Upcoming Events:

September 18, 2008 Howard County Autism Society Meeting. Merope Pavlides, MS, will discuss autism service dogs, and Roger Miles will speak about Project Lifesaver. 7-9pm at HCAS

September 20, 2008 AMC, Howard County Autism Society present the latest in the Sensory Friendly Movie Series, a showing of Igor. 9:30am AMC 14 at the Columbia Mall. $6/person

October 9, 2008 Howard County Asperger’s Support Group Meeting. 7:30 p.m at HCAS. Information: 410-730-0068.

October 15, 2008 Howard County Book Connection discussion of Elizabeth Moon’s The Speed of Dark, “a captivating glimpse into the mind of an intellectually gifted, autistic man who lives in a future time, when the medical community discovers a ‘cure’ for autism.” Discussion panelists include Cindy Jones, the library’s Director of Materials; Dr. Linda Schnapp, Assistant Director of Project Access, Kim McSweeney, Assistant Director of Disability Support Services, Howard Community College; and an HCAS representative. 7 p.m. at the Howard County Library’s Central Branch in Columbia. Register at www.hclibrary.org or by calling 410-313-7800.

October 16, 2008 Howard County Autism Society Meeting. Dr. Peter Gerhardt will discuss “Understanding Sexuality.” 7 to 9 p.m.at HCAS:Information at: 410-290-3466

For more upcoming events please see our latest Newsletter (August/September 2008)

Sensory-Friendly Movie Events Go Nationwide

The sensory-friendly movie event, pioneered in Howard County, is going nationwide. AMC Theatres has asked the national Autism Society of America (ASA) to join with it as it offers sensory-friendly movie showings in other cities for people with disabilities who have difficulty attending movies because of sensory problems. As Howard County Autism Society members know, sensory friendly movie showings began in Columbia last year. HCAS “Volunteer of the Year” Marianne Ross had approached AMC Theatres at the Columbia Mall with a proposal for such events, and HCAS was involved in the efforts. The theater began showing the films one Saturday morning a month. The lights are turned up, the sound is turned down, and children may talk and move if they need to do so. There are no trailers to delay the show. The local movie events attracted media attention, along with interest from others at AMC Theatres.

An executive with AMC who has a son with autism became interested in seeing how the special movie events could be replicated in other cities. AMC decided to test the sensory-friendly movies in 10 of their top markets. The first 10 events were scheduled to be held on August 23 in Austin, Texas; Columbia, Maryland; Cleveland, Ohio; Columbia, South Carolina; Indianapolis; Kansas City; Norfolk, Virginia; Phoenix, Arizona; San Diego; and Washington, D.C.

Carin Yavorcik of the ASA contributed to this article.

Second Annual One Step Closer... Autism Walk another Awareness and Fundraising Success!

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Still not too late to pledge - click here!

On September 13, the Howard County Autism Society hosted its second annual “One Step Closer... Autism Walk” at Centennial Lake in Ellicott City, Maryland. What a success! More than 450 walkers joined us on this beautiful morning and over $30,000 was raised for increasing local autism awareness and providing services to families

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Special Education Law & Advocacy Boot Camp
A must for parents, guardians, and professionals assisting children with disabilities!

Autism in Brief

• Autism is a lifelong developmental disability with symptoms typically appearing during the first three years of life
• Autism Spectrum Disorders are neurobiologically-based and encompass a wide range of disabilities that affect communication, social skills, and behavior
• While the Howard County Public School System enrollment has increased 18% since 1997, the number of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Howard County has increased 180%.
• Over 1 in 150 students in Howard County public schools is diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• Research indicates that children with Autism Spectrum Disorders benefit from intensive early intervention.
• Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders want to have friends and fully participate in their communities. They need your support and understanding to do so. 

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Howard County Autism Society:
10280 Old Columbia Rd Suite 215
Columbia MD 21046-2378
Tel: 410-290-3466
Fax: 410-290-5455
Last Modified: Wednesday, September 24, 2008
e-mail: info@howard-autism.org