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##############################################################################(Please submit new listings to: speddad "AT" optonline "DOT"net) SEPTEMBER 2010 OCTOBER 2010 NOVEMBER 2010 DECEMBER 2010 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ JANUARY 2011 FEBRUARY 2011 MARCH 2011 APRIL 2011 MAY 2011 JUNE 2011 JULY 2011 AUGUST 2011 ============================================================= ============================================================= SEPTEMBER 2009 The 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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.
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 - In her private practice as a special education advocate, Julie travels throughout 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
Dan Habib will be the keynote speaker. <>The forum will be held at: <>The Marriott Hotel, <> 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
9:30 am - 11:30 am Ridgefield # 2 of a THREE Session Series.. Facilitated by Ruthann N. Short, MSW, LCSW. Held at the 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 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. (Weeks Seminar Room third floor) Sponsored by WE BELONG - Inclusion in 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
Positive
Behavior
SupportsOctober 14 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Held at the RSPV to CPAC at 800-445-2722. www.cpacinc.org. E-mail: cpac@cpacinc.org. October 21 10am - 3pm Three speakers! - Scott MacDonald will speak about legislative issues and things that can be accomplished through Congressman Himes office, - Stan Kosloski on the new - 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 Please RSVP by October 12. - The way to stimulate: conversation, thinking and responsibility! October 21 6:30 - 8:30 pm 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 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 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 RSVP to 203-847- 3000, mgoldenberg@brainbalancecenters.com, www.brainbalancecenters.com. Please call to reserve seating. Truths
&
Myths Maverick
Minds Ruthann N. Short, MSW,
LCSW, www.maverickmindsllc.com,
will host. Inclusion,
Services, Assistive Technology, Evaluations, Behavior, Social, Legal Rights. Special
Education
Lawyers, Held
at the Ridgefield Community
Center (also known as the historic Lounsbury House) SEPTA NETWORK“Got An ANGRY Kid?”October 28 7pm - 9 pm Milford <> - 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: - Please
feel free to take a
look at Dr. Gibson’s website for greater detail about the
work he has
done. (www.DrAGibson.com) 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 Understanding, Evaluating, and Treating Learning Difficulties October 29 7 pm 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 Held at 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, 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 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. Speaker: Michael Crowley, Ph.D., - Associate Research Scientist, 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.
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
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
For more
information:
ASRC Wallingford,
CT 06492
CT Down Syndrome Annual Convention. November 7, 8 am - 4 pm 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!
- 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 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 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 Directions can be found by calling the library at (203) 291-4840 or check their website at www.westportlibrary.org
9:30 am - 11:30 am Ridgefield # 3 of a THREE Session Series. Facilitated by Ruthann N. Short, MSW, LCSW. Held at the 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 Their phone number is 203-322-7900. December 2 SEPTA Network THE
KENNDY CENTER, INC.’S PARTNERS
PROGRAM WHERE:
7:00 – 8:00
Open Door Session 8:00 – 9:00
Parents Only Please join us to discuss how Partners can be a bridge between high school and adult life. Refreshments
will be served! FEBRUARY 2010 Helping Children Deal With Stress and Anxiety. February 23 6:30 p.m. Ridgefield What is anxiety? How does it affect our children? What can we as parents do to protect our children and help them flourish in an anxious world. The Presenter is Psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Engelberg. This FREE workshop is held at the offices of Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge: Registration is not required but seating is limited. Please call 203-438-4848, or email drroseann@hotmail.com to reserve a spot. How
Students with Intellectual Disabilities Norwalk-based Literacy Consultant Sheryl Knapp will explore the relationship between intellectual ability and reading ability, identifying those facets of reading which are impacted by the ID diagnosis – and, equally as importantly, those which are not. Also discussed will be those programs which create “functional readers” as opposed to research-based methodologies which systematically teach critical literacy skills. Coffee and bagels. Held at the Waveny House in ponsored by SPED*NET, Special Education Network of New Canaan, Ltd. RSVP to Anne Eason at anne@spednet.org MARCH 2010 LET’S
TALK! CACLD
