Families with ASD Support Group Meetings
     Families with ASD is an Autism Spectrum Disorder Support Group for families who have been touched by  Autism. Meetings are geared    towards the entire family. We want you to bring your children. Our meetings are very casual get-togethers. Greg and I provide a place to meet as well as drinks( coffee, water, juice, and soft drinks). Families bring a snack to share with the group (usually something their children will eat). We set the food out, the children pair off and play, and the parents get to sit back, relax and enjoy the fellowship of other parents who live with Autism 24/7. Sometimes the parents play too. We discuss therapies, medicine, doctors, IEP meetings, and sometimes we just discuss sports!! We have had guest speakers attend, and offer information about local resources. Families sometimes will bring an article they find on Autism and share it with the group. If this sounds like something your family would enjoy, please join us. We have children on the spectrum as young as two years and as old as 21 yrs. Greg and I have an 12 yrs. old son that has Autism, Epilepsy and an Auto-Immune disease,  and a 8 yrs. old "typical" son. When we started this group we wanted a group that would help the entire family. We have parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, that all attend. Please come join us. This is a chance to hang out, relax and socialize without worrying about people judging our parenting skills, and our children!! No worries!! You can R.S.V.P., or just drop in. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Julia, or Greg at 513-528-1595, or e-mail at familieswithasd@yahoo.com . If you know of another family that may benefit from our group, please pass this on to them.


Saturday, October 20th: 5:30 p.m. to 9p.m.
Clough Pike Baptist Church
1025 Clough Pike Cincinnati, Oh 45245 (Drive around back of the church there will be a sign on the door)
  Families with ASD will be hosting our 3rd Annual Halloween Party on Saturday, October 20th starting at 5:30 p.m. till 9 p.m. It will be held at the Clough Pike Baptist Church in the Fellowship hall. You can take 275 to the Amelia Beechmont Exit. Take Mt. Carmel-Tobasco Road and then turn right onto Clough. Follow Clough past the park with the big helicopter and you will find the church on the right side of the road, right before Shaylor. Pull into the parking lot and go behind the church to the Fellowship hall. There will be a sign posted on the door. The address just in case you want to map quest it is: 1025 Clough Pike Cincinnati, Oh 45245
  Each child (including siblings) will receive a treat bag and a pumpkin to decorate. There will be several children activities. We would love for everyone to dress up- Yes, even the adults (but please not too scary for the little ones). Our party is free. All we ask is that you bring a snack to share(Please No Peanuts. We have some children with Peanut allergies. Greg and I will provide soft drinks, bottled water, juice, coffee, and apple cider. I need families to R.S.V.P. the number of children that will be attending so that we have enough pumpkins and treat bags. Please email me at with the number of children and the family name, or call and leave a message on my machine at 513-528-1595 giving me your family name and number of children attending. I need all R.S.V.P.'s by October 15th. (I will be getting the pumpkins on Friday the 19th, so I have extended the R.S.V.P. deadline to Friday by 3p.m.  Thanks, (R.S.V.P. at familieswithasd@yahoo.com or 528-1595 and leave how many children will be attending).

Saturday, November 17th: 5:30 p.m.:
127 South Mechanic, Lebanon, Ohio 45036 (513) 933-8022
     Families with ASD Group outing to Kindervelt's North Pole Express. We will be going as a group on the 6:15 Pajama Run on Saturday, November 17th, 2007. Just like in the Chris Van Allsburg's book, "The Polar Express". We want you to bring your children with their P.J.'s on (if they will wear them). I have reserved two train cars (114 spots) so that our group will get to ride together. Tickets are $15 a piece. If you ride with Families with ASD and purchase tickets from us, we will offer them to you for only $9 a ticket. Families with ASD will pay the remainder. We do this because we want more families to be able to afford this wonderful train ride. If you have not been on the North Pole Express, it is a wonderful experience. The train cars are decorated and there are elves that help out. They read "The Polar Express" to the children. Santa gives each child a bell, just like in the book. He stops and speaks with every child and if you want your picture taken with him, he is happy to do so. If you bring a copy of the "The Polar Express", he will sign it for your child. After Santa leaves, the children lead us signing Christmas Carols. It is a wonderful time. The train ride will again be at the Lebanon train station, so you will need to meet us there. You are supposed to arrive at least 45 mins before the train takes off, so we would need everyone to arrive no later than 5:30 p.m. Each year we ask that families wear a red Santa hat because we always do a group picture. (usually you can get a red Santa hat at Walgreens or Dollar store for only $2 each) This year since we are going later, we will need you at the train no later than 5:30 so that we can have our group picture before it gets dark.
