Chicago Southside Autism Support Group

Chicago Southside Autism Support Group (CSASG) is a parent support organization. The mission of CSASG is to provide support and information for families and children with autism. Our group is committed to increasing awareness and improving the quality of life for our children. We welcome you to attend our meetings.

Join CSASG’s team at the Autism Speaks Walk Now For Autism!

We invite you to join the CSASG team, have fun, and help support autism awareness and research. Recruit your friends and family to walk and donate, also. Visit our team page at

http://www.walknowforautism.org/chicago/team/ChicagoSouthsideAutismSupportGroup

About Walk Now for Autism
Walk Now for Autism, the nation's largest grassroots autism walk program, is Autism Speaks' signature fundraising and awareness event, taking place in communities across the United States, as well as in Canada and the United Kingdom. Powered by volunteers and families with loved ones on the autism spectrum, this successful grassroots fundraising effort not only generates vital funds for autism research but also raises awareness about the increasing prevalence of autism and the need for increased research funding to combat this complex disorder.

Walk Day Information
Walk Now for Autism is a family-friendly event so bring the whole family along. There are activities for the children, resources for families, light refreshments and entertainment.
Date: Sunday, May, 18, 2008
Location: Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive, Chicago, IL 60605
Distance: 5k (3.1 Miles)
Registration opens: 8:00 AM
Resource Fair opens: 8:00 AM

Activities: Bounce Houses, Music, Food, Games, and a Resource Fair for the grown ups.
Additional information: Chicagowalk@autismspeaks.org, 312-832-9900

CSASG meets the third Saturday of each month, except December, July, and August.

Chicago Southside Autism Support Group
Next Regular Monthly Meeting
Saturday, May 17, 2008
10:00 am until 2:00 pm

The speakers will present from 10:30 am until noon.

-- The Lekotek Program and the Importance of Play for All Children
presented by Shannon Cici and Kerry Norton, Lekotek Leaders at UCP Toylend, a Lekotek program
Ms. Cici and Ms. Norton will provide an overview of the Lekotek program and the services they provide. They will discuss the importance of place and how to adapt toys to fit the needs of children.

About Lekotek: Lekotek uses interactive play experiences, and the learning that results, to promote the inclusion of children with special needs into family and community life. Lekotek is about kids - kids with special needs. Like all kids, children with special needs love to play. Lekotek makes the world of play accessible to children with all types of disabilities through special play and learning centers where they can have fun with traditional toys, adapted toys, books and computers. And while they are playing, Lekotek kids are learning new skills that build the base for literacy, mathematical reasoning and computer use.

LOCATION: University of Illinois at Chicago, 1747 West Roosevelt Road (street parking on Wood Street adjacent to building, and other nearby streets)

Free respite care is available for kids with autism. Free lunch is available for adults and kids. Please be aware that we often have pizza for lunch; those with dietary restrictions should bring their own food and snacks.

Respite Care: Very Important Note
Free respite care for kids with autism now requires ADVANCE RESERVATIONS. With the large numbers of students attending, kids who arrive without reservations will NOT be accommodated. We limit respite care size to 20 kids to ensure safety and personalized care. Respite care priority will be given to paid CSASG members. Please call Bill O'Malley at 708-422-6152 by Thursday, May 15 to reserve a space for your child.

For more information, please e-mail info(at)chicagoautism.org, or call
one of the officers listed below:

Officers

Paul Butler
President
(773) 239-0906
airric47(at)sbcglobal.net

Wanda Lenoir
Vice President
(773) 731-5591
wanda_lenoir(at)yahoo.com

Miriam McCann
Secretary
(773) 726-2550
miriammccann(at)comcast.net

Paula Lewis
Treasurer
773-778-1652
palewis6978(at)comcast.net

Advisory Council

Chairperson, CSASG Co-founder
Wanda B. Satkas, MBA, MT
Clinical Laboratory Manager
wbsatkas(at)aol.com

Gloria Cannon, MA, CCC-SLP
Speech Pathologist

Georgianne Gerber, LCSW/BCD
Clinical Social Worker

William O’Malley, MA, MEd
Citywide Autism Itinerant

Frederika C. Theus, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist

CHAT WITH US!
We have an active message board on Yahoo® Groups where members and friends can ask questions or post information.
(A free Yahoo® account is required).

Supporting Research: Walk for Autism Research
on Sunday, October 15, 2006

CSASG members join State Rep. Mary E. Flowers (center of photo above)
at the Autism Speaks Walk in Lincoln Park, where over 3,000 participants raised over $235,000 to support autism research.

Family Recreation: Ranch Outing
on Saturday, October 14, 2006

More than 50 members visited the Silver Stallion Ranch in Markham, where kids enjoyed horses, a hayride, a petting zoo, and more.

Quick Links:

ARC of Illinois at www.thearcofil.org
Family Resource Center on Disabilities at www.frcd.org
The Autism Program at www.theautismprogram.org
Autism Society of America at www.autism-society.org
Autism Society of Illinois at www.autismillinois.org
NICHCY, National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities at www.nichcy.org