In this issue:
- UVM Autism Collaborative updates
- Green Mountain Disability Stories: Matthew LeFluer
- Sensory-Friendly Events Around Vermont
- Research opportunities
| UVM Autism Collaborative updates |
| Join us in June to celebrate community connections and research partnerships! – Research discussions with autistic researchers – Family friendly activities – In person or via Zoom  WHAT: Mini Autism Research Symposium (MARS)WHEN: Sunday June 9, 2024 from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm WHERE: University of Vermont Davis Center or via Zoom REGISTRATION: This event is free but registration is required. |
| 2. Green Mountain Disability Stories: Matthew LeFluer |
| Matthew LeFluer sat down with CDCI Services Coordinator Adrienne Miao to talk about some of the challenges of accessing autism services in Vermont, as well as his plans for the future. |
“When I was growing up, I always had the notion of being a doer. Not at first, I thought I would take the — just step back and let someone else do it? To take charge? See where that would’ve brought me to or where that would go? But in life I say to get things done, I have to self-advocate for myself and my family, you know. Try to be a role model for children and families across the state. But also in my own circumstances, you know, just try to be better at trying to communicate to other people.”
| 3. Sensory-Friendly Events Around Vermont |
| Sensory-Friendly Fridays at Fletcher Free Library: This summer, children, youth, and families with sensory processing differences are invited to a special pre-opening hour in at the Fletcher Free Library, in Burlington VT. Fridays, beginning June 2 at 9:00am. Sensory-Friendly Movies at Essex Cinemas: The Essex Cinemas, in Essex VT, provide sensory-friendly showings, that include low lighting and an atmosphere conducive to movement and talking. They also offer closed-captioning via CaptiView devices. Sensory Backpacks at the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum: The St. Johnsbury Athenaeum in St. Johnsbury VT has sensory-friendly backpacks available on an ongoing basis for visitors to their Children’s Library. Each backpack is assembled with noise cancelling headphones, sunglasses, doodleboard, fidget toys, meditation bubbler and two books. One of the backpacks can even be checked out for community excursions.A Sensory-Friendly Space at the Imagination Station: The Imagination Station in Barre VT, is an autism sensory room that is part of the Washington County Mental Health Well Space. Here’s a video about it. You need to be trained on the room, and must make reservations in advance. Sensory-Friendly Sundays at the ECHO Lake Museum: The second Sunday of every month, ECHO Museum in Burlington VT offers Sensory-Friendly Sundays. From 9-10 am, the museum will be closed to the general public and lighting and sounds will be adjusted, allowing visitors to enjoy the museum in a calm environment. Interact with ECHO’s exhibits, visit the live animals, and access sensory backpacks filled with sensory devices. Summer Sundays are June 9, July 14 and August 11. You must RSVP for each Sunday. Oakledge for All Sensory Features: The Oakledge Park in Burlington VT is a playground designed to be sensory-friendly. It includes color contrast to show differences between play areas and equipment, spaces for quieter play and for taking breaks, and musical instruments that have calmer pitches/tones. In the summer and fall they also have plants on the playground designed to be physically interacted with. Sensory-Friendly Fridays at Shelburne Museum are now opened. |
| 4. Research opportunity: |
| STUDY 1. Movement StudyDoes your child on the autism spectrum struggle with learning movements like getting dressed, writing, or catching a ball? We are now recruiting children with autism age 7 to 13 years for a study to help understand how they learn new movements and improve how we support them. We use video models and wearable sensors so we can include children with more support needs in research that usually is not accessible to them. Children will complete 3 visits of 45 minutes each at UVM or at a place that works best for you. Their parent/guardian will complete 4 questionnaires of 10 minutes each. You will receive up to $100 for your time and effort after completing the study. If you are interested text or call (802)522-3615 or email liliane.savard@uvm.edu. STUDY 2. Developing a tool to measure memory Hello All,My name is Tiffany Hutchins and I am a psychologist and communication scientist from the University of Vermont. I am working with a research team on a study titled, “Development of the Autobiographical Memory Inventory.” The purpose of this study is to develop a tool to measure autobiographical memory in children ages 5 – 17.We are looking for individuals who are primary caregivers of children ages 5- 17 years who are fluent in the English language to participate in our study. Participation is entirely online and will likely take about 30 minutes to complete. The study is anonymous and you will not be asked to share any personal identifying information.To find out more or to participate, please use this link.Please contact me directly if you have any questions about this study. I can be reached by email at: Tiffany.Hutchins@med.uvm.eduor by phone at (802) 656-9592.Thank you for your consideration! Tiffany Hutchins, PhD STUDY 3. Supporting employment! VT RETAIN is a federal program through the department of labor with a goal to support people in returning to work and staying at work after an injury or illness. This program is for anyone with a recent exacerbation of chronic illness, or a new illness (within the last 12 weeks). This may look like “my diagnosis wasn’t affecting me as much, but now it’s affecting me” or “I didn’t know about this diagnosis before (even if I had symptoms) but now I know about it”. If you are on SSDI (disability) you are not eligible, but if you are on short term disability, you are eligible! Follow this link to learn more Or fill the screening survey to see if you are eligible |
