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SEPTEMBER 2009

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Kennedy Center

203-332-4535
www.kennedyctr.org
Autism Project: Fall 2009 Programs
The Autism Project supports children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families through specially designed programs, opportunities for inclusion, information and referral, support groups, workshops and trainings and new services for unaddressed needs.
Support Groups
for Parents/Guardians
Raising Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities

-
Become Part of Our Community
9:30 to 11:00 am
September 8
Westport

Listen to Moms Share Their Personal Success Stories
 <>So many of us have wrung our hands in worry about our children with learning disabilities and ADHD.  But many of us have found stength in Smart Kids. Hear poignant stories of mothers whose children have struggled miserably in school - but have gradually conquered their fears and their failures to achieve success.  These parents knew that believing in their children was the first step, and they will share other strategies that worked specifically for them.
Held at the Westport Public Library
Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities is a member of the Connecticut SEPTA Council.



Disorganized Kids: "Late, Lost, & Unprepared"
- Practical Strategies for Parents on Executive Function Skills.
September 24
9:30 am  - 11:30 am
Ridgefield

# 1  of  a THREE Session Series.
Facilitated by Ruthann N. Short, MSW, LCSW.
Held at the Ridgefield Community Center
Program fee $150.00 dollars. (for all 3 SESSIONS)
Advance registration Required at maverickmindllc@aol.com or 203-431-3234.
www.maverickmindsllc.com


SEPTA Network

What you need to know for a successful school year
for your child with special needs.

September 30

7pm - 9 pm
Milford

Our guest speaker for the evening is Julie Swanson.
- In her private practice as a special education advocate, Julie travels throughout Connecticut helping parents secure appropriate special education services for their children with autism spectrum disorders and all other disabilities.  She is the co-host of Your Special Education Rights with Jen and Julie, which currently airs on Autism One radio.   
 
You can visit Julie on her website, “Your Special Child” (www.yourspecialchild.com).
 
Refreshments will be served!
 
Evening’s Schedule (For Parent Confidentiality):
7:00 – 8:00 pm    Open Door Session
8:00 – 9:00 pm    Parents Only
 
For more information, please contact:
Susan St. Pierre, President
SEPTA Network
susan.stpierre@snet.net
203-713-6206



  OCTOBER 2009

Early Childhood Inclusion
- Film & Forum

October 2
9:00 am to Noon.
Farmington


The Partnership for Inclusive Practices is sponsoring a forum on early childhood inclusion featuring a screening of the film "Including Samuel" by photo-journalist Dan Habib. 

<>This award-winning documentary chronicles the Habib family’s efforts to include Samuel, a youngster diagnosed with cerebral palsy, in every facet of their lives.    <>

Dan Habib will be the keynote speaker.  


 <>The forum will be held at:
<>The Marriott Hotel,
15 Farm Springs Road, Farmington, CT
 
<>More information at: 
http://www.uconnucedd.org/what%27s_new/dan%20habib%20event%2010-02-09.pdf


Register Now !

POWERFEST 2009:
"Preparation for Adult Life"
- Future Generations. Statewide Inclusive Youth Transition Festival
October 3
10:00 am -6:00 pm
Bridgeport

 Target Audience: Youth 14-24
Vendors, Resources, Motivational Speakers, Breakout Sessions, Celebrations.
Held at the University
Of Bridgeport
, .  
Details and registration material at www.ct.gov/ctcdd.
Pre-registration is required.
Please contact us with any accommodation requests (860)-418-8709.
Sponsored by: CT Council on Developmental Disabilities, Disability Resource Network, Department Of Public Health and CT State Independent Living Council. 



Disorganized Kids:
"Smart But Scattered"
- Practical Strategies for Parents on Executive Function Skills.

October 8
9:30 am  - 11:30 am
Ridgefield
 # 2  of  a THREE Session Series..
Facilitated by Ruthann N. Short, MSW, LCSW.
Held at the Ridgefield Community Center
Program fee $150.00 (for all 3 SESSIONS)
Advance registration Required at maverickmindllc@aol.com or 203-431-3234.
www.maverickmindsllc.com. 


Getting the Right Program Using the IEP Process.
October 14
6:30 - 8:45pm
Westport
 
Dinner served. 6:30 – 7 pm
Presentation begins: 7 pm

Presented by special education attorneys Anne Eason, Esq., Nora Belanger, Esq. and special education advocate Gerri Fleming.

The presenters are in the trenches every day representing students with disabilities who need meaningful access to the general education curriculum. Extensive handouts.  

Held at the Westport Public Library,
(Weeks Seminar Room third floor)

Sponsored by WE BELONG - Inclusion in Fairfield County, with generous support from the CT Down Syndrome Congress.
CEUs granted.
For more info, contact Eva Greenwald at (203) 554-4462, or evagreenwald@sbcglobal.net or check http://www.spednet.org/we_belong/.

