Upcoming Events
2008 Always Question Authority Autism Conference
for more information
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FUNDRAISER
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FUNDRAISER
All cover charges and donations will go to
support:
BRET’S
ADVENTURE, INC.
A nonprofit organization committed to supporting
people with autism in
Pursuing their passions, manifesting their
destinies, and promoting their healing,
As they emerge into everything God created them to
be!
WHEN:
Saturday -
JANUARY 12, 2008
TIME:
7pm
to 10pm
WHERE:
FRONT STREET STATION,
NORTHUMBERLAND, PA.
ENTERTAINMENT:
LIVE MUSIC WITH TIMOTHY’S
BURDEN
Contact:
Kathleen Dunkelberger, 570-286-4332 to purchase tickets
/ for more information.
.
$5.00
cover charge per person!
A great price for a great
cause!
(Cash bar and buffet meal will be available at extra yet
reasonable costs!)
Timothy’s Burden
Special thanks to
The Front Street Station
and Timothy’s Burden
for
their generous contributions to make this event possible!
(Donations, contributions and all money raised will be
utilized for costs that may or may not be allowable
expenses under the waiver program and that should be
covered but are not covered by the county or state
government for programming needs such as, but not
limited to: habilitative
equipment, communication equipment, start up expenses,
operating expenses, therapies, travel expenses, staff
appreciation and training, supplements, recreation and
socialization, alternative and complimentary medical
care, other supplies and any other expenses that are
determined by the Board and Management.)
Autism Support
Groups
Selinsgrove: Contact
Susan Bolig at
slb725@hotmail.com
Danville: Kathy Baas at
Porkey72@aol.com
Autism-Legal Task
Force of Central Pennsylvania:
The first meeting was
conducted in June of 2007 and a plan was devised.
Next
meeting to be held January 17, 2008 at the Sunbury
Police Station.
Check back for more
details or contact Kathleen for more information.
October 2008
Always Question
Authority Conference
(We are in the planning
stages!)
Topics:
Living, Learning and
Loving with Autism and Aspergers
Vaccine Issues
Detoxification
Cross Disability Issues
Humor in raising a
child with autism - Parent Panel
Autism Legal Issues and
Task Force Updates
Abuse onto kids with
autism in school systems - Parent Panel
Media:
August 28,
2007:
Y106.5/Big Country
August 29, 2007:
WKOK and Sunbury Broadcasting
November18, 2007:
WKOK and Sunbury Broadcasting Public Talk Show regarding
autism-legal issues with Kathleen, Phil
Drumheiser, Esq. and
Corporal Miller from the Sunbury Police Dept.
December 18, 2007:
WQSU legal talk show, And Justice for All?
at Susquehanna University
in Selinsgrove will feature Kathleen, Richard Dowell,
PhD and Phil Drumheiser,
Esq.
October 26, 2007:
Always Question
Authority Autism Conference
Front Street Station in
Northumberland, Pa.
The Always Question Authority Autism Conference was held
on October 26th at the Front Street Station
in Northumberland. Kathleen Dunkelberger from Bret’s
Adventure, Inc. organized the conference which is
designed for parents, professionals and anyone
interested in these very hot topics. We chose the name
always question authority title for our
conference because we need progress in maintaining civil
rights of people with autism and other disabilities and
progress is only made when we question the status quo.
So many times people with autism and their families are
told really ridiculous things and many times people that
work in the systems that are allegedly to assist people
with disabilities are not forthcoming with information,
or don’t have knowledge about information that could
help families so we need to always do our own research
and network with others.
Speakers included:
State Representative Merle Phillips
discussed updates in legislation regarding autism as
well as what your state rep
can and cannot do for you.
Susan Bolig
from the Selinsgrove Autism Group and Susan
Rzucidlo from Speak
Unlimited discussed the safety events for first
responders (EMT’s, hospital
personnel and police) as well as share safety
information and their developments within the state and
local area.
