SORRY EVERYONE! I've been pretty sick but now I'm back! I'll be putting out a lot more info by tonight and Sunday. Below: join a baseball team and article on Autism

PLAY BALL!!!

The Miracle League organization is forming a baseball team for Special Needs children.  The field used is specially made, surfaced with rubber, and is located at the Germantown Recreation complex.  The first game will be on April 14, 2012.  Please more information, visit

http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/12808287/1783259753/name/MiracleLeague.pdf

You may register at:

http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/12808287/401714562/name/miracleleaguereg1.pdf

AUTISM INCREASES TO AN ALL-TIME HIGH:  1:88


http://www.autism-society.org/news/1-in-88-children-have-asds.html

Meeting and Lecture 22nd & 29th, Publication on Pschotropic Meds for Kids, Moms Internet Support Group, and Movies!

CHADD Of MC Presents: Collaborative Problem Solving
This lecture is geared to adults with and parents of children with ADHD.  Speaker, Alicia Stevenson, will present an approach to working with children who exhibit challenging behaviors.  Next meeting will be held at the Twinbrook Library, in Rockville, MD, from 7:30-9:15PM, on March 29, 2012.  (Registration is at 7:15PM.)  For details, http://www.chadd-mc.org/2012-jan-montgomery/.


A New Publication From The American Academy Of Child & Adolescents Psychiatry: "A Guide For Community Child Serving

Agencies On Psychotropic Medications for Children and Adolescents"

A Guide for Community Child Serving Agencies on Psychotropic Medications for Children and Adolescents from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.


Moms Sought for New Online Support Group

"The Temple University Collaborative has begun an online parenting education and social support group for mothers with a psychiatric disability, part of a national research study testing the effectiveness of such a program.  Participants will be compensated up to $100 for their participation in this study. For important details about this project, e-mail momsupport@temple.edu. For more information details on this study, email  katy.kaplan@temple.edu or call 215-204-6779."

Let’s Go To The Movies!: Mirror, Mirror - 

playing on April 7, 2012, at the AMC Loews Theaters at Rio Cinemas 18, in Gaithersburg, MD.  This 10 A.M. showing provides a special opportunity for families to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment.  Lights will be dimmed up, the sound turned down, and the audience will be invited to get up, walk, dance, shout, or sing!  301-948-6763.  For locations in other states, go to www.autism-society.org

Programs I BELIEVE IN! Programs My Son Jordan Has Participated!

Sports Plus:  Registration Open for Spring 2012 Track, Field, and Fitness Program AND Soccer--TWO locations

"These classes are specifically designed for children between the ages of 5 and 15. They will provide a memorable, fun and exciting program both for beginners and for those with prior experience.  Class space is limited, please register immediately.  Questions and more details, visit www.playsportsplus.org or 301-452-3781 or sportsplus@comcast.net."  Both Track and Soccer, are offered in TWO locations, and all begin in April 2010 in Germantown, MD and in Columbia, MD.  

 Great And Small Therapeutic Riding Summer Camp :
"Horses on Pointe:  A Celebration Of Horses And Music

is a half day camp, located in Boyds, MD, is open to anyone ages five and older with special needs.  Campers spend each day doing horse related activities, riding with a therapeutic, certified instructor, enjoying music selected to match the needs of the group, and participating in other fun farm activities.  Available are four, one-week camps, limited to eight campers for personalized attention."  For details and registration, call 301-349-0075 or email info@greatandsmallride.org

As American As Apple Pie!!.... Challenger Baseball - A Baseball League For Children With Special Needs "A chance for kids to come together as a team and be cheered!  They don't count outs and dont count runs.  Everybody plays!  Everybody scores!  Everybody wins!"  Get the details and get registered!  Games start SOON!  Email erupe5@aol.com or ldelaplaine@cuisinesolutions.com 

March Events Are STILL Going On!

