Tuesday, October 16, 2012

ENCOURAGING ADVANCES IN MS, DYSLEXIA, AND MAKE HALLOWEEN FUN FOR AUTISTIC KIDS!! (R U KIDDN? JORDAN PRACTICALLY KICKS-IN THE FRONT DOOR)

(ARTICLE BY: BBC NEWS TECHNOLOGY)  OpenDyslexic Font Gains Ground With Help From Instapaper 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19734341

(ARTICLES BY: NATIONAL MUSCULAR SCLEROSIS SOCIETY)
MS BLOG: Connect To Creat A World Free Of MS
*Developments In Treating
*Shedding Some Light On Vitamin D And MS
*MS Curves: A Tool To Calculate MS Severity
*Why Is It Harder To Work With MS?
*Emerging Therapies And Alternative Treatment Strategies
*Will BG-12 Be The Next Oral MS Therapy?

http://blog.nationalmssociety.org/

http://nationalmssociety.org/news/news-detail/index.aspx?nid=6906

(ARTICLE BY: THE AUTISM SOCIETY)
Tips To Make Halloween Enjoyable For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

http://support.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=halloween_tips





Sunday, October 14, 2012

HOW MANY TIMES CAN I TYPE THE WORD "FREE"?! WE'VE GOT FREE LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS IN MD AND DC.

Next Step Series Workshop: Montgomery College Night, October 16, 2012, from 7-9PM, at the Earle B. Wood MS Cafeteria, in Rockville, MD.  This FREE workshop, geared to students with IEPs, ages 14-21, and their families, will feature topics on disability support services, credit and non-credit programs, life-long learning opportunities, transfering to a four year college, and more topics.  Go to www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org for driving directions.

The Lab School of Washington Lecture Series presents The Brain in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, on October 17, 2012, 7:30P, at The Commons, located at the Lab's Reservoir campus, in Washington, DC.  Parents and Professionals are invited to hear speaker Philip Shaw, PhD, at this FREE lecture, discuss how current advances in technology allow us to look safely at how children's brains develop and determine if problems of childhood are associated with brain structure.  Subtle differences are shown by some persons with/out ADHD.  To find out more details of topic and speaker's education and work, please view www.labschool. org/lectureserie s or email tiffany.parry@ labschool. org.

Free Workshop: Understanding SSI/SSD and Medicaid/Medicare
provided by the National Children's Center school with guest speaker Maedi Carney, Certified Financial Planner.  This FREE workshop is to be held on October 18, 2012, at 6:30P, in Washington, DC, will focus on how to successfully navigate in this area for your special needs child.  RSVP to 301-593-0642.

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Saturday, September 29, 2012

ALL IN OCTOBER: FOCUS GROUPS, SUPPORT GROUP, CONFERENCE

The MCF (The Maryland Coalition of Families for Children's Mental Health), is holding a series of focus groups for family members of children, adolescents, and young adults with co-occurring disorders.  Co-occurring disorders refer to mental health and substance abuse disorders that an individual experiences together.  The first focus group will be held on October 11, 2012, from 6:30-9:30PM, Damascus, MD.  Families are encouraged to share experiences, concerns, and suggestions for improving care for children, adolecents, and young adults with both mental health and substance abuse needs.  A $25 stipend will be provided to each family that participates in the focus group.  For registration details, call 410-730-8267; ageddes@mdcoalition.org.

The LDAMC (The Learning Disabilities Association of Montgomery County) presents "The Parent Connection", a guided peer support group for parents of students with learning disabilities.  Issues discussed among many other topics, will be understanding your child's strengths and challenges and learning about accommodations and modifications that fit your child's needs.  This meeting will be held on October 17, 2012, from 7-8:30PM, in Rockville, MD.  For details, email ldamcpc@yahoo.com; call 301-933-1076

Association of Educational Therapists: 34th Annual Conference, October 19-21, 2012, at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, in Alexandria, VA.  Reconsidering Learning: Students and Their Environment.  Keynote speakers will be:  Maryanne Wolf, Ed.D., pioneer in dyslexia treatment, Carol Kranowitz, author and expert in sensory processing disorder, and Deborah Waber, Ph.D., has written and lectured extensively on the importance of a developmental framework for understanding learning problems in children.  For details on the conference and sponsorship, visit www.aetonline.org.





Friday, August 31, 2012

GREAT MUSIC, WORKSHOPS, AND ASK QUESTIONS TO THE BOARD!

The Bryant Quartet ~ One concert in a series brought to you by Music For Autism.  This is an interactive concert and a sensory-friendly experience for individuals with Autism OR with other disabilities.  This event will be held on September 8, 2012, 11:30 AM, at the Ivymount School, in Rockville, MD.  This event is FREE and reservations are recommended.  http://www.musicforautism.org/rsvp.phpformkey=dGg4X3d0a29LUFBzQU5UdU13OUFjMlE6MA

Evidence Based Practice and Transitioning for Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Implications for Quality of Life Workshop.   Open to parents and professionals, this workshop is presented by Dr. Peter Gerhardt.  Dr. Gerhardt  is the Founding Chair of Organization for Autism Research (OAR).  He is the Director of Education, Upper School of McCarton School of New York City.  This workshop is being held on September 20, 2012, from 7:30-9PM, at the Universities of Shady Grove, in Rockville, MD.  Please register http://www.alvordbaker.com/ceWorkshops.html 

Adult Servics Workshop--Presented for parents of children ages 14 who receive special education services and will require long-term services through the DDA.  Sponsored by the MCPS Transition Services and will be held on October 2, 2012, from 7-9PM, in the Earle B. Wood MS Cafeteria, at 14615 Bauer Drive, Rockville, MD.  Reps of the Developmental Disabilities Admin, Division of Rehabilitation Services, DHHS-Aging and Disability Service, and the MCPS Transition Services will discuss what services are avail and how to obtain necessary supports after graduation. Spanish translators and Sign Language interpreters are avail upon request two weeks prior.  For details call 301-517-8278.