A Parent Panel discussed real life
situations their children encountered with law
enforcement with varying degrees of outcomes only
because of the differences in the awareness about autism
with police and judges that handled each case. All
situations involved the school districts as well.
The Dennis
Debbaudt video was viewed. Dennis is a police
officer and provides trainings all over the world
including disability training to the FBI and CIA.
Phil
Drumheiser is a special education attorney and
discussed special education in Pennsylvania and the new
secret pipeline: school to prison. He has become more
involved in criminal law since many children with
disabilities are being charged with crimes related to
their disability by school districts and
IU’s.
Richard Dowell, PhD from
Evangelical Hospital
Neuropsychology Dept discussed the brain model to
help us better understand how people with autism and
aspergers think differently
then neurotypicals. Dr.
Dowell also discussed the psychological evaluation
process and how important it is to also include the
environment in an evaluation. He will end with a
message of hope for all individuals with autism, their
families and professionals.
The Halifax Holistic Dentistry Team
shared information on how to accommodate an individual
in a dental office without use of chemical or physical
restraints. Dr. Nupponen
also provided information on the dangers of amalgam
mercury fillings.
Kathleen Dunkelberger did a session
on home schooling your child with autism. Even though
Pennsylvania has the most burdensome home school laws in
the nation for children with disabilities it is still
very easy to do and anyone can do it. Kathleen also
updated the audience on the autism legal taskforce and
assissted in the dental
training.
Bret Dunkelberger presented the
Bret’s Pick Embracing Diversity Award to three local
businesses that go above and beyond policy and the law
to accommodate people with disabilities within their
establishments. It is important to recognize these
leaders so other businesses are aware that people with
disabilities and their families are valuable customers.
Businesses are chosen after reviewing appropriate
parking, bathrooms, health food choices as well as
employee approaches and interactions with people with
autism and disabilities. The Hampton Inn and Bob Evans
Restaurant in Shamokin Dam and
Knoebels Grove in Elysburg received the awards.
Bret and Kathleen also presented
Dr. Bill Jones with the Honor Award for dedicating his
life to supporting people with autism. Jamie Brink from
Keystone Service Systems was the recipient of the
Celebrating Truth Award for her honorable decision to
report abuse onto a child with autism by a teacher and
aide in the school setting.
A musical presentation was offered
over lunch by Tedd Yost from
Touche
edi. This new and growing company provides
educational music and other educational materials to
children of all ages.
Commissioner
Dietrick closed the conference by sharing
information on services provided by Northumberland
County MHMR as well as addressing cross disability
issues.
Booth Vendors that were available
included but were not limited to:
- Phil
Drumheiser, Esq.
- Touche
edi – Bringing
imagination and knowledge together through music
- Spencer’s House and Gregory’s
Journey – Parent Run Provider Programs
- Speak Unlimited, Inc.
- Parent to Parent of
Northumberland Co.
- Aboard Autism Groups from
Selinsgrove and Danville
- Home School Legal Defense,
Vaccine Information Center and Defeat Autism Now!
Information was provided by Bret’s Adventure, Inc.
- Halifax Holistic Dentistry
- Youth Advocates Program, Inc
- Children’s Developmental
Services from Williamsport
- Disability Rights Network
- Illumination Project
- Bret’s Adventure, Inc.
- Kathleen’s Nursing Consulting
Services
This conference provided
participants with information as well as a great
opportunity to network with others. Kathleen decided to
organize the conference for local people since
educational opportunities in our area were not
available. However, we received registrations from
Pittsburgh, Effort, Lancaster, Reading, Upper Darby,
Bloomsburg, Williamsport and many others so this will be
a great way to network with other parents and
professionals across Pennsylvania.
Trainings:
October 2007:
Kathleen and Dr. Dowell presented on autism legal issues
to the Judges from central Pennsylvania at their
regional meeting in Williamsport.
