Central Oregon Autism Support Group

You are not alone.

WHO ARE WE?

We are a group of parents, caregivers and family members of those affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Central Oregon Autism Support Group, sponsored by the Autism Society of Oregon, is an online social network designed to connect families in Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam and Harney counties. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns, and please be courteous and respectful in your discussions and posts. Thank you and remember...you are not alone.

Sincerely,

ASO Chapter Rep-District 2

Michelle Harper

athena471@gmail.com

Site Administrator

Latest Activity

Melissa Crockett posted a blog post

Hello

Hello Everyone, My name is Melissa and I'm new to this support group. My son Simon was diagnosed with an ASD when he was five. My son is 16 now and a sophmore in high school. I moved here to Bend almost three years ago after the death of my mother. I have been a divorced single mom to Simon since he was one and a half and have been the only one raising him since then. Simons father is not that involved with him which makes things more difficult with behavior as my son has a lot of anger towards him and his step-mother. I don't have any support here as I don't have any friends here or know of anyone with kids with these types of conditions. Just to be able to have a place to vent without people judging my son will be a huge support. I hope to get to know some of you. See More

May 15

0 Comments

rich ringeisen left a comment for Melissa Crockett

"Hello, I'm another member, and like you we hope to connect with other parents of ASD kids. Thanks for joining. Hopefully we will grow as a group to support each other. We live in Bend also and are raising our grand son who is ASD. We are mostly…"

May 14

rich ringeisen left a comment for Susan Zenor

"Hello, I'm another member, and like you we hope to connect with other parents of ASD kids. Thanks for joining. Hopefully we will grow as a group to support each other. I know Michelle has moved, and is helping to find a replacement for our…"

May 14

Melissa Crockett is now a member of Central Oregon Autism Support Group

May 14

Welcome Them!

Susan Zenor is now a member of Central Oregon Autism Support Group

May 11

Welcome Them!

Kirstin Johnson posted a blog post

Hello Everyone...

I just wanted to introduce myself. I am the mother of a fantastic 11 year old boy with ASD. See More

Apr 29

0 Comments

Michelle Harper left a comment for Juanita Erkenbeck

"Welcome Juanita!"

Apr 26

Michelle Harper left a comment for Kirstin Johnson

"Welcome Kristin!"

Apr 26

Kirstin Johnson and Juanita Erkenbeck joined Central Oregon Autism Support Group

Apr 26

Michelle Harper posted a discussion

New blog entry

Hi everyone,I see that we are getting some blog posts. Fantastic! I encourage all of you to start discussions, ask questions of each other and share experiences on this site. We all speak the same language, and we can all support each other. Here is my latest blog post. If you have a blog, or a journal, or anything you would like to share, please do. Thanks!!! http://adventuresinaspieadhdland.blogspot.com/2012/04/you-say-potato-i-think-seattle-space.html Michelle HarperSee More

Apr 23

0 Comments

sasha pieretti posted a blog post

conundrum

"I guess I'll be moving to Portland soon" Zach tells me, "I don't fit in here" How should I respond to this? He's 19 and by definition an adult; and yet he can't plan a whole day;how would he navigate an adult life and the responsibilities that go along with living on ones own? How should I respond to my own feelings that scream inside saying "will he ever live on his own"? And my love for him as he is, could this carry him through:not wanting to see him fail, or hurt, or worse? We moved to central Oregon in 2004 because Bob lost a job (inbezzlement by ceo) he had for 20+ years. Zach had 1 friend there that he had since birth. We lived in the same house for 19 years. This represents what Zach wants; security, knowing and being known. He has that here, now, and yet he wants to be an adult. And being an adult means uncertainty; this is the conundrum...See More

Apr 23

0 Comments

rich ringeisen commented on sasha pieretti's blog post mistakes

"Sasha, Our heart goes out to you. Don't have any answers for you, my wife and I are new to this. We became Foster Parents to our 5 yr old ASD grandson in Dec. its been a learning experience for sure. We feel a bit lost at times, and some days…"

Apr 15

sasha pieretti posted a blog post

mistakes

so life with Zach has been fraught with mistakes. was it something I took during pregnancy? the paxil for my depression? the depression itself? was it the tension of having problems in the family? Zach is different, difficult and he's now 19. what could we have done differently? why did it take sooo long to identify his problem with pdd-nos? is this truly it or is it the bipolar disorder, or the tourette syndrome, or the adhd, or the ocd?? even the diagnosis of pdd-nos isn't...doesn't fit exactly. now he's 19 and has not a clue as how to proceed with "adult" life. he's lost and searching; we're lost and searching and there seems to be a mistake somewhere in all this. Zach, if he could get in touch with what he feels, would agree. See More

Apr 8

1 Comment

Michelle Harper left a comment for sasha pieretti

"Welcome Sasha! :)"

Mar 31

sasha pieretti is now a member of Central Oregon Autism Support Group

Mar 31

Welcome Them!

amanda laparra posted a photo

012

Mar 30

0 Comments

Members

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"TAKE A BREAK" PROGRAM AND MORE!!