Presents… how to maximize your child’s potential. March 2 -
Know Your Child:
What do the
tests say
about your child? Presenter:
Rena Schine, Ph.D.,
School Psychologist/Advocate. This
program is free, but registration is required. The
Special Needs/ ADHD
Parent Survival Guide. The
essential parent guide to not only
understanding Learning Disabilities, ASD, ADHD and their common
pitfalls, but
also what to do about it! Parents
will gain insight into how to deal
with
negative home and school behaviors and address their many educational
needs. Learn how
to manage common issues from
preschool to adulthood. Dr. Roseann
Capanna-Hodge will present this
very useful workshop. This FREE
workshop is held at the offices of Registration
is not required but seating is
limited. - Strategies for Children with ADHD & LD. March 3 7:30 to 9:00 pm. Westport As parents know, there’s more to meeting the needs of children with learning disabilities and ADHD than finding appropriate support for learning issues. Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities will present a program on helping children who may suffer as much from emotional distress, including anxiety and depression as from their struggle in school. The
presenter,
Dr. Ken Magrath, is a licensed psychologist providing
testing and evaluation of children with learning issues in Westport
Public
Library McManus Room (co-sponsored by the Westport Public Library) Please register for this free program at Info@SmartKidswithLD.org or call (203) 226-6831. - Improving Executive Function Skills for Students with Learning Disabilities and AD/HD. March 8 10:30 am - 12:30 pm <>Wilton Peg Dawson, Ed.D., psychologist with the Center for Learning and Attention Disorders, As a child development specialist, Dr. Dawson has found that youngsters who are ’smart but scattered’ lack or lag behind in executive skills, which are crucial in tasks like getting organized, staying focused and controlling emotions. Learn what executive function skills are, how they matter, and how we as parents and teachers can help our kids who are struggling become independent academic and social problem solvers. Dr. Dawson is past president of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), recipient of NASP’s 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award, and co-author of Smart But Scattered: The Revolutionary ‘Executive Skills’ Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential.(2009), Smarts: Are We Hardwired for Success? (2007) and Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents (2004). Held at the Co-sponsored by SPED*NET Wilton, Please RSVP: 203-762-3950 or visit www.wiltonlibrary.org/events. For additional information, please contact (203) 563-9994 or info@spednetwilton.org. <> SEPTA NETWORK PRESENTS... LIFE
COACHING FOR PARENTS WEDNESDAY - MARCH 10 WHO:
Dr. Leonaura Rhodes WHERE:
Dr.
Rhodes is a medial doctor from If
you’re feeling like you have no life of your own, feeling anxious and
just plain fed up and if you would like help rebuilding a life for
yourself, please join us for a free 2 hour “Introduction to Life Coaching for Special
Parents”
FOR
MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: 2010 Regional Conference on Learning
Differences. For K-12 Parents and Educators. This information packed two day conference will be led by Educational Specialists at Attendees will have a choice of full day seminars on two of the following topics: - Universal Design for Learning, - ADHD / Executive Functions Skills, - Language Based Learning Disabilities. Held at The For more information, please contact: Peter Newman, Director, Greenwich Education and Prep, LLC. 203-661-1609 Thirteen Elements that Influence Behavior (and What Should be in a Good IEP) March 16 10 am - Noon Wilton Michael
Weiss, Ph.D.,
Consulting Developmental Psychologist, Adjunct Professor at Fairfield
University, returns, by popular demand, to present an in-depth look at
factors
that influence children’s behavioral growth and development. He will
discuss
these factors in a context of elements that should be reflected in a
child’s
Individual Education Plan (IEP). The
over-arching point of this discussion is
that an integrated set of services, therapies and approaches to
education,
along with a thoughtful set of behavioral strategies, is what promotes
a
child’s self-control and ability to relate to others well. This
discussion
will
be framed around children with diverse diagnoses ranging from AD/HD to
Autism Spectrum Disorders. Held at
The
Greens at Cannondale, Sponsored
by
SPED*NET Wilton. GETTING
AND KEEPING An Appropriate Educational Program in Challenging Economic
Times The
economic environment has created an even
larger gap between what parents feel
is an appropriate education and what school districts are willing to
provide. Even when there is a reasonable IEP, there are often
concerns
about implementation, progress reporting, staff training and program
supervision. We will
discuss easy steps to managing the
parent/ school
district relationship to optimize the chances of your child receiving
the
appropriate program to which he is entitled. Held at
the
Waveny House in
INCLUSION
TEAMING® WEDNESDAY
- MARCH 31, 2010
She
is the developer of Inclusion
Teaming®, a program
that gives students with social skill difference AND students with
social skill advantage an opportunity they cannot experience elsewhere.
