Following today’s AM board meeting, our regular meeting was called to order and President Emily led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance & the 4-way test, followed by a moment of silence & introspection.
Guests: Assorted invitees of Mary J.
May is – “Youth Service Month”
Our PolioPlus Jar made another trip around the room.
Club, District & R.I. News and Business:
We’ll be working at Silver Horizons warehouse (1913 Eubank, NE) on May 16th - 11:30AM.
Club members who are providing Program speakers for the Rotary Year: May – Pat June - Mollie
Member birthday anniversaries celebrated during the month of May: Julia
Today’s Program: Mary Johnson
Pat introduced Mary Johnson, Ph.D., a past member of our Rotary Club and a counselor in Albuquerque. She currently practices at New Day Youth and Family Services. She wrote A Caregiver's Guide: Insights into the Later Years, in 2015, based on her academic and experiential knowledge of the aging process. Her doctoral minor is Aging Studies, she managed senior housing facilities for several years. She has written and read from her second book, Love and Asperger's: Jim and Mary's Excellent Adventure, which her second husband asked her to write, about their life together. It was published in the fall of 2021.
Asperger syndrome is simply known as Asperger’s. As of 2013, it is no longer a condition on its own. Instead, it’s part of a group known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and is known as a “high functioning” type of ASD. This means that the symptoms in Asperger’s is less severe compared to other types of ASD which may have extreme mental disabilities. No brain abnormalities have been observed among those with Asperger’s compared to other forms of autism.
Experts believe that there’s a genetic cause as family members tend to have the same disorder. While there are theories on how Asperger’s develops, there’s no conclusive theory that’s been proven. One of the main differences in Asperger’s compared to other autism disorders, is that those afflicted with Asperger’s don’t have a delay in communication and language. Diagnosis includes an assessment, developmental history and observation. Remember that this condition is a difference not a deficiency.
It is thought that around 10% of the population has this condition.
An extensive Q&A session followed Mary’s presentation.
For more information, go to www.MaryAJohnsonPHD.com
There being no further Rotary business, our meeting was concluded at 1:05 PM.
Programs, Happenings and Stuff & Such:
17 May Regular Meeting- 12 Noon
24 May Regular Meeting- 12 Noon Therapy Canines
30 May Memorial Day
31 May Regular Meeting- 12 Noon Mandy’s Farm
7 June Regular Meeting- 12 Noon
14 June Board Meeting 11 AM
14 June Regular Meeting- 12 Noon
19 June Father’s Day
21 June Regular Meeting- 12 Noon
21 June First Day of Summer
28 June Regular Meeting- 12 Noon
4-8 June-2022 R.I. Convention – HOUSTON, TX
5 July Induction of new Club officials & celebration of Club achievements.