NH Public Radio Story

New Hampshire Public Radio (broadcasting in Portsmouth from 103.9 FM) featured The Birchtree Center’s story today in a two-minute segment as part of the “Giving Matters” series sponsored by New Hampshire Public Radio and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Board member Dr. Barbara Frankel and staff behavior analyst Dr. Sandra Pierce-Jordan were both interviewed for this feature. To hear Birchtree's story, click here. To see the series schedule and listen to other past features, see www.nhpr.org/givingmatters.

Autism Awareness Month

Join The Birchtree Center in celebrating Autism Awareness Month with series of admission-free educational programs and events this April. For a PDF version of the series schedule, click here. For program information and reservations, contact us.

Tuesday, April 1, 4-9pm
Benefit Night at the The Flatbread Company, Portsmouth
Support educational programs for children and youth with autism at The Birchtree Center while enjoying flatbread pizzas from a wood-fired oven. The Birchtree Center will receive $3.50 for each large flatbread and $1.75 for each small flatbread purchased that night (including take-out).

Monday, April 7, 6:30-8pm
Family Forum: What to do When Autism Comes to Visit and Stays
In this interactive forum for families living with autism, Barbara Frankel, Ph.D., MSW, president and founder of The Birchtree Center, offers suggestions for how to overcome family stress and do more than just survive family life with autism. Get tips for meeting the needs of your child(ren) with autism without sacrificing sibling and family needs.
At The Birchtree Center. Space is limited and reservations are recommended. Complimentary specialized child care is available during the program with advance reservations; contact us.

Thursday, April 10, 3-7pm
Author Event at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Newington
Learn about autism during a series of presentations by local authors and organizations. At 3pm, hear from author Karen Crystal, author of Navigating Through Autism. Following that, Cindy Ziobrowski, Director of Camp CARD-NE, will offer information about her organization’s local enrichment programs for children with autism. At 6pm, author Cynthia Lord will read from her Newbery-Honor-winning book, Rules. This humorous novel for middle readers tells the story of Catherine, a twelve-year-old girl in Maine whose younger brother has autism. Both books will be available for purchase and signing. Staff from The Birchtree Center and the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities New England (CARD-NE) will offer information throughout the event.
For more information, contact the store at 603-422-7733.

Monday, April 14, 10-11 AM
"Portsmouth at Large" Discusses Autism on WSCA-LP Radio Portsmouth, 106.1 FM
Portsmouth at Large, an interview program featuring local nonprofits, hosts a discussion about autism and local autism resources with executive director Christine Guarino, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, and other Birchtree Center staff.

Wednesday, April 16, 6:30-8pm
Family Forum: Meeting Home-Based Challenges for Families Living with Autism
In an interactive presentation designed for parents of children with autism, Sandra Pierce-Jordan, Ph.D., BCBA, Staff Behavior Analyst at The Birchtree Center, offers practical suggestions for helping your child with autism in the home environment. Parents will hear tips for facilitating self-care, leisure skills, and more.
At The Birchtree Center. Space is limited and reservations are recommended. Complimentary specialized child care is available during the program with advance reservations; contact us.

Monday, April 28, 7-8:30 PM
Film Screening at The Portsmouth Public Library
Autism Every Day, an honest and engaging 44-minute documentary from Autism Speaks, shows the daily struggles of families living with autism. After the film, share your thoughts and ask questions during a panel discussion featuring The Birchtree Center’s families and staff.
At the Portsmouth Public Library’s Levenson Room, 175 Parrott Avenue.

Wednesday, April 30, 7-8 PM
Public Book Discussion at The Birchtree Center
Join staff from The Birchtree Center for a book discussion of Mark Haddon's revealing and humorous novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Program participants can purchase the book at a 20% discount at the River Run Bookstore in Portsmouth.
At The Birchtree Center. Space is limited and reservations are recommended. Complimentary specialized child care is available during the program with advance reservations; contact us.

All programs are admission-free and open to the public. For program information and reservations, contact us. For directions to The Birchtree Center, click here.

Funding for the educational programs in this series was provided by the Greater Portsmouth Rehabilitation Center Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation - Piscataqua Region.

The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation has been working to improve the quality of life in our communities since 1962. It builds and manages a collection of funds, currently totaling $344 million, created by individuals, families and corporations for charitable purposes. In 2005, the Foundation awarded $25 million in grants to nonprofits and scholarship funds to students. Based in Concord, the Foundation serves communities through seven regions - Lakes, Manchester, Monadnock, Nashua, North Country, Piscataqua and Upper Valley. For more information, visit www.nhcf.org or call (603) 225-6641.