Solutions Vs. Strategies (Bambi VanWoert, Editor)

C O N T E N T S

Solutions VS Strategies 1

Save the Dates 2

Resource Spotlight 2

Community News 3

Events 4

Training

Opportunities

5

About Us/Donate 6

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 3 N E W S L E T T E R

C O L L A B O R A T I O N

E D U C A T I O N

I N F O R M A T I O N

R E L A T I O N S H I P S

S U P P O R T

Most individuals, when pre-

sented with a complicated is-

sue, try to find solutions.

The definition of the word solu-

tion is “the means of solving a

problem or dealing with a diffi-

cult situation”.

Many times the solution can be

found by a number of different

approaches; but there is a de-

finitive end point to the pro-

cess. However, there is a differ-

ence between a solution and

progress towards a goal.

Dealing with the challenges

that disabilities often present,

means that families need to re-

evaluate their definition of

success. The process of finding

a balance between stretching

the abilities of the individual

with a disability while

understanding their limitations,

is ongoing and requires fore-

planning.

As with any plan, there needs

to be a goal, and various strate-

gies to meet that goal. Strategy,

by definition, is “a plan of ac-

tion designed to achieve a ma-

jor or overall aim”. Strategies

need to be flexible, effective

and efficient.

Strategies may often lead to

solutions. An example of this

may be working towards the

goal of self-care. The strategy

could be using visual schedules

and social narratives to initiate

self-care. Once self-care is

mastered, the solution has

been met using various strate-

gies.

It can be difficult to change the

mindset from solution-based

thinking to strategy based

thinking. And oftentimes, it

takes a capable and focused

team of individuals to develop

effective strategies.

One way families, educators

and care providers can learn

these skills are through train-

ings available locally.

Two sources of training and

workshops are offered though

the following work groups:

1. CRAN/START

(Capital Region Area Network/

STate Autism Regional Training)

2. SEW 4 FEC

(Special Education Workshops 4

Families with Exceptional Chil-

dren)

These workgroups provide a

wealth of ideas for strategies

at home and in the school

setting and are free to attend!

All families are welcome and

encouraged to attend! (more

information is provided

in this newsletter)

Share your thoughts and experiences! This month’s topic:

Genetic Testing. Has your family utilized this medical service; what was the

outcome?

Send to: info@midmichiganautism.org

Anonymity Guaranteed

P A G E 2

Get Connected

Stay Educated

Fight Isolation

Resource

Spotlight

Save the Date-Local Trainings & Workshops

Here are a few resources we have found beneficial.

Please email us your favorite resources so that we can share with your fellow families.

FREE resources to create visual

supports!

Keep these resources in mind when you attend the workshop on December 4, 2013. Visual

schedules can be a very useful strategy!

Special Education Workshop: A Collaborative Program for Families with Exceptional Children

Location: Heartwood, Mason Time: 5:30 Details to Follow

2014 February 5: Community Resource Mapping – What has worked for you? March 5: Summer is coming…Planning a successful summer schedule April 2: IEPs: A Strength Based Collaboration for Positive Outcomes

May 7: Special Needs Trust: The future is just around the corner!

RSVP: Leanne Minshall at lminshal@inghamisd.org or 517.244.1298

(please include number of adults and number of children attending)

FREE!!

http://praacticalaac.org/praactical/5-free-resources-for-making-communication-boards-visual-supports/

Community News

P A G E 3

The long-awaited Special Education Manual from Michigan Protection and

Advocacy Service is now online!

Find your copy here: http://mpas.org/resources/special-education-manual

In addition, MPAS needs your assistance in our efforts to design advocacy

services that will enable people with disabilities to live independent, produc-

tive lives as fully included members of the community. Please take a mo-

ment and fill out their survey, it is your opportunity to influence MPAS’ pri-

orities: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FLSL6DD

Evidence Based Practices

Decisions regarding stand-

ard of care will be based on

research studies that are re-

producible in more than one

scientific model using data

collection to measure out-

comes.

PHRASE OF THE MONTH

EVENTS P A G E 4

VARIOUS DATES-START TRAINING

December 2013/NMS & UofM Basketball

2013 Jumpin Jaxx/MMAA night

**watch for 2014 dates coming soon**

P A G E 5

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Learning is a treasure that will follow its

owner everywhere. - Chinese Proverb

Mid-Michigan Autism Association

PO Box 27462

Lansing, Michigan 48909

info@midmichiganautism.org

P A G E 6

Mid-Michigan Autism Association is committed to :

~Uniting the local autism community; bringing together existing sup-

port groups and resources; creating opportunities for families affected

by all forms of autism

~Promoting quality education for families on the spectrum

~Collaborating with local organizations and non-profits.

~Addressing the unique emotional needs of families on the spectrum.

~Educational outreach to the community.

Mary Sharp, President

mary@midmichiganautism.org

Mary Douglass, Vice-President

maryd@midmichiganautism.org

Mary Opsommer, Treasurer

mops@midmichiganautism.org

Trustees:

Wanda Watson

Sarah Winslow

Alexis Schneider

Kristan Buege-Miller

Pat Miller

Secretary:

Min Lee

Bambi VanWoert, Editor

bambi@midmichiganautism.org

MMAA Board of Directors

Autism Driven, not Autism Specific

The board and volunteers of MMAA are thankful for the generous support of our community through

donations, participation in fundraisers and purchases from our gift shop:

http://www.midmichiganautism.org/cool_stuff.html