in southeastern wisconsin...group, 6:00–7:30 p.m., facilitated by wade koski, lcsw, assew office...
TRANSCRIPT
ON THE
SPECTRUMSPECTRUM
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE AUTISM SOCIETY of Southeastern Wisconsin
3720 N. 124th Street, Suite O, Wauwatosa, WI 53222
(414) 988-1260 [email protected] www.assew.org
IN SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN
MARCH—APRIL 2015
The Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin’s annual Autism Gala
will be held on April 18 at the Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee.
Have fun while raising money for a great cause! The 2015 Gala will
highlight our Adults on the Spectrum program. Enjoy a delicious
dinner, bid on fun auction items and dance to a live band. This year our
silent auction will feature mobile bidding.
There are many ways you can help. Please consider donating an
auction item, having your business sponsor a table, attending and
bidding on great auction items, or making a cash contribution. Popular
auction items include tickets to theater, sporting events, and concerts;
sports memorabilia; baskets of food or wine; and special experiences to
share such as a fishing trip or weekend at a lake house. Funds raised at
our Gala stay in southeastern Wisconsin, supporting programs and
services right in our community.
For more information on sponsorships or auction donations, contact
Renée Logee, Director of Development, at [email protected] or (414)
988-1264.
A Gala Celebration for Autism
In this issue
Page 2: Calendar
Page 3: April Is Autism Awareness Month, 10 Things You Can Do To Honor Autism Awareness Month
Page 4: Family Fun at Kids in Motion, and Summer Events
Page 5: A Major Goal Achieved
Page 6: Dreaming of Summer? Start Planning
Now! Summer Bike Program
Page 7: Lights! Camera! Action! SuperStars Camp
Pages 8 and 9: Memorials
and Gifts Honoring Individuals
Page 10: Upcoming AMC Sensory Friendly Films, Board and Staff
Page 11: An Organization
Full of Experience, Honor and Longevity
April is Autism Awareness Month! See Page 3 for ways you can make a difference.
Join Us!
2 March—April 2015 Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin www.assew.org
March 4, Wednesday – Adults on the Spectrum Support
Group, 6:30–8:30 p.m., ASSEW office, Wauwatosa
March 5, Thursday – Morning Coffee, Parent Support
Group, 9:30–11:30 a.m., ASSEW office
March 5, Thursday – Middle School Group, 6:00–7:30
p.m., facilitated by Wade Koski, LCSW,
ASSEW office (5 of 6)
March 11, Wednesday – Kids in
Motion, 6:00–8:30 p.m., 14135 West
Greenfield Avenue, New Berlin
March 12, Thursday – Middle School
Group, 6:00–7:30 p.m., facilitated by Wade Koski, LCSW,
ASSEW office (6 of 6)
March 13, Friday – Fall Into Spring Program, a six-week
recreational program for teens ages 13 to 17 with Asperger
Syndrome, facilitated by Justin Hamilton, special
education teacher counselor, 6:30–8:30 p.m. (6 of 8)
March 14, Saturday – Sibshops, 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.,
at the Wauwatosa Adult Day Center, 7111 West Center
Street, Wauwatosa
March 17, Tuesday – Parent Support Group, 6:30–8:30
p.m., ASSEW office
March 18, Wednesday – Adults on the Spectrum Support
Group, 6:30–8:30 p.m., ASSEW office
March 19, Thursday – TRAILS, Session 3: Under-
standing the Transition IEP, 6:30–8:30 p.m., New Berlin
Public Library, 15105 West Library Lane, New Berlin
March 21, Saturday – S.O.S., Functional Behavioral
Assessments, 9:30–11:30 a.m., Nicolet High School, D-
Wing Library, 6701 North Jean Nicolet Road, Glendale
March 28, Saturday – Sensory Friendly Films, Home,
10:00 a.m., AMC Mayfair in Milwaukee and AMC Star
Cinema in Johnson Creek
April 1, Wednesday – Adults on the Spectrum Support
Group, 6:30–8:30 p.m., ASSEW office
April 2, Thursday – Morning Coffee, Parent Support
Group, 9:30–11:30 a.m., ASSEW office
April 10, Friday – Fall Into Spring Program, a six-week
recreational program for teens ages 13 to 17 with Asperger
Syndrome, facilitated by Justin Hamilton, special
education teacher counselor, 6:30–8:30 p.m. (7 of 8)
April 11, Saturday – Sibshops, 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.,
