Coordinator's Corner

By: Debbie Zimmerman
TACA Hawaii,
Co-Coordinator

Got a Problem? Get a Tribe?

Running a TACA chapter can be tricky business since autism is a spectrum condition. If we run a meeting on speech/communication, many families with Asperger kids won’t attend. Conversely, when we run an Asperger’s program, we lose families with lower functioning kids.  And if autism spectrum disorder (asd) isn’t diverse enough, TACA represents families whose children are ages 1-18! Each age has its unique set of challenges.

While considering how to meet the unique needs of our members, I stumbled upon a book entitled, “Tribes, We Need You to Lead Us” by Seth Godin.  Let me quote from the book’s cover:

A tribe is any group of people, large or small, who are connected to one another, a leader, and an idea……Now the internet has eliminated barriers of geography, cost, and time. All those blogs and social networking sites are helping existing tribes get bigger and enabling new tribes to be born………..
              
TACA is its own tribe. We are families confronting autism passionate about helping our kids. We connect at our monthly meetings, through our website, yahoo groups, facebook and blogs. But I’m convinced we could more effectively help our children if we found leaders to establish special interest groups – or mini tribes – within our TACA chapter.

There is precedence for this proposal. When a group of TACA parents with college aged Asperger kids wanted to help their young adults transition to independent living, they started a tribe called, “Hawaii Youth in Transition.”  Eventually these families affiliated under another non-profit who could provide more support. Regardless, the work accomplished and friendships developed through this process have been incredible to witness.

Then there was TACA mom, and social butterfly, Dee Asuncion. We all know how isolating autism can be.  It is important for ASD children and their parents to have a social outlet. Therefore, Dee worked with her local Gymboree franchise to develop a program called, “Kid Connect.” During the “Kid Connect” time the gym is open exclusively to ASD families who have children ages 2-5.  Families can play, share, and engage without fear of judgment from those who don’t understand of the unusual behaviors associated with autism. Dee started a tribe to solve her problem.

What is the biggest challenge you face in raising your ASD child now? I guarantee there are other families confronting that same problem in our TACA community.  Why not harness the power of the internet within the TACA community to find likeminded families? As the old saying goes, “Two heads are better than one!” Working on a problem with journey partners will be thrilling, engaging, and most importantly productive. People are waiting for you to connect and lead them. The question is not “Can you do it?”  but “Will you?”

Autism Music Festival features TACA Hawaii

Thanks to the Lionel Yagi Ohana and the Steve Cummings Ohana, the Autism Music Festival was presented at the Kahala Mall Center Stage on Saturday, July 7.  The production entertained and educated hundreds of families about autism and TACA. Sarah Man, Sherri Henrique, Paul Asuncion, and Kaliko Martinez – all TACA Hawaii members – spoke about their personal experiences living with autism and gave families the “warning signs” to look for.  Cole Henrique, a recovered autistic child, thrilled the audience with numerous keyboard selections.  Likewise, there were lively ukulele pieces by Ryan Nakagawa and Chance and Given Yagi which made everyone smile!

HAWAII CHAPTER MEETING

Staying in the Game: Successful Traits of Families Who Break Down Barriers for Their Children with ASD

Monday, August 20, 2012

• Registration begins at 6:45 PM
  Meeting are from 7:00 - 8:30 PM
• Kaimuki Christian Church
  (Meets in the 2nd Floor Sanctuary)
  1117 Koko Head Ave
  Honolulu, HI 96816
• Driving Directions

Speaker: Lisa Ackerman, Executive Director and Founder of TACA

This meeting will provide families tangible strategies to save time, money and keep with successful tips and tools that will help on the autism journey. Who should attend: anyone with a child on the spectrum, especially families on the journey over several years. Keeping motivated and applying actionables will help you take positives steps for your child.

A native of California, Lisa has worked in the retail and real estate site selection for almost 20 years. Lisa was a co-founder of Integration Technologies and AnySite Software which was sold to MapInfo Corporation in 2003. Working with customers like Wal-Mart, Burger King and Shell Oil, Lisa has consulted and sold large solutions for planning and managing the site selection process. In March 2004, Lisa retired from her real estate career to assume a full-time volunteer role as Executive Director for TACA. Lisa transitioned from volunteer to a full time professional capacity in July 2008.

UPCOMING HAWAII CHAPTER MEETING

Hope in Autism Ministry Presents, The Greatest and Latest on Healing Supplements, Nourishing Foods and Wholesome Beverages

**There will be no formal meeting in September. Rather, TACA encourages members to attend New Hope's Hope in Autism Presentation.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

• Registration 10:00-10:30 AM
  Program 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM
• New Hope Oahu Lead Center
  290 Sand Island Access Road
  Honolulu, HI 96819
  Driving Directions

  Cost: $10 for advance registration received by September 1. $20 at the door. Link for registration is forthcoming.

Speakers: John H. Hicks, MD and Betsy Hicks

Contributing authors of Cutting-Edge Therapies for Autism 2011-2012, John H. Hicks, MD and Betsy Hicks will jointly present an information- packed lecture on what is new and upcoming in the world of supplements and healing foods. They will begin with a core building block lecture on Understanding Supplements, a foundational presentation designed to help parents understand the categories and functions of a variety of key supplements essential to wellness. Next, Betsy Hicks, author of Picky Eating Solution, will recommend tried, tested and creative techniques to help your child successfully take supplements with increased cooperation. The presentation will close with an enlightening segment on the benefits of fermentation and therapeutic foods. Dr. Hicks will outline the powerful health benefits while Betsy will demonstrate how to prepare basic recipes such as bone broth, ghee, sauerkraut, gingered carrots, beet kvass, and kefir.

For more information regarding this exciting event, please see our Hawaii TACA chapter page.

UPCOMING HAWAII CHAPTER EVENT

TACA Hawaii Named as a Beneficiary for the Els for Autism Golf Challenge

What is one of Hawaii's favorite sports? GOLF
What is one of Hawaii's leading outbound vacation destinations? VEGAS
Here is a change to play golf and perhaps win a free trip to Las Vegas...while simultaneously supporting autism!

Pro golfer Ernie Els has a son with autism; therefore, he established the Els for Autism Foundation to help families. As a fundraiser for his foundation, Els hosts a series of golf tournaments across the country. This year one of the tournaments will be held in the Islands and a portion of the proceeds - up to $5,000 - will be donated to the TACA Hawaii chapter.

For more details and sponsorship information - click here.

Join TACA of Hawaii on Facebook!

TACA of Hawaii is on Facebook! Connect with your old and new TACA friends alike, online!

How TACA Helps Hawaii Families

TACA does not charge admission to the meetings, nor does it assess annual membership fees for families it supports. Meetings feature:

• Free TACA Autism Journey Guides (over 750 pages of collective knowledge gathered from experienced paraprofessionals and parents) are offered to all parents who are attending their first Chapter meeting.
• Speakers on topics ranging from traditional therapies, integrated medical treatments, education, and legal support.
• TACA's Parent Mentors - one-on-one access to experienced families who have successfully navigated the challenges of finding appropriate treatments and educational opportunities for their children, and who receive additional education from TACA's Foundation Office.