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School For Autism Plans Open House

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By BARBARA ROUTEN, Tribune correspondent

Published: November 3, 2007

RIVERVIEW - The Concerned Parents of Autistic Children, along with sponsors Brandon Health and Rehabilitation Center and OMNI Healthcare, will host a Fun Fair Day and Open House from noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 10 at The Riverview Academy for Autism, 9631 Raiden Lane.

A donation of $5 per person will help with the creation of the new facility to assist and teach children and families affected by autism.

There will be hot dogs, chips, brownies, cotton candy, beverages, face painting, karaoke, a moonwalk and more. Tickets are available at Prime Care Tampa Bay, 819 Cypress Village Blvd., Ruskin; Late Hour Urgent Care Center at Lithia Crossing, 3444 Lithia-Pinecrest Road, Valrico; Urgent Care Center, 13162 U.S. 301 S., Riverview; and the Victorian Grace Tea Room and Gift Shop, 616 N. Parsons Ave., Brandon.

To prepare for the open house, a cleanup was held Oct. 13 at the academy's new property.

Jim Evans, whose daughter has autism, was first to arrive and start work.

"This is going to be a therapy center - a school," he said. "It's all being done by the Concerned Parents of Autistic Children."

Concerned Parents, a support group for families affected by autism, has been raising money to open the school. Members meet from 3 to 5 p.m. the last Sunday of each month at the academy to help their children by educating themselves, exploring new treatments and creating public awareness about autism, a "spectrum disorder" that shows up as difficulty with speech, behavior or social skills in different combinations.

"Therapies, one on one, are expensive," Evans said. "Right now, if you're trying to take care of your kid, you're looking for a speech therapist, a physical therapist, an applied behavior therapist, an occupational therapist. This would have all of them in one place."

Often, therapists drive to children's houses. In the time it takes to do that, "a therapist could come here and maybe do three sessions," Evans said.

Geeta Sue-wah-sing, a Concerned Parents board member and chairwoman of the fundraising committee, arrived with her 13-year-old autistic son, Andrew. When he walked into the empty, tile-floored house, he waved his hands around his ears as if the echoes of voices and footsteps were uncomfortably loud, then went outside.

Sue-wah-sing followed him and pointed out the spacious yard. Two acres. Enough for a playground and hippotherapy - which includes activities on horses to improve a person's balance, mobility and posture.

"We're looking for someone to donate playground equipment," Sue-wah-sing said, "and file cabinets, desks and shelves for inside the school. ... What was just an idea two years ago is now happening."

More volunteers arrived. Karen Terry and Carol Kramer washed windows. Karen Mooney-Crouch scrubbed cabinets while her husband, Michael Crouch, hacked away at overgrown shrubbery.

"The Sue-wah-sing family is wonderful," Terry said. "I had never met an autistic child before Andrew, and you just can't help but bond with him. I wanted to do something, and once I met the Sue-wah-wing family, I knew this was the volunteering I wanted to do."

Kelly Howard, a nurse who works in the medical clinic of Concerned Parents founder and President Housam Moursi, arrived and began unloading a van full of donated plants.

"This is relaxing," she said. "It's fun to come out here and help. It's baby steps - it takes a lot of people doing a lot of work. We can't wait to see how it comes together and how it will all work out."

For information about the Fun Fair Day or Concerned Parents of Autistic Children, visit www.cpoac.org or call Sue-wah-sing at (813) 634-5858.

Heavy Metal Guitar Expert Presents Clinic

BRANDON - One of the world's fastest players of electric guitar and inventor of the twin-necked, dual-handed double guitar, Michael Angelo Batio, along with special guest guitarist Bill Peck, will present a clinic for players, teachers and students at 7 p.m. Wednesday at The Music Showcase, 402 Oakfield Drive, Brandon.

The cost is $5.

Batio has released four instructional DVDs. He has worked with Mark Tremonti of Alter Bridge and Creed; Rudy Sarzo of Ozzy Osbourne's band, Whitesnake and Quiet Riot; and Doug Marks of Metal Method. He also has had record deals with the bands Holland and Nitro.

Batio is a clinician for Dean Guitars of Tampa, which is owned by Elliott Rubinson, former executive of the Thoroughbred Music retail chain in Tampa. Batio plays dual leads with both hands at the same time on double guitars specially made for him by Dean Guitars. He is recognized for his "MAB Over-Under" technique, in which his hands fret, tap, hammer and pull strings from both below and above the neck.

To reserve a seat at the clinic, call Wendi Pruitt, Music Showcase education center director, at (813) 685-5998.

Snippets

Master gardener Loretta Clements will talk about herbs at 7 p.m. Wednesday at a plant clinic at the Bloomingdale Regional Public Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico.

Send news and photos of community interest to Barbara Routen at The Tampa Tribune, 505 W. Robertson St., Brandon FL 33511, e-mail neighbors@tampabay .rr.com or call (813) 657-4531.

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