April is Autism Awareness Month: 

How COOL! Enjoy this video by Tyler Haynes, a St. Charles County resident and UMSL SUCCEED program graduate. Diagnosed with autism at age two, Tyler is no stranger to smiling in the face of adversity and proving doubters wrong. The 23-year-old says his biggest challenge with autism has been learning how to clearly communicate with others and understanding the various social situations that can arise in everyday life. But with a strong support system around him, including his mom, Tonya, Tyler is doing more than just succeeding, he’s thriving! Video Link

Just Another Autism Podcast, by Eileen Lamb: In this episode, Eileen chats with Autism Speaks’ CEO, Keith Wargo, to discuss the rise of misinformation and disinformation on social media, and the impact it has on the autism and autistic communities. Video Link

Missouri’s Autism Consortium: The Department of Mental Health contracts with Missouri Autism Centers to provide Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnostic evaluations and intervention services. These centers are clinics that provide best practice diagnostic evaluations and referrals for children, as well as training for families and communities. In addition, the centers provide clinical training and serve as a statewide resource for the medical and clinical community to advance evidence-based and emerging best practices for ASD diagnostics and intervention. Missouri Autism Centers in the Consortium

RECREATION COUNCIL NEWS…

Summer Voucher program for St. Louis COUNTY: St. Louis County parents who have school-aged children with developmental disabilities, did you know you can apply for the Recreation Council’s Summer Voucher program? The Summer Voucher program will assist in paying for half of one Summer program or care (parents must be working) up to $1,000. For more information, please call Sue Fleming at (314)726-6044, ext. 101. You may find the application for the Summer Voucher Program on our website at www.RecreationCouncil.org/applications  ~ Application

Recreation Council RAFFLE TICKETS – SPRING 2024: The Recreation Council is raising funds to provide scholarships for people to attend camp this summer. Choose from 5 wonderful options: Wine, Liquor, Pickleball, Whitey Herzog Collage, and Vintage Vinyl Baskets. 1-9 tickets=$1 per ticket; 15 tickets=$10; 30 tickets=$20.  Order Tickets HERE

Recreation Council PickleBall Tournament Fundraiser, Saturday, May 18 from 10am-1pm at CNP, St. Charles, MO. Join the Recreation Council for a fabulous day of Pickleball fun while raising money to send a child to summer camp. Men and women of all skill levels are welcome. Recreational and competitive sections, $10 CNP food/drink gift card, and medals for winners in each skill level bracket. Cost: $100 per team of 2 players. That’s only $50 per person. Register Here ~ Flyer

FACEBOOK: Like and follow The Recreation Council at www.facebook.com/reccouncilstl

Partner News for People with Disabilities…

Every Body In, Accessible Paddling and Nature Trail Day (STL), THIS EVENT IS FULL. Spectators can come to see the accessible launching dock in use, walk the trail, or do some bird watching. Saturday, April 27 from 11:00am-4:00pm at Audubon Center, 301 Riverlands Way West Alton Missouri 63386. Information ~ FLYER

People First St. Louis May Meeting and Social (STL), Wednesday, May 1 from 4-6pm at The Arc Maplewood office, 3117 South Big Bend Blvd, 63143. Our chapter will officially be returning with support from the St Louis Arc and Community Power Project! Starting on May 1^st we will meet quarterly from 4-6 pm at the Maplewood Arc location. We will also hopefully partner with the Community Power project on their upcoming community outings. Contact: cplifeonyt@gmail.com ~ Flyer

Best Buddies Friendship Walk (STL), Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 11am-1pm at Kirkwood Park, 111 S Geyer Road, 63122. FREE but donations are welcome. Walk to support the Best Buddies programs in schools, workplaces, and communities. You’ll be making the world more welcoming to people with IDD, one friendship, one job, and one life-changing connection at a time. Information

The Ulysses S. Grant Historic Site is launching a Junior Ranger program for children and wants input from families with children who have disabilities about their new booklet. Activities in the book were designed to reach all levels of reading and comprehension, and can be completed with adult assistance as needed. Click Here for a PDF copy. Send your thoughts directly to Julie Northrip at 314-842-1867 ext. 223 or by email at Julie_Northrip@nps.gov

Dream Big Summer Career Camp Information Session (Virtual), May 8 at 6:30 pm. The Starkloff Disability Institute Dream Big Summer Career Camp 2024 is a fantastic opportunity for middle and high school students with disabilities to explore various career paths and gain valuable skills. (Dream Big Summer Camps are not Recreation Council voucher eligible). Register Here for a FREE Information Session

