Sensory Friendly Cinderella
Holy Child Stage, Connelly School of the Holy Child, 9029 Bradley Blvd., Potomac, MD 20854
Contact Nora Fitzpatrick to reserve seats. nfitzpatrick@holychild.org.
Sensory Friendly Mary Poppins
Reston Community Center, 2310 Colt's Neck Road, Reston, VA 20191
Sensory Friendly performance of Jack and Phil, Giant Slayers
Imagination Stage, Bethesda, MD (301) 280-1660.
Tech Thursday - Technology Tools to Support Students with Reading Difficulties
Thursday, February 18, 10:00 am – noon
Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services (map)
The presenters will focus on strategies and technology tools to help support students with reading difficulties. Explore commonly available software programs, screen readers, and applications that may assist students who may benefit from accessing digital text.
This workshop will be presented by the Office of Special Education Instruction, Assistive Technology Services.
Register online now! | Download the flyer
Dyslexia OPEN HOUSE
Friday, February 19, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services (map)
Does your child have dyslexia? Do you suspect your child may have dyslexia? Learn about the services available in Fairfax County Public Schools and in the community to help your child.
The Open House will include:
Download the flyer | Register online now!
Navigating Special Education in Public Schools
Thu, February 25, 12:00pm – 1:30pm
The Arc of Northern Virginia 2755 Hartland Road, Suite 200 Falls Church, VA 22043
presented by Cheri Belkowitz, Belkowitz Law PLLC.
register: https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/arcofnva/event.jsp?event=4148&
Employment Opportunities for Individuals with Special Needs
Thursday, February 25 • 7pm–9pm
The J: 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax VA 22031
The J and The Washington Group Special Care Planning Team invite you to join them for a workshop on employment for individuals with special needs. This workshop will showcase employers who have employees with special needs, supportive employment organizations and other resources for individuals with special needs seeking employment. There will also be an employment focused resource fair.
This workshop is not a job fair, but rather an opportunity to hear about working employment models to get possibilities and ideas flowing. Download the flyer
This workshop is open to all at no-cost. Please RSVP to Carey: 703.865.6502 or
FCPS Graduation and Diploma Options for Students with Disabilities
Friday, February 26, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services (map)
Don't miss this important workshop presented by Specialists from the Office of Special Education Instruction and the Office of Counseling and College and Career Readiness. Learn about Diploma Options for Students with Disabilities, Graduation Requirements, Credit Accommodations for Students with Disabilities, and so much more.
Register online now! | Download the flyer
Your Child's Development 2016: A Resource Fair for Arlington Parents and Caregivers of Infants and Preschoolers
Saturday, February 27, 9am – 12:30pm
Kenmore Middle School, 200 S Carlin Springs Rd, Arlington, VA 22204
Parents and caregivers: Please join us at the FREE 8th annual child development resource fair. This event will provide an opportunity for Arlington families and caregivers who work with infants and preschoolers up to age 5 to obtain information and resources to better meet the needs of children. Learn new techniques at two engaging workshops. Get your questions answered by community agencies and professionals. Come for all or part of this FREE event. Coffee and refreshments will be provided.
Schedule of Events
9:00am-9:30am: Registration/Resource Tables/Networking/Refreshments*
9:30am-10:30am: Workshop #1: "Ages and Stages: Developmental Milestones"
10:30am-11:00am: Break/Resource Tables/Networking/Refreshments*
11:00am-12:00pm: Workshop #2: "Building Resilence Through Positive Family Relationships"
12:00pm-12:30pm: Closing remarks and Q & A/Networking
Any questions can be directed to Lisa Abbin at labbin@arlingtonva.us or 703-228-1196.
DDVA (Decoding Dyslexia VA) Arlington Meeting
Wed, March 2, 7pm
Arlington Community Church, 6040 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA
Transition to Employment Workshop
Thursday, March 3 6:00-8:30pm.
Alexandria City Community Services Board
4480 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302
Planning for Long Term Needs of Persons with Mental Health Needs
Friday, March 4, 9am
The Arc of Northern Virginia, 2755 Hartland Rd. Suite 200, Falls Church, VA 22043
Formed Families Forward will join a panel discussion on how to access resources and prepare longer range plans for young adults with mental health needs.
Autism Research Symposium
Friday, March 4th ▪ 7:30AM–1:30PM
Fairview Marriott, 3111 Fairview Park Dr, Falls Church, VA
Please join The Virginia Tech Center for Autism Research for this groundbreaking symposium on autism research open to all at no cost. The symposium will feature autism research from Biomedical and Imaging, Technology, Education, and Clinical Translational fields. Who should attend? Service providers, educators, psychologists, researchers, program officers, families and others in the community interested in learning about autism research.
The program will feature groundbreaking research as well as Keynote speakers Dave Hamrick and Lindsey Nebeker who are featured in a new documentary Autism in Love. For details of the event download the flyer.
