YOUTH PROGRAMS

CURIOUS TEENS
Ages 12 and up. Share your insights into the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time through discussion and activities.

Goodwin Branch:  Tuesday, October 12, 3:00 p.m.
Barbour Branch:  Monday, October 18, 3:00 p.m.
Albany Branch:  Monday, November 1, 3:00 p.m.
Dwight Branch:  Tuesday, November 9, 3:00 p.m.
Camp Field Branch:  Monday, November 22, 3:30 p.m.
Downtown Library:  Wednesday, November 24, 3:00 p.m.


BOOK DISCUSSIONS
Downtown Library:  Tuesday, October 19, 5:45 p.m.
Spanish Language Book Club
Downtown Library:  Saturday, November 13, 2:00 p.m.
Downtown Book Club

FILM SERIES
“Autism: The Musical” 
Five autistic children and their families deal with their shared and individual challenges by working together to create a full-length musical.

Capital Community College Auditorium: Wednesday, October 20, 5:30 p.m.

 

“Beautiful Son”
Two filmmakers document their son’s journey as, together, they explore alternative medicines in hope of finding a cure for autism.

Capital Community College Auditorium: Tuesday, October 26, 12:00 p.m.

“Including Samuel” 
Photojournalist Dan Habib accounts the ways in which one family—his own―learned to meaningfully include a severely disabled son in the regular patterns of everyday life.

Capital Community College Auditorium:  Wednesday, November 17, 2:30 p.m.

“Temple Grandin” 
This is the real thing: winner of ten Emmy Awards this past August, the life story of one of the world’s most famous—and accomplished—adult with autism, starring Claire Danes.

Capital Community College Auditorium:  Wednesday, December 1, 5:30 p.m.

All programs will include a post-film discussion. Screenings are free and open to the public. 

Capital Community College Auditorium, 950 Main Street, Hartford, Connecticut
For further information and parking directions visit www.ccc.commnet.edu or contact
Marie Basche 860-906-5095 or by email at ABasche@ccc.commnet.edu.

OUTSIDER ART
Enjoy flat and dimensional art created by Enfield resident Michael Fluckiger, who is autistic, and the clients of ArtSparks program, who have various intellectual challenges. 

Nada Farm Museum of Archetypes defines outsider art as work created by “the naive, the innocent, the self-taught, the visionary, the intuitive, the eccentric, the schizophrenic, the developmentally disabled, the psychotic, the obsessive, the compulsive.” 

Downtown Library, Ropkins and Goodwin Branches: October 16 – December 15
 
Diana Appleton, founder and director of HARC, Inc., will speak about the therapeutic value of artistic expression. Founded in 1951, HARC is a nonprofit organization that helps people with intellectual disabilities and their families enjoy lives of quality, inclusion and dignity through support, education and advocacy. 

Reception
Downtown Library: Peters Reading Room, 2nd floor
Saturday, October 16, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Refreshments will be served.

ADULTS

AUTISM 101 BOOTCAMPS
Autism Speaks presents an introduction to the topic of autism using a short film, lecture, and interactive game. Participants will gain a greater understanding of and tolerance for individuals affected by autism. This program will benefit teachers, employers and other professionals who work with children.

Ropkins Branch:  Friday, October 22, 7:15 a.m. Available in Spanish.
Goodwin Branch: Wednesday, October 27, 7:15 a.m.
Capital Community College:  Friday, November 12, 1:00 p.m.

EMPLOYING PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
Learn how your company would benefit by hiring and training someone with an intellectual disability. Parents learn what the employment opportunities are for your children. Speakers are Joe Wendover, Outreach Manager, Walgreens Distribution Center in Windsor, and Shirley P. Boron, Vice President Employment and Day Services, HARC, Inc.

Downtown Library: Program Room, 3rd Floor
Tuesday, November 30, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

THE SPECTRUM UNPLUGGED
FOCUS Alternative Learning Center is proud to present its panel of experts, a group of young adults who are on the autism spectrum. They are articulate, brilliant, left of center and open and honest about their journeys with their disorders. Hear how living with autism has had an impact on their lives at home, school and in the community. They have grown to accept and embrace their "peculiarities" and have channeled them into something useful. Learn what strategies have helped them become the successful people they are today.

Downtown Library: Saturday, October 23, 2:00 p.m.