This month’s Lowcountry autism events roundup includes our new fall Groups, ongoing Rex Hangouts, a Special Needs Prom, 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
Announcing New Fall Groups!
School-Age Group (ages 5-10):
Tuesdays, 2:00 – 3:00pm
September 27 – November 15, 2016 (8 consecutive weeks)
MUSC IOP 5 South, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC
This 8-week group is designed to enhance social skills of children with high-functioning ASD and ADHD. Diagnosis is not required for participation.
Social skills are introduced through social stories and include greetings, conversation skills, types of social relationships, boundaries, managing frustration and anger, and more. Groups include sensory and gross motor activities to enhance play skills.
Note that a mandatory parent group meets at the same time as this group.
To schedule at intake, call (843) 792-9162 and request a Project Rex Assessment.
Once the intake is complete, contact administrative assistant Lavinia Bowens at (843) 792-0037 to confirm attendance in the group series. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early to each group meeting for sign in and registration.
Medicaid covers the program 100% and most private insurance is accepted. There is a discount for self-pay.
Want to help get the word out about Project Rex?
- View and download a PDF of our School-Age Group flyer.
- View and download the PDFs of our English-language brochure or the Spanish-language brochure.
Pre-Teen/Teen Group (ages 11-15):
Thursdays, 4:00 – 5:30pm
September 29 – November 17, 2016 (8 consecutive weeks)
MUSC IOP 5 South, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC
This group’s curriculum will be an introduction to social conversation skills. Participants will practice skills through role-play and will receive relevant homework assignments.
With parent permission, video modeling will be used in group as a learning tool; participant role plays will be videotaped, shown to participants, and shared with parents as well.
To schedule at intake, call (843) 792-9162 and request a Project Rex Assessment.
Once the intake is complete, contact administrative assistant Lavinia Bowens at (843) 792-0037 to confirm attendance in the group series. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early for sign in and registration.
Project Rex groups include a mandatory parent component that meets at the same time as the pre-teen/teen group. Medicaid covers the program 100% and most private insurance is accepted. There is a discount for self-pay.
Want to help get the word out about Project Rex?
- View and download a PDF of our Pre-Teen/Teen Group flyer.
- View and download the PDFs of our English-language brochure or the Spanish-language brochure.
The Fun Continues at Project Rex Hangouts!
FREE Project Rex Hangouts take place every Thursday 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.)
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:
Splash Zone Special Needs Swim Night
Hosted by the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission’s AccessABILITY program; visit the CCPRC website for details.
Date: Saturday, August 6 from 6:30-8:30pm
Cost: $7 / person, free for ages 2 and under and Basic Splash Pass holders
Registration: Register online today.
Special Needs Prom: Mardi Gras
Hosted by the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission; visit the CCPRC website for details or view the event press release.
People with special needs and their families and friends are invited to a Mardi Gras themed prom! Dance the night away while enjoying your favorite music.
Advance purchase is recommended, and admission will be sold for $5 on-site if still available. If you purchase admission in advance, you must keep and present your receipt to gain admission into the event.
Come dressed in your best attire. All ages are welcome. A chaperone is required for participants ages 15 and under.
Date: August 19, 2016
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Bees Landing Recreation Center
Address: Bees Landing Recreation Center, 1580 Ashley Gardens Blvd, Charleston, SC 29414
Contact: 843-795-4386
Cost: $5 or $4 CCR*. Chaperones and children 3 & under are free. Click here to purchase tickets.
*Charleston County residents contribute to the development of our county park system through property taxes, therefore a discounted rate is available to them.
Ongoing Events
Autism Family Network of the Lowcountry
Have you heard about this new Facebook group, created to provide South Carolina families a chance to get together to discuss and share topics related to Autism Spectrum Disorder? Click here to join today.
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, August 2 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, August 14, 2016 SuperStars, 10am – 12pm.
Click here to register for Sunday, August 28, 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 Defining Autism from the Heart by author, speaker, and self-advocate Kerry Magro. The Amazon description reads:
“[This book] tells the story of Kerry Magro, a 25 year old adult who has traveled the country as a National Motivational Speaker. Kerry [recently] finished work for his Masters degree in Strategic Communication from Seton Hall University. What makes this achievement exceptional is that he was diagnosed with autism at the age of 4 and was largely nonverbal till he was 2 and a half. Today Kerry writes about his experiences on the autism spectrum from the heart to help others overcome obstacles … ”
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! Click here to register on Eventbrite today.
Enjoy!
~ The Project Rex Team
My name is Melissa Wilson. I am currently an LPC-I and am currently doing ABA for a small company in the area. I recently learned of your program and would like to know if there are any volunteer opportunities. Please contact me at Melissa@starcarolina.com.
Thank you
Melissa
Melissa, just a quick note to say thank you very much for your message! I’ve shared it with our Project Rex leadership and will be sure to circle back and let you know their thoughts on volunteer opportunities. Really appreciate your generous offer to help out!