   Resource Fair – An Informative and Fun Day for Families of Children with Special Needs  ~ Taking place on March 17, 2012, from 10AM-2PM, at Rock Creek School, 191 Waverley Drive, in Frederick, MD.  Aside from FREE Family-Fun Activities, exhibits will provide information on various available services, including: summer activities, workshops on social skills, self-determination and the correlation between vision and learning, and conflict resolution.  For details on more programs, call 240-236-8744 or email  susan.donoghue-rick@fcps.org .

The Impact of ADHD and the Family, Including Co-Parenting during Seperation & Divorce brought to you by For Our Kids, For Ourselves Sunday Lecture Series, on March 18, 2012, from 2-3:30PM, in Chevy Chase, MD, for a discussion by Dr. Judith Glasser.  "In this workshop Dr. Glasser will be providing an overview of ADHD in the family (adults & children) and how it affects all aspects of the family unit, including parents who are currently separated or divorced.  She will be discussing positive strategies to minimize emotional difficulties and best practices to maximize family functioning as a whole, and communication, harmony, and success for co-parenting."  Prices, $12/$15.  To register, email adhdparentsforum@yahoo.com.

Apps for Autism Workshop  ~ Held on March 23, 2012, from 9:30AM-3:30PM, in Columbia, MD.  Category areas will include but are not limited to communication, behavior management, sensory integration, learning, and social communication. This session is appropriate for parents and professionals.  The instructor will be Lisa Brodjieski, Executive Director, M.S., CCC-SSP.   Quickly register please, space is limited.  http://www.matcoop.org/Pmt_AppsAutism032312.html

Parent Empowerment Conference~ Held on March 24, 2012, from 9:30AM-3:30PM, in Hyattsville, MD.  This FREE conference offered by Pathfinders for Autism, is geared to parents with autistic kids.  A combination of topics will be provided in this one-day event: ‘Looking Ahead, Preparing Today’, ‘GF/CF/SF/EF Diets- How to Start, Where to Shop and What to Buy’, ‘Guardianship’, and ‘What is Special Education for Your Child?’  For more details, call 301-618-8385.  Childcare provided. 

The 3rd Annual, Carnival for Children with Special Needs! March 24, 2012, from 1-4 PM, at the Our Lady of Good Counsel H.S., in Olney, MD.  This carnival is geared to pre-school and elementary age kids and their family.  The FUN includes arts and crafts, music, moon bounce, snacks, and, yes, more!  This carnival will be held indoors, rain or shine.  Please register, projectchange-md.org. 

Haven Universe ~ brings you “Saturday Night Alive”, March 24, 2012, from 5-7PM, in Rockville, MD.  This time of community is geared to special needs kids, 15 years old and under, and their families and caregivers!  This fabulous and fun time will have games, arts and crafts, sports, and pizza!  $7 per person.  For details and to register, email lpoznanski@havenuniverse.org or 301-841-7412

Pathfinders for Autism presents:  ‘What Special Education Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Child’ ~ Offered on March 29, 2012, in Columbia MD, from 1-2:30PM.  Participants will gain knowledge of special education laws, and how they play out in local school systems. Emphasis will be on working with your child's team to develop effective partnerships when developing strategies for success for your child in the inclusive academic environment.  For details call 443-330-5341 or email tkane@pathfindersforautism.org

2 Lectures and Find a Church that will Welcome You and your Special Needs Child/Adult

DEA, ADA, IEP, SLD, CPS, GT:   Understanding and Mastering the Alphabet Soup of Getting Help for Your Student Lecture-  Speaker Marisa Stemple, MCPS GT/LD Instructional Specialist will discuss the laws, regulations, policies, and processes that are in place in MCPS to better understand the world of IEPs and 504s.  This FREE lecture will be held on March 15, 2012, from 6:30-7:30PM, the Advocacy Discussion open to all, then 7:30-9PM, the Speaker Presentation.  Join the GD/LD Network at the Walter Johnson High School Cafeteria, 6400 Rock Spring Drive, in Bethesda, MD.   

