The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: A Very Special Journey of Grief, Grace, and Gratitude!

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A Very Special Journey of Grief, Grace, and Gratitude

Join us this Sunday afternoon on the Special Needs Family Hour at 1:00 pm!
Bill Carl, the Morning Host for FaithTalk 570 AM & 910 AM will be interviewing Julie Ames. We will be discussing Julie’s new book A Very Special Journey of Grief, Grace, and Gratitude – No They are not Okay…but It’s Okay! Raising Special Needs Kids.

A Very Special Journey is more than a memoir. It is a story that provides guidance, hope, and education to parents and professionals who have or work with special needs children. Julie gives her readers the guidance they need to navigate their own way through the educational, medical, and legal waters that special needs families find themselves drowning in.

Julie throws a lifeline to other moms and dads facing the same challenges.  Conversely, by presenting the parents’ perspective, professionals working in these fields will gain a greater understanding and ability to provide services in a way that is truly helpful.

Every parent has to know how to be their own child’s strongest advocate. They need to know what questions to ask, when to demand answers, and when to walk away from advice they don’t trust. A Special Journey will provide these tools.

Julie’s story is about more than a mother and two challenged daughters. It is about more than autism. This story is about love, faith, and family. It is about learning to accept something that cannot be changed and to embrace the gifts we are given, despite perceived imperfections. We cry. We adapt. We reflect. We rejoice. Most importantly, we continue to live, love, and grow together every day. It is indeed a special journey.

Pictured: Julie Ames and Bill Carl, Morning Host for FaithTalk 570 AM
& 910 AM

Dear Friends,

This past Mother’s Day we celebrated our 5th Anniversary. This will be our last show for a while. This is not goodbye but a pause on our current format.

  • Our website will continue to be a resource for parents and caregivers who are caring for individuals with special needs.
  • Our newsletter will continue to provide you with up to date information.

 
The Special Needs Family Hour and I are evolving.

  • I am completing my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Liberty University’s accredited program, to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. 
  • My book, A Very Special Journey of Grief, Grace, and Gratitude, will be coming out in the next few months. 
  • It is an exciting time with many things happening to include upcoming speaking engagements. 

We appreciate our listeners, our guests who are making a positive difference in the world, our awesome sponsors, and our friends at Salem Media Group.

Julie Ames

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Ido Kedar, Author of Two Worlds – His Story Will Inspire & Educate!!

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Two Worlds – Ido Kedar

Our guests are Ido Kedar and Tracy Kedar. Ido Kedar is a non-speaking Autistic Young Man. He is a phenomenal 23-year-old Californian who, through the saving grace of technology and perseverance, now has a voice in his life and is using it to lobby for huge changes. He is an author and advocate who inspires and educates others. Tracy Kedar, Ido’s mother, shares with us her journey as the parent of a non-verbal child with severe autism.

Imagine this: Your child is 7 years old and cannot speak one word. He is trapped, misunderstood, and living in the silent world of autism.  That was the unimaginable reality that Tracy & Sharon Kedar experienced with their son, Ido. Until there was a breakthrough.

While Ido was unable to talk due to motor apraxia and would flap his hands and make strange noises, no one knew he was fully aware of everything going on around him – and – he completely understood everything that was being said about him.  He just could not verbalize because of his severe disability.  Then one day Ido showed his parents that he had theory of mind; he was capable, and he was smart. He communicated by pointing on a low-tech laminated letterboard to spell words.  Later, through advances in computer technology, he learned to use an iPad so he could “voice” his thoughts and feelings. That is when everything changed.

To share his miraculous story, Ido wrote the novel In Two Worlds.  It is one of the only works of fiction ever written by a person with nonspeaking autism.  After reading the book, Ido hopes people will look at autism in a new, different and more positive way.

Ido Kedar – Author and Advocate 

We discuss the novel Two Worlds with the author, Ido Kedar. Ido is the first non-verbal person with autism to write a novel. His story will inspire and educate. It is a compelling tale about a young man with autism who cannot speak and learns to communicates using technology—just like Ido.

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Autism Friendly Business Initiative w/ CARD at USF, The Florida Aquarium, & The Learning Academy at USF!

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CARD & The Learning Academy at USF

Join us this Sunday afternoon on the Special Needs Family Hour at 1:00 pm!

This week’s show features the Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD-USF) and The Learning Academy Employment Services at USF.  

The Center for Autism & Related Disabilities has many programs and accomplishments. These include CARD’s Autism Friendly Business Initiative, Autism Friendly Tampa, and the collaboration between CARD and HIPPY.  HIPPY is a free, early intervention, school readiness program for children between 3-5 years old. The HIPPY curriculum helps parents transform their homes into interactive learning environment to stimulate cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development in children. CARD has a multitude of projects for safety and mental health. To learn more – Click here!

Autism Friendly Tampa

The Learning Academy (TLA) at the University of South Florida (USF) is a 30-week customized transition program that assists in preparing young adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder for employment. The Learning Academy provides services, supports and experiential opportunities that develop and enhance each student’s independence in meeting personal career goals. To learn more – Click here!

