Focus facts on community living, 08/2009

              CENTER FOR LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP
OKLAHOMA’S FEDERALLY DESIGNATED
UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (UCEDD)
AUGUST 20 0 9
Youth LEAD Website for Youth With Disabilities
Youth LEAD is a program providing teens and young adults with developmental disabilities with resources
and support to set and meet personal goals that include education, employment and inclusive recreation.
The Youth LEAD website features a host of online resources including “The YouthLEAD Dashboard” and
“Internet Safety and Privacy.” Youth LEAD is based on research conducted by the University of Missouri-
Kansas City Institute for Human Development. The research found that young people with developmental
disabilities needed increased opportunities to develop their self-advocacy and leadership skills, youth-friendly
materials that support goals related to inclusive recreation, continuing education and employment;
and an improved capacity of youth-serving programs to include, support and accommodate people with
developmental disabilities. Youth LEAD is funded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities Pro-jects
of National Significance. For more information about the program and to view the resources men-tioned,
visit http://www.youthleadyouthcongress.org/.
Free Tools to Help Combat the Divorce Rates of Couples Who Have a Child with Autism
The National Autism Association (NAA) is providing relationship-coaching tools at no charge to qualifying
couples who have a child with autism. The rise in the divorce rate within these families prompted the devel-opment
of the NAA’s Family First Program in 2007. The program provided funds to couples in need of mar-riage
counseling. Now NAA is providing tools to help couples. The tools contain unique marital tips and
relatable stories for couples who have a child with autism. Couples receive a book, Married with Special
Needs Children, and a DVD presentation by Dr. Laura Marshak, a leading authority on marital therapy who
has experience working with families of children/adults with special needs. Couples who have a child with
autism can contact lori@nationalautism.org. This offer is good while supplies last. Grants also are avail-able
to assist couples with counseling through the Family First Program. Couples who want to apply for a
grant can visit www.nationalautismassociation.org/familyfirst.php. The grant application deadline is Sep-tember
15, 2009. For more information about the Family First Program, visit www.nationalautism.org.
Epilepsy Foundation Parents Website
The Epilepsy Foundation of America has introduced a new website for parents. The website contains infor-mation
about the many aspects of epilepsy, including diagnoses, treatment and resources. Parents can
connect with other parents through the site. The website also is available in Spanish. Visit the new web-site
at http://www.epilepsyandmychild.org.
People First Keeps Rockin’ On!
Oklahoma People First, Inc. 19th Annual State Conference, People First Keeps Rockin’ On!, is scheduled
on September 26 – 27, 2009. The keynote speaker for the conference is Gary Guller, an inspirational
speaker and Mt. Everest Summiteer. Sessions will include topics about weather safety, nurse talk, for
women only, for men only, staying safe in public and more. People First members and advisors, people
with developmental disabilities and those they wish to invite to support them should attend the conference.
People who want to learn more about Oklahoma People First, Inc. and are interested in starting new chap-ters
are encouraged to attend. The conference will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 2501 Conference
Drive, Norman, OK. The registration fee is $75 and $25 stipends are available for self-advocates who ap-ply.
For more information about the conference or to register, contact Lance Davis, Executive Director, at
(405) 602-2704.
Raising a Child with Autism: The Practical Wit & Wisdom of Parents
Sooner SUCCESS, Region One, is sponsoring a free, one-day workshop, Raising a Child with Autism: The
Practical Wit & Wisdom of Parents, on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at the Chisholm Trail Technology
Center, Seminar Room, on Highway 33, between Kingfisher and Watonga. The workshop is free and lunch
will be provided at a cost of $7, with proceeds benefiting Autism Speaks. Seating is limited. For more infor-mation
or to register, contact Becky Reuter at 405-271-6824, Ext. 45144 or becky-reuter@ouhsc.edu.