L ifeLong LearnerSM

L I F E L O N G L E A R N I N GTM

Winter 2009

· Executive Director’s Message 2

· Fundraising Highlights 3

· Family Corner 5

· Notes and Notables 6-7

Campus Improvements ContInue as aCa’s master sIte plan work forges on

WHAT’S INSIDE

In January 2006, Anderson Center for Autism (ACA) began construction

associated with a Master Site Plan for the campus – a three phase plan

designed to revitalize our Center. With Phase 1 – which addressed the

campus’ immediate residential needs with the construction of four homes

– completed in 2006, our attention is now centered on Phase 2 construction.

We are pleased that Phase 2 work is proceeding on schedule and extend our

gratitude to Kirchhoff Construction Management, Inc. and Sloan Architects,

P.C. for their professional service.

As part of Phase 2, we recently completed the construction of six, new,

state-of-the-art residences, allowing many of our children to relocate from

older dormitories just in time to celebrate the winter holidays. In addition,

Davis Hall is currently undergoing renovation and will be home to 16

children upon completion in the fall. “We are thrilled that ACA has achieved

a significant portion of the Master Site Plan with the relocation of 112

children to new residences. But more important, our children are aware of

their new surroundings and are certainly enjoying their wonderful homes,”

commented Maria Espie, ACA’s Director of Business Affairs.

A new Wastewater Treatment Facility is also under construction with

completion scheduled for April 2009. Construction of our new Village

Center is scheduled to begin in March and will serve as our support service

facility for maintenance, transportation, and campus security. We are

delighted that this facility will also include two Family Centers designed to

provide a pleasant environment for families to visit with their children on

campus. This facility is scheduled to be finished by March 2010.

ACA’s Master Site Plan is a five to seven year process. The work gives the

Center the invaluable opportunity to update our more than 80 year old, 150

acre campus and provide the best in educational and residential facilities that

address the specific needs of individuals with autism.

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a u t i s m t o d a y

Today’s economic news is unsettling to say the least. The economy is in what some describe as “unprecedented turmoil” and everyone knows it. But how does it affect Anderson Center for Autism and our delivery of services to children and adults with autism? For us, this economy presents a two-fold problem.

1. We have not, as of yet, received approvals for many of our graduating students to leave the campus and move into their adult community group home and day program. Without these important placements, how do they move on?

2. Because the graduating students are still here at ACA, the beds/desks that are ordinarily available to accommodate

Thoughts from the

desk of Neil J. Pollack,

Executive Director/C.E.O.

incoming students are not available. ACA serves children at the most challenging levels of the autism spectrum. Without beds/desks available at ACA, where do these incoming students go?

The good news is that two years ago we saw signs of this coming and took measures to cautiously maintain solid executive leadership while limiting institutional expenses, reducing overhead and adding efficiencies in our budget. Our forecasting also allowed us to implement technological advances that create a more efficient and cost effective approach to service delivery. Because of this self imposed planning, we will not feel the pinch as much as many other service organizations, but today, fundraising is more vitally important than ever.

Contributions to Anderson’s Campaign for Autism help to fill in service gaps, support education for ACA’s staff and help encourage talented individuals to enter the field of autism. Over 90 cents from every dollar is spent to support direct services to individuals with autism. We urge you to consider contributing, or continuing to contribute, to the Campaign in this time of increased need. We’re confident you’ll agree that it is money very wisely spent.

b o a r d s o f t r u s t e e s

Anderson Center for Autism operates under the guidance of our exceptional Boards of Trustees. We appreciate the contributions that each of these talented and generous individuals makes towards the achievement of our goals.