at the Wauwatosa Adult Day Center, 7111 West Center
Street, Wauwatosa
April 15, Wednesday – Adults on the Spectrum Support
Group, 6:30–8:30 p.m., ASSEW office
April 16, Thursday – TRAILS, Session 4: Guardianship
and Special Needs Trusts, 6:30–8:30 p.m., New Berlin
Public Library, 15105 West Library Lane, New Berlin
April 18, Saturday – S.O.S., Literacy for all at Home,
9:30–11:30 a.m., Nicolet High School, D-Wing Library,
6701 North Jean Nicolet Road, Glendale
April 18, Saturday – Sensory Friendly Films, Underdogs,
10:00 a.m., AMC Mayfair in Milwaukee and AMC Star
Cinema in Johnson Creek
April 18, Saturday –
AUTISM
GALA 2015, Pfister Hotel, 6:30 p.m.,
7th Floor Grand Ballroom,
424 East Wisconsin
Avenue, Milwaukee
April 21, Tuesday –
Parent Support Group,
6:30–8:30, p.m., ASSEW office
April 23, Thursday – Pump It Up of Brookfield, 6:00–
8:00 p.m., 195 North Janacek Road, Brookfield
April 25, Saturday – New to Autism, presented by Wade
Koski, LCSW, 9:30–11:30 a.m., ASSEW office
CALENDAR
WANT THE LATEST NEWS & INFORMATION?
Be a fan on Facebook and subscribe to our Email Updates!
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ASSEW WWW.ASSEW.ORG
Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin March—April 2015 3
April Is Autism Awareness Month
From the Executive Director
Every year, Autism Awareness Month is a challenge
to me. Living with a family member on the spectrum,
like most of our members do, I am hyper-aware of
autism all the time. But I recognize that not all of my
friends and family members understand what autism
is. Autism Awareness Month is really for them. This
year, I thought it might be helpful to create a list of
things friends and family members can do to create
more understanding and awareness. So if you are
on the spectrum or have a child on the spectrum,
this list is for you to share with others. Our mission
at the Autism Society is to improve the lives of all
affected by autism. Awareness, understanding and
acceptance are a big part of that.
By Emily Levine
1. Presume competence. What
does this mean? According to
Douglas Biklen, “Assume that a
child has intellectual ability, provide
opportunities to be exposed to
learning, assume the child wants
to learn and assert him or herself
in the world.” Say hi and talk to a
person by name who has autism,
even if they don’t talk back.
2. Practice random acts of
kindness for a family going through
a rough patch. It’s REALLY hard
for most of us to ask for help.
We may not tell you with words if
times are tough, but often you can
tell. Small favors can mean a lot.
Some ideas include offering to
pick up or drop off kids from an
activity, sharing a meal, buying a
Starbucks or iTunes gift card “just
because,” or whatever tickles your
fancy.
3. Buy a book that relates to
autism on the Amazon Smile
website, and designate the Autism
Society of Southeastern Wisconsin
as the charity you wish to support.
Some books that can be
appreciated by lay people include
Love Anthony by Lisa Genova,
The Rosie Project by Graeme
Simsion, Raising Cubby: A Father and Son’s Adventures with
Asperger’s, Trains, Tractors, and
High Explosives by John Elder
Robison, and Thinking in Pictures
by Temple Grandin.
4. Call an autism parent, ask
how their child is doing, and really
listen to what they have to say.
Don’t offer advice, don’t judge,
don’t say, “I could never do what
you do.” Just invite conversation
and at the end say, “You’re doing
a good job.”
5. If you are an educator,
consider having your class
participate in the Autism Society
of Wisconsin Essay Contest. The
deadline to submit essays is March
15, 2015, so this is technically
not an Autism Awareness Month
activity, but it’s a great lead-in!
The essay contest is an opportunity
to hear from typical students about
how friendships with students who
have autism have influenced their
lives. We are looking for essays
that show true friendships between
students. Details on participation
are at www.asw4autis.org/essay
_contest.html.
6. Watch the wonderful video
from Good Friend, Inc. “We All Fit,”
with music by the Figureheads. Go
to YouTube and search on the title,
and it will pop up. It is guaranteed
to brighten your day.
