Northwest
Indiana
Chapter

Parents have expressed that they are stressed and that they would like to have someone within the disability field to talk to. The Center For Possibilities has received a grant from the Lake County Department of Children's Services to offer these services to help parents that are raising a child (or children) with disabilities.

2 summer support groups are forming now and while there is no charge for these groups, registration is required. One group will be using the book "Married: With Special Needs Children" as talking points. The other group will be a "closed" group so that parents can get comfortable with an intimate group to explore difficult issues that arise in caring for a special needs child.

If you are not comfortable discussing private issues in a group setting, private counseling services are available at no charge.

To register, contact Julie Ramisch, Marriage and Family Therapist, at (219) 962-5751. Please call if you have any questions or you want to schedule an appointment.

Download the flyer about these two groups and share it with your friends.

Married with Special-Needs Children looks at the ways in which having a child with special needs can make it more difficult for a marriage to thrive and how a child's intensive needs can change the structure of a marriage. The authors examine many of the underlying stresses and common pitfalls--a couple's differing coping mechanisms and expectations of a child, communication breakdowns and difficulties resolving conflicts, for example. They then present a wide range of strategies for handling or preventing these problems.

This group will be using this book as a guideline for talking points. You are not required to buy or read the book.

Dates: Wednesdays, June 4, June 18, July 16, July 30
Cost: Free
Where: The Center For Possibilities, 22 Tyler Ave, Hobart
Childcare: Free
Registration: Call Julie Ramisch at 962.5751

Would you like to learn how to have strong relationships with others?
Relationships with spouses, grandparents, and other family and non-family will be discussed. During the group meetings the therapist will also share about different techniques and ways to encourage positive communication between family members and professionals.

Dates: Wednesdays, June 11, June 25, July 9, July 23
Cost: Free
Where: The Center For Possibilities, 22 Tyler Ave, Hobart
Childcare: Free
Registration: Call Julie Ramisch at 962.5751

Please join Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey for the most historical event of 2008, the Green Our Vaccines Rally. Jenny and Jim are working hard to eliminate all toxins from our children's vaccines and have our national health agencies reassess the mandatory vaccine schedule, as our children are receiving TOO MANY, TOO SOON. While Jenny and Jim support the vaccine program, like many, they feel vaccines are too toxic. This country has the ability to provide a safer vaccine supply and schedule to our children and they ask you to join them to demand this for our country's greatest asset, our children.

* Register for the Rally! (REQUIRED!!!)
* Watch Jenny's video invite
* FAQ about the rally

NWI-NAA's Lisa Fox, President, and Maria Janik, Vice-President, will be there in attendance representing our NAA chapter. There are several families from across the state going (that we are aware of). Please join us for this remarkable day to make your voice heard if you believe your child was harmed by vaccines.

We are so fortunate to have one of the best Autism conferences in the world practically in our backyard. Autism One in Chicago is gearing up for another remarkable 5 day conference at the Westin O'Hare Hotel. If you've never been to this conference before, I highly encourage you to check it out. Even if you aren't into the biomedical aspect of Autism, there is still plenty to see, do and learn.

• Special Education Law Day: Intensive Training for Parents
• The Art of Special Diets
• Mom's Health and Happiness
• Biomedical Treatments
• Behavior/Education/Communication Therapies
• Adolescence and Adulthood
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Visit autismone.org for more information on registration, schedules, the Arts Festival and Special Events.

Even if you can not afford to attend the conference, take a 1/2 day to come up and view the Exhibitors area - you won't be disappointed!

In 2003, Hawaii filmmakers Don and Julianne King realized something was wrong with their three-year-old son, Beau. Around age two-and-a-half, Beau started loosing his ability to speak, his coordination, and was becoming disconnected from the outside world. Determined to help Beau, his parents brought him to the best doctors in the U.S. and took along a video camera to document the results. Two months later, Beau was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

In BEAUTIFUL SON, Don and Julianne take us on their journey through the landscape of this debilitating neurological disorder as they attempt to recover Beau from autism. Along the way, through their research and personal interaction with various medical professionals, Don and Julianne come to believe the establishment has little to offer apart from advice of "good parenting" and behavioral therapy. Desperate to find help, they stumble upon a community of doctors and parents who are experimenting with alternative treatments and who are, they believe, successfully recovering some kids from autism.

BEAUTIFUL SON is the story of an illness reaching epidemic proportion, now affecting one in 150 children. And, it’s the story of a grass roots movement of parents and doctors who believe that vaccines, mercury and other toxins may be triggering some forms of autism and demanding research be done to help their children.

BEAUTIFUL SON will be airing on Channel 11 WTTW on Thursday, May 29th. Check your listings for the time.

The pros and cons of vaccinations, the impact of vaccines on a child's immune system, the concerns about the safety of vaccines ... Do you think only bad things can happen to other children and not yours with the vaccines? Come listen, then share in asking questions with April, president of VIC (www.vacinfo.org), who travels the country to educate parents about factual, pro & con information pertaining to vaccines.

This meeting is sponsored by C.H.O.I.C.E.S. and will be held at the banquet center located at the Paragon Restaurant, 1701 E. 37th Ave Hobart, IN 46342

Seminar will begin at 6:30 pm

Suggested donation per person $5.00