Autism resource fair

The second Maine Autism Resource Fair is scheduled for 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Augusta Civic Center. The event enjoys the distinction of being the first and only resource fair solely dedicated to the education and empowerment of families affected by autism.

Scheduled workshops include understanding Pupil Evaluation Team, or PET, meetings at school; special education law, caring for a child with Asperger’s Syndrome; sensory issues – how-to approach; strategies for challenging behaviors; inclusion in the classroom; advocacy and communication; the power of reinforcement; and a session with Debra Lipsky, a speaker who lives with high-functioning autism.

Attendees will find numerous exhibitors who supply services and merchandise to the autism community. New this year is a “make it and take it” area which allows participants to make personalized visual schedules, and supplies which help with sensory difficulties.

Admission to the fair is free. The Autism Society of Maine is a primary sponsor of the fair.

Heidi Bowden, the fair’s founder and the mother of a 7- year-old girl with autism, found herself having to travel out of state for training and workshops in order to help her daughter. She found it expensive and frustrating that there were no local resources for her or other parents in her situation.

Taking matters into her own hands she created the Maine Autism Resource Fair to help fill the gap and bring new techniques and information to those who need it without charge.

“I realize the struggle, and work to lessen it. I believe in hope for our children and consider education a key factor,” she said.

Bowden anticipates an impressive turnout because of the large number of attendees for the first fair.

“Last year I knew within a couple of hours we would need to hold this event at the Augusta Civic Center in 2006,” Bowden said. Last year’s fair drew more than 470 participants.

Registration for the fair is requested. For more information or registration, visit www.maeproject.org or call Heidi Bowden at 626-3042.

Shining Star Award

WASHINGTON – Alice Page of Kenduskeag, a WomenHeart support network coordinator, was among five volunteers nationwide who received the first-ever Shining Star Awards in July. Page and the other women were cited for their leadership, creativity and commitment to providing information and support to women living with heart disease. The awards are Swarovski heart-shaped crystal sculptures.

“We are very proud of these five women and celebrate the enormous difference they have made in their communities,” said WomenHeart program director Marie Warshauer. “They have provided countless hours or support and compassion to women who were once socially isolated and unable to take charge of their heart disease. Their efforts have been life saving for countless women heart patients.”

Women Heart’s national support network program operates 40 local networks across the country for women diagnosed with heart disease. It is supported by educational grants from AstraZeneca, Boston Scientific and Medtronic Foundation.

WomenHeart is the nation’s patient advocacy organization serving the 8 million American women living with heart disease. It aims to improve their quality of life and health care through its support, information and advocacy programs. Founded in 1998, WomenHeart is a public charity with headquarters in Washington, D.C. To obtain more information, visit www.womenheart.org.

Social Security office

The Social Security Administration office is undergoing renovation. The office will be minimally staffed Aug. 17-21, with extremely limited service available to the public. Individuals are encouraged to postpone visits to the office on those dates. Normal service will resume on Tuesday, Aug. 22.

Those who wish to contact Social Security while the office renovations are in progress may call the nationwide toll free number at (800) 772-1213. The toll free service does not work from telephones in Canada. Social Security’s online services also are available to the public at www.socialsecurity.gov.