New and information from the Alexandria Parent Resource Center

January 2, 2013: JCCNV Special Needs Parent Support Group
7:00-8:30pm, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax, VA

This group welcomes parents and caregivers of school-age children with disabilities/special needs. Melissa Hochberg, JCCNV Special Needs Resource Specialist and JSSA's Larisa deGraffenreid, LCSW, facilitate the group, focused on providing resources, gaining knowledge, learning coping mechanisms and strategies and providing mutual support. Please email Melissa atMelissaH@jccnv.org if interested in attending this group.
Cost: $15 per meeting.

January 2, 2013: GPS+ (Generating Person-Centered Solutions and Supports)
7:00-9:00pm, 98 N. Washington Street, Falls Church, VAIf you're a parent with a new diagnosis on the autism spectrum, or new to Northern Virginia or experiencing a transition into school, middle school, high school or adult life, this event is well worth your time. Introductory resource information along with some important information on schools and county services will be provided with numbers to call and a path to take to start you on your way to providing your child and family all the services they might need. Please RSVP to the Arc at 703-532-3214, extension 101 as we limit the number of families to provide personalized information from the experts at the table.

January 8: Lunch Bunch with the Ability AllianceNoon-2:00pm, 98 N. Washington Street, Falls Church, VA. 
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. Number of families limited to provide personalized information, so RSVP to the Arc at 703-532-3214 and ask to RSVP for Lunch Bunch.

January 8: Dyslexia Workshop 7:00am-8:00pm, Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services, 2334 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring, VA 
Learn the common signs of dyslexia and practical strategies to support elementary and secondary students with dyslexia.Workshop presented by the FCPS Office of Special Education Instruction.For more information: call the FCPS Parent Resource Center at 703-204-3941

January 9: The Lives of Students with Gifts & Talents: Parent Information Night7:00-9:00pm, Robinson Secondary School, 5035 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, VA
Special parent session on the needs of twice exceptional (2E) learners, offered by FCPS offices of Advanced Academic Programs and Special Education. This session will be presented by Dr. Tracy Cross, Executive Director for Gifted Education at The College of William and Mary.

January 10: ADHD: Brain Development in Childhood and Brain Changes Over Time10:00am-12:00pm, Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services, 2334 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring, VA 
Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health are studying brain development in children with ADHD. Learn how emotions, social situations and problem-solving skills are processed in children with ADHD at this free workshop. Workshop presented by the FCPS Office of Special Education Instruction. For more information: call the FCPS Parent Resource Center at 703-204-3941
flyer attached, please distribute
January 12: POAC-NoVA Information and Support Group Meeting1:00-4:00pm, Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax, VA
Join us at our January member support meeting when POAC-NoVA presents our annual "How to get the most out of your Child's School Program" presented by Parents for Parents. Learn from the voices of experience when it comes to IEP meetings. It is FREE and open to the public. For more information:http://www.poac-nova.org/

January 12: Sensory Friendly Performance by the National Symphony Orchestra11:00am-1:00pm, Kennedy Center, Washington, DC
The Kennedy String Quartet demonstrates many types of musical contrasts and shows how composers use opposites to express a stunning variety of musical moods and emotions. For age 4+. Contact the VSA & Accessibility Office at 202-416-8727 (voice) or access@kennedy-center.org to sign up. For more information:http://www.kennedy-center.org/accessibility/schedule.html#Sensory-Friendly.
GKSN: Grandparents of Kids with Special Needs

The Sibling Support Project and the Kindering Center are pleased to announce GKSN—Grandparents of Kids with Special Needs.We believe that no one understands a grandparent’s unique joys and concerns better than another grandparent of a child with special needs. On the GKSN website, grandparents will have a chance to meet other grandparents through our Yahoogroup or Facebook groups, share ideas for supporting their kids and grandkids, and even post pictures of their grandkids! Please visitwww.gksn.org

Airport Social Stories for Autism Access Program Like Dullus International Airport, the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) provides the Airport Autism Access Program, which creates opportunities for children with autism and their families to become familiar with traveling through the airport.  In addition to the simulated airport experience, they also provideSocial Stories™ by Carol Gray:http://www.phl.org/passengerinfo/Accessibility/Documents/SocialStories.pdf

National Center for Prenatal and Postnatal Down Syndrome Resources
The University of Kentucky's Human Development Institute (HDI) is proud to announce the launch of its National Center for Prenatal and Postnatal Down Syndrome Resources atDownSyndromeDiagnosis.org. TheNational Center websiteprovides a portal for medical professionals and new and expectant parents to find out about what each of these free and well-established resources offers. The activities of the National Center include the distribution of professional resources to medical providers and their patients both in print and online; the development of new materials; and national medical outreach through journal publications and presentations at medical conferences.
New Online B.A. in Disability Studies from CUNY School of Professional Studies

This year, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (SPS) debuted a new, fully online B.A. in Disability Studies. As the first and only undergraduate program of its kind in the country, the Online B.A. in Disability Studies gives you the skills to improve the lives of people with disabilities, and paves the way for job advancement within the field.You can tailor the program to meet your individual career pursuits by electing a concentration in one of the following areas: Intellectual/Developmental Disability,Autism Spectrum Disorder,Mental/Behavioral Health, or Interdisciplinary Disability Studies. CUNY SPS is happy to answer any questions that you may have about the Online B.A. in Disability Studies. Contact them at inquiry@sps.cuny.eduor212.652.2869.

 
The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind is offering FREE Signing ClassesThese classes are offered for parents and families of young children with hearing loss. All skill levels are welcomed! Child care is provided for children from birth-12 years old. Class time:6:15-7:45pm. Class dates are: Nov. 8 & 29, Dec. 6 & 13, Jan. 10& 31, Feb. 21 & 28, March 7 & 21, April 4 & 18, and May 2, 16, & 30. All classes are held on Thursday nights at VSDB, 514 East Beverley St, Staunton, Virginia. Contact Kathy Guisewite for more information 540-414-5248orkathy.guisewite@vsdb.k12.va.us