This month’s Lowcountry autism events roundup includes our new Sibling Support Group, a Project Rex Hangout, Arts for Autism camp, fun summer outings, a new featured book, and more!
We do our best to post events on social media, and you can Like us on Facebook and follow on Twitter to stay current with the latest news too.
The events below are listed with new or one-time events first and recurring events next, so be sure to read through the end!
New or One-Time Events
Project Rex’s Sibling Support Group
Parents, you spoke up about the need for more sibling support, and we listened. Thanks to you, Project Rex is offering a Sibling Support Group for ages 8-14 this summer! We’ve also pushed the start date back to allow more participants to join us.
Registration is now open, so call 843-792-9162 to schedule an intake.
Want to help us get the word out? Share the Sibling Support Group page on social media, or click here for a hi-res, print-ready PDF flyer.
Sibling Support Group (ages 8-14):
4 Sessions: July 14th, July 21st, July 28th, and August 4th, 2016
Thursdays, 9:00am – 10:15am
Location: MUSC IOP 5 South, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC 29425
Join us for a sibling support group for individuals ages 8-14 who have siblings with autism. The group will focus on support, making new friendships, and discussing how having a sibling with autism can affect the family.
Participants will learn about autism and its challenges; group activities will help individuals to better understand what it can be like to live with a specific learning or physical challenge.
Each week, participants will receive homework assignments. Siblings will have discussions and complete exercises with their sibling with autism or with their parents related to the weekly topic. We will then review the homework in Group.
This program includes a concurrent, mandatory parent Group.
Any interested siblings must complete a Project Rex intake with either James Truelove or Jennifer Warthen prior to attending the first Group meeting. Families do not need to have prior history with Project Rex to participate.
Medicaid and most private insurances are accepted; intakes are required to bill for insurance. There is a discount for self-pay.
To register, please call 843-792-9162 to schedule an intake.
Once the intake is complete, contact administrative assistant Lavinia Bowens at (843) 792-0037 to confirm attendance in the Group series.
Finally, please plan to arrive 15 minutes early to each Group meeting for sign in and registration.
Announcing Our First Project Rex Hangout!
Missing Group? Don’t worry … the party’s just starting!
Summer’s here, and it’s time to kick back, relax, and hang out with your friends from Project Rex!
That’s why we’re hosting FREE Project Rex Hangouts, a recurring event beginning Thursday, July 14, 2016.
Hangouts will take place every Thursday from July 14 through September 22 from 4-5:30pm at MUSC IOP 5 South, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC 29425.
Hangouts are a place where participants can come in and socialize, as well as play games and complete fun activities along with their peers.
Ages 11+ are welcome to join us for this open-house style event designed to fill the gaps between our ongoing Group programs. (Parents can come and socialize in the parent room next door too.) We will have several members of our staff present, and no food will be provided.
Want to help us get the word out? Click here for a high-res, print-ready PDF flyer.
Finally, if you plan to attend please RSVP via the form below, or by clicking here:
Arts for Autism
Have you heard about Arts for Autism? It’s a Mt. Pleasant summer camp that uses the theatrical process to help individuals with autism ages 10-14 build social skills. There are 2 June sessions (June 13-16 and June 20-23) and 2 July sessions (July 11-14 and July 18-21) available. To enroll, visit Mt. Pleasant Rec’s website today! (The program is listed under “Camps”.)
Sensory Friendly Family Fun at the Fire Museum, via Family Connection SC
Happening Sunday, July 17 from 3-5pm at the North Charleston Fire Museum, 4975 Centre Point Drive, North Charleston
Admission is $5 per adult/FREE for ages 12 and under; contact Michelle at 843.276.9615 for more information and to RSVP.
Water Fun, via Family Connection SC
Happening Monday, July 18 at 10am at North Charleston Wannamaker County Park, 8888 University Blvd, North Charleston
“Pack your snacks and let’s have a picnic, bubble and water fun at Wannamaker Sprinkler Park.
Admission is $2 per person, children under 2 are free.”
Contact Janelle at 843.754.4658 for more information or to RSVP.
Ongoing Events
Paws With A Cause
“Does your child love animals? In need of a program that is adapted to individual need and skill level? Enroll in Paws With A Cause, an animal interaction program to help individuals with autism to build social skills and behaviors while having fun!”
Interested? Contact Misty Stinnett of The Charleston Animal Society by phone at 846-329-1565 or by email at mstinnett@charlestonanimalsociety.org.
Charleston Young Adult ASDs
Charleston Young Adult ASDs is a social enjoyment group for young adults (17-32 +/-) in the autism spectrum in the Charleston area. Its purpose is to give individuals the opportunity to:
- Practice different social scenarios in a safe and non-judgmental environment
- Connect with others like them (and realize they’re not alone!)
- Develop skills (through fun activities) to navigate life more smoothly
- Increase chances to make/keep friends and get/keep a job
- Share experience, strength and hope
To get involved, join the Meetup page or the private Facebook group (just click “Join Group” so an admin can approve your request).
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Charleston Meeting
The Charleston-area NAMI meeting takes place in Moncks Corner on the first Tuesday of the month. This month’s meeting is Tuesday, July 5 from 6 – 7:15pm at Moncks Corner Baptist Church Fellowship Hall at 500 E. Main St., Moncks Corner, SC 29461.
This meeting is for both individuals in recovery and family and friends of people with mental illness. All meetings are confidential. For a full list of Charleston-area NAMI meetings, visit the NAMI Charleston Area website.
Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry’s SuperStars
SuperStars is a FREE, registration-required event in which children with special needs and their families can visit the Museum, explore, and play without the crowds and over-stimulation. The Museum is open before-hours on the second and fourth Sundays of every month for this event.
Click here to register for Sunday, July 10, 2016 SuperStars, 10am – 12pm.
Click here to register for Sunday, July 24, 2016 SuperStars, 10am – 12pm.
Parent Support Group for families of children with Asperger’s, HFA, & related conditions
Location: Cherokee United Methodist Church, 2105 Cosgrove Avenue, North Charleston
Time: 6:00 – 7:30pm every Tuesday
For families of children with Aspergers, HFA, Anxiety & Related Conditions
Share your concerns and tips with other parents who understand what it’s like to raise a child with special needs. Give and get support in a safe and non-judgmental place.
Free childcare is provided. Contact Tracie Hayward at thayward@familyconnectionsc.org for more info.
Featured Book of the Month
This month’s featured book is Autism Adulthood by author, journalist, and autism parent Susan Senator. Senator writes:
“Autism Adulthood features thirty interviews with autistic adults, their parents, caregivers, researchers, and professionals. Each vignette reveals firsthand a family’s challenge, their circumstances, their thought processes, and their unique solutions, and plans of action. Sharing the wisdom that emerges from parents’ and self-advocates’ experiences, I add my own observations and conclusions based on my long-term experience with autism.”
Save the Date …
Mark your calendars for the Lowcountry Autism Consortium’s 5th Annual Lowcountry Autism Forum, coming to The College of Charleston on Saturday, October 15, 2016!
This year’s focus will be on Apps and Technology, and the event will feature expert keynote speakers, breakout sessions, a resource fair, and more!
Enjoy!
~ The Project Rex Team