October 2007:
Kathleen presented on autism to the Luzerne Community
College Psychology students
September and November 2007:
Susan Bolig from the
Selinsgrove Support Group provided education and forums
for police officers, EMT’s,
911 personnel, parents and others regarding autism
related issues including safety, approaches and more.
December 2007:
Kathleen presented on autism legal issues to the
Lycoming County Probation Department.
Training Opportunities
Provided by Kathleen:
Autism- Legal Issues:
Participants will identify the prevalence of individuals
with autism in the legal justice system and the reasons
for the increase. Objectives will be to learn effective
approaches to communicate with and understand someone
with autism, to learn other options available other than
the criminal justice system, Abuses onto people with
autism, the school to prison pipeline and much, much
more!
Autism Overview Part I – It’s just not all in your head!
Participants will learn about the possible causes of
autism, brief anatomy lesson and how autism affects
individuals including communication-sensory-movement and
social issues, the many treatments and therapies
available, knowing the different “camps” in the world of
autism and more!
Autism Overview Part II- De-mystify to De-stigmatize!
Learn to look at the person with autism as the beautiful
and unique person that he/she is by acknowledging the
strengths, understanding the challenges and knowing that
“behaviors” have meaning. Learn to challenge yourself to
help to decrease the stigma and to assist the community
with embracing our loved ones and the families affected
by autism. This session will better prepare you to
interact with a person with autism on any personal or
professional level.
The
autism overview presentations can be tailored to your
group. This is a great presentation for churches, youth
groups, law enforcement, attorneys, DA’s, community
organizations, YMCA staff, daycare providers, school
district personnel, county MHMR and provider staff,
physicians and medical professionals, college students
and professors, personnel from restaurants and other
businesses that have or will eventually encounter
individuals with autism and their families.
Home
Schooling your Child with Autism
This session will assist you with implementing,
transitioning or improving your home educational program
for your child with autism or other special needs.
Participants will learn how to create home ed lesson
plans, write and assess goals, incorporate
communication, sensory, motor and social needs into the
schedule, use community resources, create a portfolio,
review required documentation, get the most out of the
computer and more! The many benefits of home schooling a
child with special needs are reviewed. Your kid will
love you even more for taking this session!
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Learn how to use assistive technology for communication-
from beginning to independence-practical and functional
ideas to utilize and practice. This is an excellent
resource for individuals with autism, families,
caretakers and professionals.
The DAN! (Defeat Autism
Now!) Protocol Overview
It's just not all
in your head! Learn about the biomedical and nutritional
therapies available in your community for individuals
with autism. Includes discussions on the vaccine- autism
connection theory and information you will want to know
in order to make an informed decision prior to
vaccinating your children.
Faith and Hope in the Healing and Recovery
Process - Believe and Succeed!
Our Personal Testimony is shared to reveal
the power of faith and hope on the way to recovery and
healing throughout this journey called life. Learn how
to press-on and persevere to your highest potential
through your higher power.
Who’s S*** is it Anyway? : A Professional
Parent’s Perspective of Dealing with the Systems
Parents will learn how to better understand
professionals and navigate the systems. Providers will
learn to understand how their behaviors, words and
interactions affect the consumers and families. Personal
experiences are shared throughout this unique
presentation as Kathleen emerges and recovers from being
a professional “behavior” nurse to a parent of a child
with autism. Join her in her story of transformation to
the “other side of the desk”.
Documentation Issues
Learn how to use
the nursing process to assist you with your best
documentation. This session can be tailored to a variety
of settings such as IEP’s,
nursing and paraprofessional notes, program notes, home
school documentation, goals and outcomes, nursing and
treatment plans and more.
Domestic Violence – The Crime with Little Time
Learn the myths and facts about domestic
violence. Personality traits and disorders of abusers
and how they “work” the victim and the courts,
antisocial and narcissistic disorders, signs and
symptoms of abusive relationships, PTSD and depression,
and the challenges victims face to protect themselves
and their children which extend from the home to the
workplace, school, court room, and extended family.
