Jump 10,000 feet for CAN

Neil Foley is organising a skydive with the proceeds going to C.A.N. Following is an extract from his fundraising page on Facebook.

Hi!!
my son Conor has autism. I'm on the committee for cottage autism network, a charity based here in the south east. so I'm thinking we should raise as much money as possible for a very worthwhile cause. and what better way to raise money than to throw yourself out of a perfectly good, fully functioning airplane!! lol I have a registration form downloaded so anybody interested just get back to me and I'll forward on the form. the more people do it, theoretically, the more money we raise! its a non refundable deposit of €30 to register, and that is deducted from the cost of the skydive.

How Much Do You Need To Fundraise? Choose From 2 Options

Option 1: Fundraise Minimum Target of €500
Reach this minimum fundraising target and you get to participate in either a Tandem Freefall Skydive (10,000ft) or Solo Static Line Parachute Jump (3,500ft). The cost of your Skydive (€250) is deducted and the other €250 plus all additional funds is forwarded to CAN.


Option 2: Fundraise Minimum Target of €600
Reach this minimum fundraising target and you get Option 1 plus you get the DVD & Photos. The cost of your Skydive Package (€350) is deducted and the other €250 plus all additional funds is forwarded to CAN.


You can also donate ALL of the funds raised to CAN and pay for the skydive yourself directly.

Think about it and get back to me?

The more people I get, the more money is raised, and the more people get an experience never to be forgotten. Come on people. please?

If you wish to get involved, please click here to be directed to the Facebook Page. Many thanks

Swindon Male Voice Choir

Swindon Male Voice Choir
in Concert
with special Guests
The Wexford Male Voice Choir
& Glen Tree Trad Group

ALL PROCEEDS TO COTTAGE AUTISM NETWORK, WEXFORD


Venue: Slaney Manor, Barntown
date: Friday 16th July
Time: 8p.m. Adm: €10.



Wexford Tickets available from:

Centra The Bullring Wexford,

Burke-O'Learys Rafter st Enniscorthy, Terry Byrne (Wexford Male Voice Choir) 0876483509 or wmvcsecretary@eircom.net or CAN 0863234742 can.wexford@ymail.com

And The Slaney Manor Barntown Wexford.

Supported by
Wexford County Council
Details: 086 3234742

Oylegate Mini Marathon

Time again to get the trainers out of storage as its nearing the annual Mini Marathon in Oylegate. This year it will be held on Monday 7th June at 12 noon sharp. Starting point is in Oylegate village.

Whether you are a runner, or prefer to cheer from the sidelines, all are welcome and we hope there is a good turnout again this year.

Sponsorship cards are available by contacting either Hilary at 086 3234742 or Susan at 087 6898359

Meet the SENOs......

Cottage Autism Network

have organised a meeting with SENOs Fiona Gaffney and Sean Carthy

Date: 25th May

Time: 8pm

Venue: Riverside Hotel


We would like you to forward us any questions you may have before Monday the 17th May so we can arrange the agenda and ensure that all topics are covered and that it may run smoothly and be hugely beneficial to all.

ALL MEMBERS ARE WELCOME

CAN Music Fest

A fun night of entertainment guaranteed to get you strutting your stuff on the dance floor! Come along and join in the fun while raising funds for Cottage Autism Network! Tickets available at the door on the night.

Get your hands on a free Grace App!

From the IAA Website

 Grace Picture Exchange App for iPhone is here and if you are an IAA member and O2 customer - it's free!

The new app is designed to be used in a similar way to how the existing Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is used by parents and tutors of children with autism. While the existing PECS system is very effective in the home or classroom, it is not very portable for everyday situations outside of these settings.

The main benefits of the new ‘Grace’ iPhone app are that it is simple and works in real time. It can be customised to the individual child using their picture and photo vocabulary and adding new images and sharing them with the child’s parent/carer/tutor is simple and instant.

