This month’s Lowcountry autism events roundup includes new Fall Groups, Summer Hangouts, a Summer Picnic, Special Needs Swim Nights, and more!
The events below are listed with new or one-time events first and recurring events next, so be sure to read through the end.
Project Rex Reports
Fall Group Enrollment Open
Exciting news: registration is now open for our Fall 2017 Rex Groups! We’re offering three fantastic social skills Groups this time around: School-Age, Pre-Teen/Teen, and Project PEERS.
- Groups are run on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t wait to register!
- Intake meetings are required for all Groups. To schedule an intake, call (843) 792-0037 during normal business hours or leave a message for Lavinia Bowens, our Project Rex Administrative Assistant.
- If you’ve already completed an intake, you still need to call to confirm attendance in the Group series. Again, call (843) 792-0037 to speak with Lavinia Bowens.
School-Age Group
School-Age Group (ages 5-10): Tuesdays 2-3PM September 19 – November 14, 2017 (no Group September 26)
Location: MUSC IOP 5 South, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC
View and download a hi-res, print ready PDF of the current School-Age Group flyer.
Pre-Teen/Teen Group
Pre-Teen/Teen Group (ages 10-15): Thursdays 9-10AM September 28 – November 16, 2017
Location: MUSC IOP 5 South, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC
View and download a hi-res, print ready PDF of the current Pre-Teen/Teen Group flyer.
Project PEERS Group
Project PEERS for ASD & ADHD, ages 13-17: Thursdays 4-5:30PM September 7 – December 14, 2017 (no Group on November 23)
Location: MUSC IOP 5 South, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC
View and download a hi-res, print ready PDF of the current Project PEERS Group flyer.
General How to Register for Groups Flyer
View and download a hi-res, print ready PDF of the general How to Register flyer.
Want to stay in the loop about Groups and other events? Sign up for our email list.
Summer Hangouts Continue!
You’re invited to weekly FREE Hangouts, happening weekly on Thursdays from 4:00pm-5:30pm up to and including Thursday, August 10, 2017.
Hangouts are held 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. (Parents can come and socialize in the parent room next door too.) We have several members of our staff present, and no food is provided.
If you plan to attend please RSVP via the form below, or by clicking here. (That said, if you have trouble with an RSVP any reason, just come to the party anyway!)
Want to help spread the word? Click here for a hi-res, print-ready Hangouts flyer.
MUSC SPARK Study Continues
The Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge (SPARK) has launched a nationwide genetic study with the ambitious goal of enrolling 50,000 families.
This massive undertaking will to allow scientists to better understand the genetic changes that contribute to autism.
MUSC is the South Carolina clinical partner for SPARK, serving the entire state. Visit our SPARK Autism page for more details or join SPARK today!
New or One-Time Events
Family Connection SC now offers a monthly events calendar; check out the Lowcountry listings for full details. Here are just a few highlighted local events.
Family Connection and Project Breathe Easy Summer Picnic
This free event is taking place July 15 from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm at Wannamaker County Park, 8888 University Blvd, North Charleston, SC 29406
“Bring your family, friends and swimsuit! Enjoy hotdogs and spray fountain fun. Stay for Special Needs Swim Night immediately following at Whirlin Waters (additional fees apply).
Park admission is $2/per person. We will meet at the picnic area near the spray fountain. Look for the Family Connection sign.
This event is FREE but registration is required. To register, please contact Anne Sanderson at asanderson@familyconnectionsc.org or (843) 475-2527.”
Special Needs Swim Night
This recurring event takes place July 15 and July 29 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at Wannamaker County Park, 8888 University Blvd, North Charleston, SC 29406.
“People with special needs, their families, and caregivers are invited to enjoy an evening of fun at Whirlin Waters Adventure Water Park. Food and beverages available for purchase.
Saturday, July 15, 6:30-8:30pm. Admission is $9 per person ages 3 and up.
For more information, please contact (843) 795-4386. Sponsored by Charleston County Parks and Recreation.”
New Free Parent Support Group Starts in September!
JSS Behavioral Services and Lowcountry Autism Foundation will be collaborating on a new, free parent group starting on Thursday, September 7th at JSS Behavioral Services, 7301 Rivers Ave, Suite 100, North Charleston, SC 29406.
This monthly group is for parents of children with a new diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder to receive both information and practical support.
Please contact the Lowcountry Autism Foundation organizers at (843) 876-0415 for more information.
Ongoing Events
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 private Facebook group (click “Join Group” so an admin can approve your request).
Autism Family Network of the Lowcountry
This Facebook group was 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.
Also note that the Autism Family Network of the Lowcountry (supported by the Lowcountry Autism Foundation) also has a Parent Training and Support Group that meets monthly in Summerville on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 6-8pm at Bethany Methodist Church.
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 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 from 10am-12pm for this event.
Click here to learn more and register for SuperStars.
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.
Follow Us on Social Media
We do our best to post local events on social media, so Like us on Facebook and follow on Twitter to stay current. And don’t forget to sign up for our email list to stay in the loop on the latest Group announcements, events, and autism-related offerings.
~ The Project Rex Team
The impact survey link should be removed from the mailings as it is way past the date. I have clicked on it serval times to see if deadline was extended and of course it is not.
Thanks.
Thank you Glenda; we’ve added a note to the blog post on the impact survey indicating that it’s now closed. (That doesn’t affect emails, but it will alert new visitors to the site.) Thank you for your participation!