We are proud to announce the next event in our ICAC and UI Children’s Hospital Autism Center Workshop Series – “Autism 101: An Introduction to Autism for Babysitters, Child Care Providers, and Others Who Care for Autistic Children and Youth. 

This workshop will be FREE and interested participants will be able to receive a training certificate through the state of Iowa. Child care providers must sign up and register online: http://ccmis.dhs.state.ia.us/TrainingRegistry/Home.aspx

This is a unique and valuable opportunity for anyone interested in working with children on the autism spectrum. Presentations will include An Introduction to Autism from Dr. Todd Kopelman (UIHC Psychiatry and Pediatrics), Practical Strategies and Tools presented by Monica Ryan Raush (AEA Autism Consultant) and What Is Autism Acceptance? presented by Dina Bishara and Jessie Witherell (The Iowa City Autism Community) along with a parent panel that will provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and discuss matters related to autism.

Please email Mary Roberts to confirm your attendance at mary-roberts-1@uiowa.edu

Due to a sudden pool closure, January’s swim event will have to be rescheduled. We apologize for the inconvenience. We will send out a notification when tickets are available for the next swim.

— The Iowa City Autism Community

Our sincerest thanks go to The Pilot Club for their generous gift to The Iowa City Autism Community. Because of their awarded grant, ICAC will be able to maintain our website and domain for another year. Thank you so much!

It’s Giving Tuesday! Will you consider making a donation to The Iowa City Autism Community?

Throughout the past 4 years, the Iowa City Autism Community (ICAC) has grown into a volunteer association that organizes dozens of autism-friendly events throughout our community at places such as the UI CRWC Leisure Pool, Brush and Barrel, AirFX Trampoline Park, Bloomsbury Farm, Sand Road Orchards, Colonial Lanes, CDD Dental Clinic, hair salons and many more.  We have pioneered regularly occurring Special Access events at both the Iowa City Public Library and the North Liberty Community Library.  ICAC has partnered with the Iowa Gym-Nest to create the first of its kind in our area Spectrum CORSE ninja-style class. We collaborate with the UIHC Stead Family Children’s Hospital Autism Center to organize at least three, free workshops every year on topics ranging from gross motor and sensory needs, mindfulness for caregivers, visual supports, autism basics for childcare providers, IEP/504s, and many more. We maintain a website full of local and regional resources and an event calendar of upcoming opportunities.  Finally, we continue to provide support and networking to families throughout the Corridor area through our Facebook page and personal consultation with both caregivers and professionals.  NEW THIS YEAR we will be extending our efforts to support autistic students in Johnson County by providing small grants ($50-$100) to schools and PTOs to be used to purchase resources that support the unique sensory and learning needs of autistic students.  The total number and amount of grants will depend on the success of this campaign.   Funds we raise will help subsidize the cost of the many community events, snacks, arts/craft supplies, thank-you’s for workshop presenters, resources we distribute at workshops, our website, and the small grants for schools.

We do all of this work on a strictly volunteer basis on our own personal time.  Will you please support the Iowa City Autism Community as we continue to work for our mission of creating a community that is more accepting, understanding, and inclusive of autistic people and their families?

*** DONATE NOW! Visit our GoFundMe page and contribute HERE.

You can learn more about us here:  www.autismiowacity.org

THANK YOU!!

Congratulations to Mary Roberts, the third recipient of the Stephen Tsai Award for Excellence in Autism Education, which was presented to Mary at our annual conference on Friday. Mary was nominated for the award by two individuals, Todd Kopelman, PhD and Renee Speh. 

This amazing family is part of our community. Their daughter, Malee, has a very rare genetic disorder that has led to some very serious complications. This family is displaced, is away from home, and could use really use some support –

https://www.gofundme.com/helpmaleeandfam?fbclid=IwAR0PF1N1qdWqaXiy0KHqG0CYWfWnIeo_JcU58VBoE-syGv5fWT7vr9SBbBs

College Sitter Contact is selling gift certificates this holiday! For each certificate sold, CSC is donating $1 to the Iowa City Autism Community!! Give your family and friends the gift of childcare- or put it on your Christmas list!

Do you know about Spectrum CORSE (Challenging Obstacles Requiring Strength and Endurance) at the Iowa Gym-Nest? This is a class formed in partnership with the Iowa City Autism Community. There are currently 1-2 spots open in each class. The 2:30 class is “Intermediate” and the 3:30 class is “Beginner”. Siblings are allowed to join on a case-by-case basis. This class was originally only for kids in K-6 but we have found that we can accommodate both younger and older children.