The development of the new app has been supported by O2, which supplied iPhones for the creation and testing of the app, and which also funded the development of the final artwork used in the app.

O2’s charity of choice for the past four years has been Irish Autism Action. In addition to providing funding, O2 supports IAA through a number of ways, including employee fundraising initiatives, customer fundraising initiatives, employee volunteering and by providing business expertise and support.


The new app is now available in the official iPhone App Store. It retails at €29.99 for up to five users, to facilitate family members accessing the app.
However: As part of the launch O2 and IAA will be running a promotion for all members of IAA to avail of the app for free.

The 2 conditions of the promotion are that;

1. You must be an IAA member

2. You must be an O2 iPhone customer.

If interested, please contact IAA directly at the national office on 044 9331609

and they will post you out the free app voucher.

You can then go into your local O2 store and present the voucher along with photo ID (drivers licence or passport). The voucher can be redeemed on or before 31st May 2010.

For more information please go here to the iTunes App store, or call Lisa on 0860486249

The app will run perfectly on 2G, 3G and newer models along with the iTouch and now iPad.

Go here to the Developer Website for more information and video demonstrations.

Go here to update your IAA membership.

Emma Hade, Communications Minister Eamon Ryan, Gracie and Lisa Domican in The Group Work Room, Saplings Rathfarnham showing the Minister how it's done!

If you already have an iPhone and are thinking of upgrading, you might consider donating the older model to your local autism group or school.



Just call Lisa or email affinityautismireland@gmail.com to arrange collection.

They can restore the phone to original settings and pre-load the app so more children with autism and their families can benefit from this use of technology.

PECS Course 27th May

A little later than I promised but am posting up a link to a two day course in PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) that several new members were asking about at the recent social night in The Bailey. My apologies for not posting it up sooner. There has been a post up on the IAA Blog which explains the course well which you can read here and there is a little video made by Jen over at Autism, The King & I, which gives you an idea of what PECS is

Two Day Basic PECS Workshop hosted by Pyramid Educational Consultants

Title		Basic PECS 2 Day Workshop
Address		Portlaoise Heritage Hotel, Town Centre, Portlaoise, Ireland.
Date & Start Time		27th May 2010 09:00
Registration Opening Time		27th May 2010 08:30
Capacity		55
Professional fee / person		£270.00
Parent fee / person		£140.00

Go here to book.

Tonight Matthew I'm gonna be.....

STARS IN THEIR EYES

IN AID OF COTTAGE AUTISM NETWORK

FRIDAY 16TH APRIL

8.30PM SHARP

CAESERS NIGHTCLUB, BUNCLODY

ADMISSION €10

DOOR PRIZES

Three CAN members are singing Alan West, Adrienne Doyle and her mother May Doyle.  Come along and support them on the night!  Tickets available for them or Martina Redmond 0872679100

Fashion Show

Fashion Show

In Aid Of Cottage AutismNetwork Wexford

Friday 23^rd April  2010,

 The Horse and Hound,

 At 8.00pm

 

Featuring Designs From   Noreen O’Donnell

                                Quay St, New Ross

 Tickets €10                  Door Prizes

Volunteers needed

There is a church gate collection organised for the three churches, Rowe St., Bride St., and Clonard in Wexford Town in aid of CAN on Saturday evening 27th and Sunday Morning 28th - Palm Sunday.

We are looking for volunteers to help us with this collection. Please let Hilary know as soon as possible if you can help just for half an hour on either day.

Saddle up your horses!

The CAN Horse Riding Easter Camp will be held this year at Butterfly Farm, in Camolin.

Dates: 6th, 7th, 8th & 9th April

Lessons will be 1:1 and each lesson lasts two hours duration.

Cost: €5 per day


Anyone interested please text your childrens names and ages to Rita on 087 2328730

CAN Easter Camp

CAN is running an easter camp again this year for our ASD children in mainstream school and their siblings.