Come
find out what Inclusion Teaming®
is all about. Listen to Catherine and her team (including student
advisors) describe how the program can benefit your child. FOR MORE INFORMATION
PLEASE CONTACT:
SEPTA Network susan.stpierre@snet.net 203-640-8017 APRIL 2010 An
Evening with Sally
Shaywitz Dr.
Shaywitz is
the author of Free. Sponsored
by
SPED*NET, Special
Education Network of Held at Check www.spednet.org for
more info.
A: EVERYONE !
Please
join us to learn how to manage children with ADHD’s behavior more
effectively!
SEPTA Network susan.stpierre@snet.net 203-640-8017
MAY 2010 The College Coaching Project Supporting Students with Special Needs to Be Successful in College. May 3 10:00 a.m. to noon Wilton Lynda Geller, Ph.D., is the Director
of the Institute for Cognitive Diversity
at Many
students
who did well within the structure of high school find themselves unable
to
create their own structures to cope with the academic, social,
emotional,
self-management and career choice aspects of college living. Impaired
executive
function can create problems in the full array of life skills necessary
for
college success, yet specific interventions are seldom available or
understood. Executive functions — the wide range of abilities
including
planning, organizing, goal setting, flexible thinking, emotional
regulation,
time management and self-monitoring — are particularly challenging for
students
with AD/HD, learning disabilities or autism spectrum conditions,
despite their
often excellent intellect and academic potential. Coaching
is a
service
uniquely suited to the need for flexible support in various areas of
life,
especially those associated with executive function tasks, and can help
students create a structure in new and unfamiliar settings where
expectations
are different from those in high school. Dr.
Geller will
discuss the
particular challenges college presents, the differences in finding and
utilizing support between high school and college, and how the coaching
model
can help students develop the skills necessary for college and life
success. Held at
The
Greens at Cannondale, Sponsored
by
SPED*NET Wilton and for Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities. May 19 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Wilton How
will my child
with learning disabilities get into college – and how do we find the
right
college fit? Educational
consultant Marcia Rubinstien, MA, CEP,
nationally
recognized for her expertise in college advising and her work with
students
with learning challenges, will discuss when to start preparing for the
college
application process, the various levels of support available at a wide
range of
colleges and how to handle the disclosure of a student’s learning
issues. Most
importantly, she will emphasize that finding the right school for a
child with
learning differences is much more than finding a good school with a
seemingly
good support system, and will explain how to match a school to your
child’s
interests, abilities and needs. A panel
discussion, including two parents
who
have been through the process, will follow. Ms. Rubinstien, an
educational
consultant based in West Hartford, CT, specializes in working with
students
with learning issues, and is former Chair of the Committee on Learning
Disabilities of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, a
Contributing Editor to the Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities
newsletter,
and the author of Raising NLD Superstars: What Families with Nonverbal
Learning
Disabilities Need to Know about Nurturing Confident, Competent Kids
(2005). Held at
the Co-sponsored
by SPED*NET
Wilton, Please
RSVP: 203-762-3950 or visit www.wiltonlibrary.org/events.
JUNE 2010 JULY 2010 AUGUST 2010 . |