Invitation from ASD Aid
On the 30th November 2011, I wrote on my website at http://bit.ly/uG4Htt that the profits from the 2012 Charity Challenge that I was running would be to benefit Autism Spectrum Disorders Aid (ASDAID).
This not-for-profit charity has recently been formed by a good mate of mine, Rob Deakin. Rob has asked me to send out the following invitation from him. If possible, can you pass it on to your friends. As my free email distribution has a global following, I understand that this note may be of no interest to those of you who reside outside of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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I'd love you and your partner/friends/families to come to an event my friend Rob Deakin is running in Melbourne, Victoria on the evening of Saturday 21 January 2012.
Rob is a major LEGO fan and incredibly passionate about supporting children with developmental issues through organised LEGO play. Rob has seen firsthand the powerful benefits of LEGO for children with Autism and Aspergers in helping them to communicate, learn to play and develop social skills; this has now been supported by ground breaking research.* Rob has established a foundation called ASD Aid (www.asdaid.org) and this year the foundation is establishing two Melbourne based LEGO play clubs, specifically for kids with Autism or Aspergers and their families. To do this he needs to raise $5,000 for each club to fund the purchase of LEGO (~80Kgs), training materials, logistics, venue hire and so on.
On the weekend of the 21st and 22nd this January the Brickvention Expo at Melbourne Town Hall will showcase hundreds of LEGO creations from all over Australia. On the Saturday evening of the expo, ASD Aid will be launching their program for 2012. It will be an informal event where attendees can wander around and see the amazing creations whilst enjoying a glass of wine. Over the weekend around 15,000 people will view the exhibitions. This makes Saturday night a special opportunity for a more intimate chance to view the models. There will even be a chance for attendees to hear a talk from Ryan McNaught, a LEGO Certified Professional. Ryan is one of only 13 LEGO Certified Professional in the world.
Date - Sat 21 Jan
Time - 6.30pm to 9.30pm
Cost - $20 per head includes a glass of sparkling wine on entry. (Thanks to our friends at Taltarni Wines)
Book here - http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=18062
Light snacks will be provided and the bar will also be open during the evening.
If you would like to know more email Rob at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
PS - feel free to share on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/ASD-Aid and Like the page!
*For more academic articles on Autism Spectrum Disorder we recommend the Research Autism and the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Learn more about LEGO Therapy Research – Search for Long-term outcome of social skills intervention based on interactive LEGO® play (by Daniel B. LeGoff & Michael Sherman) and LEGO® Therapy and the Social Use of Language Program.