EPEC Event: Awareness Outing at Jump Fore Fun, Follow-up

On Oct 2 we visited Jump Fore Fun in Rutland.  While they have mini-golf, too, we practically couldn't get the kids out of the bounce houses!  We had a really nice time and Michelle at Jump Fore Fun was very gracious and accommodating.

Here are a few pictures from the outing.  Let us know what you think.

If you get a chance, swing by Jump Fore Fun; they'd love to see you!

Thanks, Jon

EPEC Autism Awareness Survey

Would you please share about ten minutes to take this important autism awareness survey?  There's no cost; there are no vendor links and you will not be asked to buy anything.  I'm simply looking for your input to nine short questions regarding autism awareness and I would appreciate your help. It's also 100% confidential.

Click here to take survey

EPEC Event: Awareness Outing at Jump fore Fun, Sunday, October 2

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

EPEC invites you to an Autism Awareness Outing Sunday, October 2.  We'll be meeting for some fun and socializing at Jump fore Fun, which is located in the (Rutland, VT) Howe Center, in the old Mr. G's site.  Once in the Howe Center, there are yellow and black signs to lead the way.  Jump fore Fun normally opens at 10am, but we have an exclusive invite one hour prior!  We can get there at 9am and take advantage of all Jump fore Fun has to offer.  And then, we can stay as long as we like after the doors are open to the public!

Jump fore Fun features 10 bounce houses and Rutland's only indoor 18-hole mini-golf course.  No outside food or drinks are permitted, but there are snack and drink machines available.  There is a nominal cost to play at Jump fore Fun, and the price schedule can be found by clicking here or by calling Jump fore Fun at 802.772.7339.

EPEC will be there with useful information and to answer any questions you might have.

Save the date; we hope to see you there!

Thanks, Jon

EPEC October Meeting Announcement

EPEC's October meet-up will take place Wednesday, October 12 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. We will meet at the Education and Wellness Center of Rutland Mental Health on Engram Ave in Rutland, VT.


We will have a guest speaker for this visit.  Dr. Sharrie Hanley of Neurological Alternatives will stop by to talk with us about Neurofeedback, also known as EEG Biofeedback.  This should be an interesting discussion, so bring your questions.

We will also talk about our plans for Celebrate the Spectrum.  Be prepared to bring your ideas, suggestions and personal experiences.  This has been a wonderful event in the past, and a great way to bring about awareness.

As usual there are few forbidden topics, so confidentiality in any of our discussions is the watchword.

If you care for, love or are someone with autism, please let us know if you'll make it. You can call 802-779-3024 or email rutlandepec@yahoo.com.

EPEC Event: Community Health Fair, Follow up and Comments

What a great turn out to our booth at the Community Health Fair! We talked to a lot of folks, gave out a mountain of information and had a great time --- at the booth. There was one downside --- Lori felt the need to leave early because of the comment of one inconsiderate (and we'll call her "uninformed") lady.

Lori didn't plan to spend the day at the Health Fair manning the booth, choosing instead to take the kids around to all the fun events and activities. Nolan was having a good day, compared to many other 'Nolan Days', but he doesn't do great with waiting.

There was a great response to the event, so the rest rooms were understandably crowded. This forced her with two little kids into one of the smaller, standard stalls. Lori had each of them finish first before she "took her turn". As I said, Nolan is working on his waiting skills. He wanted to open the door to the world, while Mom was still addressing her needs, so to speak. When she would ask him to leave the door shut, in typical Nolan Fashion, he would scream, screech and holler "NO!" with breathless repetition.

Someone in the stall next to her was notably aggravated, and advised quite loudly to all, that his noises were hurting her ears. Lori was apologetic, and through the stall wall explained that she was trying to keep him quiet, but that he has autism and he doesn't understand. The lady said she was sorry, but advised in a rude tone that he would still have to stop making his noises.

Lori was upset when she stopped by the booth. After explaining to me (and to the folks who had gathered around the EPEC booth) what had happened, she told me she was leaving. Sadly, she missed a lot of fun and ended up spending money on a lunch she didn't have to (free food was provided at the Fair).

A mom visiting our booth told me Lori shouldn't feel she should have to leave, but I explained there are days when we are just pushed to the end. I explained that, what that lady heard for a brief 5 minutes in the bathroom, we have to listen to from wake-up to bedtime.

I wish the rest of the world could understand.

Thanks, Jon

EPEC Event: Community Health Fair, Saturday August 27

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! EPEC will have a booth at the Community Health Fair, Saturday August 27, 2011. The event takes place at the Diamond Run Mall and is sponsored by Rutland Regional Medical Center.

It will include dozens of fun, interesting and helpful activities and clinics. For the kids there will be craft centers, a Fun Zone, Clifford the Big Red Dog, the Magic School Bus, and so much more.

EPEC will be there with useful information and to answer any questions you might have.

Save the date; we hope to see you there!

Thanks, Jon

EPEC July meeting follow-up

If the attendance at July's EPEC meeting is any indication, it's obviously summer. There were two folks present, other than Lori and myself. It was a good meet nonetheless.

As a matter of fact, a suggestion was made, and I'm in talks with a couple of entertainment venues in the Rutland area. We're working on a couple of day-visits exclusively for our special kids.

I don't want to get into too much detail right now, until things are closer to being finalized. Suffice it to say though, that we're working on some fantasic awareness activities.

I'm also working on getting us a speaker for October's meeting, so stay tuned for more info on that, too.

Let me know if you have anything else to add. I'll take any and all suggestions.

Thanks, Jon