The Learning Academy Employment Services at USF. Whether you are a job seeker looking for employment or an employer looking for the best person to fill your positions, The Learning Academy Employment Services is ready to help you succeed.

TLA employment services offer businesses solutions by customizing employment for individuals that are reliable, competent and talented. They provide training and technical assistance to ensure the new hire has become acclimated to the job site. Job seekers can expect The Learning Academy to support them through the entire employment process including resume writing, interviewing, placement, and job coaching. TLA’s employment specialists assist job seekers in finding meaningful, individualized, and gainful employment. For more information about TLA’s Employment Services – Click here!

Our guests will include the following:

  • Dr. Karen Berkman – CARD-USF Executive Director and the Learning Academy Director (Retiring)
  • Dr. Beth Boone – CARD-USF Executive Director and the Learning Academy Director (Incoming)
  • Christine Hugh, Assistant Program Director for the Learning Academy’s Employment Services
Pictured: Christine Hugh, Dr. Karen Berkman, Julie Ames, SNFH,
                and Dr. Beth Boone

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Hailey Moss – Attorney, Author, Artist, & Autism Advocate!!

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Hailey Moss – Attorney, Author, Artist, & Autism Advocate

This week our guest is Haley Moss. She is the first openly autistic woman attorney in the state of Florida. Haley Moss is a South Florida native who was diagnosed with autism at age three.

Upon receiving her autism diagnosis, her family was told that she would be fortunate to make a friend, graduate high school, or obtain her driver’s license. Haley has defied the expectations set forth within her initial diagnosis.

Today, she is an attorney, author, artist, and autism advocate who writes and speaks publicly about her journey and gives hope for other autistic people and their families and friends.

Pictured: At the Pepin Workforce Breakfast: Haley Moss and Julie Ames, SNFH

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: ZooTampa at Lowry Park!

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ZooTampa at Lowry Park

Join us Sunday afternoon on the Special Needs Family Hour at 1:00 pm!  
Our guest is Jennifer McLachian Vice President of Education for ZooTampa at Lowry Park as we discuss their Autism Friendly Initiatives. 

Jennifer oversees the early childhood education center, summer camps, and sleepovers as well as mission driven objectives that include in-park guest engagement. ZooTampa offers Special Needs Assistance, Gluten-Free menu options, service animals are welcome, sign language interpreters are available, and the zoo is an autism friendly attraction.

Autism Friendly

The Zoo has established a partnership with the Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD) at USF to improve their capacity to serve children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders and related disabilities. As a result, the Zoo has been designated an “autism-friendly business.”

The Zoo has visual aids at the front gate (limited availability), which can be borrowed at the guest’s request for assistance. The zoo also provides an Autism-friendly version of the Zoo map and additional sensory friendly materials like sensory friendly tips and social stories about Visiting the Zoo and Animal Encounters.

Autism Friendly Map – plan your adventure ahead of time! Click Here.
Sensory Friendly Tips Click Here.
Visiting ZooTampa at Lowry Park Click Here.
Feedings & Encounters Social Experience Stories Click Here.

ZooTampa’s Visitor Service Staff goes out of their way to ensure that all individuals with disabilities have an opportunity to experience all that is available at ZooTampa. Early childhood education center, summer camps and sleepovers includes those with disabilities.

This is in keeping with ZooTampa’s Mission:  “ ...to create exceptional personalized experiences that connect people with wildlife and each other in fun, immersive ways.”

Pictured:  Jennifer McLachian and Julie Ames, SNFH

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Autism Awareness Shop with Founder Jen Band!

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Autism Awareness Shop with Founder Jen Band!

Join us this Sunday on the Special Needs Family Hour at 1:00 pm!
Our guests this week are: Jen Band, President and Founder of the Autism Awareness Shop,  Scott Band, Director of Online Operations; and Ardena Bosley, Community Liaison.

We discusstheir retail operations, vocational training, employment, therapy, support groups and workshops. The Autism Awareness Shop- Thrift Store and More, Vocational Training Center is located at 2908 West Hillsborough Ave. Tampa, Florida, 33614. It is a 501(c)3 (non profit) company using proceeds to provide vocational skills programs to help build employment competencies for our adult “friends” with Autism. They are open to the public and promote autism acceptance.

There are so many ways that YOU can help them fulfill their mission and commitment to the community and our “friends” on the spectrum!

  • Shop at their store!! They have a large selection of new and gently used merchandise including autism awareness jewelry, t-shirts and “other” items, therapy items, “POP” and “other” collectibles, toys, comics…etc…etc… DAILY SPECIALS are announced on social media! Follow them to stay updated on merchandise arriving daily and last-minute deals!
  • Shop online at one of their stores.

Autism Awareness Shop
That Funny Shirt
AAS Amazon Shop
AAS Ebay Shop

  • Merchandise donations (gently used, good condition) help support the vocational training and can be dropped off at 2908 West Hillsborough Ave. Tampa, Florida 33614. For furniture and other large items, you can schedule a pick up by calling 813-879-6770
  • Monetary donations can be made via Paypal at https://www.paypal.me/putautismtowork/ or by check made payable to Autism Awareness Shop and mail to 2908 West Hillsborough Ave. Tampa, Florida 33614
  • Choose them as your fulfillment partner for your business.