THE BEND PARENTS/CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN AFFECTED BY ASD SUPPORT GROUP HAS A NEW LOCATION!!!!

BEGINNING ON APRIL 24TH AT 6PM, THE GROUP WILL MEET AT:

2525 NE Twin Knolls Drive, Bend

CHILDCARE WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF COST.

The Redmond Parent Support Group will still meet at the Manzanita Building on the second Tuesday of every month at 6pm. Free childcare provided.

LENDING LIBRARY

Jenny and I have books and CDs on various aspects of Autism education. If you are interested, please send us an email or post a discussion. Thanks!!!!

NEW RESPITE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE!!!!!!!!

I am currently compiling a "respite care provider" database for Central Oregon, and have a few names already. If you are interested in the "Take A Break" program and need a caregiver, please feel free to contact me and I will connect you with one of my contacts.

NEW "PARENTS NIGHT OUT" PROGRAM THROUGH BEND PARK AND REC!

Youth with disabilities and their siblings ages 5-17 are welcome to join us for this monthly program on the following dates:

Feb 3rd

March 23rd

April 6th

May 11th

Bend Senior Center from 6pm-9pm

Cost - $8.50 per Child

The Parents Night Out program is for both parents and kids. While parents get to have some time to themselves, kids get to come play through music & dance, story telling, arts and crafts, and more.

For questions call Cheryl Kelley, Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator

541-706-6121 or to register visit www.bendparksandrec.org

ASO'S "TAKE A BREAK" PROGRAM

ASO recognizes that parents and caregivers of people living with autism do not always have enough time for themselves and could use a much needed break. The "Take A Break" program is designed to provide funding for respite care and an outing for two! An outing will include:

-one $25 gift card to a local restaurant

-two movie tickets

-respite care coverage for up to 4 hours at $12/hour

To participate in this program, contact me at athena471@gmail.com.

Guidelines:

-Parents are responsible for booking the respite care

-Care does not have to be via a bona fide Respite Care Provider. It may be

provided by a family member, someone that the family has used in the past or is

currently using. However, family members under the age of 18 will NOT be

reimbursed by ASO.

-ASO will pay the respite care provider directly. They will be given a form to

fill out, to be faxed, emailed or mailed to ASO. Reimbursement usually takes

30 days from date of receipt by ASO.

-Once notified, parents must make their restaurant choice within 30 days of

notification.

NEW EVENTS COMING!

This section is for upcoming events for ASD kids and their families. Please check it every now and then for new information. Thanks and as always, contact me with questions.

WE ARE NOW ON FACEBOOK!!

For those of you who may find it more convenient to interact via facebook, please check out our new page!! It's under "Central Oregon Autism Support Network".

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1369255718&ref=ts#!/pages/Central-Oregon-Autism-Support-Network/203194099769180

****PARENTS OF ASD KIDS SUPPORT GROUP IS HERE!!!*****

I am excited to announce that I will be facilitating a face-to-face "Parents of ASD Kids" support group, starting in January 2012!! Co-sponsored by CODSN and ASO, I will hold one meeting in Bend and one meeting in Redmond every month. HERE ARE THE DATES:

Redmond Group- 6pm every 2^nd Tuesday of the month (starting Jan 10th)

Manzanita Building

1212 NE 5^th St

Redmond, OR 97756

Bend Group- 6pm every 4^th Tuesday of the month (starting Jan 24)

2525 NE Twin Knolls Dr

Bend, OR 97701

This group will emphasize emotional and mental support through sharing and discussion. Childcare is provided FREE. While there will be occasional speakers, the main focus will be on connecting with others like us and talking about what it means to be a parent of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

GREAT COMMUNITY SITE!!

Special Needs Moms For Moms

http://specialneedsmomsformoms.com/

Central Oregon Disabilities Support Network

Quarterly Family Fun days, Educational workshops, IEP assistance and more!

www.codsn.org

Forum

New blog entry

Started by Michelle Harper Apr 23.

Drivers license 3 Replies

Hello! My son is 15 and we have been studying the drivers manual. I read one article that says that it is against the law to not let DMV know your child has aspergers. Is this true? One article…Continue

Started by Maryann Hartford. Last reply by Maryann Hartford Mar 14.

TONIGHT'S BEND SUPPORT GROUP CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER CONCERNS

ALERT: DUE TO THE WINTER STORM WARNING FOR BEND TONIGHT (up to 7 inches of wintry mix/snow), THE PARENT/CAREGIVER OF CHILDREN AFFECTED BY AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER SUPPORT GROUP HAS BEEN CANCELLED. …Continue

Started by Michelle Harper Feb 28.

CENTRAL OREGON NOW HAS A CERTIFIED MUSIC THERAPIST!!!!!

Central Oregon now has a MUSIC THERAPIST. Her name is Chelsea Sheedy and she does both in-home and clinic therapy. What is a music therapist? According to the American Music Therapy Association…Continue

Started by Michelle Harper Feb 15.