Julie Buckley Co-Founder of the HEAL Foundation, has recently been diagnosed with Breast Cancer, Julie has successfully undergone two rounds of chemotherapy and has a few more rounds to go.

Julie has taken on this hurtle with the same fortitude and positive attitude as she does in treating and recovering those with Autism. Her strength and bravery in facing this battle is a testament and confirmation of the intelligence, courage and strength that Julie is so revered for. She is very appreciative of the huge support and prayers from so many, it serves as one of the greatest weapons in her arsenal against this insidious cancer.

Cards and words of encouragement can be sent to Dr. Julie Buckley 5270 Palm Valley Rd. Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082.

Through a grant from the HEAL Foundation Jarad Kogos realized a dream to start a foundation for kids with disabilities HUG - Help Us Golf and a golf clinic for children with autism. Jarad is a n amazing young man who is a brain cancer survivor and is diagnosed with with Aspergers Syndrome.

15 kids ranging in ages 5 to 17 participated in the HUG Golf Clinic held at the world class PGA TOUR Golf Academy at the TPC Sawgrass (www.touracademy.com) . For 3 days the group enjoyed learning golf, participated in putting and driving contests and even had a chance to hit onto the famed 17th Island Hole Green.  Because of the generosity of the TPC Sawgrass and the Golf Professional staff  the children had access and exposure to the game of golf in the worlds  finest facility. The HUG golf clinic enhanced coordination, concentration, social skills and camaraderie among those who participated.

Special thanks to the many volunteers, Matt Borocz, Billy Detlaff and the Professional PGA TOUR Academy teaching staff. Because of the support of The PLAYERS Championship and TPC Sawgrass, HEAL is able to provide funds to start enrichment programs like the HUG Golf Clinics.

The next HUG Golf clinic will be held at the Jacksonville Beach Golf Club in the fall. Details can be found at: www.helpusgolf.org

After several years of hosting great summer camps, the Ponte Vedra Cultural Center branched out this month and hosted a camp for children with Autism and their siblings. Over 20 kids participated in the arts camp and fun was had by all. Carol Lombardo, a HEAL volunteer and artist said “The Cultural Center did a really nice, professional job. The kids were engaged and had a nice mix of activities.”

The Cultural Center set up stations with martial arts, music and visual arts to keep the children busy and focused. A grant from HEAL made this first time camp possible. The Cultural Center also does activities supporting Cunningham Creek’s ESE department. Please join HEAL in thanking them for their efforts to promote art in our community.

Did your child participate in a HEAL sponsored summer camp? As HEAL prepares its grant budget for 2009-2010, let us know what programs are important to you! What has your family participated in? Click here to email HEAL

Research indicates that mothers of children with autism are more likely to suffer from clinical depression and feelings of inadequacy.  One of the best ways to combat these risks is to get connected with other moms.  For two years, the HEAL foundation has been connecting ASD moms through their HEALing Families support groups.  These are closed groups that meet in a therapeutic setting, once a week for twelve weeks.  The groups are led by HEAL’s Outreach Coordinator and counselor, Janeen Herskovitz, who has an 11 year old son who is severely affected by autism.  Here is what one mom had to say about their experience in the group:

“I joined the group hoping to be a source of support and information for moms that may
just be starting the journey of recovering their child from Autism. By the end of the group I had learned so much…I also made some very good friend.  Thank you to HEAL for the group and the invaluable support gained through it.”

Another mom described the group as, “A place to share your tears and your laughs with a group of the bravest women you will ever meet.”

Two groups will be offered this fall, starting September 8th, from 10am-11:30am:  Tuesday mornings in St. Augustine at the Village Church, and Thursday mornings in Jacksonville Beach at Palms Presbyterian Church.  The groups are free and space is limited. Pre-registration is required. To register or for more info, contact Janeen directly at:
janeen@healautismnow.org or 904-285-5651

For a less structured option with a spiritual point of view, join fellow mom Amy Groshell on Friday mornings for “Walk, Talk, and Pray”. The group will meet weekly from 9-10:30am, starting Friday, September 11.  Wear your walking shoes! This meeting will consist of walking, a short devotional, and prayer time.  For more info, email us at info@healautismnow.org.

Back to School
by Adrienne DeSantis King, Ph.D.

