Japanese Support Network is a group that helps Japanese speaking families who have children with special needs.  If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, please email sodan911@php.com or call 408-727-5775, extension 134, for more information.

Our activities include:

• New Year Party in January: Lunch, music, special performances, fun activities, door prizes, auctions and more.
• Monthly Support and Information Meeting for parents
  • 1st Tuesday of the month, 10am-12noon, from September-December & February-June.  We take a break during the summer months. 
• Monthly Parents of Adults Support and Information Meeting
  • 2nd Tuesday of the month, 10am-12noon.

Our Japanese Language Mini-Library has these materials and many more:

Books

• Nori-kun, Who Becomes 20 Years Old by Kiyoshi Nishida Nori-kun is a boy with autism. The book describes his development and treatment throughout his life.
• Life Stages of Various Autistic People by Parent Association of Autistic Children in Yokohama City 
• People with Autism Who Fall in Love by Kiyoshi Nishida 
• Collection of Parents Essays on Their Autistic Children Totto-chan to Tott-chantachi! by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi 
• Thinking in Pictures! by Temple Grandin (translated by Hisako Cunningham)
• What a Bothersome Society! by Ko Matsukane
• Kaigai Shijo Kyoiku Jijo! October & November 97 issues
  

Videotapes

• Boston Higashi School 
• Interview with Donna Williams in Japan 
• Behavioral Therapy for Language Development 
• Documentary on Learning Disabilities 
• Nobody Nowhere by Donna Williams (Jiheishou datta watashi) This is the story of a young woman with autism. Ms. William's book is unusual because she is able to write clearly about her experiences. 
• Somebody Somewhere by Donna Williams (Kokoro toiu nano okurimono) This is the continuation of her story.
• American Friends with Disabilities translated by Ms. Matsuko Tezuka

Volunteer opportunities: We are also looking for volunteers in the areas of library, reception, accounting, technology and mailings.