(FREE!) ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!! with REDSKINS' TYLER POLUMBUS; Extreme Recess Lacrosse with GEORGETOWN ATHLETICS; Ariticle on LATEST RESULTS ON EMERGING MS THERAPIES

Article from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society:
Latest results about emerging MS therapies, risk factors, disease mechanisms, rehabilitation, CCSVI, and much more presented at AAN Meeting
http://nationalmssociety.org/news/news-detail/index.aspx?nid=6377


Register Now for Extreme Recess Football with Redskins' Tyler Polumbus and his Tyler's Kids Outreach team!  It's FREE!, but you must register.  It's happening on June 8, 2012 from 2:30-5:30PM, in Landover, MD.
http://extremerecessfootball.eventbrite.com/

Register Now for Extreme Lacrosse with Georgetown Athletics!  It's FREE!, but you must register.  It's happening on June 16, 2012, from 1-3PM in Washington, D.C.  http://gtownlacrosseextremerecess.eventbrite.com/

You Do Have A Talent To Share!!, A lecture/workshop and 5K Run for Sports Plus--all are invited!!

Sports Plus  invites you to the Germantown 5 miler/Sports Plus 1K, May 19, 2012, at 8AM.  This event is brought to you by the Montgomery County Road Runners Club and the Spagnvola Chocolatier.  This race benefits Sports Plus.  There is also a 5K that begins at 8:30AM.  This race is fully inclusive, with Sports Plus staff on hand to encourage and accompany runners on the course.  Register at www.germantown5miler.com.

You've Got Talent!!  B'MoreAbilities Special Arts Center is seeking Special Artist, Musician, Dancers, Vocalists, Writers, and Comediens, at the World of Possibilites Expo, on May 19, 2012, from 1:30-2:30PM.  RSVP at bmoreabilities@gmail.com, www.basac.org, or 443-769-0507.


Lecture by Rebecca Rubin of Disability Support Solutions will discuss residential models for individuals eligible for DDA funding in Maryland.  Residential Models for Individuals Eligible for Maryland DDA Funding workshop, will be presented on May 29, 2012, from 7:30-9PM, in Bethesda, MD.  Register at https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?llr=idtuvbdab&oeidk=a07e5vxp00x308e54f3

All Events take place in a FEW days! Please review quickly!

Please join us for a Support Group for parents/caregivers who have children and adolescents with mental health issues.  The next meeting is this Sunday, May 6, 2012, from 3-4:30PM, at the NAMI MC, 11718 Parklawn Drive in Rockville, MD.  (Behind the Karpet King)

For Our Kids, For Ourselves, presents What to Do With Worry: Helping Kids Handle Anxiety, May 6, 2012, from 2:45-4:30PM, in Chevy Chase, MD.  This lecture will describe four aspects of anxiety and how to best support children in managing each one.  Recognize the signs of anxiety   in your child.  For more details and for reservations, please email adhdparentsforum@yahoo.com.  $12 by reservation, $15 at door.

Brought to you by Certifikid, Special Needs Deal: $11 for Urban Pirates Adventure Special Needs Family Cruise Ticket on May 20. 2012 (50% off). 
http://www.certifikid.com/special_needs

Parent Academy Session for Middle School Parents:

Bright Futures for Students with IEPs

Families and schools can work together to help students with IEPs make a successful transition to high school. Learn about high school choices that will help your student transition to employment, postsecondary education and independence.  This lecture will be held on May 9, 2012, at the Brooke Lee MS in Silver Spring, MD.  For details, contact the MCPS Transition Services Office, 301-649-8008.  (Sent by Karen Leggett)

 

Interactive Classical Concert and Summer Programs for Juniors and Seniors with Disabilities preparing for College or Employment

Music for Autism Concert   May 6, 2012, at the Ivymount School, in Rockville, MD.  This fabulous afternoon feature the Capitol Woodwind Quintet, in an interactive, autism friendly concert.  Excerpts include Peter and the Wolf, narrated by the National Symphony's Holly Hamilton.  Concert is free but reservations are requested.  Webpage:  musicforautism.org

(The following info is provided by Kathy R.)
The Maryland State Department of Education Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) offers three summer programs helping high school juniors and seniors with disabilities prepare for college or employment:

• Mastering a Successful Transition (MAST)-A program for students with learning disabilities or attention deficit disorders who are interested in attending college.
• All About College Exploration (ACE)-A program for students who are blind or who have a significant vision loss who are interested in attending college.
• Work and Volunteer Experience (WAVE)-A program for students who are deaf or hard of hearing who are not planning to attend college.

