John M. Ortiz, Ph.D., Director and Founder
The Asperger’s Syndrome Institute
Special Education Service Agency (SESA) Presentation

Anchorage, Alaska – February 12th, 2010

Program Description
Asperger, High-Functioning Autism, and Nonverbal Learning Disorder: Personalizing Strength-Based Strategies to each Individual

The purpose of this short workshop is to introduce a number of strength-based, practical strategies that have proven effective in addressing some of the more typical concerns presented by children, adolescents and adults with Asperger’s Syndrome, Nonverbal Learning Disorder, and High-Functioning Autism. Participants will learn a number of universal interventions and five “umbrella strategies” that they will be able to use as a blueprint for personalizing strategies according to the goals, needs and/or concerns presented by each individual.

Topics:

• Asperger vs. High Functioning Autism vs. Nonverbal Learning Disorder: a very brief overview
• Three Essentials
• Five Universal Strategies
• Theory of Mind
• Central Coherence
• Executive Dysfunction
• The “Five Umbrellas”

Presenter’s Bio:

John M. Ortiz, Ph.D. is the director and founder of The Asperger’s Syndrome Institute, and The Institute of Applied Psychomusicology[SM] A licensed psychologist, consultant, musician, composer, certified clinical hypnotist and psychoeducational trainer, he is listed in the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.  His publications include “Asperger, Autism and Non-Verbal Learning Disorders: Screening, Assessing and Diagnosing (2008),” “The Gifts of Asperger (2006),” “My Kitty Catsberger (2006),” the best-selling, “The Tao of Music: Sound Psychology,” winner of the 1998 Small Press Book Award in Psychology/Self-Help, and “Nurturing Your Child with Music.”

Bear Tooth Theatre Pub | Art House Monday premiere
Monday, January 18 at 5:30 & 8:00, $3 GA
The following agencies will co-host this special program:

Challenge Alaska, (beth@challengealaska.org)
SESA (Special Education Service Agency)
Stone Soup Group
State of Alaska-Autism Services Program (jimael.lawson@alaska.gov)

THE HORSE BOY (US/Mongolia 2009) documentary, 93 minutes
RATING: Not Rated (nothing objectionable)
Directed by Michel Orion Scott

How far would you travel to heal someone you love? An intensely personal yet epic spiritual journey, The Horse Boy follows one Texas couple and their autistic son as they trek on horseback through Outer Mongolia in a desperate attempt to treat his condition with shamanic healing. (Zeitgeist Films)

Official site: http://www.horseboymovie.com/

FastCap of Bellingham, Washington has donated a large supply of coffee caps to the AARC. The caps say “April is Autism Awareness Month” and will be available from your favorite barista (Starbucks, Kaladis, etc.) across Alaska During April! Thanks FastCap!

Autism 204: Autism Research
Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010
Instructor: Raphael Bernier, PhD
“How to be an Educated Consumer of Research in the World of Autism”

The Special Education Service Agency (SESA) and the Alaska Autism Resource Center (AARC) are pleased to offer this series in Alaska free of charge. There are three ways you may connect to this Autism series:

Inside Anchorage area: Local Anchorage participants are welcome to attend in person at SESA’s Anchorage office. The lecture will be held in the Boardroom, which has a 20-25 person limit. Doors will open at 5:15 p.m. SESA’s address is: 3501 Denali – Suite 101.

Outside of Anchorage area: To connect via videoconferencing: Access to videoconferencing equipment, such as Polycom, and to an Internet connection (SESA uses GCI’s SchoolAccess, using a router to connect to a partial T1 line) should be arranged. Many rural school districts have this type of equipment, as do some other sites. Please follow your district or agency procedures to schedule the videoconference with your service provider and tech staff.

To connect via teleconference: Participants may also teleconference in by dialing 1-888-254-2858 and requesting to join the SESA autism videoconference lecture. You need to mute your phone. There will be a limit of ten telephone connections. You may want to get a group together and use a speakerphone. If you call after 6 p.m., ask for the “on call.”

Hope to see you or hear from you on Thursday!

Download The Original PDF Flyer Here.

Thursday, November 19th
Autism 203: Holidays
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009 (different room location W3747A, see instructions on back)
Instructor: Steve Becker, PhD
“Coping with Holiday Stress”

The Special Education Service Agency (SESA) and the Alaska Autism Resource Center (AARC) are pleased to offer this series in Alaska free of charge. There are three ways you may connect to this Autism series:

Inside Anchorage area: Local Anchorage participants are welcome to attend in person at SESA’s Anchorage office. The lecture will be held in the Boardroom, which has a 20-25 person limit. Doors will open at 5:15 p.m. SESA’s address is: 3501 Denali – Suite 101.

Outside of Anchorage area: To connect via videoconferencing: Access to videoconferencing equipment, such as Polycom, and to an Internet connection (SESA uses GCI’s SchoolAccess, using a router to connect to a partial T1 line) should be arranged. Many rural school districts have this type of equipment, as do some other sites. Please follow your district or agency procedures to schedule the videoconference with your service provider and tech staff.

To connect via teleconference:
Participants may also teleconference in by dialing 1-888-254-2858 and requesting to join the SESA autism videoconference lecture. You need to mute your phone. There will be a limit of ten telephone connections. You may want to get a group together and use a speakerphone. If you call after 6 p.m., ask for the “on call.”

Hope to see you or hear from you on Thursday!

Download The Original PDF Flyer Here.

Autism 201: Social Skills

Thursday, Sep. 17, 2009
Instructor: Steve Becker, PhD
“Sexuality and Relationships”

Download The Original PDF Flyer Here.

Stay Tuned For Details