RSVP Information: Please send RSVP by February 25th to: (703) 865-6502 or calford@financialguide.com
Dyslexia Simulation
Sunday, March 6 3-5PM,
Susan J. Johnson Center at Commonwealth Academy, 1231 Leslie Avenue, Alexandria, VA
Hosted by Commonwealth Academy and presented by Decoding Dyslexia Virginia. The presentation walks participants through a number of different reading and writing simulations. It is designed to help individuals gain a better understanding of and empathy for those children and adults who struggle with dyslexia.
Light refreshments will be served.
The event is for free - sign up at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/ddva-dyslexia-simulation-tickets-20947778369
"Using Music to Reach One’s Full Potential"
Mon, March 7, 7:30pm – 9:00pm
McLean Bible Church, 8925 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182
Speaker: Josh Schrader, Founder, Capital Music Therapy Services, LLC
Why Do They Do That? A Behind the Scenes Look at ADHD
Tuesday, March 8, 7:00 pm
Minnie Howard, Media Center, W. Braddock Rd., Alexandria, VA
Presented by Karin Varblow, M.D. , a physician with expertise in behavioral pediatrics and treating children with ADHD, a member of ChADD and affiliated with Impact ADHD and the ADHD Resource Group of NoVa.
This workshop offers frustrated parents suggestions to help them deal with the challenging behaviors caused by their child’s ADHD.
To register or for more information, contact Janet Reese, ACPS Parent Support Specialist, (703) 824-0129 or janet.reese@acps.k12.va.us
IDA (International Dyslexia Association) D.C. Capital Area Spring Conference
Mar. 12, 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m..
Radisson Hotel, 3 Research Court, Rockville, MD 20850.
For information and registration, go to http://www.dcida-events.org.
The Lab School Lecture Series: What Works with Teens: Engaging Adolescents with Learning Differences to Achieve Lasting Change
Wed, March 16, 7:30pm – 9:00pm
The Commons on the Reservoir Campus: 4759 Reservoir Road NW Washington, D.C. 20007
Britt Rathbone, LCSW-C, CGP, BCD, Director, Rathbone and Associates
Julie B. Baron, LCSW-C, Rathbone and Associates, Bethesda, MD
If you live with, teach, coach, treat, or otherwise interact with teens, you know they can be notoriously challenging to communicate with. When adolescents are resistant to help, they may respond by being defiant, guarded, defensive, rude, or even outright hostile. In turn, you may respond by reasserting your authority—resulting in an endless power struggle. Teens with learning differences present unique challenges to parents and helping adults.
In this talk, you’ll discover the core skills that research shows underlie all effective interactions with teens. You’ll learn how to engage authentically with them, create an atmosphere of mutual respect, and use humor to establish a deeper connection. There are many evidence-based approaches to treating, educating and parenting adolescents, but very little information on how to establish and maintain an ongoing productive relationship that underlies the successful implementation of these programs. This presentation will offer effective ways to connect with teenagers and information and real tools for creating positive connections.
All lectures are open to the public and offered free of charge, but registrations are appreciated.
http://www.labschool.org/Page/outreach/Lecture-Series
Adapted Sports, Recreation and Travel Fair for Individuals with Disabilities
Sat, March 19, 1pm – 4pm
James Lee Community Center, 2855-A Annandale Road, Falls Church, VA
PEATC Discussion on Dyslexia
Mar. 24, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
PEATC, 100 N. Washington Street, Suite 234, Falls Church, VA 22046.
with Kristin Kane.
For more information contact: (703) 536-3023, norris@peatc.org.
Understanding Medicaid Waivers
Wed, March 30, 7pm – 9pm
Minnie Howard, Media Center, Braddock Rd., Alexandria, VA
ID Waiver? DD Waiver? EDCD? The process of figuring out which waiver might be right for your child and applying for it can be overwhelming. The goal of this workshop is to answer questions parents have about the process.
Presented by: Tia Marsili, the Arc of Northern Virginia
NOTE: Registration closes on March 23. Be sure to register prior to this date.
http://www.acps.k12.va.us/curriculum/special-education/workshops.pdf
SAVE THE DATE
The 2016 Youth Leadership Forum (YLF)
Applications are due in March 2016 --- Apply Today!
The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD) seeks students from across Virginia to serve as Delegates to its Youth Leadership Forum (YLF). Rising high school juniors and seniors with a developmental or other disability who want to become leaders in their schools and communities are strongly encouraged to apply for the honor of serving as a YLF delegate.
Student delegates demonstrate:
- Motivation
- Acceptance of and interest in diversity
- An interest in developing their personal, leadership and - career development skills in preparation for their future success
- A desire to share their thoughts and opinions
The YLF program is held in the summer on a university campus. Twenty-five Virginia high school students with developmental and other disabilities are selected to receive full scholarships to participate in this leadership development program.