The school year is beginning again in just a matter of days.  It's a time of excitement, anticipation, and for many children and families, a time of apprehension as well.  There are many things that parents can do in the time leading up to the first day of school and right after that can help to reduce the stress and anxiety for everyone.

Prepare your child for this big transition.  In the weeks leading up to school, read books and watch movies about school, reminisce about your child's previous school year, and talk about the aspects of school that he enjoyed.  Write a social story about "going to school" to remind your child what the process might be like and to help him devise strategies to cope with stressful situations that he might encounter.  Drive by your child's school and even play on the playground to re-familiarize him with the campus.  If the school allows, walk inside the building and help your child trace the path to his new classroom as well as other important areas, like the main office, bathrooms, and cafeteria.  Be sure to attend your child's school orientation so that your child can acquaint himself with his teacher, classmates, and classroom environment.  Finally, place a fun sticker on your calendar to indicate the first day of school and count down daily so your child is aware of the approach of this important day!

• It's time to readjust your child's sleep schedule.  A full and restful night of sleep is one of the most important things for your child!  Gradually adjust your child's awakening and bed time by moving them five to ten minutes earlier every morning and night until you have reestablished the typical school-year times.
  
• Get back into routine early on!  Beginning weeks before school starts, resume your usual bedtime and morning routines.  Make a visual schedule and have your child refer to the schedule as she completes her tasks.  Provide a lot of reinforcement for compliance to increase your child's motivation in performing the routines.
  
• Establish a positive relationship with your child's teacher early on and stay involved.  Introduce yourself and exchange contact information, including email addresses, if possible.  Regular communication with your child's teacher is important; however, teachers are often very busy and may be unable to provide as much contact as you would like to have.  Once school starts, if you feel that you need daily input about your child's progress, a home-school note might be helpful.
  
• Get and stay organized!  Purchase your child's school supplies well in advance so that he can familiarize himself with his materials.  Develop an organizational system and identify specific folders in your child's school bag for items to "take home," items to "turn in at school," assignments, and notes.  Once school begins, do weekly back-pack "checks" to maintain organization.  Sundays are often the best day for this activity!
  
• Finally, remain calm amidst the changes and give everyone time to adjust.  The transition from the lazy and unstructured freedom of summer to the busy and orderly routine of the school year is hard for everybody!  Try not to overload your family's schedule in the beginning until regular activities are more established.  Then, begin adding extra-curriculars into the picture if you are interested.  Finally, give yourself time to relax and reflect on the day after your child has gone to sleep—tomorrow is a new day!

By Adrienne DeSantis King, Ph.D.
Keystone Behavioral
www.keystonebehavioral.com

New Website for Autism Resources in Florida

Corrine Cruver, a tireless advocate for children and adults on the Spectrum has taken on another challenge. With the closing of Autism Society of America – Jacksonville (ASAGJAX), a valuable resource was lost. Corrine has created at new site. www.autismnetworkfl.com

This web site, with input from the autism community, will provide a comprehensive referral and provider listing for autism services and goods. It includes provider listings, rate and reviews, web links for all areas of the State of Florida, Forum Board, chatroom, and parent mentor opportunities, as well as a Calendar of Events.

Parent/caregivers, professionals and anyone interested in autism or helping those with autism are encouraged to sign up as a member of the site. Membership allows you to submit web links and provider information, post on the forum board and in the chatroom.

Corrine is hoping that providers will submit their information. The public is encouraged to submit event information at the web site too.

For more information, please contact Corinne at admin@autismnetworkfl.com

If you have a great idea for a project, program, class or extracurricular activity that you would benefit individuals with Autism, contact HEAL for funding. Thanks to The HEAL Foundation, several new programs have begun in the First Coast – Riding the Wave Surf Camp, Healing Autism Through Bowling, HUG- Golf Clinic, HEALing Arts and HEALing Families are just a few things that HEAL has sponsored from inception. Your program may be next!

HEAL is proud to have awarded over $550.000 to area organizations to fund therapists, teachers, schools, support groups, museums, and educational facilities. HEAL is especially interested in supporting teachers, schools and educational programs thanks to our successful First Coast Zoo Walk for Autism. The proceeds from the walk will go right back into our local community!

• Click here to download HEAL’s Grant Application
• Click here to review past grants awarded by the HEAL Foundation