Recent News
Autistic Gated Community in Anderson, SC
Well....I feel like the "little club" of parents with post teen autistic kids just got bigger. As an "old battle ax" of the "autism wars" in SC, I have finally had to add my 2 cents to this string....
Thanks to all who are venting on this subject because almost ALL of our kids will someday need these issues addressed for them. The parents of the younger ones MUST carve out time for the "big picture" even in the midst of ABA, waiver slots, school placement, etc. etc. etc. infinity....
My husband and I are making progress on a planned, gated community for parents with adult children with special needs (located in Anderson, SC). I am not sure if there is anything quite like it anywhere in the country. It will have some of the characteristics of a farm community but parents, and parent residences, as well as post parent lifetime issues and contingencies, will all be a part of the project.
For many of us Special Needs estate planning is just not going to be enough.....
If you are interested in partnering with me on this project, let me know....we need to All meet and get some things "on the table". I have been thinking, researching, and planning for more than a year now and I am ready to share with interested "stakeholders" what I have learned and where I think this project is going.
We have the land, I have a professional land management planner identified and working to help, but we need some of you, who are ready to divert some of your advocacy energy, to join us in making this work for our kids. It will be a private residential project with public programs, a non-profit organization (for education, recreation, and vocational training), employment opportunities and community inclusion mandates.
Current parent/partners needed.... web site designer/host, lawyers, investment advisors, bankers, estate planners, construction/ contractors, architects/designers, farmers, gardeners, veterinarians, experienced horse people, real estate professionals, anyone who has completed the 501(c)3 process and can help me do the same (or just take over and "get ’er done !"), anyone with long term health care experience, anyone with special needs vocational, educational, recreational, spiritual, and community inclusion experience (ah....that would be all of us, gang).
Please contact me directly,
Denise Oxford
Mane Solutions
Anderson, SC
denise116@aol.com
864-933-2802
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Island Playground Dates Set!
The Lowcountry Autism Foundation is pleased to announce Play Dates at the Island Playground; April 26th, June 14th and August 9th. Sundays from 5 to 7 pm.
Children with ASD will have the opportunity to play, learn, socialize, and explore while giving parents an opportunity to connect.
Please bring your child to enjoy some inflatable fun while they interact with their peers!
The Island Playground is opening their doors especially for LAF and their friends during these hours. These are free events! Bring siblings!
Allergy-sensitive snacks will be provided.
See you at:
The Island Playground
1538 Fording Island Road
At Bridge Center
RSVP: 342-9044
Don’t forget to wear socks!
Kresge’s Krew Heading to Heritage!
Cliff Kresge, a PGA Tour Player, is hosting children with autism to attend the Verizon Heritage Golf Tourney (April 13-19th). Cliff is kicking off his family’s autism support foundation, "Kresge’s Krew".
Please let me know if you and your child would like to attend. We were thinking the best days to attend would be Tues (April 14th Pro-Am) or Thursday and Friday.
LAF and Cliff are also having a breakfast on April 14th at the Port Royal Clubhouse at the Port Royal Plantation on Hilton Head Island. Cliff will speak, sign autographs and pose for pictures. Additional touring professionals may attend.
Please let me know if you and your child plan to attend the Heritage as Cliff’s guests.
______________ Names of attendees
_____________ T-Shirt Sizes
______________ Number to attend Breakfast.
Please respond by April 2nd and feel free to call Tripp with any questions (843) 812-3629.
LAF travels to Atlanta for ADOS Training
The Lowcountry Autism Foundation’s multidisciplinary team of professionals recently attended a 2-day training course on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), in Atlanta at the Emory Conference Center. The ADOS is regarded as the ’gold standard’ in evaluating and diagnosing autism spectrum disorders. This is the Foundation’s first step toward developing a local assessment team to assist with early identification and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders. The LAF team will also collaborate and train with the Medical University of South Carolina, where families must currently wait at least 6 months for an evaluation.
Present at the training were: Front row: Frances Ferrene, PhD, Maggie Mulcahy, OTR/L, Linda Meyer, SLP, Becky Tracy, SLP, Cynthia Wibel, LCSW, Ravi Srivastava, MD; Back row: Michelle Morrison, SLP, Tami Lawrence, OTR/L, Kendra Twitty, LPC, Megan Mack, OTR/L, Sherry Homishak, OD, BCABA. (Not Present: Jaime Patillo, OTR/L).
The Lowcountry Autism Foundation would like to thank the Children’s Relief Fund for their generous donation to support this training.
Once training is complete, a generous donation by the Long Cove Club Community Endowment Fund will support assessments for families in our community.