WINDSOR CIVITANS LEARN ABOUT AUTISM A major goal of the Civitan Club of Windsor is helping individuals with developmental disabilities. At a recent meeting, Civitan members were pleased to hear from Windsor resident Carol Barans and former resident Martin McMahon about Autism Spectrum Disorders and about their personal experiences working with autistic individuals. Both have a child with autism. Autism spectrum disorders may include social deficits, communication difficulties, repetitive behaviors and sometimes cognitive delays. Carol Barans is a transition consultant and parent advocate with Autism Services and Resources CT (ASRC). Carol also facilitates parent support groups and oversees social and recreational events for teens and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders such as Asperger's syndrome. Those groups meet all over the Hartford area including at the Pierson House of First Church in Windsor. Martin McMahon was the first Connecticut resident to swim the English Channel. Four years later Marty completed a swim around Manhattan Island. In addition to those two accomplishments, Marty will be seeking the Triple Crown of open water swimming by swimming from Catalina Island to the California coast a feat which Marty is preparing to undertake July 17th of this year. All net funds raised from his attempt to secure the Triple Crown will go to Support ASRC programs. To learn more about ASRC please call ASRC at 203-265-7717. To contribute to the Martin McMahon Catalina Swim, please call Donna Bisceglia at the above number. For local program information individuals may also contact Carol Barans directly at 860-965-2053 or email cbb58@comcast.net. To learn more about the Civitan Club of Windsor, please contact Ruth Fahrbach at 860-688-0822. April is Autism Awareness month. ### |