Community Events
DECEMBER
College Steps at NVCC Annandale and NVCC Louden
***Register by Dec. 8***
Thu. Dec. 14, 6 - 7 pm
NVCC Annandale and NVCC Louden
Learn about this nonprofit organization that provides hands-on, personalized support for college/college-bound students living with social or learning challenges, including autism.
Register by Dec. 8: https://www.eventbrite.
Sensory Friendly Christmas Village
Saturday, December 16, 1-3pm
McLean Bible Church, Tysons Campus 8925 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA
Family-friendly Christmas fun and holiday cheer! SENSORY-FRIENDLY for families with special needs or sensory sensitivities. FREE
Sensory Friendly Performance, The Little Prince, A Holiday Family Opera
Sat., Dec. 16, 2:00 p.m.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts., Washington, DC.
Presented by The Washington National Opera. Tickets available at (202) 476-8528 (mention that you want the sensory friendly performance) or https://www.kennedy-center.
Neurofeedback Presentation with Focus on Youth
Mon., Dec. 18, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
4480 King Street, Room 514, Alexandria, VA
Presented by Donna Creasy, L.P.C., L.M.F.T.
RSVP LaTanya Wooten at latanya.wooten@alexandriava.
January 2018
Skill Development for Families with Children with Autism or Related Disorders
Thurs., Jan. 4, noon-2:00 p.m.
The Arc of Nova, 2755 Hartland Road, Suite 200, Falls Church, VA.
Presented by Therapeutic Alliance, LLC. This workshop will focus on teaching pro-social behaviors, providing clear and effective expectations, and setting limits and following through with demands. This workshop is available in both in-person and webinar format. (703) 208-1119. For more information or to register, go to https://www.thearcofnova.
What Questions Should I be Asking About Employment: What is Possible under Vocational Rehabilitation Programs for People with Disabilities?
Fri., Jan. 5, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
The Arc of Northern Virginia, 2755 Hartland Road, Suite 200, Falls Church, VA 22043,
Presented by Cheryl Bates, NDRN.
(703) 208-1119, x 115.
Tax Tips for Parents of a Child with Special Needs What You Need to Know
January 8, 2018, 7:30-9:00pm
Mark Friese, Merrill Lynch Special Needs Group
Chris Wright, Vogelman, Turner & Wright Law
Chris Wright, Vogelman, Turner & Wright Law
The lectures are for adults only; please make other childcare arrangements if necessary.
The lecture is free and open to everyone.
To RSVP (appreciated, but not required):rosie.oakley@
Mindfully Managing Caregiver Stress: Proven Tools for Reducing Stress and Taking Care of Yourself, While Taking Care of Others
Mon, January 8, 2018, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
4031 University Drive, Suite 100, Fairfax, VA 22030
Raising children and youth, especially if they have special needs, can be exhausting! Join other adoptive and foster parents, grandparents and other kin caring for children for an evening of information and support.
Joy Koeppen, LCSW, a clinical therapist at Brain Injury Services and Formed Families Forward board member, will share tips based on her own experience raising a child with special needs and offer practical strategies for busting stress and boosting resilience. This session is designed to help parents, grandparents, relatives and other caregivers recognize their own stress responses, and develop practical strategies for coping all year long!
The Development of Speech, Language and Social Skills in Young Children
Wed., Jan. 10, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
John Adams Elementary School Library, 5651 Rayburn Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22311
Presented by Kari Comer, M.S., CCC-SLP.. For more information, or to register, contact Janet Reese, janet.reese@acps.k12.
RECURRING AND ONGOING EVENTS
Autism Acceptance Night @ Flight
Tuesdays 5:00pm-7:00pm
Flight Trampoline Park, 7200 Fullerton Road, Springfield, VA 22150
JCCNV Special Needs Parent Support Group
1st Wed. of each month, 7:00–8:30 pm
Youth and Young Adults: Stronger Together
Alternate Tuesdays, October through May, 6:30-8:00 pm in Fairfax., VA
Sponsored by Formed Families Forward, this peer-to-peer support group for youth ages 14 - 22 meets twice a month through May. Parents, caregivers and guardians meet at the same time. Register: formedfamiliesforwa
People First for Young Adults
2nd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
The Arc , 2755 Hartland Rd Suite 200, Falls Church
Youth with disabilities ages 14-26 practice public speaking skills, plan social outings, learn from guest speakers on topics of life skills and advocacy, and do projects to enhance social skills.
Information: Diane Monnig 703 208-1119 x 118
Monthly Parent Support Group for Parents of Struggling to Launch Young Adults
3rd Thursday of every month, 6:00 - 7:30pm
The Thrive Center offices, 6310 Stevens Forest Road, Suite #100, Columbia MD 20146
RSVP to Sara Love at 410.740.3240 or at: RSVP HERE
ALL PARENTS OF YOUNG ADULTS WELCOME!
West Fairfax CHADD Parent Support Group
1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, 7:30 pm
Room 201 at Fairfax Church of Christ, 3901 Rugby Road, Fairfax, VA 22033
Alexandria CHADD Parent Support Group
4th Mon. of each month at 6:30 pm
Support Group for Middle School Students with ADHD
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
First Sunday of each month, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
4031 Univ. Dr., Fairfax, VA (enter on South St.) No parents!
NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
Works to build better lives for those affected by mental illness.
Oakton Family Support Group
First 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
Second Wednesday of the month, 7:30-9:00 pm,
First Christian Church of Alexandria, 2723 King St., Alexandria, VA
Fairfax Family Support Group
Second Thur. of each month 7:30-9:00 pm
Springfield Family Support Group
Fourth Thur. of each month 7:00-8:30 pm
For other Family Support Groups visit http://www.nami-
OCD Family Support Group
First Monday 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.
POAC: Parents of Autistic Children of Northern Virginia
Bimonthly Support Group
RESOURCES
ChADD: Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/
PEATC Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center
Decoding Dyslexia - local chapters
DDVA
All Kinds of Minds
Understood
More than Dyslexics
NCLD – National Center for Learning Disabilities
PEP Parenting
