January Newsletter
February Vacation EXCLUSIVE 
Virtual Concert Thursday February 24th ~ 10:30 a.m. Featuring Award-Winning Children's Musician LINDSAY MUNROE 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. What's NEW?* 
Autism Alliance After School Club ~ Winter Session ~ Begins Tuesday January 18th 3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m The Autism Alliance Virtual After School Club is back for a 6-week session. 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 is a combination of animals live on screen and video footage. We encourage everyone to participate in our customized weekly assignments and fun interactive games related to animals across the globe. This program allows each participant to share and take part at their individual level leading to a high engagement and success. Weekly assignments may include drawing and coloring animals, trivia, and time to ask questions. Email Allison Daigle to register. 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. February Guest Speaker* 
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. 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. 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.
Recreation Programs* Sponsored by the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism 
Glee Club Saturday January 8th 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 MONTHLY Support Groups* 
NEW! Support group for parents of young children up to age 10 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) Thursday January 13 12 noon - 1:00 p.m. Fun, Friends, & Family Events* 
Zoom Zumba January 8th 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 Morningstar Access Dates for 2022 
Morningstar Access at Boston Children’s Museum offers children with special needs/medical needs the opportunity to visit the Museum at a time when there are only a few other visitors. At these times, we have a limit of 100 guests, and children and their families can explore the Museum with less concern about large crowds.To accommodate different needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are now two different versions of Morningstar. Please select the one that works best for your family.
Mask Exceptions Considered: All staff and visitors ages 2 and older are required to wear masks. However, mask exceptions will be considered in advance at registration for children who have sensory needs or other types of needs that prevent them from keeping masks on. Dates/Times: Friday, January 21, 2022, 5:30-7:30pm
All Masks On! All staff and visitors ages 2 and older are required to wear masks. This session happens when the Museum is freshly cleaned with no visitors prior to the scheduled time. No mask exceptions will be considered. Families with any needs are welcome as long as they can follow this strict mask rule, which is in place to create a medically safer environment. Dates/Times: Saturday, February 5, 2022, 8:00-10:00am; Saturday, March 5, 2022, 8:00-10:00am Registration is required: https://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/morningstar For more information, please contact Saki Iwamoto, Health and Wellness Educator iwamoto@BostonChildrensMuseum.org; 617-986-3697 Sensory Friendly Events 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. 
Discovery Museum Especially for Me Saturday, January 15, 2022 5:00pm to 8:00pm Cost: Free with pre-registration.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 
Saturday January 1, 2022 
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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