February Newsletter
FEBRUARY VACATION WEEK Autism Alliance Exclusive Events* Sponsored by the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism TUESDAY February 22nd 
Fitness with Faith Dance Party Edition Tuesday February 22nd 10:30-11:00 a.m. Fitness with Faith Dance Party Edition is a fun low-impact fitness/movement class where participants select their favorite songs that are immediately added into a playlist for the group to enjoy and dance to. No registration necessary just click on the zoom link. Fun vibes always welcome!
Autism Alliance After School Club February Vacation Edition Tuesday February 22 3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m This weekly club is facilitated by educators from the Southwick's Zoo and showcases many animals you may have never seen before at the zoo! This program runs from January 18th through Feb 22nd with the last class during February vacation week. Email Allison Daigle to register for any or just the last session during vacation week. We will send you the link for the program and be ready to learn some really fun facts about the animals that live at the Southwick Zoo. All ages, levels, and siblings are invited to participate. Wednesday February 23rd 
Build-A-Bear Workshop Wednesday February 23rd 10:00-10:45 a.m. Back by popular demand, we will be joining our Build-A-Bear friends virtually as we bring our bears to life with the heart ceremony, naming of our bears, as well as naming their Super Power. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for this program as we have a limited number of FREE bears. Parents/guardians are asked to complete the registration form and will be notified for times to come and pick-up their Build-A-Bear at the Autism Alliance office prior to the program date. Thursday February 24th 
Autism Alliance Exclusive Virtual Concert Event with Lindsay Munroe Thursday February 24th 10:30 a.m. Join us for a virtual concert with Lindsay Munroe. Lindsay is an award-winning children’s musician signed to Raffi’s label Troubadour Music. With a lovely and engaging voice, Lindsay’s music uplifts and delights kids, parents, and educators. As a mother of three autistic children, she writes music for neurodiverse kids and their families and for the teachers who embrace inclusion in their classrooms. Her positive songs will also appeal to those working to promote self-regulation and kindness. Lindsay believes that music is a wonderful, unique tool in teaching social emotional learning.
Autism Alliance received a 2022 Signature Grant from the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism to fund this year’s vacation programs, glee club, and other special events and mini grants throughout the year. A special thank you to the foundation for their support. Guest Speakers* 
Andria Entsminger of Elsbridge Family Advocates Reading Progress Reports Tuesday February 15th 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. This workshop will provide you an opportunity to learn what to look for in your child’s progress reports, red flags to be aware of and when to ask for a team meeting. Progress reports should be concrete evidence as to whether the IEP is actually effective or if adjustments need to be made. Learning how to read them and how to address concerns with the team effectively is an extremely important skill for parents to master. Please join us as Andria Entsminger of Elsbridge Family Advocates walks us through the ins and outs of progress reports.
Cathy Boyle Autism Housing Pathways Housing 101 Tuesday March 15th 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. In this FREE virtual workshop, Cathy Boyle from Autism Housing Pathways, will introduce families to the range of public funds available to pay for housing and supportive services (including for those without DDS supports). Some examples are given of how these can be combined with private funds to create housing. No registration necessary. Social Groups* Funded by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) 
NEW! Social Skills Group for children ages 9-12 years old Featuring Successfully Social New England 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.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.
Adult Recreation Programs* 
Glee Club Saturday February 12th 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Virtual Glee Club is one of our most popular programs. Glee club is facilitated by 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. 
Zoom Zumba Saturday February 12th 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Join us for our Zoom Zumba Series! Licensed Zumba® Fitness instructor, Andria DeSimone will lead an hour-long Zumba class. 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. Autism Alliance MONTHLY Support Groups* 
NEW! Autism Support Group for parents of children age 10 and under. Thursday February 10th 12 noon - 1:00 p.m.
Introducing Crossroads Learning Center 
Sensory Friendly Events 
Giggles for Good Saturday February 26th 7:00pm - 8:30pm This virtual comedy show will feature two hilariously funny, family-friendly comedians Cyrus Steele and Ashley Gutermuth! They’ll have you LOL’ing for only $20! (add another ticket to your order if you want to watch on more than one device) Don’t forget to get your raffle tickets! (you don’t need to attend the show to win) only $5 for 6 chances to win! To learn more Click Here
Discovery Museum Sensory Friendly Afternoon Tuesday, February 1, 2022 1:30pm to 4:30pm Free with pre-registration Registration Required: Register Now Come explore the accessible Discovery Museum, Discovery Woods, and our giant treehouse! Sensory-Friendly Afternoons are all about inclusion. During these events, the Museum is open to the general public, but group visits and birthday parties are not scheduled, to avoid crowding and support access to exhibits. 
Sunday February 6, 2022 Sensory Friendly hour is the first Sunday of the month, one hour prior to opening. 
COVID-19 Resource Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests Now Available! Testing is an essential tool in mitigating the spread and keeping our communities safe and healthy. Every household in the United States is now eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. Visit www.COVIDTests.gov or click the link below to order your tests to be shipped to your home. Healthy Happenings Emails 
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.
*Please submit requests for accommodations, including ASL interpreters, at least 2 weeks prior to the event date to AutismAlliance@Advocates.org or (508) 652-9900 Connect With Us
www.AutismAlliance.org | (508) 652-9900 | AutismAlliance@Advocates.org Our Contact Information 
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