Autism Family Support Center

Help, education and training for families supporting children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Welcome to Stone Soup Group's Autism Family Support Center. We are excited to bring new trainings, information, and supports to families raising children who experience Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Click the links to learn more!

Nintendo Wii Clubs
Online Trainings & Downloadable Presentations
Early Diagnosis & Treatment

Bal-A-Vis-X

What is Bal-A-Vis-X?

Bal-A-Vis-X (BAVX) is a program of Balance-Auditory-Visual-Exercises of varied complexity, deeply rooted in rhythm. Using bean bags, balls, and balance boards, BAVX increases self awareness and confidence, promotes self challenge and cooperation.

Additionally, it improves focus, concentration and integrates the brain and body for improved learning and daily functioning.

Developed by Bill Hubert, a classroom teacher in Wichita, Kansas, BAVX is being taught and used world-wide by teachers, physical and occupational therapists, senior citizens, parents and students.

For more information about Bal-A-Vis-X
please visit the websites below:

Official Bal-A-Vis-X site:
http://bal-a-vis-x.com/

For more info on BAVX in Alaska:
http://learningdynamics.info/

Nintendo Wii Clubs for children & youth with developmental disabilities

Wii Club for Children and Youth (ages 8-14)

When: 3rd Saturday of every month, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Where: Stone Soup Group (307 E. Northern Lights Blvd. )

This club is free for families and your child does not need to have a wii to be in this club. This is a social opportunity for your youth (ages 8-14) who experience developmental disabilities. A safe and fun place to make friends and have fun playing Nintendo Wii! A Stone Soup Group staff member will be present at Wii Club to help facilitate- but parents will be expected to stay for the entire meeting. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

Please do not bring siblings to Wii Club, this is something only for kiddos who experience developmental differences. If you have any other questions please feel free to email mckenziew@stonesoupgroup.org

Click HERE to RSVP for Wii Club for kids ages 8-14.

Wii Club for teens and young adults (ages 14 & up)

This club is held once a month ( 3rd Friday of each month) from 6-8pm.

Wii Club is free for teens and young adults who have an interest in meeting other people their age with similar gaming interests. This is a great social opportunity for teens and young adults who experience a developmental disability. This is a safe and fun place to make friends, develop relationships, and have fun! A Stone Soup Group staff member will be present at Wii Club to help facilitate if needed, but this club is intended to be a social opportunity for these young adults. Parents should not intend to stay with your teen or young adult. Drop off and pick up as appropriate. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

Click HERE to RSVP for Wii Club for teens & young adults.

For more information, or if you have difficulty registering online, call McKenzie at <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = SKYPE /?> <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = SKYPE /?> <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = SKYPE /?> (907) 561-3701 (907) 561-3701 (907) 561-3701 (907) 561-3701 (907) 561-3701 (907) 561-3701 (907) 561-3701 (907) 561-3701.

Web Based Training on Autism Spectrum Disorders

One of the goals of the Autism Family Support Center is to provide training to parents and professionals on a variety of topics around Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). We are always looking for the best way to make this training available to as many people as possible, and have it be consistent. To that end, please click on the links below to find helpful training presentations and links. NOTE: Many of these presentations are in PDF format, which requires Acrobat Reader, a free download from Adobe.

Stone Soup Group Parent Trainings

Sensory Integration & Self Regulation (PDF)
Autism & Treatment Medications (PDF)

Links to trainings on other websites

Each of these sites has good information and a lot of resources listed. Information regarding prevalence rates may be outdated so please double check those numbers.

Early Diagnosis & Treatment

Early diagnosis and treatment is critical in assuring the best outcome for children who experience an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Learn the Signs, Act Early

To find out more about developmental milestones and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) follow the link below.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/index.html

Providence Autism Diagnostic Network

If you have concerns about a child who is not meeting their developmental milestones, or that you suspect may have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), please follow the link below.

http://www.providence.org/alaska/tchap/autism/default.htm

Helpful Websites

Below you will find a short list of websites that have been chosen by the AFSC staff as helpful. There are thousands of websites about ASD so this is just a starting point.

http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/
http://autism.about.com/od/autismtherapy101/a/socskillbasics.htm
http://www.comeunity.com/disability/speech/autism.html
http://www.usu.edu/teachall/text/behavior/LRBIpdfs/Functional.pdf
http://www.apbs.org/new_apbs/autismDesc.aspx
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm#133913082
http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/Pragmatics.htm

Autism information in Spanish: http://www.manitasporautismo.com/

This program is made possible by financial support from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority.