Horse-drawn wagon rides at “Christmas in the Grove” with lunch afterwards plus a craft show and we have a table where the AUsome Group members can sell your own craft items!

Saturday, December 3rd, 2011, 11:00 am – 1:00pm , (craft show is from 10 – 3)

Glacial Drumlin Middle School, 801 Damascus Tr, Cottage Grove.

This event is FREE, but remember to bring money for food and craft items.  continue reading…

For 50 years, the Autism Society of Greater Madison (ASGM) has worked to address areas of need, while providing and expanding support for the autism community in ten Southern Wisconsin counties.

ASGM, a chapter of the national Autism Society, is a local organization with the goal to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by autism spectrum disorders.  Every dollar we raise stays in the Southern Wisconsin region to directly help those who live and work in our surrounding communities.

We are a largely volunteer run organization that focuses on educational outreach, public policy advocacy, support groups for all family members and building awareness through numerous marketing and social events.  We recognize that each person has special attributes with ways to contribute, and that’s why ASGM is committed to societal inclusion in hope of earning respect and tolerance for all individuals on the spectrum from diagnosis through the life span.

Please contact us to become a member, to volunteer some time or to donate, and please explore this web site thoroughly to see how the Autism Society of Greater Madison can help you.

Wishing you hope for better tomorrows and happiness in the joys our children bring,

David George, President and Susannah Peterson, Executive Director

Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President:  David George   davidleegeorgejr@gmail.com

Past President:  Eric Anderson

Treasurer:  Nancy Griego

Secretary:  Char Brandl

DIRECTORS:

Ben Gruhl

Julie Heibel

Joanne Juhnke

Briane Pagel

Jody Glynn Patrick

Diane Wakely

Staff

Executive Director

Susannah Peterson   autismmadison@gmail.com

Membership

Membership is crucial for us to know who we serve and to gauge how well we represent various areas.  Only a tiny portion of your money goes toward joining the state chapter, so your money stays local for us to provide education, advocacy, marketing and support services.

Procedures have changed as of 2011.  You join our local chapter (ASGM) and we funnel 1/6th of the dues to state (ASW) so you’re members of both.  The national organization (ASA) has a separate dues structure now and you can contact them at www.autism-society.org

Please download and print the attached file then mail to the address listed just under our logo at the top of the two page form.  Also, read the information carefully and know that this is an incentive-based program so you give to us but we give discounts, coupons and special priviledges right back as a way of saying “thank you!”

Membership Form

Contacts

ASGM welcomes your questions, comments and ideas. Please feel welcome to contact us by:

Mail
2935 S. Fish Hatchery Road, #101
Madison, WI  53711

Phone
(608) 213-8519

Email
autismmadison@gmail.com

For questions about our AUSome Social Group, please contact coordinator Nancy Alar at AUsomeSocialGroupMadison@gmail.com

For questions about our AUSome Adult Groups, please contact coordinator Becky at Google Group email ; ausome-adults@googlegroups.com or visit us on Google Groups at http://groups.google.com/group/ausome-adults

To learn more about other Autism Society chapters in our state, visit the Autism Society of Wisconsin at asw4autism.org

To learn more about the Autism Society of America, visit autism-society.org

Swimming in the Monona Pool in August has become an ASGM/AUsome tradition.

The cost of swimming is cheaper for ASGM families (or families with a single ASGM member).  So this might be a good time to join ASGM if you aren’t a member already.   Being an ASGM member also automatically gives you yearly membership in the Autism Society of Wisconsin.  See the ASGM web site at http://www.autismmadison.org/ for more details membership cost, how to join ASGM and more details about the August swim.   You will also be able to join ASGM (and save $5) at the pool as you check in.

Pre-registration is required because we need a count for the number of lifeguards.  Call (608) 213-8519 or email autismmadison@gmail.com.  But the cost is only $5 for an entire family group for ASGM members – $10 for non-member families.   You pay when you get to the pool.

As before, we have been able to reserve the entire Monona pool.  They have a large shallow end, diving boards and a great water slide.    The pool is very large and pool toys are permitted.     There are changing rooms with showers to get dressed and into your suits.

The Monona Pool is located Behind the Monona Community Center at 1011 Nichols Road (which becomes Pflaum Road at Monona Drive – see map above).  Go West on Nichols road about 8 blocks from Monona Drive, past the Monona Library/City Hall sign, and down the hill.   The pool is on the right.   There is a big parking lot next to the pool entrance.  Don’t forget your suit and towel!  Bring shampoo, a comb and an extra towel if you want to wash the chlorine out of your hair.  Bring pool toys if you have them.

If you forget to pre-register and we don’t have enough lifeguards, it will be first come, first admitted.  However, parents or others who come but don’t swim can be in the pool area and don’t count toward the lifeguard requirement.  There’s a large selection of lounge chairs if you just want to come and “hang out” (you don’t even have to change into a swimsuit).  We will also have lemonade and snacks available near the pool.  We can get in the changing room at 9:00.  We have to be out of the pool at 11:00.  After getting out of our suits, we’ll head over to the Rocky Rococo’s pizza on Monona Drive for lunch.

 If the swimming gets rained out:  Watch your email for info on this since the pool folks make cancellation decisions at the last minute.   But the lifeguards don’t let a little thing like cool and cloudy weather stop them.  If you don’t have email or the weather is “iffy”, meet me in the pool parking lot at 9:00 and we’ll make a final decision with those who show up.   If the lifeguards cancel, I will probably suggest going to the Monona Library for a while and then lunch at Rocky’s.  We went to the Monona Library after the June 2006 weather crisis and it was a nice, quiet place.

The AUsome Social Group

Teen/Young Adult  Recreation/Social Group

 Sponsored by the Autism Society of Greater Madison (ASGM); http://www.autismmadison.org/

Contact:  Nancy Alar, 3802 Gala Way, Cottage Grove, WI  53527

(608) 222-4378 or ausomesocialgroupmadison@gmail.com

Little Amerricka Amusement Park Train Ride and Mini-golf

Saturday, July 23, 2011;  1:45 – 4:00pm

700 E. Main Street, Marshall, WI  (I94 East then North at Hwy 73 exit)

Admission to the park is free.   Each AUsome member and their guests will get a free train ride and a round a mini-golf (Thanks to our Capital Times Kid’s Fund grant) but bring extra money if you want to ride other rides or get treats like soda, hot dogs or cotton candy.

This is a really great little amusement park with full size rides.     In the summer it is open every day from 12 – 6pm and admission to the park is free.  There is a small concessions building where you can get sandwiches, soda, cotton candy, etc. and sit and eat.  There is a small video game room in the corner.

We will meet in the concessions building by the T-shirt counter at 1:45.  Please be on time so you can get your free tickets.  We will ride the miniature train together at 2:15.  The ride lasts about 20 minutes.  Then we will go over and play miniature golf.   After playing golf, we’ll go back to the concession building for a snack.  Note that the train leaves the station every half hour (2:15, 2:45, 3:15, etc), so you may have to take a later train ride if you come late.  Be sure to bring enough money to cover any extra rides and a snack.  The place will probably be open even if it rains a bit because there are several buildings you can go into.  If it looks like the weather is really terrible, we’ll move it to the next day (Sunday, July 24th).

They have a marvelous miniature train with 3+ miles of track.  During the train ride you can see all kinds of animals including sheep, swans, llamas, a zebra, cows and several others.  The train does have a fairly loud whistle so sit near the back if you’re noise sensitive.  There is also a man-made tunnel that may have a minor diesel smoke problem if the wind is wrong.  Other rides include a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round,  tilt-a-whirl, scrambler, bumper boats, bumper cars, an overhead skyway ride and 3 small (but zippy) roller coasters.  They don’t have the usual loud carnival music so only the train whistle might be a problem if you are noise sensitive.  It is not usually crowded and you seldom have to wait in line to ride.

It is very clean and quite small.  Some people have noted a smell from a local farm nearby in the past, but I visited there last week and there was no such smell.  Families and siblings are welcome.  There is a special area set aside for younger children with its own “kiddie” rides and a playground.

Call 608-655-3181 in Marshall or see their web site at www.littleamerricka.com if you want more details.

To get there, take I94 East from Madison (towards Milwaukee).   Get off at the Hwy 73 exit and go North to Marshall.   When you get to the (only) stop sign in the middle of town, turn right.   Little Amerricka is about 3 blocks down on the right.  If anyone has transportation problems, give me a call and I’ll try to help out. See Map on following page

 Important Items and Sensory Issues: 

The train does have a fairly loud whistle that can be heard all over the park.    If you’re sensitive to noise, you should ride near the caboose.

There is also a man-made tunnel that may have a minor diesel smoke problem if the wind is wrong.

Bring sunscreen if it is sunny for the mini-golf.

Please RSVP to (608) 222-4378 or Nancy.L.Alar@gmail.com  so I have an idea who is coming.

Map to Little Amerricka for July 23, 2011

The AUsome Social Group

Teen/Young Adult Recreation/Social Group

 Sponsored by the Autism Society of Greater Madison (ASGM)

Contact:  Nancy Alar, 3802 Gala Way, Cottage Grove, WI  53527

(608) 222-4378 or ausome@huges.net

ASGM/AUsome combined Private Swimming Party at Monona Pool and Lunch at Rocky’s Pizza – pre-registration required

August 13, 2011 (Saturday), 9:00-11:00am

Monona Pool at 1011 Nichols Road in Monona.   Pizza afterwards at Rocky’s Pizza, 4556 Monona Drive.   See map previous page.

Because we are combining this with the ASGM summer swim, cost is $5 per family group if member(s) of ASGM; $10 per family if not ASGM member(s) – pay at the pool.  Also bring money for pizza at Rocky’s

Swimming in the Monona Pool in August has become an ASGM/AUsome tradition.

The cost of swimming is cheaper for ASGM families (or families with a single ASGM member).  So this might be a good time to join ASGM if you aren’t a member already.   Being an ASGM member also automatically gives you yearly membership in the Autism Society of Wisconsin.  See the ASGM web site at http://www.autismmadison.org/ for more details membership cost, how to join ASGM and more details about the August swim.   You will also be able to join ASGM (and save $5) at the pool as you check in.

Pre-registration is required because we need a count for the number of lifeguards.  Call (608) 213-8519 or email autismmadison@gmail.com.  But the cost is only $5 for an entire family group for ASGM members – $10 for non-member families.   You pay when you get to the pool.

As before, we have been able to reserve the entire Monona pool.  They have a large shallow end, diving boards and a great water slide.    The pool is very large and pool toys are permitted.     There are changing rooms with showers to get dressed and into your suits.

The Monona Pool is located Behind the Monona Community Center at 1011 Nichols Road (which becomes Pflaum Road at Monona Drive – see map above).  Go West on Nichols road about 8 blocks from Monona Drive, past the Monona Library/City Hall sign, and down the hill.   The pool is on the right.   There is a big parking lot next to the pool entrance.  Don’t forget your suit and towel!  Bring shampoo, a comb and an extra towel if you want to wash the chlorine out of your hair.  Bring pool toys if you have them.

If you forget to pre-register and we don’t have enough lifeguards, it will be first come, first admitted.  However, parents or others who come but don’t swim can be in the pool area and don’t count toward the lifeguard requirement.  There’s a large selection of lounge chairs if you just want to come and “hang out” (you don’t even have to change into a swimsuit).  We will also have lemonade and snacks available near the pool.  We can get in the changing room at 9:00.  We have to be out of the pool at 11:00.  After getting out of our suits, we’ll head over to the Rocky Rococo’s pizza on Monona Drive for lunch.

 If the swimming gets rained out (horrors!!):  Watch your email for info on this since the pool folks make cancellation decisions at the last minute.   But the lifeguards don’t let a little thing like cool and cloudy weather stop them.  If you don’t have email or the weather is “iffy”, meet me in the pool parking lot at 9:00 and we’ll make a final decision with those who show up.   If the lifeguards cancel, I will probably suggest going to the Monona Library for a while and then lunch at Rocky’s.  We went to the Monona Library after the June 2006 weather crisis and it was a nice, quiet place.

See Map on previous page

ASGM family Picnic : Saturday, June 18,2011;  12:30 PM – 3:00 PM , Warner Park, 2930 N. Sherman Ave., Madison, WI, 53704 (watch for ASGM signs in the picnic area).

ASGM Night at the “New Duck Pond” : Saturday, June 18, Madison Mallards Baseball at Warner Park, 6:05pm