Pilot Club of Manhattan has received $1,500 in funds from the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation that will support our ongoing workshop geared toward families and friends of autistic children.

The fourth annual workshop was held June 26 and 27 in Manhattan and saw more than 300 attendees. A two-day workshop geared towards educators featured internationally known autism experts Drs. Ruth Aspy and Barry Grossman who presented the Ziggurat Model, a framework for designing comprehensive interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. A one-day parent workshop featured experts and parents who shared coping strategies for families of autistic children.

"This workshop was very current and helpful, teaching what can and should be used to work with spectrum students! This was a quality workshop!" Sharon Wanklyn, a teacher attending the 2009 workshop from Frankfort said.

The 2010 workshop is tentatively scheduled for June 5 at the K-State Student Union in Manhattan.

"We recognize the important service this well-run program is to our community," says Sarah Saueressig, Executive Director of the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation.

One goal of Pilot Club has been to keep the registration fees low so parents already burdened with the financial difficulties of raising an autistic child will be able to attend and benefit from the information shared. The grant from the foundation will allow the registration fee to remain at an affordable level.

"We are so pleased to receive this generous grant from the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation. This grant will enable us to continue the workshop and keep the price affordable for parents of children in the autism spectrum," said Mary Bowen, autism workshop chair. "We want anyone who is interested in attending, to receive the chance to come and learn from workshop speakers and other participants."

The workshop is becoming well-known throughout the Manhattan community and state of Kansas, with parents and educators returning each year.

"Many families in the area are beginning to look forward to this workshop every year," said Helen Miller, Autism coordinator for USD 383. "We are grateful for the work of the Pilot Club of Manhattan in sponsoring this workshop and to the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation for supporting it with their generous grant."

Representatives from the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation will present the award to Pilot Club of Manhattan on Wednesday, August 26th at noon during their next club meeting.

For more information, contact Mary Bowen at 785-317-3302 or mjbowen@ ksu.edu.