David W. Melby, Chair

Neeraj Alimchandani, 1st Vice Chair

Francis M. Synan, 2nd Vice Chair

Peter M. Olympia, Jr., Treasurer

anderson Center for autIsm*

Sarah E. Sholes, Secretary

Elinor B. E. Arnold, Trustee

Justin L. Cole, Trustee

Pompey H. Delafield, Trustee

Joe Lepore, Trustee

Richard Lewis, Trustee

Lynne M. Liptay, MD, Trustee

Jeanne R. Raichle, Trustee

John A. Scileppi, Trustee

*Trustees for Anderson Center for Autism are also trustees for Anderson Center Services, Inc.

anderson foundatIon for autIsm, InC.

Margaret Cusumano, Chair

John Maserjian, Vice Chair

Robert Shoemaker, Treasurer

Rebecca A. Valk, Secretary

Ellen L. Baker, Trustee

Louis Fratto, Jr., Trustee

Vance Gage, Trustee

Allen Gerber, M.D., Trustee

Joseph F. Heavey, Trustee

William F. Melcher, Trustee

Marissa Perez-Rogers, Trustee

William R. Salmeri, Trustee

Fritz Sonnenschmidt, Trustee

Michael McNaughton

lIfetIme Honorary trustees

Wilfred Rohde Jaime Rodriguez-Tellez

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upComIng eventsmarCH 9tH-25tHACA Adult Services “Through our Eyes” Art ShowCunneen-Hackett Arts Center, 9 Vassar St, Poughkeepsie Reception on March 15th, 1-3 pm

aprIl 17tH Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce Policy Breakfast at The Poughkeepsie Grand Co-Speakers: Parent, Author, Composer Rupert Holmesand Actor David Strathairn

aprIl 17tH - 24tHBarnes and Noble Book Fair to Benefit ACAKingston and Poughkeepsie stores - voucher is required

aprIl 22nd Hyde Park and Rhinebeck Chambers of Commerce Breakfast at Anderson Education Center Speaker TBD

aprIl 30tHCoppola’s Supports Autism Awareness A portion of the day’s proceeds will be donated to ACA when you dine at Coppola’s Italian and American Bistro in Hyde Park and you mention us

may 12tH Spring Training Workshop at Anderson Education Center Topic: “Autism through the Eyes of a Sibling”

For more information on ACA events, please call 845-889-9208. Don’t miss the Save the Date announcement for this year’s Golf Tournament and Annual Gala on the back cover of this issue. They are always great events and we hope you can attend.

ACA relies on the guidance of our exceptional Boards of

Trustees – Anderson Center for Autism and Anderson

Foundation for Autism, Inc., (AFA). Recently, the AFA

Board has been restructured to refocus its purpose and

ensure its most effective operation. The revamped and

revitalized AFA is now dedicated 100 percent to the

development of, and crucial processes related to fundraising

and awareness of the mission. We look forward to the

great work the Board will do under its newly refined

direction. Please refer to page three of this issue for a

complete listing of the talented and dedicated individuals

who make up our Boards. We thank them all for their

tireless efforts in support of ACA.

We are pleased to pass along the great news that, with the

continual and generous support of our families, friends

and the community, we have just passed the $1 million

mark in Anderson’s Campaign for Autism. We are sure

that our ultimate goal of $2.5 million can be achieved with

continued successes at our annual events and with the

contributions of the inspired individuals and organizations

who believe in our mission. Our heartfelt thanks to all!

Inserted in this issue, you will find a support envelope for

ACA’s Annual Appeal. Whether you are a first time donor

or a lifetime friend, we hope you will consider making a

contribution to the Annual Appeal this year which will go

a long way in supporting ACA’s overall programs.

Fundraising House Parties are a fun way to support ACA!

They provide an opportunity to gather old and new

friends and spread the word of ACA’s good work and

how people can help. If you would like to find out

more about hosting a Fundraising House Party,

please contact Rosemary Hoffmann at 845-889-9201 or

RosemaryHoffmann@ACenterforAutism.org.

In recognition of their outstanding support, we had added

to our website a list of the Sponsors who generously

backed our Annual Gala and Golf Tournament during

2008. Without their support, our events could not have

been the great successes that they were! We thank all

of our Sponsors for their tremendous dedication to ACA.