Clay Animation

Dates: 8th, 9th & 10th April 2010
Two age groups: 7yrs - 10yrs & 11yrs - 16yrs
Venue: Scoil Mhuire 10.30am - 3pm

Anyone interested please contact Frederike 087 0505744

Night out for World Autism Awareness Day!

World Autism Awareness Day this year falls on April 2nd, and to mark the occasion, Cottage Autism Network is holding a social night for all members and non members.  All too often, meetings are filled with talk of finance and grants etc., and leaves little time for socalising and getting to know each other properly.  We would like to invite all to join us for a night of fun, come raise a glass, have a few nibbles and just chat for a while.

Venue            The Bailey, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford

Date               Friday 26th March

Time               8.30pm til the early hours....

March CAN Meeting

The next CAN meeting is scheduled for the 9th March.

Time: 8pm
Venue:  Spencer Room, Riverside Hotel, Enniscorthy

Guest Speaker on the night is Micheal Dunbar, Principal of St. Patrick Special School Enniscorthy.

New members welcome, hope to see you all there



Would also like to remind everyone to keep voting in the AIB Better Ireland Grant!  Time is running out and all votes greatfully received.  Text  ENNISCORTHY followed by a space followed by A to 51303 (standard SMS rates apply).  Alternatively you can vote free of charge by logging onto betterireland.ie select Enniscorthy branch and chose group A.

AIB Better Ireland Grant - Get Voting :)

Hi all

Please help St Senans ASD unit to get AIB better ireland grant for occupation therapy equipement by texting as many times as you can .......

Text:  ENNISCORTHY followed by a space followed by A to 51303 (standard SMS rates apply)

 

Voting open until 15th March

or

Vote free online

 

Online: Click on betterireland.ie select Enniscorthy branch and chose group A.

 

 

Thanks a millon

 

Contract signed for new CBS classrooms

WEXFORD CBS secondary school pupils will no longer have to endure drafty, dilapidated conditions in a prefab, after contracts were signed with Wellingtonbridge-based construction company J&J Bennett for new accommodation at the school recently.

Funding has been freed up for one main stream classroom, a technical graphics room and a career guidance office at the Thomas St. school, which has been run in various shapes and forms by the Christian Brothers for over one hundred years.

Principal Michael McMahon told the Wexford Echo: “We had such problems capacity wise, I applied for two temporary classrooms last summer. It will get us out of a hovel as we had a very dilapidated pre-fab.”

Mr. McMahon said a major redevelopment of the school is also planned, with Wexford CBS at the top of the list locally for major works to be carried out.

The development, (agreed with the Department of Education in 2007), was to increase the capacity of the school to 550, but Mr. McMahon said there will be over that number of students in the school come September.

Presently there is a long waiting list for places in the school, including autistic school places and there is not a seat free.

Also some of the classes have upwards of 30 pupils.

It was initially proposed by the Department of Education to but temporary accommodation, but the school board said they would prefer to use the money to go towards permanent classrooms, which will stand the test of time, while replacing the old pre-fab.

Mr. McMahon said the pre-fab is in very poor shape and could become a health and safety concern in the near future.

Work begins on the classrooms and office this week, meaning Wexford CBS will be able to cater for its growing numbers.

He said the decision to build permanent classrooms (which will cost €300,000), was based on the fact it is cheaper to build now so it offers value for money. School funding will pay some of the cost of the new rooms. “It will also bring employment to the area.”

He said renting pre-fabs is no longer an option “after all the hoo-ha about pre-fabs last year”.

“You have to either buy them or not. What we are building is a stopgap. We hope to build a new gym and be able to provide substantial accommodation in the proposed new building.

Currently our gym space is used by 800 pupils between the secondary and the primary schools. We are running to stand still with the new classrooms and office,” he said.

Mr. McMahon met with Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe last year and was told a new dedicated Autistic Spectrum Disorder unit for 12 children is planned for Wexford CBS, as part of its redevelopment.