7. Spread the Word to End the
Word. Stop using the word “retard” and let your friends know that it is
hurtful and not a joke. For more
information on the campaign to
Spread the Word to End the Word,
including tips on how to initiate
that particular gnarly conversation,
visit www.r-word.org.
8. If your child has a classmate
with autism, give them some basic,
age-appropriate information. Two
good resources are What’s Up with
Nick? from the Organization for
Autism Research, and Growing Up
Together, from the Autism Society
of America. Contact our office for
copies. What’s Up with Nick? Is
also available online as a video.
9. To understand why talking
about a cure is painful for many of
our adults, read “Don’t Mourn For
Us,” by Jim Sinclair at www.autreat
.com/dont_mourn.html.
10. Make a donation to the
Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin in honor of someone
with autism who is important in
your life. Remember, we are your
local autism organization, and the
money donated here stays here.
10 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HONOR AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
4 March—April 2015 Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin www.assew.org
Family Fun at Kids in Motion
In January, we had two social
events. One was at Kids in Motion
indoor play park in New Berlin
(pictured at right) and the other
was our event at Fun Timez
Family Activity center in Franklin.
More fun family events
coming soon!
March 11 is our next date at Kids
in Motion, and on April 23 we will
have a party at Pump It Up
amusement center in Brookfield.
Mark your calendar for our summer events
We will be having a picnic at Blue Lotus Farm in
West Bend on July 12 and an evening at Cool Waters
Family Aquatic Park in Greenfield Park on August 14.
These events are free for members.
Photos by Mary Cantanese
Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin March—April 2015 5
By Sandy Krause
Sometimes when our kids go through
challenging times we feel uncertain if they will
be able to reach their goals. When my son
Aaron was in 8th grade, he went through a very
difficult time with debilitating anxiety in an
inappropriate school setting. He imploded,
all his dreams were put on hold as we all
regrouped around him. With the right school
placement, Kradwell School, and a fantastic
team in place, he rose out of challenges. He
started focusing on goals again.
One of the goals he’d had since 1st grade
when he was a Tiger Cub Scout was to become
an Eagle Scout someday. Aaron had many
around him who encouraged him including Dr.
Jeff Crisco, who led his ABA therapy team.
Dr. Crisco is himself an Eagle Scout and they
often talk scouting. Whatever camps, service
projects, badges or tasks were needed, many
around Aaron stepped up to make it possible.
He had wonderfully understanding leaders at
Boy Scout Troop 21 in Wauwatosa.
On Saturday, January 17, Aaron’s church,
Spirit of Peace Lutheran, was full of friends,
neighbors, scout leaders and family to celebrate
his Eagle Court of Honor. He reached his goal.
He overcame every obstacle. He persevered.
His ceremony included presentations by
Wisconsin State Senator Leah Vukmir, with
whom he had lobbied, and Renée Logee from
ASSEW, for whom he had volunteered.
As Aaron has graduated from high school
early, he is off to college. On to his next big
goals. Go Aaron go! All of our kids can reach
their goals with love, support and perseverance.
A Major Goal Achieved
Scoutmaster Steve Weber, Troop 21 in Wauwatosa, with happy Eagle Scout Aaron Krause.
6 March—April 2015 Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin www.assew.org
By Emily Levine
Though it is still snowy and
cold, it is not too soon to start
planning for summer.
This summer the Autism
Society is holding two bike
programs in June in conjunction
with the national iCan Bike
organization. The program uses
adapted equipment, trained
professionals and volunteers
to assure a high level of support
for all riders, maximizing
chances for success.
Participants attend for
75 minutes a day for five
consecutive days.
Seeing the pride of
accomplishment in the
children and young adults
who attend this camp is
truly a highlight for me
every year. Ideal
candidates for iCan Bike
are individuals ages 8 and up who have a
diagnosed disability but are able to walk without
assistive devices and sidestep from side to side.
Parents, teachers and therapists describe our
results as INCREDIBLE. In 2014, by the end of
the five-day camp, over 80 percent of riders
learned to ride a conventional bike completely
independently. Success in learning to ride a
bicycle is a major life accomplishment that
most of us take for granted, but is often denied
children with developmental disabilities. Learning
to ride builds confidence and an improved self-
image, and is a life-long fitness activity.