Please go to our website www.AndersonCenterForAutism.

org and click on the “Past Sponsors” link under “Ways

to Give” in the main navigation for the complete list.

fundraIsIng HIgHlIgHts

William F. Melcher, Trustee

Marissa Perez-Rogers, Trustee

William R. Salmeri, Trustee

Fritz Sonnenschmidt, Trustee

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aCa staff featured at new york autIsm ConferenCe

In October, ACA presented a comprehensive daylong seminar at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel entitled Understanding Individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome or High Functioning Autism in New York. The seminar, which included topics that covered Asperger’s through early childhood, “the tweens” and adulthood, was designed for special education teachers and directors, speech pathologists, counselors, social workers, classroom teachers and aides, nurses, education professionals and more.

Director of Consulting Services at ACA, Nancy Osborn, M.A., served as the seminar’s moderator. Stacy Trapani-Barber, M.A., BCBA, of ACA’s Clinical Department, was the featured presenter along with guest presenter Glenn Nystrup, Special Educator from the Ridge School. The seminar received exceptional reviews from the more than 75 attendees from a wide range of professional backgrounds.

HolIday festIvItIes at aCa

This year’s holiday season at ACA was filled with great events and widespread cheer. Many thanks go to the Church of the Messiah in Rhinebeck, who donated holiday gifts for everyone in residence at ACA, as well as to Children’s Medical Group who sponsored additional gifts for our children. Santa, who arrived in style thanks to a fire truck ride from the Staatsburg Fire Department, distributed the gifts to the happy recipients.

Other on-campus holiday events included a fun Hanukkah celebration with help from Chabad Dutchess & Rhinebeck Jewish Center and a staff open house. Thanks to all who’s time and efforts made it a very happy holiday season at ACA!

.

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waItIng for tHe next steps

For Alfred and Marlene Taylor, the decision to have their twins Matthew and Michael move from their family home to

Anderson Center was one of the toughest they’d ever had to face. Now seven years later, as their sons approach graduation

this summer, they’re confident that they made the right move. “We knew that Anderson was uniquely equipped to

attend to the boys’ needs and help in their development towards adulthood. And, since it was within an hour’s drive, we

were able to spend significant family time with the boys – frequently taking them home for weekends and vacations and

sharing on-campus visits.”

“We are pleased with the progress the boys have made both academically and socially,” says mom Marlene. “The boys

have different abilities and have both made tremendous strides with the support, skills, and efforts of the Center’s

diverse staff.”

Today though, the Taylors still await approval on

Matthew and Michael’s next steps. “They had

been scheduled for placement in an Anderson

Center group home in Wappingers,” explains

Marlene, but with budget cuts affecting the

community at large, the pace for approvals

and development has slowed dramatically. “All

parents want their children to continue to move

forward in their growth and development,

and stabilization in their housing placement is

crucial to that development. My husband and I

are people of faith, however we also know that

advocacy is a powerful tool. Contacting our

legislators and other state officials is a viable

method by which to get the housing needed for

our children aging out of Anderson Center.”

This situation and similar sentiments are shared by other parents of soon-to-be-graduated ACA students waiting

for news of their children’s residential programs. “Our son has been at ACA since he was 12 and the experience has

been great,” noted a concerned parent. “We had always anticipated, and still are hopeful, that he would continue with

ACA in an adult group home, but we are still waiting for the placement approval from the state. I realize that with

this economy these are very difficult times, but I hope that those with authority recognize that these individuals are

real people with significant needs who can’t care for themselves. Although, roads and bridges, etc. are all worthy

projects, when there is a need to prioritize, people must always come first. We have to fund practices that support

human beings.”

f a m i l y c o r n e r

Michael and Matthew Taylor together at ACA

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A C A n o t e s a n d n o t a b l e s

Coppola’s welComes aCaIn December, John Coppola, local businessman and strong

supporter of ACA, hosted the annual ACA holiday luncheon

at Coppola’s Italian and American Bistro in Hyde Park.