Currently the school has six students with autism and has not been able to cater for anymore, despite requests from parents to do so. 

*Published in Wexford Echo, Wednesday 04 February, 2010

New App for iPhone to help Autistic Children - "Grace"

Grace - RTÉ News Six One from Steven Troughton-Smith on Vimeo.

Above is a link to the news piece that was filmed with Lisa Domican and her daughter Grace, whom together with a software developer Stephen Troughton-Smith, have been developing and breathing life into this application which will make a dramatic improvement in the lives of children with autism.

The following article was published by :

CIARA O'BRIEN - Irish Times Business Section, Friday December 11th

THE IPHONE is set to become a communication tool for children with autism, with the testing of a new application for the device.
The application is designed to be used in a similar way to the Picture Exchange Communication System (Pecs), which allows children to build sentences using a book of laminated pictures attached to a board by Velcro.

The application, which is being developed under the working title Grace, is the brainchild of Lisa Domican, a parent of two children with autism. She was inspired by O2’s marketing campaign for the iPhone. Before the launch of the device in 2008, the mobile operator ran advertisements on buses in Dublin. Ms Domican noticed the advertisements and realised the phone’s potential as an alternative to the Pecs books used by her 10-year-old daughter, Grace.

“You are constantly having to replace loose cards and make new ones,” said Ms Domican. “With the iPhone, the screen looks like a Pecs book. It’s ok to have a four-year-old walking around with a Pecs book; it’s not ok for a 10 or 12-year-old.
They’re very personal to the kids; it’s their voice. The [Pecs books] really stand out, whereas the iPhone is discreet and always there.”

The idea is backed by O2 Ireland, which supplied the devices for the development and testing of the application. The mobile network is already involved with Irish Autism Action and it was through this link that Ms Domican got backing from O2.

Ms Domican linked up with Steven Troughton-Smith, a software developer for the iPhone who has created a number of bestselling applications.

Mr Troughton-Smith, a student at Dublin City University, took the description of what Ms Domican wanted and turned it into a working version of Grace.
He developed the application to look exactly like a Pecs book. So instead of carrying around a Pecs book, older children can use the iPhone to choose from a range of pictures and place them on a virtual strip of Velcro.

Ms Domican’s daughter Grace has become so comfortable with the technology that she adds her own photos to the application’s library using the iPhone’s camera.

The application is undergoing trials on five devices in three schools to see if other children, parents and tutors can use it easily. Once testing has been completed, it will be submitted to the iPhone App Store.
 


It is hoped that the application will be released at the end of February and I will update the blog and keep members informed when a definite date has been decided.  Will try to arrange for Ms Domican to demonstrate the device to the parents and group at a later date.


Grace is nearly here.... watch this space!

IS YOUR CHID AGED BETWEEN 5 and 7.5? ----THEN THEY MAY STILL BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR A HSE ASSESSMENT OF NEED

Autistic boy 'in harrowing circumstances' wins case

 

From The Irish Times - Wednesday, December 9, 2009

A HIGH Court judge has rejected claims by the HSE that a severely autistic boy in “harrowing” family circumstances was not entitled to apply for a support scheme on grounds he was aged over five when the application was made.

The HSE had argued that the boy, now aged seven, had to be aged under five when applying for the scheme.
However, Mr Justice Michael Hanna yesterday ruled the boy was entitled to be assessed under the scheme after finding the State had failed to explicitly state a time limit for entitlement to apply for the scheme.
It was regrettable the wording of an order introducing the scheme was not more clear and there was also a lack of transitional arrangements for the introduction of the scheme, the judge said. A considerable amount of controversy and “perhaps heartache” would have been avoided had this been done.
Through his father, the boy had appealed the HSE’s refusal to consider his application to a Disability Appeals Officer (DAO) who in June last found the boy was eligible for assessment under the scheme which assessment, the officer said, should be provided within three months.