If you would like to go on our Families with ASD North Pole Express group outing, I need you to fill out the following form and mail it with payment to Families with ASD, 4215 Edinburgh Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45245. I need all order forms by November 3rd. If you are unable to ride with us, but still want to go, you can go to Kindervelt's website and download the order form. Tickets for the train ride will be $15 a person and the times open are 9:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 12 noon, 1:15 p.m., 2:30 p.m. , 3:45 p.m. 5 p.m. and 6:15. (Hurry, tickets sell out quickly) If you order tickets for the 6:15 through Kindervelt, the ticket price will be $15 each. The only way to get the Families with ASD discounted price is to order tickets for our 6:15 train cars. All checks for the Families with ASD trains should be made out to Families with ASD. We will use the money to pay for the Polar Express train tickets.
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Families with ASD North Pole Express Train Ride Ticket Request
Make payable to Families with ASD and mail with check to Families with ASD, 4215 Edinburgh Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45245.
Kindervelt's North Pole Express at the Lebanon Mason Monroe Train Station, 6:15p.m. Pajama run with Families with ASD Group
Name: _______________________________ Address: ___________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Phone number: ________________________ Cell # _____________________________
Email: ________________________________ Number of tickets at $9 each ___________________
Total amount enclosed: $___________________
We have purchased 114 tickets (two train cars) for the 6:15 Pajama run. We have paid $15 a ticket (adult and children) but as a special offer to you we are offering tickets on our two train cars at $9 each (adult and children). Families with ASD will pay the remainding $6 ticket price for each ticket. Please make your check payable to Families with ASD and mail to Families with ASD, 4215 Edinburgh Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45245. Tickets will be sold on a first come first served basis. Emails requesting tickets do not hold tickets for your family. Only paid request with order form will ensure your tickets. We need all order forms no later than Saturday, November 3rd, 2007. Thank you. Families with ASD
Directions and Parking Information for the Train Ride
127 South Mechanic, Lebanon, Ohio 45036 (513) 933-8022
From Dayton: I-75 South - Traveling South on I-75 follow to exit #29 (Rt. 63 Lebanon). Turn left off the
exit onto Rt. 63 and travel approximately 8 miles into downtown Lebanon. Turn right onto Mechanic St.
and travel to the end of the block. Ticket office is located on the right hand side on the corner of Mechanic
and South Street.
From Cincinnati/Kentucky:
I-75 North - Traveling North on I-75 follow to exit #29 (Rt. 63 Hamilton/Morrow) turn right off the exit
onto Rt. 63 and travel approximately 8 miles into downtown Lebanon. Turn right onto Mechanic St. and
travel to the end of the block. Ticket office is located on the right hand side on the corner of Mechanic and
South Street.
I-71 North - Travel North on I-71 to exit 28 (South Lebanon/Lebanon) bare right towards Lebanon onto
Rt. 48 north. Continue north on Rt. 48 about 3 miles to the Rt. 123. Turn left at the end of the ramp onto
Rt. 123 (Main St). Travel about one mile to Mechanic Street and turn left. Continue to the end of the
block. Ticket office is located on the right hand side on the corner of Mechanic and South Street.
From Cleveland/Columbus: I-71 South - Traveling South on I-71 follow to exit #32 (Rt. 123 Morrow).
Turn right off the exit onto Rt. 123. Travel approximately 4 miles into downtown Lebanon. Turn left onto
Mechanic Street. Continue to the end of the block. Ticket office is located on the right hand side on the
corner of Mechanic and South Street.
From Indianapolis: Take I-74 East to 275 North (signs will say Dayton/Columbus), to I-75 North.
Traveling North on I-75, follow to exit #29 (Rt. 63 Hamilton/Morrow) turn right off the exit onto Rt. 63
and travel approximately 8 miles into downtown Lebanon. Turn right onto Mechanic St. and travel to the
end of the block. Ticket office is located on the right hand side on the corner of Mechanic and South
Street.
Parking:
Limited street parking is available on South Street next to Lebanon Station as well as one block past
Lebanon Station by Runyan Baseball Field. Additional public parking lots are located on the corner of Main
Street and Mechanic Street and on the corner of Main Street and Sycamore Street.