Students and staff who attended were treated to a delicious

lunch and great holiday fun. Grazie John!

CelebratIng tHe HarvestEach year, ACA’s Harvest Festival is a great family event that celebrates the bountiful Fall season. This year was certainly no exception.

ACA adults and students, parents and staff gathered to share in a carnival-like, fun day which included a petting zoo, bouncy houses,

face painting, pumpkin decorating, clowns, music, dancing and much more. Each house even made a delicious apple dessert for the

festive occasion. The day also included a guest performance by The Black Achievement Dancers from the Dutchess County YMCA,

(pictured at right below). Their coach and mentor, Jarmar Richardson mentioned, “They have attended many competitions,

but were excited to be given the opportunity to perform at this type of event.”

barnes & noble supports a noble Cause Once again, the Barnes & Noble stores in Poughkeepsie

and Kingston recently held a unique fundraiser in support

of ACA. Through their efforts, during one week of each

quarter, if ACA is mentioned or a special coupon is

presented by a person making a purchase, a percentage is

set aside as a donation to ACA. During the recent

promotion individuals from our Adult Services program

presented their artwork and provided readings. (Shown

below, from left to right, Matthew R., Edward H.,

Dylan A., and Berecia J.)

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aCa adults at work at tHe CIaIn 2008, ACA was approached by the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park

(CIA) to have individuals in our adult program work in their dish rooms. Currently

two ACA groups are working in the busy dish rooms providing such services as

cleaning dishes, loading and unloading dish machines, sorting types of dishes and

utensils and delivering carts of clean dishes throughout the building. Through the

program, our individuals are able to work side by side with the CIA students and staff.

Recently, the CIA held a holiday party in honor of the great work ACA individuals are

doing. Good job everyone!

lIfelong learnIng sm model for adults Is subjeCt of aCa presentatIon Recently, ACA’s Jennifer Rathjen, Coordinator of Day Services, and Day

Habilitation Instructors Nathan Briggs and Andrew Overton presented a

workshop to more than 40 attendees covering the Center’s LifeLong LearningSM

model for adults with autism spectrum disorders. Key topics included the use

of ABA, positive behavior supports, curriculum addressing learning opportunities

for activities in daily living, integration, socialization and more. The presenters

and attendees all shared discussion on how we structure our individuals’ day

and how important routine and predictability are in their learning process.

junIor gIrl sCouts spread joy at aCaThis past November, girls from Wappinigers Falls’ Junior Girl Scout

Troop 10241 and their troop leader visited ACA and spread some

“birthday cheer.” The visit culminated months of work by the girls in

pursuit of Girl Scouts’ prestigious Bronze Award. The award is the

highest honor a Junior Girl Scout can earn and requires her to learn

the leadership and planning skills necessary to follow through on a

project that makes a positive impact on her community.

The theme came from the remembrance of the birthday of Girl Scouts

founder Juliette Low. In her honor, the girls spent time teaching a

local Brownie troop about Low and helping them make special

Birthday Boxes for ACA. The boxes were wrapped, decorated and

filled with items for a child’s birthday – cake mix, frosting, candles,

party hats, balloons, and a little present. The girls’ personal delivery of

the Birthday Boxes to ACA allowed them to see who the project

benefitted.

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Save the Date

4885 Route 9 · P.O. Box 367

Staatsburg, NY 12580-0367

Ph: 857-889-4034

www.AndersonCenterforAutism.org

The dates have been chosen and planning is well underway for ACA’s signature annual events. So, mark your calendars and plan to attend!

Golf TournamentJune 3, 2009Casperkill Golf Club, Poughkeepsie

GalaOctober 3, 2009The Grandview, Poughkeepsie

For more information, watch our website

www.AndersonCenterforAutism.org for updates or call 845-889-9208