The week of June 15, we will be at Lakeland
School in Elkhorn. The following week, June 22
to June 26, we will hold a bike program at the
Milwaukee Curling Club in Cedarburg. The cost
per person is $250, which includes five days of
instruction, bike helmet and T-shirt.
This program requires two to three volunteers
for each participant. We need these volunteers
to help for five consecutive days, 90 minutes
each day (same time slot). They also will attend
a Sunday afternoon orientation session the day
before the program starts. Volunteers need to
be able to run alongside the riders. Volunteering
to be a part of this program is a rewarding
experience, and lots of fun! We provide letters
verifying service hours to those who need them.
If interested in supporting or volunteering for
this program, please contact Julie Quigley,
Program Manager, at [email protected] or (414)
988-1260.
Dreaming of Summer? Start Planning Now!
Summer Bike Program
Get Ready to Roll!
Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin March—April 2015 7
SuperStars is an arts camp for individuals
who are on the autism spectrum as well as
for siblings and friends. The arts help us
to feel and to learn. Through music,
drama, dance, and visual art, the campers’
relational skills are enhanced and they grow
in social situations. The experience also
cultivates skills for campers in self-
acceptance and understanding of others.
The camp, for ages 4 to adult, is a two-
week adventure with a fun and exciting
theme. Campers and teachers use themes
to create a theatrical performance for
family and friends.
The theme for 2015 is “Making the World
a Better Place.” Dates are June 15 to 19
and June 22 to 26, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.,
at St. Marcus School, 2215 North Palmer
Street, in Milwaukee. The cost is $100 per
camper.
SuperStars is a collaboration of the
Milwaukee Public Theater, St. Marcus
School, and the Autism Society of South-
eastern Wisconsin.
Lights! Camera! Action!
Join Us for Our First Theatrical Troupe Event
Photo by Karen Stokes, Milwaukee Neighborhood News
8 March—April 2015 Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin www.assew.org
IN HONOR OF .......................................................................................................FROM
Luca Amiot .........................................................................................................Mr. Joseph Cutraro Braham Backes ........................................................................................................ Ms. Kim Gregor Dallas Cooley ...................................................................................................... Ms. Susan Godfrey ......................................................................................... Mr. and Mrs. Brad and Jennifer Knigge ................................................................................................... Mr. and Mrs. Bob and Jody Leinss ................................................................................... Mr. and Mrs. James and Kristine Lombardi ............................................................................................. Mr. and Mrs. Jerald and Dawn Smith .......................................................................................... Mr. and Mrs. James and Jill Waggoner ............................................................................ Waukesha South Football Team and Coaches ................................................................................................................................ Ms. Marcia Wisner Mia Cyganiak ............................................................... Mr. and Mrs. Jim and Bonnie Cyganiak Dr. John Dyer ....................................................................Mr. and Mrs. Brian and Sara Lipman Ethan .................................................................................................................... Ms. Tamara Martin Tyler Fraundorf ....................................................... Mr. and Mrs. Mike and Jeanne Fraundorf Michelle Gildersleeve ........................................................................................Ms. Patricia Schulz Zachary Green .................................................................................................... Ms. Amber Rauter Maddie Hoepfner .......................................................... Mr. and Mrs. Ray and Mary Ellen Bies Javin Lawrence ................................................................................................ Ms. Kimberly Sweet Emily Levine ................................................................................................... Ms. Kimberly Dresner Bryce Limbeck .............................................................Mr. and Mrs. Chuck and Sue Neumann Zachary Lindner ................................................................ Mr. and Mrs. Jim and Suzanne Sass Christopher Lucci .............................................................................................Ms. Cynthia Griego Luke ...................................................................................... Mr. and Mrs. Tim and Kathy Biernat Lawrence Marsch ....................................................... Mr. and Mrs. Stephen and Patti Marsch Charlie Matter's 7th Birthday ....................... Mr. and Mrs. Anthony and Gretchen Derosa ........................................................................................ Mr. and Mrs. David and Elizabeth Ennis ......................................................................................... Mr. and Mrs. Daniel and Kathryn Fedel ................................................................................... Mr. and Mrs. David and Deborah Jackson ......................................................................................... Mr. and Mrs. David and Barbara Ketter ............................................................................................. Mr. and Mrs. John and Denise Ketter ......................................................................................... Mr. and Mrs. Stephen and Patti Marsch .................................................................................................................................... Mr. Keith Matter ................................................................................ Mr. and Mrs. Patrick and Mary McDonough ................................................................................................................................... Mr. Gary Refinski .......................................................................................... Mr. and Mrs. Daniel and Sarah Reinert .......................................................................................... Mr. and Mrs. Brian and Lisa Schroeder ..................................................................................... Mr. and Mrs. Stanley and Patricia Steinike ......................................................................................................................................Ms. Miriam Stoll ...................................................................................................................................Ms. Angela Tracy .................................................................................................................................... Ms. Gayle Wade ................................................................................. Mr. and Mrs. James and Christine Wrobbel ............................................................................................. Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Kathy Zander My Grandson...................................................................................................... Ms. Margaret Paull Grant Nauman ........................................................................................... Ms. Stephanie Lenzner Tyler Naze ........................................................................... Mr. and Mrs. Aaron and Carol Naze Tracy Olson ........................................................................................................ Ms. Fawn Schaefer Our Neighbor Boys ............................................................................. Ms. Nancy Gruetzmacher Our Wonderful Therapists ....................................... Mr. and Mrs. Joe and Louise Swiderski Alex Podd ......................................................................................................... Ms. Cindy McManus Eddie Scherer ......................................................... Mr. and Mrs. Chris and Catherine Scherer Aidan Schutte................................................................ Mrs. And Mr. Jennifer & Chris Schutte Scott and Dawn Schwartz .......................................................................................... Anonymous Nicole Sova ..................................................................... Mr. and Mrs. Barry and Marie Lipman Van ................................................................................. Mr. and Mrs. William and Amy Zahalka Noah Wells ..................................................................Mr. and Mrs. Merrick and Barbara Wells ......................................................................................... Richard G. Jacobus Family Foundation Rachel Yurske .................................................................... Mr. and Mrs. Kevin and Vicki Yurske
The Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin is grateful for the many gifts we receive each year. Particularly poignant are the gifts given in honor of some-one whose life has been touched
by autism.
Here is a list of these gifts for the second half
of 2014.
Memorials and Gifts Honoring Individuals
Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin March—April 2015 9
IN MEMORY OF.................................................................................................................................................................... FROM
Adler Family - Susan, Joel & Lynn....... Ms. Gwendolyn Matkey Cecilia Ammerman ......... Mr. and Mrs. James and Darlene Alt ...................................... Mr. and Mrs. Craig and Mary Bevilacqua ................................... Mr. and Mrs. Dennis and Margaret Brown ..................................................................................... Mr. Allan Busch .............................................................................. Mr. Dennis McEvoy ..................................................................... Forrer Business Interiors ............................................................................... Ms. Debbie Gerber ................................................ Mr. and Mrs. Daryl and Mary Gerke ........................................... Mr. and Mrs. Tom and Ellen Hayward .......................... Mr. and Mrs. Jerrold and Marlene Heidenriech ......................................................... Mr. Randy McGrath Hoffmann ..................................... Mr. and Mrs. Stanley and Virginia Jaeger ........................................... Jr. and Mrs. Michael and Joanne Kelly ........................................... Mr. and Mrs. William and Ann Nelson ................................... Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Martha O'Leary ..................................................................................... Ms. Lisa O'Leary ............................................. Mr. and Mrs. Carey and Marilyn Peck .............................................................................. Ms. Brooke Randall ........................................ Mr. and Mrs. Don and Diane Robinette ................................. Mr. and Mrs. William and Sandra Robinson ........................................... Mr. and Mrs. John and Janet Romans ................................ Mr. and Mrs. William and Margaret Solberg ........................................................................... Steliga & Harder, S.C. ................................. Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Jacqueline Thurner ......................................................................................... Mr. Jay Walsh Christine Brzycki.................................................. Ms. Judy Paluszka Andrew's Gumpy ................................................. Ms. Linda Thiede Caroline Breier.................................................. Ms. Erica Miszewski ............................................................................... Mr. Mark Butenhof Catherine Curran ........................................... Ms. Joan Bachhuber ........................................................................... Mr. Steve Bachhuber .................................................................................... Ms. Jan Breunig ............................................ Mr. and Mrs. Steven and Diane Davis ............................................. Mr. and Mrs. Patrick and Jane Farrell ........................................................................... Mr. James Fredericks ................................ Mr. and Mrs. James and Barbara Fredericks ..................................... Mr. and Mrs. Harold and Janet Fuhrman .................................................................................... Ms. Leah Ghods .................................................................................... Ms. Joan Grugel .......................................................... Mr. and Mrs. Richard Halfman ............................................. Mr. and Mrs. James and Joan Hurley ......................................... Mr. and Mrs. Donald and Carol Jensen ..........................................................................Ms. Jeanne Kelnhofer ....................................................................................Mr. Chris Nelson ............................................... Mr. and Mrs. Dennis and Pat Russell ......................................... Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Mary Schmidt .................................................................................... Ms. Amy Wright ..................................... Mr. and Mrs. Francis and Barbara Young ................................................................................Ms. Pauline Young
Chuck D'Acquisto .................. Mr. and Mrs. Jim and Julie Arens ...................................... Mr. and Mrs. John and JoAnn Kubowicz ...... Lake County Planning Building Development Department
............................................. Mr. and Mrs. Keith and Helen Larson ...................................................................................Ms. Becky Radtke ................................... Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Barbara Vallone Edwin Gabrielse ....... Mr. and Mrs. Mike and Kathi Brueggemann
Dorothy Gehrig .................................................... Mr. Mark Manian Kenneth Goetz ................ Mr. and Mrs. Brian and Chris Stanley ...................................................................................Mrs. Helen Goetz Helen Jung ........................................................ Ms. Marcy Blaufuss ...................................... Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Lucy Bloedorn ...............Construction and General Laborers Union Local 464 ............................................................................. Ms. Kathleen Engler .................................................. Mr. and Mrs. Fred and Kay Fischer ....................................... Mr. and Mrs. David and Terese Gingrass ...................................... Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Maryeve Heath ................................Mr. and Mrs. Wolfgang and Terry Hemschik ........................................... Mr. and Mrs. Gregg and Sheila Jozwik ......................................................................................... Ms. Carol Kaja ............................................. Mr. and Mrs. Howard and Ann Kallio .............................. Mr. and Mrs. John and Karen Kondrakiewicz ............... Laborers District Council Minnesota & North Dakota ....................................................................... Laborers Local No. 113
.................................. Mr. and Mrs. Timothy and Linda Manahan ................................. Mr. and Mrs. Stephen and Connie Menchal .................................... Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and Regina Oberlin ....................................................................................... Ms. Kerry Saver .......................................... Mr. and Mrs. Patrick and Mary Stuckey ................................ Mr. and Mrs. William and Lorette Wambach ................................... Mr. and Mrs. Ralph and Rosemarie Weber Ronald Kaluzny .................................................. Ms. Kathleen Zube Donald A. Lucas ........ Mr. and Mrs. Francis and Hoyce Cobian ............................................ Mr. and Mrs. Harold and Sarah Fisher .................................. Mr. and Mrs. Glenn and Constance Forrest ........................................... Mr. and Mrs. Brian and Renee Gillhart ....................................... Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Judith Lohmann .......................................................................... Ms. Patricia Lohmann ....................................... Mr. and Mrs. Donald and Barbara Lucas .................................................Mr. and Mrs. Kurt and Elaine Ritzka ........................................ Wisconsin Hills Middle School Sunshine Herm Manske .............. Mr. and Mrs. Jim and Bonnie Cyganiak Ray Mutz ....................... Mr. and Mrs. Jim and Bonnie Cyganiak Jim Pechauer ............... Mr. and Mrs. Jim and Bonnie Cyganiak Andy Telford .............. Dr. and Mrs. Gordon and Susan Telford Alanzo Waiswa .................................................... Mr. Charles Pleier ...............................................................................Ms. Michelle Quinn
10 March—April 2015 Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin www.assew.org
The upcoming AMC Sensory Friendly Films are Home and Underdogs. In the
Milwaukee area, they will be shown at AMC Mayfair in Milwaukee and AMC Star Cinema in Johnson Creek. Film times are
at 10:00 a.m.