St. Louis Arc’s Bounce Forward Events (STL), Bounce Forward events are for people ages 16 – 30. There is no cost to attend these events. Registration is required as the event capacity is limited. To register for an event, email bounceforward@slarc.org

• Saturday, May 11 – Day at the Zoo, 10 a.m. – 12:00 noon, Registration deadline: April 26
• Saturday, June 15 – Smelling the Roses Day at the Botanical Garden, 9-11 a.m., Registration deadline: May 31
• Wednesday, July 10 – Unleash Your Wit Board Game Night, 6–8 p.m. Registration deadline: June 21

St. Louis Arc is registering for programs (cost varies by program) including Neighborhood Experiences for Teens, cooking, bowling, art, and walking club. Newly added is the Remove the Limits Triathlon Prep Program to prepare you to compete in the Ballwin Triathlon in July. Triathlon Prep Flyer. The Arc is specially looking for individuals who wish to ride cycles and bikes. Subscribe to the Arc E-Newsletter to keep up on all their programs and services.

FREE Virtual Cooking Classes: June 12, 2024: Kelly’s Kitchen is sponsoring an accessible and inclusive cooking class series for individuals with disabilities. Our classes are FREE and open to all skill levels, and each cooking class lasts around 90 – 120 minutes. Class time is 3:30 – 5:00 Central Time. Register once, and you are signed up for all the classes: April 24, 2024 = Creamy Grape Salad and Chicken Salad and June 12, 2024 = Easy Fruit Salad with Tuna and Cheese Sandwich. Reserve your spot today

NextED Challenge: Immersive Learning Experience (STL): Through a summer camp experience, NextED Challenge provides young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities ages 18-30 an opportunity to challenge their expectations of living on their own. Attendees participate in hands-on learning, interactive group activities, and community exploration. Overnight: June 24-28 or July 15-19, 2024, Location: University of Missouri – St. Louis, Cost: $1,000 per week. Daytime: August 5-9 or August 12-19, 2024, Location: Airbnb near Forest Park, Time: Monday-Friday; 9 AM – 4 PM, Cost: $500 per week

Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) April 2024 Newsletter: Enjoy at the inspiring stories and activities at this horse therapy program. Newsletter Link

FREE Activities for everyone…

National Park Week (STL), April 20-28, 2024 at the Gateway Arch National Park. The week will be celebrated with special activities and events. Opening day, Saturday, April 20th entrance fees will be waived to all National Parks.  Information

Junior Ranger Day: Life at White Haven with Ulysses and Julia Grant (STL), Saturday, April 27 from 11am-3pm at Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Road, St. Louis, MO 63123.  Celebrate Grant’s Birthday and National First Ladies Day! New Junior Ranger Book will be introduced. Discover what farm life was like for Ulysses and Julia living at White Haven in the 1850s. We’ll have opportunities for young people to try their hand at “farming,” start a potted flower garden, follow clues on a scavenger hunt, and design their own floral White House China dishes. We will do a soft launch of our new Junior Ranger booklet and are eager to get feedback from our young Junior Rangers. All activities are free. The event begins at 11 am and continues until 3 pm. For more information call Julie Northrip 314-842-1867 ext. 230. Information

Gateway Ringers Spring Handbell Concerts (STL), Sunday, April 28 at 4:00 pm at Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church, 11645 Benham Rd, Saint Louis, MO 63136. Our spring series includes Fantasy on King’s Weston, Capriccio, Over the Rainbow, the Rainbow Connection, and a beautiful arrangement of I’m Just a Poor Wayfaring Stranger for bells and alto saxophone.  All concerts are free and open to the public. Concert repeats on May 5 and 19 in Kirkwood and Chesterfield. Information

Worldfest 2024 (STL), Sunday, April 28 from 12 noon-5pm at St. Louis Music Park, 750 Casino Center Drive, Maryland Heights, 63074. Celebrate diversity and discover the various cultures that make up the St. Louis region through food, music, and performances. Dance enthusiasts will enjoy performances from groups representing China, India, Panama, and Ireland. Live music fans will be treated to a diversified lineup, including a Creole band, Japanese drumming, a Mexican guitar player, and a strings player showcasing traditional instruments from all around the world. Information FREE to attend; Vendors available for food and drink purchases. Information

Laumeier Sculpture Park Walking Tour (STL), Art in Bloom Hike, May 19 from 11am-12:30pm at Laumeier Sculptyure Park. Celebrate Earth Day by visiting the park and its trees. You’ll tour the park’s central pathway with local arborist, Michael Garrett and learn about tree species and tree eco systems. Path includes both paverd and not-paved surfaces and group will travel farther from restrooms and parking lot. Register Here

Websites to Search for more events around town…