SPIN/Pacific Rim Conferences

Hi, we'll be at the SPIN conference, Saturday, April 16, at the University of Hawaii Campus Center. We'll be sharing a table with the Autism Society of Hawaii.

Drop by and say hello. For information, go to http://spinhawaii.org/.

On Monday, April 18, at 11 a.m., we'll be attending the Pacific Rim conference on disabilities at the Hawaii Convention Center. Dr. William Bolman, Cecilia Vargas and Sandee Oshiro will present a panel on transitions for teens and young adults. To register, go to http://www.pacrim.hawaii.edu/.

As part of the Pacific Rim conference, the Capacity Building Institute will hold a workshop on college to career and high school to career projects underway in California and Hawaii. To register, go to http://pacrim.hawaii.edu/pacriminfo/pacrim2011/downloads/events/pdf/CBIHI_regform.pdf

Motivating your kid

Thanks to all who attended today's meeting at Kahala Mall.

We had a miscue with the movie-going, but we'll have another young adults' activity next month. Look for details under Coming Events in days to come.

It was great to meet with other parents and discuss the challenges of parenting, including parenting college students who go to school on the Mainland. 

One of our hot button topics is motivation: how to prompt young adults to go out, join a club, invite a friend over, look for a job.

Rick Lavoie, a special needs/disabilities expert, has a series of videos on YouTube that dissect what motivates students and give solid tips on motivating them. Search YouTube.com for Rick Lavoie and look for the nine Motivation Breakthrough videos based on his new book. Here's one: 

EMPLOYMENT

Carlo Erhardt passes on this link to Ticket to Work, which helped his son. The program is open to those with SSI:
http://www.ssa.gov/redbook/eng/ssdi-and-ssi-employments-supports.htm#5

WORTH READING

Building on Success Works
http://blog.govdelivery.com/usodep/2010/10/building-on-success-works.html

Conference addresses autism
http://www.projo.com/education/content autism_conference_10-28-10_6QKJUJ5_v53.1ebfec0.html

I’m Right Here: Rudy Simone on Life as an “Aspergirl” - Includes resources for Aspie girls.
http://blogs.plos.org/neurotribes/2010/10/27/im-right-here-rudy-simone-on-life-as-an-aspergirl/

QUOTE TO PONDER

“Kindness is so essential to our survival," said Matthew Carriuolo. "It can make people feel loved … safe, welcome and valued…". — Carriuolo, a 2005 Brown University graduate and a physics teacher and tutor who, at age 27, was recently diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome.

Garage sale, car wash, nonprofits and more

Our garage sale went well even though it wasn't a huge success financially. We did raise $193, which is not a whole lot toward our goal of $1,000 to cover expenses for setting up our nonprofit and getting IRS approval, but still it is $193 which we didn't have before.

A big, big mahalo to Vera Asato and Tricia Sampson who helped at the sale and to Vera, Jan and Wayne Nakamoto and Jan's mom for contributing items for the sale. Our household items, including half of Lauren's plush toy stock, went toward the cause as well.

We will probably hold one more swap meet event to sell the remaining items, so look out for that announcement.

The next fundraiser will be a car wash on Nov. 27 at Cutter Ford on Ala Moana. Vera is heading this up and we'll get pre-sale tickets to sell. More details will be forthcoming.

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It starts with heart

Like all parents, the mothers and fathers of our HYAT young adults want the best for their children. They all have high hopes and big dreams for their sons and daughters and they believe their children can accomplish whatever they set their minds to. It's true that these young adults have more challenges than their average classmates. But all of our families would likely say that any long journey begins with the first step. 

We're here to applaud our young adults and support them as they begin their lifelong marathon.