Spring Schedule

February 2, 2012 - We are pleased to welcome Michael Granse, a PAS Agent and Independent Service Coordinator with the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission.  His presentation will be:  The PUNS Database and What It Might Mean to You".  If you are living with someone who has a developmental disability, you will want to know more about your local PAS agents and the PUNS database.

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Previous Meetings and Topics

Fall 2011

December 1, 2011 - We are pleased to feature a presentation by the facilitators of our Sibling Group, Laurie Kramer, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Ann Osterling, MA CCC-SLP/L. They will address the unique issues that siblings face when they are part of a special needs family; and they will share some of their experiences with sibling groups in the past, and discuss plans for the future.

November 3, 2011 - Dr. Jonathan Thomas-Stagg, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and School Psychologist who has a broad range of educational and clinical skills, working with clients with Autism, ADHD, Learning Disorders, Acquired Brain Injury, Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, and Disorders of Conduct. He is trained in psychological assessment, individual therapy, parent consultation and training, and school consultation. He has specialized interests in helping students and families advocate for their needs as pertains to the Americans with Disabilities Act (i.e., IDEA and 504).   "Strategies for More Effective Collaboration with Schools."

October 6, 2011 - “More Than the Sum of My Parts” by Ata Bird, an adult with Asperger’s Syndrome who will talk about her experiences and perspectives on autism from the points of view of a "spectrumite", a sibling, and a professional. 

September 1, 2011 - Katelyn Mullen, a local independent behavior consultant and therapist, presenting on the topic of “ABA Beyond the Table Top”. Ways in which Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) can be used in the natural environment with your child. 

February 3, 2011 - Laura DeThorne,Ph.D, Asssistant Professor in the Dept. of Speech and Hearing Science at the University of Illinois. How Seeing Can Help With Saying: Use of Visual Feedback to Facilitate Speech. Dr. DeThorne's research focuses on why some children find learning to communicate so much more difficult than other children.

March 3, 2011 - Information about the Network's preparations for Autism Awareness Month in April, and will also include time for networking and group discussion.

April 7, 2011 - Dr. Charles Morton, Developmental Pediatrician with Carle Clinic and Dr. Joe Keeley, the new Developmental Pediatrician with Christie Clinic. They will be speaking about the medical aspects of autism and answering questions from the group.

May 5,2011 - Joan Gorsuch of Social Champaign, discussing her new venture in "social thinking training" which is based on the Social Thinking model developed by Michelle Garcia Winner. 

September 2, 2010 - Mary Kay Betz, the Executive Director of the Autism Society of Illinois. How to Advocate for Your Child Without Alienating the School. 

October 7, 2010 - “To the Beat of a Different Drum” by Kris Jones, a young adult with Asperger’s Syndrome.His beliefs that having Asperger’s Syndrome is a condition rather than a disability, and that the condition helps define who he is as an individual. It is okay for an “Aspie” and to be proud of who they are and know that it is okay to be different.

November 4th, 2010 - Amy Armstrong with Mark Johnson, CEO of the Champaign County YMCA, discussing Larkin's Place and Larkin's Place Programming at the YMCA. The Champaign County YMCA and Larkin's Place at the Y merged in 2008 to create the nation's first multi-generational, all-inclusive community recreation center, where all are treated as equals regardless of age, ability, or financial status. For more information, go to www.ccymca.net or call 217-359-9622.

December 2, 2010 - Panel of professional therapists:   Ann Osterling,  a speech therapist,  Nancy Yeagel,  an occupational therapist, Teresa O’Conner, a developmental therapist, and Kevin Elliott, a counselor, will engage in a panel discussion and answer questions from the audience.