The Impact of ADHD and the Family, Including Co-Parenting during Seperation & Divorce brought to you by For Our Kids, For Ourselves Sunday Lecture Series, on March 18, 2012, from 2-3:30PM, in Chevy Chase, MD, for a discussion by Dr. Judith Glasser.  "In this workshop Dr. Glasser will be providing an overview of ADHD in the family (adults & children) and how it affects all aspects of the family unit, including parents who are currently separated or divorced.  She will be discussing positive strategies to minimize emotional difficulties and best practices to maximize family functioning as a whole, and communication, harmony, and success for co-parenting."  Prices, $12/$15.  To register, email adhdparentsforum@yahoo.com.

If you are looking for a church home that will fully welcome you and your special needs child, please visit McLean Bible Church, in Vienna, VA.  Church services held on Saturdays and Sundays, have Bible School classes for your special needs adult and child. 

Friendship Club, A weekly Saturday/Sunday School community where adults aged 16+ come together for fellowship and learning held at the Tyson's location, 703-770-2985.

Beautiful Blessings, A weekly Saturday/Sunday School for children aged two-15 years.  Call 703-770-3438 for the Tyson's location and 703-770-8661, for the Loundoun location.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please allow me to vent!! I really want to show you. that you and I aren't that different.

I started this blog on January 12, 2012.  Mostly because I had a need to connect with others who wouldn't judge my son's quirky behavior.  I've encountered many to look at him cross-eyed, look annoyed at him, just stare as in saying, 'this kid is strange', people saying within earshot how obnoxious he is.  I will give you details at a later date of bad and good experiences I've shared with my son Jordan.  And I knew that there were many out there who also wanted to take their child to a place where he/she could be him/herself---without mom or dad saying 'don't do that', or, 'you're too loud', etc.  Yes I was that parent and still am but much fewer times. 
It's hard for me to talk about Jordan because I don't know many of you who check out this blog.  Yet, I've known you since my son was born.  Together, you and I, even if your child is not autistic, we are cut from the same cloth.  That will never change and no one can take that away from us.  So I now share, hesitantly yet willingly, to tell you what's in my heart.  This is my journey that the Lord Himself put me in.  By the way, I do have a husband, Jordan's dad, and a typical younger son, Ryan.  But I don't mention them too often.  Absolutely not because they are not important.  But this is just between you and me.  I want us to share our viewpoints of what we go through day to day--the great times and sad times. 
Jordan was born on January 13th.  And this January, 2012, he turned 13.  That is a very bitter/sweet event in itself.  Honestly, I thought by now that God would have healed him completely.  By now I would have had a typical son who could carry on reasonable conversations.  My boy would be attending a typical class.  My son would be working towards a high school diploma and not a certificate.  I could look forward to my son going to college, landing a great job, and having a wife and children.  Right now, that's not possible.  Maybe you don't feel this way but I desperately want the American dream.  For many years, having an autistic son was a pure nightmare.  I'm different now.  I don't feel that extreme anymore.  However, I do still get sad when I see my beautiful son act differently. 
Yet, when he accomplishes the most minor things, it is a time to rejoice, call all my friends and brag, cry tears of gratefulness, and (I never thought I would admit this) thank God for this opportunity to raise a son like Jordan.  I do take time to smell the roses.  I don't overlook minor details anymore.  In fact, I look for the minor details in my son.  Any little thing he can do today and just yesterday he couldn't, is reason for me to smile and feel proud of my son.  The Lord has forced me to stop being judgemental in many aspects of others' lives.  He has terribly humbled me.  Oh, boy, the stories I've got that I can laugh at now but I wanted to drop dead of embarrassment then! 
Jordan is so happy all the time!  It is rare when he's not smiling or giggling hysterically.  Many times, I have no idea what's so funny!  Sometimes he's able to tell me.  Most of the time, he doesn't. 
I'm going to stop right here.  It's late and I need to wake up early today.  Next time I write to you about personal things in my life, I'll have it more organized.  And if you allow me to share with you how it was for me from the very beginning, I will do that too. 
Please, though, ahead of time, I ask you not be insulted by my boldness on how I describe my TRUE feelings.  I am an upfront person.  I wear my feelings on my sleeves.  And maybe, just maybe, you have thought and are thinking the things I boldly write on this blog, but were afraid to admit it.  You and I have a lot in common. 
I thank you, my new friend.  Please, follow up on my blog. 