The programs provide a special oppor-
tunity for families to enjoy their favorite films in a sensory safe environment. The
auditoriums dedicated to the program have their lights up, the sound is turned down, and audience members are encouraged
to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing!
Saturday, March 28: HOME
Saturday, April 18: UNDERDOGS
BOARD & STAFF
3720 N. 124th Street, Suite O, Wauwatosa, WI 53222
Phone: (414) 988-1260, Fax: (888) 280-1844
[email protected] WWW.ASSEW.ORG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ASSEW
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m.—3 p.m. & Fridays by appointment
STAFF & OFFICE
Emily Levine Executive Director
Ardis Burke Bookkeeper
Rechelle Chaffee Marketing Director
Susan Contardi Newsletter Editor
Terimarie Degree Event & Volunteer Coordinator
Liz Gebhardt Development Coordinator
Susan Hoepfner Information/Referral Specialist
Sue LeBuhn Administrative Associate
Renée Logee Director of Development
Julie Quigley Program Manager
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Howard Miller President, Nova Systems
Mark Cyganiak Vice President,
ServiceMaster Recovery
Chris Scherer Vice President,
Andrus Intellectual Property Law
Ryan Michalski Treasurer, KPMG
Julie Arens Secretary,
Racine Unified SD
DIRECTORS
Brian Beeghly Johnson Controls
Jamie Berger The Box MKE
Celina Born-Tratar Deloitte Tax LLP
Elizabeth Drame UW-Milwaukee
John Dyer ProHealth Care
Steven Glamm Milwaukee County
Riv Goldman Rockwell Automation
Mark Haglin Trivent Financial
Wade Koski Wade Koski, LLC
Mike Nauman Children’s Hospital
of Wisconsin
Andrea Nelson Unisource Insurance
Dawn Schwartz ADX Creative
Sami Sobhani Wheaton Franciscan
Healthcare
Nicole Sova R.W. Baird
Bill Steele Head Games
Amy Van Hecke Marquette University
DIRECTOR EMERITUS
Patti Meerschaert
Upcoming AMC Sensory Friendly Films
Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin March—April 2015 11
Did you know that this March marks 50 years of
support from the Autism Society of America, the
nation’s leading grassroots autism organization?
Our mission has always been to improve the lives
of all affected by autism. Here are some fun facts
and a walk down memory lane to help us celebrate.
An Organization Full of Experience,
Honor and Longevity
The Autism Society was founded in 1965
by Dr. Bernard Rimland, Dr. Ruth Sullivan and
many other parents of children with autism.
In the early ‘70s, the Autism Society began
a nationwide campaign focusing on awareness.
The campaign was so successful that it was
adopted by Congress in 1984.
The Society launched a project to study brain
tissue in 1976 and formed a foundation focused
on applied research in 1996, putting the Autism
Society on the forefront of research and
support.
In 1999, the Autism Awareness ribbon was
created and released, garnering national
attention still today.
The Autism Society is the leading source
of trusted and reliable information about
autism. As a matter of fact, the website is one
of the most visited websites on autism in the
world.
At the national level, we are proud to be one
of the few organizations to have members on
the autism spectrum serving as active members
of our board of directors as well as in other
leadership positions throughout the organization.
Today, more than 120,000 members and
supporters are connected through a working
network of more than 100 affiliates nationwide.
In Milwaukee, the Autism Society of South-
eastern Wisconsin is proud to be a local affiliate
of the Autism Society of America. Ten families
helped us receive our Chapter Charter in 1976,
including Bob and Patti Meerschaert, who are still
involved.
We became incorporated in the state of
Wisconsin in 1991.
In 1996, we had the privilege of co-hosting the
annual Autism Society of America Conference.
Over 2,000 people attended.
Our largest annual fundraiser, Dylan’s Run, in
2014 drew over 3,000 registrants who came to
rally behind our cause.
For over 20 years, the Autism Gala has drawn
families and community leaders to support our
mission.
Today, we serve over 463 families and com-
municate regularly to more than 2,200 community
partners, interested families and our members.
Thank you for being part of this amazing legacy
and helping us achieve our mission!
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID MILWAUKEE, WI
PERMIT NO. 104
Autism Society Of Southeastern Wisconsin 3720 N. 124th Street, Suite O Wauwatosa, WI 53222
PHONE: (414) 988-1260 EMAIL: [email protected]
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