For more information about YLF, go to the The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD) website or contact Kara White at Kara.White@vbpd.virginia.gov or 800-846-4464.
USA Science and Engineering Festival
April 14, 15, 16-17
Celebrate Science at the largest STEM education event of its kind in the United States. Over 1,000 leading STEM organizations will present hands-on science and engineering activities for people of all ages. The event is free of charge.
Recurring Events
OCD Family Support Group
First Mondays of the Month, 7:30pm – 9:30pm
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 4000 Lorcom, Lane, Arlington, VA
For family and friends of those with obsessive compulsive disorder.
202-215-5859 familygroupocd@verizon.net
Youth and Young Adults: Stronger Together
Alternate Thursdays at 6:30 - 8:00 pm, Fairfax, VA
4031 University Dr., Suite 100, Fairfax, VA 22030
Mar 1, 15; Apr 5, 19; May 3, 17.
Formed Families Forward hosts Stronger Together peer-to-peer support groups.
We believe that youth and young adults really are stronger when they share their experiences and work together to improve their own lives and the systems that are supposed to help youth and families.
The group is designed for teens and young adults, ages 14-22, who have lived experiences in one or more service systems such as:
Light dinner of pizza and salad will be served.
Register: http://formedfamiliesforward.org/youth-together-peer-group/ or call (703) 539-2904
Lunch Bunch
The Autism Society Northern Virginia, Down Syndrome Association Northern Virginia and The Arc of Northern Virginia now offer our popular informative Lunch BunchMeetings on Saturday. Every second Saturday of the month, from noon to 2pm at ASNV.Bring a bag lunch and talk to experts about your questions and concerns in navigating the maze of services for individuals with disabilities and on the spectrum.
The number of families is limited to provide personalized information, so RSVP to ASNV at 703-495-8444 and ask to RSVP for LUNCH BUNCH. Topics include what is on the top of your list, but also can include: Getting a diagnosis, Medicaid Waivers, IEP's and other school issues, Guardianship, Special Needs Trusts, Recreation, Transportation, and Housing.
ASNV 10467 White Granite Dr. 3rd Floor Oakton, VA 22124
CHADD: Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
West Fairfax CHADD Parent Support Group
Meets each 2nd & 4th Thurs. at 7:30 pm
Room 201 at Fairfax Church of Christ, 3901 Rugby Road, Fairfax, VA 22033
Contact Sharon 703 716-4646 or clintob@aol.com.
Support Group for Middle School Students with ADHD
Meets the first Sunday of each month 2:00 - 3:00 pm
4031 Univ. Dr Fairfax, VA (enter on South St.)
NO parents!
Support Group for High School Students with ADHD
Meets the first Sunday of each month 3:30 - 5:00 pm
4031 Univ. Dr., Fairfax, VA (enter on South St.) No parents!
Call 703-403-3335 to enter the building.
Contact: coach@BrainRelief.org (703) 641-8940
NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
Works to build better lives for those affected by mental illness.
Oakton Family Support Group
Meets on the 1st Thurs. of each month, 7:30-9:00 pm
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, Room 9, 2709 Hunter Mill Rd., Fairfax, VA
Alexandria Family Support Group
Meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, 7:30-9:00 pm, First Christian Church of Alexandria, 2723 King St., Alexandria, VA
Contact: Joanna Walker at 703 620-2633 or Joannaw.walker@gmail.com
For other Family Support Groups visit http://www.nami-northernvirginia.org/for-families-and-friends.html
Alexandria City Public School:
ACPS Monthly Support Group for Parents of Preschoolers Receiving Special Education Services
Parent Resource Center, Minnie Howard Campus of
T.C. Williams High School, Room 134, 3801 W. Braddock Road
The group will meet monthly on the following Tuesdays:
Mar. 1, Apr. 5, May 3, and June 7, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.
Please join us for support, strategies and conversation.
For more information, contact Janet Reese, ACPS Parent Support Specialist, (703) 824-0129 or janet.reese@acps.k12.va.us
ACPS Monthly Support Group for Parents of Students in the Citywide Autism Classes
Parent Resource Center, Minnie Howard Campus of
T.C. Williams High School, Room 134, 3801 W. Braddock Road
The group will meet monthly on the following Wednesdays: Mar. 9, Apr. 13, May 11 and June 15, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.
Please join us for support, strategies and conversation.
For more information, contact Janet Reese, ACPS Parent Support Specialist, (703) 824-0129 or janet.reese@acps.k12.va.us
ACPS Monthly Support Group for Parents of Students with Learning Challenges
Parent Resource Center, Minnie Howard Campus of
T.C. Williams High School, Room 134, 3801 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA
The group will meet monthly on Wednesdays, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., on the following dates: March 16, April 20, and May 18.
Please join us for support strategies and conversation.
For more information, contact Janet Reese, ACPS Parent Support Specialist, (703) 824-0129 or janet.reese@acps.k12.va.us