What kind of opportunities are offered to “friends” on the spectrum?
Autism Awareness Shop offers a myriad of opportunities for “friends” to help them discover their passion(s). “Friends” are  provided exposure to every aspect of a retail establishment including; customer service, cash handling, organizing and sorting, pricing and staging merchandise, and keeping the store neat and tidy. In addition to that, “friends” also have the opportunity to learn all aspects of order fulfillment through the on-line Autism Awareness Shops at Amazon, eBay and social media.

Future plans include experiences in horticulture/agriculture/nutrition. Plans are underway for two greenhouses behind the building – one for herbs and veggies, the other for plants and flowers. Everything that is planted, grown and harvested will be sold at the shop; ultimately exposing “friends” to entrepreneurial opportunities.

Adult Day Training Program coming this Spring!

Pictured: Ardena Bosley, Community Liaison; Jen Band, Founder; Cody Band, employee; Scott Band, Director of Online Operations; and Julie Ames, SNFH.

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Autism Shifts & the Artistas Café!

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Autism Shifts and the Artistas Café

Join us this Sunday afternoon on the Special Needs Family Hour at 1:00 pm!
This week’s show will feature Vicky Westra the founder of Autism Shifts and the Artistas Café. Two organizations that have come together to provide training and employment to individuals with autism.

Pictured: Julie Ames, SNFH, and Vicky Westra, Artistas Cafe

We discuss the following: the biggest factors in changing the outcome for individuals with Autism; what people don’t typically understand about Autism; and key things parents should do to support their child with autism.

Lighting the Path for Employment for Autism. 

The vision of Shifting the outcome for those diagnosed with Autism.

Coming Soon!

Will be released in November 2018. 100% of the proceeds benefits Autism Shifts. Click on the icon below:

Discover the Light Within was written and illustrated by Vicky Westra and Laurie Stemm to inspire and uplift the Autism community they serve through their programs.  This book contains a variety of tools and processes that help readers connect to who they really are and create the life they want!  When we live our authentic life, we can experience life in “The Green Zone” filled with emotions such as passion, positive expectations, excitement and joy!

Although this book was created specifically for those touched by Autism, it can help anyone interested in discovering these things in their own lives. 

discover the light with bookmark.jpg

Tahni Cullen, Author of Josiah’s Fire and The Good Gift Giver – 21 Days of Unexpected Blessings

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Tahni Cullen, Author of “Josiah’s Fire”!

Our guest this week is Tahni Cullen. She is the author along with Cheryl Ricker of the book Josiah’s Fire. Josiah’s Fire was recently a #1 Bestseller for Special Needs Parenting on Amazon. They along with Josiah Cullen have a new devotional The Good Gift Giver – 21 Days of Unexpected Blessings.

Tahni and her husband Joe were thrust into a nightmare when their two-year-old-son, Josiah, a typical toddler, suddenly lost his ability to speak, play, and socialize. The diagnosis was Autism Spectrum Disorder. Five years later, Josiah, who had not been formally taught to read or write, suddenly began to type on his iPad profound sentences about God, science, history, business, music, strangers, and his heavenly encounters.

Tahni Cullen

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Tahni Cullen, Author of “Josiah’s Fire”!

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Tahni Cullen, Author of “Josiah’s Fire”

Join us this Sunday afternoon on the Special Needs Family Hour at 1:00 pm!

Our guest this week is Tahni Cullen. She is the author along with Cheryl Ricker of the book “Josiah’s Fire”. “Josiah’s Fire” recently hit #1 on Amazon’s Special Parenting.   It is an amazing true story of family, hope, and hearing God’s voice through a speechless boy with autism.

Tahni and her husband Joe were thrust into a nightmare when their two-year-old-son, Josiah, a typical toddler, suddenly lost his ability to speak, play, and socialize. The diagnosis was Autism Spectrum Disorder. Five years later, Josiah, who had not been formally taught to read or write, suddenly began to type on his iPad profound sentences about God, science, history, business, music, strangers, and his heavenly encounters.

Ava’s Law with Anna Bullard – Insurance for Autism / Tips on medical record organization

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Ava’s Law with Anna Bullard – Insurance for Autism/Tips on Medical Record Organization

Pictured: Anna Bullard, Julie Ames, SNFH.

Pictured: Anna Bullard, Julie Ames, SNFH.

This week our show features Ava’s Law with Anna Bullard, an advocate for medical insurance for children with autism.  Mrs. Bullard started her journey of advocacy for Autism in 2007 when her middle daughter Ava was diagnosed with Autism.

Anna was instrumental in the passage of Ava’s Law in Georgia, named for her daughter, requiring insurance coverage for Autism. She serves on the Autism Society of Georgia Board and the Board for Leadership and Disability for Georgia State University. As the Early Autism Project Director of Outreach and Advocacy, Mrs. Bullard has started parent supports groups in multiple states and continues to advocate for services for children with Autism across the United States.

Later on the show, fellow Mom, Kim Mueller shares her tips on medical record organization!