INFORMATION
NAMI of Northern Virginia (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is offering a twelve week education and support class in Arlington for family members of an individual living with a mental health condition. Classes begin February 22 and continue through to May 10, 2018. The exact location will be shared when registration takes place. The class will be held from 6:45-9:00 p.m.. For more information, or to register, contact Sheila at jimsheilamack@yahoo.com via email. Please indicate in the email your name, phone number and a good time for the faciliator, Sheila, to call. A similar class will be offered in Springfield from February 26-May 21, 2018. The faciliator for this section is Kitty, at dkrnami@gmail.com. The class is free and will offer information on mental conditions, treatments, and medications, strategies for managing crisis, problem solving, communication, local resources, and the impact on the entire family, as well as stress management.
Alexandria Soccer Association is offering a five week indoor soccer clinic for the TOP soccer program (soccer for students with disabilities and their siblings). The cost is $20, and the clinic will take place at Bishop Ireton High School Gymnasium from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on the following Sundays: Jan. 21, Jan. 28, Feb. 4, Fab. 25 and Mar. 4. For more information or to register, contact Peter Kallin, ASA, at (703) 684-5425, (570) 713-7702, or pjkallin@gmail.com. |
Community Events
January 2018
Adolescence and ASD: Executive Function, Self-Awareness and Transition to Adulthood
Wed. Jan. 17, 7:00-8:30 pm
The Auburn School, 3800 Concorde Parkway, Suite 500, Chantilly, VA
Learn how to help teens increase self-awareness around their own executive functioning, with a focus on the skills necessary for transition to adulthood.
Register: https://www.
Identifying and Treating Anxiety in Children and Teens
Fri. Jan. 19, 10 am-noon,
Learn about the biological roots of anxiety in children and teens, and strategies for treating specific anxiety disorders.
Morning at the Museum
Saturday, Jan 20, 9am
The National Museum of The American Indian
Social Competence for Children with Autism or other Developmental
Wednesday, January 24, 9:00am – 11:00am
21000 Education Court, Ashburn, VA 20148
Keeping children with disabilities on top of their schoolwork can be hard enough, but watching their struggle with social skills can be more difficult. There’s a social dimension to every disability. The “Social Competence” workshop is designed to provide parents with strategies for promoting social skill acquisition and enhancing social performance. The workshop will focus ontools to help children understand social interactions, situations, expectations, social cues, and social rules. Register by via phone by calling 571-252-6540, online at Lcps.org/
Coping Strategies for Anxious Teens – for ACPS 6-12 families
Wednesday, January 24, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
T.C. Williams High School, Rotunda), 3330 King Street, Alexandria, VA
The Special Education Parent Resource Center invites parents to learn strategies to help their teens manage anxiety and stress, cope with disappointment, gain resilience and manage their strengths.
Presented by: Krystal Lewis, Ph.D., National Institute of Mental Health
Register: https://events.r20.
You're Not the Boss of Me! 10 Secrets to Motivate Strong-Willed Toddlers, Tweens and Teens
Wed. Jan. 24, 7:00-8:30 pm
Restore calm in your life and your home when you implement the concrete strategies presented at this workshop by Celebrate Calm Founder Kirk Martin and his son Casey.
I Have Needs Too! Supporting the Siblings of Children with Special Needs
Wed. Jan. 24, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Learn about strategies for managing the mixed emotions and increased responsibilities of siblings of children with special needs.
Screening of movie Presumed Competency: Journey of Deej
Sat. Jan. 27, 4:00 - 7:00 pm
This will be a free screening with a follow up discussion of Deej, a documentary on six years in the high school and college life of a young nonspeaking man with autism.
Free if you bring one non-perishable food to donate to Food for Others
FEBRUARY
Diploma Options and Graduation Requirements
Thursday, February 1st 6:30—8:30 pm
LCPS Administrative Building 21000 Education Court, Ashburn, VA 20148
Register by calling 571-252-6540, CLICK HERE or or go to lcps.org/
“Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety”
Thursday, February 1, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Fusion Academy, 333 John Carlyle Street, Alexandria, VA
Fusion Academy Alexandria is excited to present a free screening of the acclaimed documentary, a new film created to open up the conversation about anxiety and provide tools, resources, and hope.
Join us after the 55 minute screening for a discussion with a mental health professional.
Bring friends, and any questions you may have.
For more information, visit angstmovie.com.
Registration is required:
Reducing Anxiety in the Classroom: Tools and Strategies for Families and Educators
Mon, February 5, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Formed Families Forward, 4031 University Drive, Suite 100, Fairfax, VA 22030
Join Formed Families Forward to fill your toolbox with strategies for reducing your child's anxiety in the classroom. Corliss Gillespie, LPC with Happy Minds Counseling and Consulting will provide parenting tips and suggestions for your child's individualized education program (IEP) to help maximize academic success for those impacted by child anxiety.Participants will learn how to discuss their children's anxiety with teachers and counselors. The session will include information about how to practice relaxation techniques at home as well as in the classroom to reduce symptoms of anxiety. Learn to recognize and prepare for times of high stress and to prevent meltdowns at school.
MARCH
Unlocking Potential: Strategies for Success
Sat. Mar. 3, 8:00 am - 2:30 pm
Early registration: before Feb 9
$50, includes breakfast & lunch
2018 Diamonds in the Rough Conference: Finding Common Ground: Strategies that Work for all Students
Friday March 9 and Saturday, March 10
Johns Hopkins University - Montgomery County Campus, 9601 Medical Center Dr, Rockville, MD 20850
Early Registration: before Jan 15 -- $65
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