The Westport library is located at 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880.  Directions can be found by calling the library at (203) 291-4840 or check their website at www.westportlibrary.org

 

Positive Behavior Supports
October 14
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Danbury
 
Held at the Danbury War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive, Danbury, CT.

RSPV to CPAC at
Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center, 338 Main Street, Niantic, CT 06357.
800-445-2722. www.cpacinc.org. E-mail: cpac@cpacinc.org.

 

 

ADA Conference (Americans with Disabilities Act)
October 21 ADA
10am -  3pm
Norwalk
 
 Three speakers!
- Scott MacDonald will speak about legislative issues and things that can be accomplished through Congressman Himes office,

- Stan Kosloski on the new ADA amendment, and
- Carol Kana on self-advocacy and reverse disability etiquette.
 
$15 includes lunch.
 
Held at the Norwalk Inn. 
 
Contact Carol Kana at pkana@snet.net for more info.
Sponsored by the Southwest Advocacy Network.

Part of the Connecticut Disability Advocacy Collaborative,
www.ct-dac.org.
The mission of this group is "to enhance the effectiveness of disability activism in
Connecticut by organizing and empowering individuals, families, groups, and organizations. We are cross-disability in nature and seek to improve communication among many various advocacy organizations and individuals.
 
Please RSVP by October 12.

 

Declarative Language 
- The way to stimulate: conversation, thinking and responsibility!
October 21
6:30 - 8:30 pm
New Canaan
 
Declarative language is a teaching tool that can be used with individuals with language disabilities, from toddlers to high schoolers! Learn how to formulate language within daily life so your child practices problems solve and conversing throughout the day.

Presenter: Nancy Schwartz, Ph.D.

Dr. Schwartz has 30 years of experience working with children with language problems and in particular, with children who are on the Autistic Spectrum and/or have Speech Apraxia. 
She is currently the clinical director of The Communication Clinic of Connecticut, which services children with speech and language difficulties between the ages of one year and 21 years.
For more info on the clinic, go to http://www.cc-of-ct.com
 
Held at Saxe School, 468 South Avenue, New Canaan, CT.
Refreshments served, no admission fees. Sponsored by SPED*NET, Special Education Network of New Canaan, Ltd.
RSVP to Denise Buckenheimer at Denise@spednet.org.
For more info on SPED*NET New Canaan, check out www.spednet.org


Children with Neurobehavioral Disorders.
October 21
10:00am and 7:00pm
Norwalk
 
Drug-free Approach helps Children with ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, and Spectrum Disorders  
Dr. Mark Goldenberg director of Brain Balance Achievement Center of Norwalk discusses the groundbreaking Brain Balance Program™ which benefits children with Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorders, Dyslexia, Tourette Syndrome, OCD, and Spectrum Disorders.  Dr. Goldenberg is a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist specializing in the treatment of learning challenges and has lectured and published extensively on the subject of brain dysfunction. Brain
 
Held at Balance Achievement Center, 15 Cross Street, Norwalk CT.
RSVP to 203-847- 3000, mgoldenberg@brainbalancecenters.com, www.brainbalancecenters.com.
Please call to reserve seating.

 

Truths & Myths
- An Interactive Roundtable on Special Education
.
October 22, 2009:
10 am -12 noon. 

Maverick Minds Ruthann N. Short, MSW, LCSW,  www.maverickmindsllc.com, will host.
The program will address:

Inclusion,
Services,
Assistive Technology,
Evaluations,
Behavior,
Social,
Legal Rights.

Special Education Lawyers,
Anne Eason Esq. www.spedlaywers.com,
and Nora Belanger, Esq., www.norabelanger.com,
will facilitate the Truths & Myths Roundtable.
Registration at maverickmindsllc@aol.com  or (203) 431-3234. 

 Held at the Ridgefield Community Center (also known as the historic Lounsbury House)
316 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT, 06877.



SEPTA NETWORK

“Got An ANGRY Kid?”
October 28
7pm - 9 pm
Milford

<>Guest Speaker: Dr. Andrew Gibson

- In private practice for the past 20 years, Dr. Gibson created a parent training program (P.A.C.T.) for the parents of the seriously out of control child.  His program does well in helping to keep these children out of residential placement. 

- He has also published a book:
“Got an Angry Kid?:
 Parenting Spike – A Seriously Difficult Child”

- Please feel free to take a look at Dr. Gibson’s website for greater detail about the work he has done. (www.DrAGibson.com)

Held at: Margaret Egan Center, Matthews Street, Milford
Refreshments will be served!




Learning Disabilities
and Attention Deficits Through the Lifespan

- 39th Fall Conference.

October 31
Stamford

Now including our Post-Secondary Conference Workshops.
Marriott Hotel Stamford, CT.
 