March Madness-A lot of stuff to do!

"Speak Up For Those
Who Cannot Speak For Themselves"
      ~Proverbs 31:08

 

-Special Needs Matter-

 

Resources for Our Students with Special Needs  

And Their Families.

specialneedsmatter.blogspot.com

OUT and ABOUT!

·         Let’s Go To The Movies!:  DR. SUESS’ THE  LORAX ~

playing on March 10, 2012, at the AMC Loews Theaters at Rio Cinemas 18, in Gaithersburg, MD.  This 10 A.M. showing provides a special opportunity for families to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment.  Lights will be dimmed up, the sound turned down, and the audience will be invited to get up, walk, dance, shout, or sing!  301-948-6763.

·         The 3rd Annual, Carnival for Children with Special Needs!March 24, 2012, from 1-4 PM, at the Our Lady of Good Counsel H.S., in Olney, MD.  This carnival is geared to pre-school and elementary age kids and their family.  The FUN includes arts and crafts, music, moon bounce, snacks, and, yes, more!  This carnival will be held indoors, rain or shine.  Please register, projectchange-md.org. 

·         Haven Universe ~ brings you “Saturday Night Alive”, March 24, 2012, from 5-7PM, in Rockville, MD.  This time of community is geared to special needs kids, 15 years old and under, and their families and caregivers!  This fabulous and fun time will have games, arts and crafts, sports, and pizza!  $7 per person.  For details and to register, email lpoznanski@havenuniverse.org or 301-841-7412.

ACTION AND INFORMATION

·         A Board of Education Candidates’ Forum   ~ sponsored by the Montgomery County Civic Federation, March 15, 2012, at 7:30 PM, at the Silver Spring Civic Building.  Moderators will include the editors of Silver Chips, the Montgomery Blair H.S. online and print newspaper. 

·         Resource Fair – An Informative and Fun Day for Families of Children with Special Needs  ~ Taking place on March 17, 2012, from 10AM-2PM, at Rock Creek School, 191 Waverley Drive, in Frederick, MD.  Aside from FREE Family-Fun Activities, exhibits will provide information on various available services, including: summer activities, workshops on social skills, self-determination and the correlation between vision and learning, and conflict resolution.  For details on more programs and for interpretive services, call 240-236-8744 or email  by March 12, 2012, susan.donoghue-rick@fcps.org .

           Apps for Autism Workshop  ~ Held on March 23, 2012, from 9:30AM-3:30PM, in Columbia, MD.  Category areas will include but are not limited to communication, behavior management, sensory integration, learning, and social communication. This session is appropriate for parents and professionals.  The instructor will be Lisa Brodjieski, Executive Director, M.S., CCC-SSP.   Quickly register please, space is limited.  http://www.matcoop.org/Pmt_AppsAutism032312.html

·         Parent Empowerment Conference~ Held on March 24, 2012, from 9:30AM-3:30PM, in Hyattsville, MD.  This FREE conference offered by Pathfinders for Autism, is geared to parents with autistic kids.  A combination of topics will be provided in this one-day event: ‘Looking Ahead, Preparing Today’, ‘GF/CF/SF/EF Diets- How to Start, Where to Shop and What to Buy’, ‘Guardianship’, and ‘What is Special Education for Your Child?’  For more details, call 301-618-8385.  Childcare provided. 