Bring Your Questions to the  Board of Education Candidates' Forum--brought to you by the Montgomery County Civic Federation, October 17, 2012, from 7-9PM, at the Rockville Public Library in Rockville, MD.










Tuesday, August 21, 2012

HOME DELIVERED MEALS, SHOP WITH A BIG COUPON, WORKSHOPS, MS MAGAZINE

$129 for 4 Gourmet Dietary Specialty meals delievered by local chef.  All meals are Organic, Glutton free, and Dairy free.  This a 45% discount.  Offer ends tomorrow.  Link is below.
https://www.certifikid.com/deal/3756/129-for-4-gourmet-dietary-specialty-meals-delivere?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Washington%20DC%20Daily%20Emails&utm_content=

Macy's and the Autism Society join together to present Shop For A Cause discount pass to be used on August 25, 2012.  For $5, you may purchase this pass and use it for additional discounts on regular, sale, and clearence items.  The Autism Society will keep 100% of every ticket sold.  Please buy your ticket at https://secure2.convio.net/asa/site/Donation2?df_id=3060&3060.donation=form1

M&L Special Needs Planning presents Navigating the Financial World of the Family with Special Needs Workshop
, at three seperate locations, on September 12, 20, and 25, 2012, from 7-9PM, in Silver Spring and Bethesda, MD, and Washington, DC.  For details, contact www.specialneedsplanning.net and 202-248-7113.
A Diagnosis of MS Doesn't Happen to just ONE Person, It Effects the WHOLE Family.  Please check out this story and other articles, on the Fall edition of Momentum, the MS Society's flagship digital magazine.
http://publications.nationalmssociety.org/momentum/fall2012#pg17

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

SUMMER'S ALMOST OVER.....BUT YOU CAN STILL GET A BREAK!; FALL SPORTS SIGN-UP; NEW SUPPORT GROUP

Enjoy Respite Care given by and is at McLean Bible Church, in Leesburg, VA, (about ten minutes from Tyson's Corner Mall).  I have personally experienced these great respite services.  My autistic son and my typical son enjoy these times!  Break Out, Friday night respite is offered mostly twice a month The hours are from 6:30-10PM, http://mbctysons.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=84067   
Breakaway, Saturday day respite is offered mostly twice a month.  The hours are from 10AM-3PM.  http://mbctysons.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=84068
All levels and types of disabilities are welcome.  RNs are on staff.  You do not have to be a member of McLean Bible Church to attend.  Please go to the above links for details and registration. 

Fall Sports Underway.... at Sports Plus.  Fall sports programs now offered are: Indoor Swimming, Soccer, and Track, Field & Fitness.  Please register at http://www.playsportsplus.org/Montgomery_County.html

New Support Group for young adults on the autism spectrum is taking place in the Gaithersburg/Rockville area, on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month.  Focus will be on social and coping skills at work, college, and adult relationships.  For details, email Christy Gordon, M.S.,LCPC, skyswan42@hotmail.com or call 301-943-1503.

The 2012 Maryland State Department of Education's Accommodations Manual  

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

IT'S FREE...BUT IT'S THIS THURSDAY, THE 9TH! ALSO, MORE STUFF TO SHARE WITH YOU!

Hi Friends!  I'm back.  Being a 'taxi' mom is all time consuming!  Here's some stuff I'm hoping will look good to you.....

LDAMC (The Learning Disabilities Association of Montgomery County)  is offering a FREE program on College Entrance Examinations, SAT and ACT, and students with learning disabilities, on August 9, 2012, from 7-9PM, @ the Rockville Public Library in Rockville, MD.  Explanations will be given on the differences between the SAT and the ACT exams, the benefits and obstacles of various accommodations, and required documentation on accommodation requests.  RSVP at ldamcpc@yahoo.com or 301-933-1076.

MCIE, (Maryland Coalition For Inclusive Education), is presenting their very own Selene Almazan and Carol Quirk, interviewed live on the topic: Inclusive Class Podcast!  Listen this Friday, August 10, 2012, @ 9AM, EST, as they discuss stratagies that parents and educators can use to create inclusive classrooms.
Listen live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-inclusive-class/2012/08/10/making-inclusion-a-reality-for-your-school

Live in the Baltimore, MD area or don't mind driving there?......B'MoreAbilities Special Arts Center, llc, is offering Parents Nights Out, After-School Programs, and auditions for Visual, Performing, Media, and Written Artists!!!  Learn more at:   http://www.basac.org/index.html