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F.
E.A.T. - Chattanooga
NEWSLETTER
PO Box 23731, Chattanooga, TN 37422
(423) 296-0092
http://www.featchatt.org
Volume III, Issue 4 June 2002
opinions expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the
opinions of FEAT-Chattanooga
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Upcoming Meetings
July 9, 2002 - Family Day
Coolidge Park Picnic Tables: Bring your own dinner.
See details in this newsletter
August 13, 2002 -
Topic: Discuss Board Member Nominations,
Elections and Goals for
upcoming year.
June 2002 -- Page 2
FEAT of Chattanooga Home Page |
ZOOABILITY
A Day Camp for Differently-Abled Kids
And Their Siblings At the Chattanooga Zoo
at Warner Park
For day campers ages 7-12
Camp dates: July 1 -July 3
Cost: $30.00/family (zoo members)
$40.00/family (non members)
The camp is open to children 7-12 with disabilities
(and also to their siblings age 7-12).
For info, call Rachel Sadowitz
2502 Arbor Mist Trail
Hixson, TN 37343
874-0393
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| Meeting Time and Place
Second Tuesday of Each Month
6:30 pm Room 140
Massoud Pediatric Building
T. C. Thompson Children's Hospital
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Autism Awareness Pins
By popular demand, we have ordered more
Cloisonne style autism awareness lapel pins.
We asked for the deluxe clasp backing.
Those pins are a little more expensive but
we still hope to keep the cost of each pin low.
They should be delivered within 7-8 weeks.
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| PENNSTATE Study on Eating
Behaviors of Children With and Without Autism
Two doctors at PennState in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania are conducting a study
to explore the different types of foods that children with and without
autism typically eat. There are three forms to complete which take
about 30 minutes total. All responses are confidential and no names or
addresses are included in the study. If you would like to participate
in this study and did not attend the May membership meeting, F.E.A.T. -
Chattanooga can mail you a copy of the questionnaire. Please contact
us a featchatt@aol.com or 296-0092. |
July Family Meeting at Coolidge Park
WHEN: Tuesday, July 9, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
WHERE: Coolidge Park - Outdoor Picnic Tables
near the Carousel, downtown
Chattanooga
WHAT: Family gathering, Bring your own dinner
(since our kids have different needs,
likes
and dislikes when it comes to
food)
-2 Free rides on the carousel for the kids
(provided by FEAT Chattanooga)
-Don't forget to bring appropriate clothing
to
play in the fountains! |
Free
I.D.E.A. Workshops!!!
STEP, Inc. (Support and Training for Exceptional Parents), a federally
funded program that provides information, training and support to parents of
children in special education, will be providing the following workshops
regarding IDEA and the development of your child's IEP sponsored by FEAT of
Chattanooga.
August 29, 2002 Basic Rights Workshop 6 pm
- 9 pm Location: To Be Announced Call 1-800-280-7837 or 296-0092 to register
September 19, 2002 IEP Workshop (must have attended a
Basic Rights workshop) 6 pm - 9 pm Location: To Be Announced Call
1-800-280-7837 or 296-0092 to register
October 24, 2002 Follow-up Workshop
(for those who have
questions and want to spend more time on individual IEP's. Bring
your copy of IDEA provided in the Basic Rights workshop) 6 pm - 9 pm
Location: To Be Announced Call 1-800-280-7837 or 296-0092 to register
Other upcoming local workshops available from
STEP:
BASIC Rights: July 9th, 6-9 pm. Parkridge Hospital Private
Dining Room. Call 1-800-280-STEP to register. |
Autism Awareness Month
April was a successful month for F.E.A.T. - Chattanooga
in regards to promoting Autism Awareness in Chattanooga. Our efforts
included billboards throughout the community,
TV interviews on WTVC-NewsChannel9 and WDEFNEWS12. Mayor Bob
Corker signed a proclamation proclaiming April
as 'Autism Awareness Month' in Chattanooga.
Outback Steakhouse Luncheon
April 27th was a great day in the Outback for more than 120 people that care
about children with Autism and their families. Many, many thanks to
Matt Robinson and the staff at Outback Steakhouse for hosting the fourth
'Lunch in the Outback' to benefit F.E.A.T. - Chattanooga.
A big thank you to our sponsors ROCK-TENN Company, Timothy P. Davis, M.D.,
CPH Pension Administrators, Inc., and Sunrise Food Distributors. Also
thank you to the Chattanoogan.com for their Public Service Announcement
support and everyone that sold or bought tickets to the Luncheon. This
year's total surpassed $2,000!
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| Dr. Susan Speraw
During the May FEAT meeting, Dr. Susan Speraw shared some exciting news and
was able to see some old friends. Dr. Speraw has developed a study,
"Living with Autism: A Family Perspective".
The primary purpose of the
study is to explore and describe the lived experience of families who have a
member diagnosed with an autism-spectrum disorder. A secondary purpose
is to disseminate this information to health professionals and educators
through publication of the findings in professional journals.
At the
time of this newsletter, this study was awaiting Institutional Review Board
Approval. As soon as approval is granted, Dr. Speraw will contact FEAT
and other autism support groups for membership participation in this
worthwhile effort. |
Speakers Conference
Next Fall or Spring Your Input Needed
As a way of celebrating five years of FEAT-Chattanooga,
and as a service to our members and the community, we
are exploring the options of bringing well-known speakers
to Chattanooga this Fall or next Spring.
Sheila Wagner, M.Ed., a well-known, well-respected
autism researcher from Emory University has provided
FEAT-Chattanooga a list of topics that she could speak
about and the topics are listed below. Please email, call
or mail FEAT Chattanooga with your top five topics (in order) that you would
like to hear Ms. Wagner speak about.
Your vote will matter.
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Characteristics of autism/Asperger's Disorder
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Behavior modification
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Inclusion programming
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Teaching strategies
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Social Skills training
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Peer Programming
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Student Assessment
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School/home collaboration
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