Category: MiNavigator Newsletter

September 19 Support Group: IEP Info and School Help September 19 Inspire Change Gala September 23 Autism Community Day September 24 Teen and Young Adult Social Group: Bowling and Pizza

Contributed by AAoM’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee In 2021 the United States Congress officially made Juneteenth a Federal Holiday. Though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it

Contributed by Erik Gallery, BCBA, LBA, Navigator Manager A trip to the dentist’s office isn’t a highly preferred activity for most people. Even a visit for just a cleaning can

It’s difficult to escape the idea of love and romance in February. This month is known for the holiday that is Valentine’s Day, and we’re made to see that almost

December 12 Annual Holiday Party for Families December 12 Inclusive Arts & Craft Class December 15 Teen & Young Adult Social Group: Holiday Party! December 15 Mental Health First Aid

Contributed by AAoM’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee This holiday season we want to highlight just a few of the many celebrations and traditions that take place this time of

Date Event  October 25 Strategies to Improve Motivation October 26 Teen and Young Adult Social Group: Halloween Party! October 27 Halloween Dance Party October 27 The Arc of Midland –

Contributed by Chaunta Tsegaye, MSA, WIP-C, Program Manager/Insurance Specialist Every year I try to find something more insightful than the year before to share with families and this year I

March 18 Navigating Autism Today Conference March 18 SibShops March 19 Father’s Autism Support Group April 4 Autism 101 Lunch & Learn April 9 Father’s Autism Support Group April 13

Autism: A Shield and Barrier Autism for me is not the presence of something, but rather something missing – a kind of social blindness.  In groups of more than three

Contributed by AAoM’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee The DEIC would like to thank you all for sharing your stories and allowing us to share them with others.  This year

December 10 Sibshops December 13 Genesee Autism Support Group December 14 Special Needs Music Group! December 18 Father’s Support Group December 21 Special Needs Music Group! December 27-31 The Fowler

The Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) supports current United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) vaccination guidelines for both routine childhood immunizations and the COVID-19 vaccination.  AAoM recommends children

October 21 The After I’m Gone Program- Social Security Programs October 22 The Michigan Guardianship Association Fall 2021 Conference October 23 Virtual Halloween Party! October 23 Autism Alliance of Barry

Contributed by AAoM’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee The Autism Alliance of Michigan collaborated with DTE and their Impact Student Scholars on their two day Autism Awareness event in August,

Contributed by Chaunta Tsegaye, MSA, Insurance Specialist, AAoM The landscape of healthcare has changed leaving families with more questions and concerns than ever before.  In past issues we have always

Contributed by AAoM’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

September 22 Summer Fun Kayaking & Paddle Boarding September 23-25 2021 World Autism Conference and Gala September 24 Bluestone VOICES for Autism Golf Outing September 25 Disability Network Oakland &

Contributed by Joanna Lofton, Autism Alliance of Michigan Community Resource Specialist Independent living is much more than simply moving out of a parent’s/guardian’s home, going off to college or just

We are thrilled to have officially launched the Michigan Partnership for Equity and Opportunity (“MPEO”), a bipartisan coalition of civil rights, social justice, civic and business leaders working to promote educational equity for

“Henry William Stertz, III, age 5, of West Bloomfield, MI, passed away suddenly September 4th, 2021. Henry had just begun kindergarten at Keith Elementary School, and he was a student

Over the past few weeks, we have watched the Delta Variant with a close, cautious eye. We have engaged in numerous conversations and surveys with key stakeholders including staff, board

September 1 “Virtual” Music Therapy Event – Together Let’s Sing, Dance and Jam!! September 2  Parent Training, Education, and Support September 4 2021 Family Days presented by Autism Alliance of

Back to School Issue — Fall 2021 Join the Michigan Parent, Advocate & Attorney Coalition (MiPAAC) where we tackle the burning issues for families of students with disabilities. MiPAAC is

The SMART Goal method was developed in 1981 by George T. Dornan as a tool to create criteria to help improve the chances of success in accomplishing goals in the

Contributed by Barbara Brish, Psy, SP, NCSP, Education Specialist, AAoM Transitioning between schools, high school scheduling, annual IEP meetings, and informal brainstorming with school professionals are all potential opportunities to

Contributed by Jill Matson, MSN, RN, CPNPM Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism can look a lot alike, makingit difficult at times for parents and professionals to tell the difference

Contributed by Jill Matson, MSN, RN, CPNP, MiNavigator Clinical Specialist Approximately 1 in 59 children in the US have autism according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Over

Contributed by Jill Matson, CPNP, RN, Clinical Specialist & Navigator Manager The preschool years are when diagnostic criteria are the most ‘gray’ for practitioners and families. Delineating play, behavior, communication,

Contributed by Kelly Blakeslee, M.A., CRC, LLPC, Corporate Vocational Counselor Many job seekers often overlook the work that must be done before employment happens. At times, he/she may overlook not

Contributed by Barbara Brish, Psy, Sp, NCSP, Education Specialist A psychological assessment is outlined in the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education as part of the process to determine special

Our friend, mentor, special education advocate, and attorney, John Brower, Sr., passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 27, 2021.  He was surrounded by his family.  John was a loving husband,

Join us for a Virtual Book Club on Tuesday, July 20th co-hosted by Autism Alliance of Michigan and Marvelous Me Books. Meet Author Rylan Vogelzang and his mom Gwen as

Over this past year, we’ve made progress, but we still have a ways to go! We know that families and providers have been stretched to their limit as they try

Contributed by Upbound At Work While attending school, an individual with a disability receives the protections, modifications, and accommodations outlined in their Individual Education Plan (IEP) as required by the