Kathleen shares what she has learned through her
professional experience as a psychiatric nurse having
worked with offenders and victims as well as her
personal story as a survivor of domestic violence.
The
SonShine Healing Adventure:
Kathleen describes the details of this very successful
and innovative home and community program which she
developed specifically for her son. The
SonShine Healing Adventure
is a “modified” form of many interventions designed for
a specific child and is based on principles of success
and the nursing process: assessment, plan, implement,
reassess and revise. Knowing that any single program
will not be the key for success for children, the
“parent-run” SonShine
Healing Adventure incorporates a variety of “modified”
methods and techniques used for assisting children with
autism such as SonRise
Option, AAC/FC, TEACCH, Computer Language Programs,
Floor time, Sensory Integration, Brain Gym Activities,
Total Communication Approaches such as sign language,
gesturing and expressive speech and more. She has even
come up with a few of her own techniques for teaching
skills such as potty training, horseback riding, tying
shoes and swimming which were greatly beneficial for her
son.
Although this highly energetic program, which utilizes
much movement for learning, is based in the home, there
are many social and community opportunities available.
Kathleen will share creative ideas that she has used to
organize play groups so the child with autism will learn
to model peers in structured and unstructured play
environments with the “social-set up system” she
designed. Documentation and outcome monitoring tools
will be available as well as much more. The
SonShine Healing Adventure
session will teach you how to use, modify and apply all
of the information from so many different training
programs available into “practical” use to better serve
the child.
Although designed for parents, this session will be
beneficial for professionals and paraprofessionals as
well. This training will provide you with the tools,
confidence, ideas and momentum to start and implement a
program for your child!
Disability and Abuse - It’s not just at home!
Although most studies and statistics available only
specify or reference parental abuse, individuals with
disabilities are many times abused by the very people we
trust and pay to care for and educate them. This
session will expose this national tragedy by sharing
true stories, real pictures and problems within the
legal justice system when the victim is disabled and the
perpetrator is a paid professional or paraprofessional.
The disabled are further abused by the systems and
courts when they do not receive adequate representation,
accommodations to testify, or fair and equal treatment
in the justice system.
Many
systems that care for our loved ones with disabilities
are allowed to do their own investigations, which is a
huge conflict of interest. The person with the
disability and their family members are usually fighting
major organizations that use your tax dollars to defend
their actions of abuse. These perpetrators and
organizations may even continue to intimidate the abused
and the families by threats of loss of services
altogether, blaming the parent for the abuse, or
justifying their actions claiming the abused was violent
or out of control. Believe it or not, many professionals
actually defend the use of aversion and restraints in
the name of education or therapy and minimize the trauma
and harm these tactics cause our loved ones.
This
session will increase awareness of this ongoing tragedy,
reveal the problems with the current systems
(educational, medical, state, county, legal) and provide
you with information and ideas on how to prevent abuse,
assess for and document abuse, consents, releases,
reporting and more. This session will benefit parents,
caregivers and individuals with disabilities as well as
professionals and paraprofessionals working within the
legal system, educational, medical or provider systems,
or anyone that may be a mandated reporter of abuse.
See
Kathleen’s nursing website at
www.kathleenlnc.com for other Nursing Consulting
Services:
(Individual or Group)
·
Implement and Review Home and Community Based Programs
for Children with Autism (Incorporating Social,
Communication, Sensory, Motor, Emotional Needs-
Environment / Community Resources, Modalities,
Documentation, Diet, Ongoing Education and more)
·
Professional and Support Staff Education and Training on
Autism, Mental Wellness, Aging Issues, Psychiatric and
Mental Health Issues and Above Topics
·
Parent Training & Education on use of AAC and other
Communication Techniques and Modalities, Implementing
and Executing Home Programs, Documentation, and the DAN!
Protocol Overview
·
Project Coordination
·
Community Awareness and Education
·
Conference Coordination
Other individualized nursing consulting services are
available.
Call Kathleen for more specifics on how she can
assist you and your agency!