The HSE appealed that determination to the High Court which yesterday upheld the DAO’s decision.

The court heard the boy’s father had filed an affidavit outlining the family’s plight and Mr Justice Hanna described the problems facing the child and his family as “immense and harrowing”.

The boy was aged just three months under five on June 1st, 2007, when the Minister for Health and Children approved a commencement order under the Disability Act 2005 providing for a right to assessment.

The HSE argued only those under five could apply for assessment while the DAO contended the Disability Act applied to children under five as of June 1st, 2007. Mr Justice Hanna ruled the literal interpretation of the order meant the Disability Act was to apply to children under five as of June 1st, 2007.


The wording of the Disability Act 2005 leaves it open for any child who is born since 31/05/2002 (and not just those who are aged <5 at the point of application) are eligible to apply for a HSE Assessment on Need.

This decision would allow children who are currently aged between 5 - 7.5 to also apply -a I'm not sure how long this loop hole will remain open ...
- however given the current interpretation of this legislation they are entitled to get a full assessment of need.

SO APPLY NOW ....

(Thanks to Edel for the information)

TTRS Article Irish Examiner 04.12.09

This was a wonderful write up published in the Irish Examiner last December about the TTRS Touch typing course held in Wesgate Computer Centre which many children from CAN attended.  This course was designed for people with learning difficulties.  Not only did it teach typing, but it improved both reading and spelling skills.  The children who attended were motivated by the course and it built up their self esteem.

www.ttrs.co.uk has details of courses that are run nationwide.

To read the article, please click on it and it will enlarge in a new window.

Michael Farrelly Osteopath

Cottage Autism Network as a support group for families affected by autism are circulating this item for information purposes only. Any follow up action by anybody in relation to this circulated information is entirely their own decision and they should not infer from our issue of the information that the content is being endorsed by C.A.N.

Micheal Farrelly a classical Homeopath, spoke at our CAN meeting on tuesday night 19th January . He gave a very interesting talk about homeopathic remedies etc. He will come for consultations in Wexford if there are families interested in seeing him.  Please contact Michael at 086 1596119 or email at farrellym@hotmail.com

Fees €100 first consultation and €50 for follow up consultations.

Making Movies with Terence White

As part of the Cottage Autism Network’s siblings programme a film camp was organised with local film maker Terence White.

It was a small group of eight with ages ranging from 11 – 14. The ethos behind this particular group was to give the older siblings of families affected by autism a chance to meet others in a similar situation and because of the small group we could include kids that are on the spectrum who could then mix with others in their age group to gain valuable social practice.

The workshop ran for four consecutive days in July during which they produced and wrote their own film. The workshop then continued for a further three Saturdays in September, during which they produced a second film which this time had been written by Terence himself based on having met the group and gotten to know their interests and strengths.

We had a great diverse group who really seemed to work well together and who responded well to Terence’s way of working. The sheer amount of work involved in film making is sometimes overlooked. For example when having to re-shoot scenes up to 12 times the process can often be very tedious. The whole workshop was a great achievement for our group and it is a great credit to them to have worked so well.

Most of the kids in the group showed great interest and talent in the different areas of film making, from the technical aspect to the acting side. Even the kids who may not have had a particular interest in film production really seemed to enjoy the company that came with the workshop.

Overall it was a very fun and positive experience for all involved. We hope to continue organising more workshops such as this in the near future.

Ladies (& Gents) who lunch...

On Sunday 17th January, a distinguished looking group of Ladies and more than a handful of Gents spent a fine afternoon, wining and dining in the plush surroundings of the Ferrycarrig Hotel at a lunch hosted by the Soroptomist Association, who once again arranged the event and prizes in aid of Cottage Autism Network. There was entertainment galore and a huge turnout once again this year. The theme was "Red & Chic" and indeed, the guests obliged and there was no finer looking group of people dining on fine food in the Wexford area that day! Indeed, we ate, we drank and we were certainly merry!