Understanding, Evaluating, and Treating Learning Difficulties
October 29
7 pm
Trumbull
 
Learn developmental-neuropsychological aspects of dyslexia, and disorders affecting math. written expression and nonverbal learning. Find ways to support your child at home and at school. 
 
The presenter is Tim Heitzman, PhD,
- Developmental Neuropsychologist at Fairfield University
 
Held at Christian Heritage School, Main Floor Library, 575 White Plains Road, Trumbull, CT.  Registration is required for our seminars.
Please call 203-268-8852.



NOVEMBER 2009
Using Neuro-psychological Evaluations
-How to use them to identify your child’s needs and goals, and what a school must do to meet those goals. 

November 4
7:00 to 9:00pm
Norwalk

 Scott Bezsylko, Executive Director of Winston Prep Schools (Norwalk & NYC), will speak to ways of articulating these goals, in writing, for use in both a private and public school setting and will make suggestions as to how to monitor progress.
Held at  Norwalk City Hall, 125 East Avenue, Norwalk
Co-sponsored by NorwalkSEEKS and Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities.
It is free and open to the public. 
Questions at info@norwalkseeks.org  or (203) 846-2501.


Parenting the Anxious Child
November 5
7 - 8 pm
Greenwich
 
How can parents recognize anxieties that affect their child's happiness and well being?  What can they do to help their child overcome them? A clinically-trained child research scientist answers this important two-part question by describing various anxiety-caused behavior patterns and advising parents on ways to help their child within the context of both family and school environments. Yale Child Study Center lecture.
 
Speaker: Michael Crowley, Ph.D.,
- Associate Research Scientist, Yale Child Study Center; Associate Director, Developmental Electrophysiology Laboratory.
 
Greenwich Hospital, Nobel Conference Room.
 
Register online at www.greenhosp.org or call (203) 863-3627 or toll-free (888) 357-2409




November 7th (Saturday)

ASRC Morning Workshops,

Southern CT State University

Michael J. Adanti Student Center, 3rd Floor

345 Fitch Street, New Haven, CT 06515

 

ASRC is proud to offer three morning workshops that will take place prior to the start of the Resource Fair.  For participation in a workshop, registration is required!  There will be a modest fee of $10 to reserve your spot and space is limited. 
The workshops being offered have been put together to help prepare you for your child’s future.  Seats will be filled on a first come basis so act fast and return the attached registration form to ASRC.

 

Topic:              SOCIAL SECURITY FUNDAMENTALS

Presenter:      David Hampton

Bio:                  Mr. Hampton worked for 26 years, as a claims representative for the Social Security Administration.  During his years with the agency he processed thousands of disability claims; his knowledge in this area is extensive.  In 2008 he started Professional Secure Assistance, LLC.  As an advocate/representative for individuals, companies and organizations he has won for his clients in excess of $350,000.00, just in the short time PSA has been operating.

Target Group: Families

Time:              10 – 11:30 am

Purpose:         This workshop has been designed to maximize your understanding of SSA disability.  He will cover basic rules to disability benefits and any problems that may arise.

 

 

 

Topic:              GETTING STARTED PLANNING FOR YOUR CHILD’S FUTURE

Presenter:      Jim Lyman

Bio:                  Jim is the father of an eighteen year old young man with autism and is one of the architects of the vocational program for adults with autism called Growing Possibilities at the Pinchback Rose Farm in Guilford, CT.  Jim is a resident of Madison, CT and an agent with Farm Family Insurance and works with families on developing long term financial plans.

Target Group: Families         

Time:              10 – 11:30 am

Purpose:         One thing is certain, when your child reaches 21, their educational program will end and they will start the biggest part of their life.  Children with autism will most likely need financial support during the course of their lives.  For a parent with an ASD child this is a very uncomfortable discussion because of the emotional issues regarding their child, and their personal finances.  Jim has lived this first hand; he understands financial planning is a process that develops as you reach different points in your life.  This will be an open discussion that will cover:

Understanding where you currently are emotionally and  

    financially and how it relates to developing a plan

Why you need to get started today

How to get started

Setting up basic coverage on a limited budget

Creating your financial team



 

 

Topic:              TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL

Presenter:      Carol Barans

Bio:                  Carol Barans has recently joined the staff of the ASRC to coordinate our new division of transition planning services.  Carol has over 30 years of experience in the public schools in Connecticut as a special education teacher and administrator.  As such, she was instrumental in developing and supervising a community based independent living program for 18-21 year old youth, an extracurricular social skills club at the secondary level, as well as individualized education and transition plans for many different students.  She has also worked in the field of young adult services developing vocational and independent living opportunities for young adults with autism spectrum diagnoses.  In addition, she is a parent of a son on the autism spectrum.