Main and Mechanic: To reach Main Street, travel one block back towards downtown Lebanon and at the
first stop sign, you will intersect Main Street. There is a public parking lot straight ahead and to the left
behind City Hall on the corner of Main Street and Mechanic.
Main and Sycamore: To reach Main Street, travel one block back towards downtown Lebanon and at the first stop
sign, you will intersect Main Street. Take a left on Main Street and go through the first traffic light. The second traffic light
intersects Sycamore. The parking lot is to your left on the corner of Main Street and Sycamore
Kindervelt's website: www.kindervelt.org/index_files/NorthPoleExpress.htm <javascript:ol('http://www.kindervelt.org/index_files/NorthPoleExpress.htm');>
"Since its publication in 1985, Chris Van Allsburg's The Polar Express has touched the hearts of millions of readers, young and old. Whether viewed on the big screen or the printed page, The Polar Express is a heartwarming story about the power of belief that resonates across generations and cultures. We invite you to settle in and take a ride on the Polar Express-it's a journey you won't soon forget." taken from the website: www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/features/thepolarexpress/ <javascript:ol('http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/features/thepolarexpress/');>


Families with ASD Support Group Meeting Dates for 2007:
(Dates are tentative, please check back closer to the meeting date to find out location, time of meeting, and to confirm date. )
  • Saturday, January 20, 2007- Group Movie Day at the Midway Theater to see "Charlotte's Web"
  • Saturday, February 24, 2007- Kate Hawkins-Special Guest
  • Saturday, March 17, 2007:  Celebrate our 2 year Anniversary as a Family Support Group- Kathy   Morris- Community Fund Management Foundation will be our special guest.
  • Friday, April , 6th 2007: Movie at the Midway Theater: "Meet the Robinsons"
  • Saturday, April 7th, 2007:  Fundraiser for Families with ASD:  Cut-a-thon at Smitty's Barber Shop in Ft. Thomas, KY,  22 N Fort Thomas Ave,Fort Thomas, KY, (859) 441-3024.  8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Raffle for 1 week ocean front vacation to Myrtle Beach will be sold at $10 a piece.  All money raised will go to the 2007 Autism Expo fund for Families with ASD.
  • Sunday, April 15, 2007- Families with ASD and the Families and Children First Skating Party at Beechmont Rollerarena!
  • Saturday, April 21, 2007- - Special Guest- Jean Houston from The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities
  • Saturday, May 19, 2007:  3rd Annual Picnic at the Well's House
  • Saturday, June 30th, 2007:  Group outing : Families with ASD Goes to Kings Island!!!!
  • Saturday, July 21, 2007: 10 a.m.  Movie at the Midway Theater in Bethel:  "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"
  • Saturday, August 4, 2007: 10 a.m. Movie at the Midway Theater in Bethel:  "Underdog!"
  • Saturday, August 18, 2007:  3rd Annual Families with ASD Family Baseball Game!!
  • Saturday, September 29, 2007:  2nd Annual Families with ASD Autism Expo!!!!! 
  • Saturday, October 20th, 2007:  3rd Annual Families with ASD Halloween Party!
  • Saturday, November 17, 2007:  3rd Annual trip to the Kindervelt North Pole Express!
  • Saturday, December 15, 2007:  3rd Annual Families with ASD Christmas Party!

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2008 Tentative Dates!!
Saturday, January 19th, 2008:  Guest Speakers : Legal Aide  (Parents can pick one of 2 sessions while children and families play and have "Game Night!"
Saturday, February 16th, 2008:  Valentine's Day Party!!
Saturday, March 15th, 2008: Families with ASD celebrates 3 Year Anniversary!!!!
Saturday, April 19th, 2008: 2nd Annual Autism Cut-a-thon!!!
Saturday, May 17th, 2008: 4th Annual Picnic at the Well's
Saturday, June 28th, 2008:  Group Outing
Saturday, July 26th, 2008:
Saturday, August 23rd, 2008: 4th Annual Baseball Game!!
Saturday, September 20th, 2008:  3rd Annual Families with ASD Autism Expo!!!!
Saturday, October 18th, 2008: 4th Annual Families with ASD Halloween Party!!
Saturday, November 22nd, 2008: 4th Annual Trip to the Kindervelt North Pole Express!!!
Saturday, December 20th, 2008: 4th Annual Families with ASD Christmas Party!!