Occupational unit to be dedicated to Aoife

Caroline Kennedy & Maclean Burke (Damien from Fair City)

Caroline Kennedy & Rosaline Moules

Wednesday December 09 2009

A SPECIALISED Occupational Therapy Unit at St. Senan's Primary School in Enniscorthy is to be dedicated to the memory of a young Carnew girl who tragically lost her life in a traffic accident in Carnew three years ago.

The parents of the late Aoife Kennedy set up a memorial fund in her honour and last week handed over the sum of €6,000 to the Cottage Autism Network (CAN).

The Aoife Kennedy Memorial Fund held a Halloween Fancy Dress night in Kenny's Pint Depot, Carnew, back in October, and €6,000 was raised for the Cottage Autism Network (CAN) and St. Senan's Primary School Autistic Unit in Enniscorthy.

The proceeds went towards the purchase of Occupational Therapy Equipment for children with Autism which is costing in the region of €26,000.

The hardworking parents at the school have been raising funds locally for the equipment, and they were delighted to receive the financial boost.

Accepting the cheque last week, Servaas Dobbier, Chairman and founder of Cottage Autism Network Wexford, stated that 'the generosity of people in the Wexford area has always been to the fore and we want to thank them for their continued support.'

Dr. Henry Goff, Principal of St. Senan's Primary School, Enniscorthy, acknowledged the work that has been done over the years by the Parents' Committee with all their fundraising efforts. In particular, he thanked Caroline and Matthew Kennedy, Ballyellis, Carnew, for their support and generosity through the Aoife Kennedy Memorial Fund, and for their wonderful donation.

The Kennedys thanked everyone for their help and support with the fundraiser and their hardworking committee of: Michael Dunbar, Gorey; Ailish and Mary Walsh, Donishall; Colm Moules; and all those who supported the venture and to all the businesses for their generosity.

Due to the phenomenal support it is hoped to make this an annual event in order to help other deserving children's charities and keep the memory of an 'Angel' alive.

The Parents Committee of the Autistic Unit of St. Senan's Primary School, Enniscorthy, presented Caroline and Matthew Kennedy with a special plaque in memory of Aoife, to acknowledge their fundraising efforts. The Occupational Therapy unit will be dedicated to her memory.

Duo present Autism Network with marathon proceeds of €18,000

Wednesday October 21 2009

WEXFORD'S COTTAGE Autism Network (CAN) recently received the proceeds of fundraising carried out by James and Paul O'Connor at a special presentation in Enniscorthy.

James and Paula raised €18,000 raised by running in the Oylegate Mini Marathon in June of this year. They have organised this event for the past few years and kindly donated the proceeds to Cottage Autism Network, a countywide support group for families living with autism.

On the night the CAN group also bade farewell to Occupational Therapist Claire Nicholl who had been recently employed by the group to offer occupation therapy to group members. She is wished well in her future endeavours.

Barndance fundraiser 09

On Saturday 25th July, crowds started to gather at a marquee in the centre of a farmyard. At first glance, you would do a double take as there appeared to be hundreds of cowboys, cowgirls and the occasional indian assembling at this unusual location... It was time for the annual "Barn Dance" in Cloneys Farm in Co. Wexford. For many years this has been a fantastically successful fundraising event with this years proceeds being divided between Wexford Mental Health Association and Cottage Autism Network, Wexford. In 2008, a staggering €65,000 was raised from the dance and it is hoped that this year was as successful!

The event was incredibly well run, with plenty of seating and tables for weary cowboys to rest their feet after dancing the night away. There was a fully serviced bar and the food served was fabulous. There was a hog roast, raffles, spot prizes and some incredible dancing exhibitions during the night. Everywhere you looked there were smiling faces and parents letting their hair down. A fantastic night out and I for one am already looking forward to next years!

Date for the 6th annual barndance has been set for Saturday July 24th, 2010.