December Newsletter 
Please consider a donation to the Autism Alliance today
Your donation will give families of a loved one with autism the support and resources they need to thrive. And, to be able to do so in an Autism Welcoming Community. Help us continue to bring family events, social recreation programs, resources, grants, and much more to families.
We truly can’t thank SPEEDY AUTO BODY enough for your generous fundraiser and donation to the Autism Alliance. Your support will allow us to give critical assistance to families and children with autism in our community who need them most. People like you admirably make a difference in the world, and we’re incredibly grateful!
FEATURED Guest Speaker Dr. Andrew Fraser, DMD.
Special Needs Dental Care Tuesday December 7th 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Have you ever wished you could find a dentist that would prioritize your child with special needs? Look no further than Bubble Children’s Dentistry and Orthodontics!! Their mission is to provide a calming, customized, state-of-the-art dental experience for all children. Bubble Dentistry understands the challenges parents of special needs children face when looking for a dentist. Their pedodontists have over two years of special training in working with children with developmental disabilities. Dr. Fraser is passionate about contributing to Bubble’s already extensive work in tailoring dental procedures to the patient, and he has developed a primarily digital-based system that maximizes his patients’ enjoyment of their visit while maintaining the highest standard of care. Parents, teachers, and therapists are invited to join us on zoom and learn more about this practice and ask questions.
NEW Social Skills Group for children ages 9-12 years old Featuring Successfully Social New England Funded by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) NOW OPEN TO APPLY NEW Virtual Bimonthly Social Skills Group ~ Ages 9-12 years old. Wednesdays January 5th through June 9th 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. This group is designed for kids in grades 4-6 who struggle socially. Kids who can benefit from this group are those with solid language skills who have difficulty picking up on social cues such as facial expression and body language and those who have difficulty listening/focusing or working in a group. This NEW group is a fun, interactive and dynamic social group that blends positive psychology practices with the Social Thinking Methodology to help kids improve upon their self-image, identify their strengths and challenges, and develop their personal toolbox of strategies to increase their confidence and be able to successfully navigate the social world. In order to attend, YOU MUST Live in the MetroWest region of Massachusetts, as defined by DDS. All participants must have DDS Eligibility/ Be deemed eligible for DDS services under the Division of Autism. If you are unsure of your child's eligibility email Autism Alliance. Please email Allison Daigle to apply, Space is limited. We will have a waiting list.
Teen Digital Music Group | Ages 13-17 Spring Semester Begins January 6th Funded by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) 
Teen Digital Music Group Thursday Jan 6th 6:15 p.m.-7:00 p.m. This program meets VIRTUALLY for our Spring semester beginning January 2022 and running through June. The goal of this program is for the participants to develop and build friendships while having fun doing what they love learning, sharing, and talking about digital music! Participants will create their own music and collaborate on group projects using digital music applications such as Sound Slice, Incredibox and Soundtrap/Garageband. Music based experiences will include but not be limited to songwriting, improvisation and song sharing. This group will be facilitated by Tony Varga, who holds a doctorate in music education and is also a board certified music therapist. All abilities are welcome.
Recreation Programs Sponsored by the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism 
Virtual Sing-along featuring Jeopardy Holiday Song Categories Saturday December 4th 1:00 p.m. Come and celebrate the songs of the season at our Annual All ages Sing-along featuring Jeopardy Holiday Song Categories! We welcome families, and individuals of all ages including siblings and pets to join in this years virtual fun. We would like to Thank the Doug Flutie Jr. Foudation for sponsoring this event.
Glee Club Saturday December 4th 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. The Autism Alliance is back with one of our most popular programs, our Virtual Glee Club for individuals with autism. Glee club is facilitated by our favorite music teacher, Mr. William Lynch, and co-lead by Sophie McLaughlin, expressive movement therapist. The group meets monthly and is for ages 18+. The program is a mixture of singing songs, and dance. Click on the link register.
Autism Alliance December Support Groups NEW support group for parents of young children up to age 10 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) Thursday December 9th 12 noon - 1:00 p.m.
Zoom Zumba December 15th 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Looking to have some fun and like to dance? Join us for Fun, Friends, & Family Fall Zoom Zumba Series! Licensed Zumba® Fitness instructor, Andria DeSimone will lead an hour-long Zumba class. Be sure to bring your family and friends! Advocates Fun, Friends, & Family events are open to individuals with disabilities who are 16 and older, staff who support them, their families, and friends. We welcome members of the Advocates community, as well as those interested in learning more about us
NEW AUTISM WELCOMING BUSINESS Congratulations to Milford Regional Medical Center's Emergency Department 
We're thrilled to share that Milford Regional Medical Center's emergency department, one of the busiest in central Massachusetts, is now certified Autism Welcoming! Staff are trained by the Autism Alliance of MetroWest about autism and how impactful accommodations to those that visit can make a significant difference in their experience. This collaboration will help support families and their loved ones with autism in need of emergency care.
In case you missed one, or want to check back in, our Healthy Heroes is now Healthy Happenings emails which are published weekly for up-to-date Autism Alliance programming and community resources designed to keep you connected and supported. You can find these archived on our website along with our current and past monthly newsletters.
Sensory Friendly Events VAXAbilities! Disability-friendly vaccination events across Massachusetts. VaxAbilities will be hosting a series of these events and will have extra staff on hand to provide skilled support to people with disabilities and/or sensory support needs. Most of these events will be offering COVID vaccinations for children ages 5 and up, as well as adult initial vaccines and boosters. Both people with and without disabilities can get vaccinated – including the whole family ages 5+ or staff that may come supporting people with a disability. Our goal is to support people with sensory and/or other accommodation needs in Massachusetts to have the most positive and comfortable vaccination experience possible. VAXAbilities 
Discovery Museum Sunday, December 5, 2021 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.—Drop in Cost: Free with pre-registration Please check back for registration link 2 weeks prior to the event Come play and explore in our ADA-compliant and universally designed museum during this special, free afternoon dedicated to families with members on the autism spectrum. The Museum will be closed to the general public and headcount will be limited. Advance registration is required. Especially for Me is generously supported by the Alexion Charitable Foundation. TO REGISTER
Connect With Us
www.AutismAlliance.org | (508) 652-9900 | AutismAlliance@Advocates.org Our Contact Information 
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