Students with the appropriate disabilities must be registered with DORS to participate. Those already registered may be referred to a program by his/her DORS counselor; to register your child, contact your local DORS office, http://www.dors.state.md.us/dors

For info on DORS' Workforce & Technology Center, which administers these programs:  

http://www.dors.state.md.us/NR/rdonlyres/8EE30C8B-0467-4C33-8F61 9AB7C4624F55/0/WTC_2011.pdf or call 410-554-9442/888.554.0334, TTY/TDD 410.554.9411 or email dors@dors.state.md.us.

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MAKE THE CHOCOLATE TREAT AND EAT IT!! CAMP OF ARTS AND LECTURE

The Sports Plus Awetism Awareness Day, will be held on April 28, 2012, from 11AM-3PM, at Spagnvola Chocolatier located in the Kentlands in Gaithersburg, Md.  Admission is free.  This fun time will include goodies to eat, a chocolate treat making class, tours of the factory, live music and comraderie.  Register to attend the chocolate treat making classes, at sportsplus@comcast .

(Info given by Kathy R.)  The Technology Program, sponsored by the Bethesda Library, in Bethesda, MD,  present "Got Grammer Woes?  Grammer Solutions and Tools for Struggling Learners.", on April 28, 2012, from 1-3PM.  Led by Kamran Rasul, this discussion will include software packages which may improve grammar and writing skills of middle and high school students with learning disabilities or who are in ESOL.  Please call 240-777-0960 for details.

(B'moreAbilities Special Arts Center) BASAC Art Camp presents  a full day or half day summer camp at two locations:  Baltimore County and Harford County.  Eight sessions are available from dates June 18-August 10, 2012, for ages seven to 21 years old.  This camp is opened to all special needs.  The fun includes painting, pottery, musical expression, dance, music theater, visual arts, musical speech therapy, art therapy, television/media, and craft makers.  Register on
http://www.basac.org/camp.html

APRIL IS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH!! Good stuff!!

Celebrating Autism Awareness Month with goodies and giveaways at the "Dining out at the Tower" event!!

This fun time will be on April 24, 2012, from 5-8PM at the Main Tower Restaurant in Bel Air, MD.host a night of dining out with other families that understand your unique situation in a setting that accommodates your family's needs. And 10% of the night's proceeds goes directly to Pathfinders for Autism for resources and free family fun events.  The Main Tower Restaurant will provide: 

• gluten and casein-free menu items (Mario will make these special diet items any night for you if you call in advance)
• reduced background music  
• a quiet area in case of need

• a restaurant staff trained in autism sensitivity     

     Please call 410-838-8007 for details.

Building a Support Community or Families Dealing with Autism - presentation and book signing by author Ann Palmer, will be held at the Bethesda United Methodist Church in Bethesda, MD, on April 25, 2012, at 7:30PM.  For details, call 301-652-2990 or www.washmorefeet.org.

I've made two new friends who are dealing with Muscular Distrophy and Retts. Here are two encouraging articles on research for these disorders.

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

 

-Special Needs Matter-

MDA/ALS (Muscular Distrophy Association/Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
Article:  Neuralstem Phase 1 Stem Cell Trial Shows Safety, Possible Efficacy
Transplantation of stem cells into the spinal cords of 12 people with ALS has proven safe and well-tolerated, with no long-term complications.

http://alsn.mda.org/news/neuralstem-phase-1-stem-cell-trial-shows-safety-possible-efficacy

International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF)
Article: Developmental Disease is Re-created in an Adult Model

http://www.rettsyndrome.org/content/view/809/976/