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.

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

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

A 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  

http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/NR/rdonlyres/840EFBB6-CD7D-404E-8A77-E978F6D508AA/32878/2012_MD_Accommodations_Manual_.pdf

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

FREE DINNER AND A MOVIE!!; TWO THOUGHT-PROVOKING ARTICLES ON MS

(Forewards and articles by National Multiple Sclerosis Society) Does Managing Stress Reduce Disease Activity?
Many people with MS blame stress for increased symptoms or exacerbations.  But researchers fournd that disease activity on MRI scans was significantly reduced during a 24-week stress management program for people with relapsing MS, compared to a control group.
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/news/news-detail/index.aspx?nid=6629

Protein Sparks Immune Response In Some People With MS
A new study has identified a protein, KIR4.1, that could be a target of the immune attack in some people with MS.  Almost half of the people with MS showed an immune response to the protein, compared to almost none in people without the disease.
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/news/news-detail/index.aspx?nid=6619

Please go to http://www.nationalmssociety.org/news/index.aspx for early July articles that have equally important information.

Youth Dinner & Movie  brought to you by the Idependence Now For A Creative Cooking Class and Advocate's Theater (featuring X-MEN), will be held this Tuesday, July 24, 2012, from 4-7:30PM, at 12301 Old Columbia Pike, Suite 101, Silver Spring, MD.  Those ages 12-26, with disabilities are invited.  Together, all will be preparing their own meals, then watch the movie.  FREE!!  Please email  reda.sheinburg@mctransitions.org                         

                 

DEPRESSED? NEVER ME!!; CALENDAR OF EVENTS; LET'S ALL GO TO THE MOVIES; ASK THE EXPERTS

To be honest with you, today I'm a little depressed.  Today was a difficult day for me with my son, Jordan.  Yesterday I learned more things that I need to do with him to help him become more independent.  The list was too long and I tried implementing all of it today.  I feel very alone today but...for the first time, I read the following personal stories of parents seeing the 'silver lining' in this journey of mine/ours.  Actually, the first story, 'Melissa's story', encouraged me the most.  If you have a couple of minutes, please read her story and the other similar ones.  Love you all.  We really aren't alone. 
http://www.autism-society.org/news/melissa-1.html

A Whole Array Of Stuff To Do And To Attend In Spread-Out Locations! 
Check out the Calendar of Events: http://www.pathfindersforautism.org/calendar
Hurry, because some of these events are just around the corner!  (Info provided by Pathfinders For Autism)

(Info provided by the Autism Society.)

Everybody Gets To Go To The Movies!! (EVEN THE NOISEY ONE!!)

Join AMC Theaters on July 21, 2012, for a special showing of Ice Age: Continental Drift.  Movie starts at 10AM local time in participating theaters nationwide.  Which movie theater is nearest to you?  Visit: www.autism-society.org/sensoryfilms 

Ask the Experts

Your questions will be answered during a special panel at the 43rd Autism Society National Conference, on July 25-28, 2012.  The Autism Society will unite a panel of professional and advisors on the autism spectrum to answer your questions at the National Conference and Exhibition.  Ask any question on behavior, policies, resources, best practices in education, adult services, self-advocacy, therapies and other topics of interest.  The panel includes professionals across a variety of ASD-related fields and several individuals on the autism spectrum.  A complete list of the Panel Of Professional Advisors and the Panel of People on the Spectrum of Autism Advisors, click:

http://www.autism-society.org/about-us/board-advisors/

To submit a question, go to:

http://support.autism-society.org/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=6640

 

 

 

 

 

FREE ID KIT; GIVE THEM YOUR 2 CENTS; AND KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!!!

(The following information is provided by Pathfinders For Autism.)

FREE Child ID Kit
These FREE kits will be distributed at Burger King, 1952 West Street, Annapolis, MD, on July 25, 2012, from 5-8PM.  The Child ID Kits contain: laminated cards, plus CDs containing your child’s digital fingerprints, video, voice recordings, and additional information prepared for the police to download in the case of an emergency.  State police officers greet the children, and answer your safety questions. 


Low Intensity Support Services (LISS) Survey

The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) is undertaking a review of DDA Low Intensity Support Services (LISS), is providing a survey, to gather input from any stakeholders throughout MD.  This includes people with developmental disabilities and their families,
You are encouraged to share your perspective about what is working and not working well with LISS, in addition to ideas and recommendations you may have. All responses to the survey will be completely confidential.  Please fill out the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LISSMaryland

 

Supreme Court Decision on Affordable Care Act 

Disability groups across the United States celebrated the Supreme Court Decision released on June 28, 2012. The Court upheld key provisions in the law. For families of children with disabilities the law has several important features: no one can be denied coverage based on a pre-existing condition; young adults may stay on their parents insurance until age 26; and increased funding to Community Health Centers and School Based Health Centers. Each state is able to expand its Medicaid program to give families and individuals greater access to quality healthcare and long-term home and community based care. 

The Kaiser Family Foundation offers a downloadable fact sheet on the Affordable Care Act.  And, Healthcare.gov has a timeline to show when different parts of the law go into effect.