·         Pathfinders for Autism presents:  ‘What Special Education Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Child’ ~ Offered on March 29, 2012, in Columbia MD, from 1-2:30PM.  Participants will gain knowledge of special education laws, and how they play out in local school systems. Emphasis will be on working with your child's team to develop effective partnerships when developing strategies for success for your child in the inclusive academic environment.  For details call 443-330-5341 or email tkane@pathfindersforautism.org

SUPPORT GROUPS:

·         Montgomery County Parent/Caregiver AD/HD Support Group 

At these meetings, parents and caregivers of children and teens with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, give and receive support, ideas, and encouragement. Sharing is facilitated by experienced clinicians affiliated with Alvord, Baker, and Associates.  Meetings are from 7:30-9:30PM, in Kensington, MD.  For details and schedule, email sanci@rcn.com or 301-656-5811.

·         Autism Society Parent Support Meeting ~   support groups are from 7:30-9PM, in Rockville, MD.  Call 301-924-2211 for details and schedule.

·         The Parent Connection Support Group ~ This free, monthly meeting is presented by the LDAMC, and focuses on building a support network, connecting with your community resources and learning to balance your own needs with those of children with special needs.  Meetings are held from 7-8:30 PM, in Rockville, MD.  Pre-registration is required please.  For details and schedule, call 301-610-8355. 

Happening March 3, 4, 5, 2012. -LOOK NOW-

NAMI of MC (National Alliance of Mental Illness of Montgomery County) presents their next
Parent Support Group Meeting on March 4, 2011. from 3-4:30 PM,  at 11718 Parklawn Drive, in Rockville, MD.  This support group is for parents of children and teens with mental health concerns.  For details, email dbaylinson@namimc.org.

ALSO, NAMI of MC will be offering a FREE six-week class, NAMI Basics, for our parents of kids and teens with mental health issues.  Topics are: the biology of mental illness, getting an accurate diagnosis, overview of treatment options and the latest research, crisis planning and record keeping coping and problem solving skills, and, listening and communication techniques.  Class starts, March 5, 2012, from 6:30-9PM, at Suburban Hospital.  Register now, dbaylinson@namimc.org or 301-949-5852.
M&L Special Needs Planning, LLC, presents, Estate Planning for Special Needs Family Lecture, March 6, 2012, from 7-8:30PM, in Rockville, MD.  Speaker Tanya Harvey, Esq., will discuss "the key elements of estate planning for the special needs family."  Some of the topics will include 'Special Needs Trust, Guardianship and Estate Planning, and funding Special Needs Trusts.  Register quickly,  https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?llr=idtuvbdab&oeidk=a07e5406g8b090a3575&oseq=a013tg1f4v23w 

Project Access presents an EXTENSIVE College Fair for Students with Special Needs, on March 3, 2012, from 12N-3PM, at the Burrill Galleria, Science and Technology Building, Howard Community College, 10901 Patuxent Parkway, in Columbia, MD.  Meet and talk to Disability Service Providers and Admissions Representatives from two and four year colleges:

Anne Arundel Community College

Baltimore City Comm. College

Carroll Community College

Community College of Baltimore     Catonsville Community College
    Dundalk Community College

    Essex Community College

Harford Community College

Howard Community College

Montgomery College
    American University

Bowie State University

Catholic University

Coppin State University

Davis & Elkins, WV

Frostburg State University

George Washington University

Howard University Johns Hopkins

University Loyola College of Maryland

Marymount University

Mount St. Mary’s College

Salisbury StateUniversity

St. Mary’s College

Towson University

Trinity College

University of Baltimore

Univ. of Maryland-Balt. County

Univ. of Maryland-College Park

Univ. of Maryland-Eastern Shore

Villanova University, PA

WV Wesleyan College

York College of Pennsylvania

Also to be debuted are Career Schools and Attend Workshops
For a complete list of schools and additional information, http://www.howardcc.edu/students/academic_support_services/project_access/Events.html
DON'T REGISTER!  JUST SHOW UP!