strategies for Success. Featuring Mary Jane Weiss, Ph.D., BCBA with the keynote presentation, “Different Strokes for Different Folks: Creating Comprehensive Individualized Intervention,” the event is open to parents, professionals, students and adults with autism. Weiss has written four books and numerous articles on autism, and is an expert at promoting successful inclusive experiences, building social skills, evaluating the impact of autism treatments and enhancing family members’ practical skills. In addition to the keynote address, 22 workshops will address challenges for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Asperger’s Syndrome or social communication challenges. 7:30 a.m. – 4:45 at the Executive Caterers at Landerhaven. Professional development credit for 6 contact hours available. For more information or to register, visit www.milestones.org/news_conferences.htm.