Contact Information:

Chapter Representatives:
Mary-Minn Sirag 541.689.2228
Tim Mueller  541.521.7208

Resources:
Patricia Wigney
(children - new diagnosis)
Bridgeway House (541)345-0805 www.bridgewayhouse.org

Kellie Hays
(kids / family activity committee)
KMHays@aol.com

Mary-Minn Sirag
(adult issues)
KindTree Productions (541)689-2228 sirag@mindspring.com

Tim Mueller
(recreational - art - computer resources) KindTree Productions (541)521-7208 tim@kindtree.org www.kindtree.org

Nan Lester
(Asperger - school issues)
Asperger Counseling Northwest
(541)345-8588 ACNW webpage

Puberty & Sexuality

Warning:  Do not look the other way!

This 2008 seminar will address the challenges facing a person with Autism Spectrum Disorder when puberty occurs.   Our speakers will cover strategies in dealing with puberty, teaching our children and youth with disabilities about sex education, how sexuality is developed over the span of childhood and teenage years and why this information is important for kids with disabilities to learn.

Given the importance of this subject, we are taking this seminar series to 3 Oregon Cities:

 8:00 a.m.:  Registration and continental breakfast.

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.:  The following speakers will present:

Karen Ripplinger:   “Nothing is delayed about puberty”.  Ms. Ripplinger will delve into skills and concepts kids need at every age level on the topic of sexuality development, how we can teach these skills and concepts at home and how it can be addressed in the IEP. 

Karen Ripplinger has worked for Oregon PTI for eight years where her current position is serving as the Partners Program trainer, training and matching volunteers to attend IEP meetings with families.  She has served on numerous boards and committees in the disability community.  Karen has a son with Fragile X Syndrome. 

Lucinda Waddell:  “Puberty….Ready or not, here it comes!”   Ms. Waddell will explore the misconceptions, strategies and, yes, joy, of puberty for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  She will share anecdotal material collected from over 25 years of working with people with ASD.

Lucinda Waddell has been an Autism Consultant for 25 years, working privately with families, schools, and employers.  She was an Aftercare Provider at the Center for The Study Of Autism, with Dr. Stephen Edelson. She is the mother of Heather who is married to John Turner.  Heather and John both have autism and have been married for 13 years.

Mary Minn Sirag:  “I was there”.  Ms. Sirag is an adult with Autism.  She will share her personal experiences as a young adult going through this inevitable rite of passage. 

Mary-Minn Sirag is President of KindTree Productions, a Eugene-based, grassroots autism non-profit dedicated to serving and celebrating the autism community through art, education and recreation. She teaches art to adults with developmental disabilities for Adaptive Recreation.  She also works at Lane Independent Living Center in Eugene, training people with disabilities on how to work more effectively with their homecare workers. She has received awards from the Arc of Oregon, United Way and OASIS, which offers classes to seniors.

Cost:    $25 for parent

            $50 for professionals and educators

To register, please send a check made payable to the Autism Society of Oregon to.  If you are a professional working with a person with autism, please let us know in what capacity.

P.O. Box 396

Marylhurst, OR  97036

Questions, please call the ASO office at (503)636-1676 or 1-888-AUTISM1