February 2021 Newsletter

NEW T(w)een Social Group

This month the group will learn more about its leaders and play a game to teach the leaders more about your tween's and teen's interests! Parents are invited! Sign up on Eventbrite here for the Zoom link and password. This a social group for tweens and teens with autism, ages 11-16, who are able to participate in social nights with some supervision. This group will meet monthly, and currently only virtually.

The 4th Annual 5K/1K Fun Run registration is live! Sign up here for the in-person or virtual option!

A.W.A.R.E. Activities

Movie Night	Nelson-Atkin's Art Class
We are so excited to continue our A.W.A.R.E. (Adults With Autism Recreational Events) social group virtually. Our next monthly meeting we will play a virtual game of Scattegories online! The rules are simple: there is one letter and 5 categories. Register on Eventbrite here for the Zoom link and password!	The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in partnership with the Autism Society-The Heartland invites you to join us for virtual art classes. Registration is required. Want to attend? Sign up by emailing duffymp@umkc.edu. We have limited room for these classes, so get your RSVP in early to reserve your spot! The Zoom link for each class will be emailed to you on the morning of the class.

Join us February 10 or February 18 for either of our TWO virtual Support Group Meetings! These will be held through Zoom. Please find more information by clicking the date you want to attend!

Autism Society - The Heartland continues our Saturday Seminar series with this month's VIRTUAL workshop Brain-Body Connections with Stephanie Novacek, PT! Follow this link to register and for more information!

University of Kansas Research Opportunity

Suma Suswaram is recruiting parents, guardians, and adult caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) for a study that examines the relationship between caregivers’ stress and child communication skills. To participate, the parents must be the primary caregiver of children between the age of 4-10 years, with a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of ASD, speak less than 30 functional words. If you or anyone you know might be interested in participating, please contact suswaram_suma@ku.edu.

Kansas University Medical Center Research Opportunity

The University of Kansas Medical Center is recruiting adolescents (ages 11-17) with Autism Spectrum Disorder to participate in a research study about the impact of yoga classes on balance, flexibility, muscle strength, and overall enjoyment of exercise and physical activity. To learn more about the study and to see if your child qualifies to participate, please call 785-766-1944, e-mail bhelsel@kumc.edu, or fill out the interest and enrollment questionnaire at bit.ly/yogalivestudy.

Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (KCART) Research Opportunity

The BRAIN Lab team is seeking individuals 8-35 years old for our studies of brain and behavioral development in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Individuals with ASD and individuals without ASD may participate. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently conducting remote assessments only. If you are interested in participating in our studies*, follow the link above and click on ENROLL IN A STUDY.

*For more information about study participation, or to learn about the safety procedures being implemented by our research team, contacting us at (785) 864-4461 or brainlab@ku.edu.

February 2021

Due to continued CoVid-19 concerns in KS and MO, Autism Society - The Heartland has made the decision to cancel, reschedule, or move to a virtual format for our previously scheduled in-person events. We will continue to explore options to provide additional virtual options and supports. Our physical office at the KU Edwards Campus will remain closed throughout the entire month of February as well.