monthly support group meetings

The Treasure Valley Autism Society holds monthly support group meetings the first Monday of every month from 7-9pm at the St. Luke’s Medical Center, 520 S. Eagle Road, Meridian.  Professional speakers present on a variety of topics including, IEP’s, legal issues, guardianship, transition issues, behavior issues, speech and occupational therapy and many more.  Join our email list to get information on monthly topics and meeting reminders.

 

When:  The first Monday of Every Month, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Where: St. Lukes Medical Center, 520 S Eagle Rd, Meridian

(meeting rooms/basement level)

Cost: FREE

Subject: Topic varies from month to month.  Sign up for our free email updates or check to the website for upcoming meeting topics and presentations.

Format: Speakers are usually booked for the first hour.  If time permits, open discussion follows the second hour where parents can ask questions and share information with other parents.  Meetings are open to everyone including parents, individuals and professionals.

 

Meeting Information:

No Meeting on Monday, July 5th due to 4th of July holiday

Next meeting date is Monday, August 2nd.  Topic: Music Therapy

Speakers:  Stephanie Leavell, MT-BC (Music Therapist, Board Certified), Kerry Leavell, MA, MT-BC (Master of Arts; Music Therapist, Board Certified)

Parents and families of individuals with Autism often talk about how much their child "loves music" or that their loved one "comes alive" when singing, listening to, or playing music.  However, they do not always know of the many additional benefits of music when used as a therapeutic tool, nor have many of them heard of "Music Therapy."  Music Therapy is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages and to facilitate changes that are non-musical in nature.  This presentation will address questions such as "What is music therapy?  How can it help my child/loved one? How do I advocate for services and/or find a music therapist?"  Speakers will also share video/audio case examples and demonstrate ways to use music therapeutically in the home.

No Meeting on Monday, September 6th due to Labor Day holiday.

Monday, October 4th Topic:  Art Without Boundries

Speakers:  Mary Jussel an artist from Art Without Boundaries™ Association: will demonstrate and speak to us about Mneme Therapy.  MnemeTherapy™ uses everyday pleasurable experiences such as singing, movement, painting, and storytelling in a unique combination to create whole brain communication and to stimulate neuroplasticity or the ability of the nervous system to adapt to changed circumstances and find new ways of learning. Although our goal is to provide a rewarding experience, some students experience dramatic results:

• Increase in verbal skills
• Better impulse control
• More coordination and spatial acuity
• Longer attention span
• Improvements in joint attention dysfunction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please Note:

Autism Society, Treasure Valley Chapter (ASTVC) provides general information of interest to the autism community.  The information comes from a variety of sources and ASTVC does not independently verify the accuracy, source, outcomes or expressed opinions of such information.  Furthermore, ASTVC does not endorse any one agency, clinic or professional posted on this website.  The ASTVC follows the guiding principles of the Autism Society which is, “At the very core of the parent choice philosophy is the belief that no single program or treatment will benefit all individuals with autism. Furthermore, the recommendation of what is ‘best’ or ‘most effective’ for a person with autism should be determined by those people directly involved - the individual with autism, to the extent possible, and the parents or family members. Providing information and education to help in decision-making are more highly regarded at the Autism Society than is advocating for one particular theory or philosophy.”  

 

Please email speaker topics to autism.asatvc@yahoo.com