We hold meetings on the third Thursday of each month during the school year.  If a meeting has to be moved to a different Thursday to avoid conflicts with holidays, school vacation breaks, etc., members will be notified in advance. Morning meetings are from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  

Over the last few years, our support group has typically held both morning and evening meetings. Over time, it seems that the needs of our members have been changing. At this point, the morning meetings seem to be the best-suited and best-attended meetings for our group. Consequently, we have scheduled the majority of our meetings for the 2008-2009 school year in the morning. However, we do realize, that some people are unable to attend meetings during the day. To that end, we have tentatively scheduled two night meetings for the months of October and February. For these meetings we are working to secure high-profile speakers and professionals who will discuss topics that will have broad appeal to a large number of families.

Check this page frequently as this schedule will be modified as information is obtained and verified.  We will be contacting speakers and presenters.  If you would be willing to talk to our support group and are available for an unscheduled night's meeting please contact  the webmaster.  To view the calendar of scheduled meetings at a glance, click below.

 

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Day:  Presenter: Wendy Blumenthal, Ph.D, Topic: Tips to Starting the School Year as Well as Co-morbid Conditions with ASD.  Dr. Blumenthal has been a practicing psychologist for twenty years, and operates a private practice in Sandy Springs . Her specialty is child, family, and school psychology—with a particular emphasis on learning challenges. She has extensive professional experience in this area, in addition to her own personal experience with a son who has autism spectrum disorder (ASD). At our meeting, Dr. Blumenthal will discuss co-existing conditions for children with ASD, tips for surviving the school year, and problem-solving techniques for challenges that might arise at the beginning of school.

Thursday, September 18, 2008:

Day:  Presenter:  Kelle Laushey, Topic:  What is a behavior plan?  What should a behavior plan encompass?

Thursday, October 16, 2008:

Day: Presenter:  Carmen Freemire, Topic:  DOE and SB10

Evening: Candidate Forum with Robert Montgomery/Attnys

Thursday, November 20, 2008:

Day: Presenter:  Spencer Gelertner, Topic:  Extended Family and the holidays

Thursday, December 18, 2008:

No Meetings -- Enjoy your holidays!

Thursday, January 15, 2009:

Day:  Topic:  Legislative Update and Adult Services

Thursday, February 19, 2009:

Day:  Topic:  Deeming Waiver

Evening: Presenter:  Jean Estes, Topic: Special Needs Attorney

Thursday, March 19, 2009:

Day:  Presenter, Donna Jo Salhany, Topic:  Transitions to work issues for Middle School and High School students

Thursday, April 16, 2009:

Day:  Topic:  Speech Language Pathology/Social Skills for ASD 

Thursday, May 21, 2009:

Day:  Topic:  Dan Conference Update

June 2009:

Saturday Family Picnic/Outing?  Date and Location TBD

July 2009:

No meetings This Month. Enjoy your Summer Vacation!

Note: This is a tentative meeting schedule for the year. Meeting themes, topics, and speakers might change due to speaker availability, member interest in other topics, and other emerging situations.