Target Group: Families and teens/young adults

Time:              10 – 11:30 am

Purpose:         This will be a workshop to begin to prepare you for this most important transition.  This is information that families need to make this a successful transition, and unfortunately they often only receive it after the fact.  If you have not attended a good workshop on transition yet, get to this one!

 

AND

Autism Spectrum Resource Fair
November 7
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

FREE ADMISSION


Southern Connecticut State University

Michael J. Adanti Student Center

345 Fitch Street, New Haven, CT 06515

 

Sponsored by the CT Autism Spectrum Resource Center and the
Department of Education Division of Special Education at Southern CT State University.
<>
 

 

Don’t Miss This Wonderful Opportunity!

 

Exhibitors from:
Advocacy Groups                                                Financial Resources      
Adult Resources & Agencies                            Large Bookstore
Alternative Therapy                                            Recreation Programs
Camps                                                                   Schools
Community Providers                                       Social Skills Resources             

Consultants                                                          State Agencies  


AND MORE!!

For more information:
Lois Rosenwald
CT Autism Spectrum Resource Center
203-265-7717.

 

ASRC
101 No. Plains Industrial Road, Harvest Park, 1A

Wallingford, CT 06492
www.ct-asrc.org


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CT Down Syndrome Annual Convention.

November 7,
8 am - 4 pm
Cromwell

Keynote speaker is the Emmy Award winning writer for Sesame Street and author of “Welcome to Holland”, Emily Perl Kingsley along with her son, Jason and friend Mitchell Levitz.

Vendor booths including “Specs4Us”, Super Duper catalog, Usborne Books at Home, Discovery Toys, Woodbine House, and many more! Non-profit booths with information about their organizations and CDSC affiliated booths including The Buddy Walk, The Holland Committee and CT DADS.

Workshops for birth to three, school aged, adults, and self advocates! Some workshops include a new/ expecting parent round table & support, medical issues in children & infants by Dr. Robert Greenstein, an update on the PJ settlement and much more!

Check www.ctdownsyndrome.org.


Transition Planning 101
- It's never too early…
November 9
6:30 to 8:45pm,
 
- It's never too early to begin thinking about preparing a student for the transition from public school to adult life. 
 
Dinner served: 6:30 - 7 pm
Presentation begins: 7 pm
 
This presentation will focus on the basic steps that should be considered for every student entering this next phase of his or her education.  Extensive handouts
 
Presenter: Margaret (Muncie) Kardos, MS, OTR/L, ATP.
Muncie Kardos is an educational consultant who has worked in the area of transition planning for over 10 years.  She has presented on this topic at both the state and national level.  Currently she is working on completing her doctorate in this area. 
 
 
Held at the Westport Public Library, Weeks Seminar Room third floor.
 
Sponsored by WE BELONG - Inclusion in Fairfield County, with generous support by the CT Down Syndrome Congress.
CEUs granted.
For more info, contact Eva Greenwald at (203) 554-4462, or evagreenwald@sbcglobal.net or check http://www.spednet.org/we_belong/
 
The Westport library is located at 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880. 
Directions can be found by calling the library at (203) 291-4840 or check their website at www.westportlibrary.org



Disorganized Kids:
"Executive Skills in Children & Adolescents"
- Practical Strategies for Parents on Executive Function Skills.

November 12
9:30 am  - 11:30 am
Ridgefield
 
# 3  of a THREE Session Series.
Facilitated by Ruthann N. Short, MSW, LCSW.
Held at the Ridgefield Community Center
Program fee $150.00 dollars.(for all 3 SESSIONS)
Advance registration Required at maverickmindllc@aol.com or 203-431-3234.
www.maverickmindsllc.com



Staying One Step Ahead of Your Special Needs Child
- A Parenting Workshop.
November 17
7:30 pm.
Stamford
 
An empowering workshop for parents who want to know how to help their child succeed in school and in life.
 
For additional information, contact Claire Friedlander
at 203-921-4161 or e-mail at cdfriedlan@aol.com No charge.

 
Held at the JCC of Stamford iat 1035 Newfield Avenue, Stamford.
Their phone number is 203-322-7900.


DECEMBER 2009

December 2
SEPTA Network

THE KENNDY CENTER, INC.’S

PARTNERS PROGRAM

WHO:         Sara Purdy & Marcelina Ortiz          

WHERE:    Margaret Egan Center, Matthews Street, Milford

TIMES:       

7:00 – 8:00 Open Door Session

8:00 – 9:00 Parents Only

 The Partners Program has collaborated with area schools for the past 20 years to assist students with special needs, ages 16 – 21 with transitioning smoothly from high school to the adult/work world.  Partners can provide individualized programming or group training in vocation, community, and/or home experiences.

Please join us to discuss how Partners can be a bridge between high school and adult life.

Refreshments will be served!





JANUARY 2010

 

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