Parent Resource information

December 8: Sibling Workshop: Ready or Not...8:00am-3:00pm, Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway Fairfax, VA
As a sibling of an individual with special needs, do you have questions about where you fit in? Please join us for a very special workshop that addresses many of the issues and questions that you face as a brother or sister.**This workshop is designed for adult siblings, but the whole family is welcome to attend**  Please RSVP to Carey Alford 703-865-6502 orcalford@financialguide.com

December 8: Feeding and Eating Problems of Children with Autism and Other Disabilities
1:00-4:00pm, Enterprise Hall Room 80, George Mason University, Fairfax Campus
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and related developmental disorders may experience challenges associated with feeding, including limited preferences, sensory sensitivity, aversions, interfering behaviors, delayed skill acquisition, and/or underlying medical issues. This workshop will provide behavioral strategies to make mealtimes more positive for parents and children based on a child’s specific need’s and learning style. Presented by Charlotte Crane, M.Ed., BCBA and Jane Dettra MS,OTR/L. $25 for Parents. To register:http://spedsurvey.gmu.edu/snap/2012/aba_workshops/dec8_feeding/

December 8: AMC Sensory Friendly Film: Rise of theGuardians:10:00am, at area theatres
In Partnership with the Autism Society, local AMC theaters provide sensory friendly showings of films every month. For more information: http://www.amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films

December 8: The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg Sensory-Friendly Performance
11:00am, The Family Theatre, The Kennedy Center, Washington, DCIn a Kennedy Center commissioned production, this world premiere adaptation of acclaimed author Rodman Philbrick's witty and poignant novel follows young Homer P. Figg, an orphan who must journey into the thick of the Civil War to save his brother. For ages 8+. For more information: http://www.kennedy-center.org/events/?event=KNTBA

December 9: Imagination Stage Presents a Sensory Friendly Presentation of Seussical11:00am, Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Avenue Bethesda,MD
Imagination Stage is excited to announce the launch of our sensory-friendly performance series, beginning with our first sensory-friendly performance of Seussical. Imagination Stage has been working closely with a network of theatre professionals and nationwide autism experts to help us prepare for this new series. Our Box Office and Front of House staffs are trained to create an accessible and welcoming experience for your child and your family.  Our box office can assist you with seating preferences and answer questions about this sensory-friendly performance. Tickets may be purchased by phone only and are on sale now. Tickets start at $15. To purchase tickets, please call our box office at 301-280-1660.

December 13: Become a Stronger Advocate Workshop6:00-8:00pm, Formed Families Forward offices, 4031 University Dr., Fairfax,VA
Formed Families Forward and Voices for Virginia's Childreninvite foster, adoptive and kinship families to an interactive workshop. Participants will learn and practice techniques to improve positive communication with schools; understand legal and procedural options for resolving disputes with school
personnel; learn about the state legislative schedule and process, and identify opportunities to provide policymakers with input and information; learn and practice advocacy tips for communicating with legislators, both one-on-one and at committee meetings and other opportunities to give testimony; understand and practice tips for talking with reporters and using media to help share information and your story. For more information: info@formedfamiliesforward.org or athttp://formedfamiliesforward.org/becoming-a-stronger-advocate/

December 14 & 15:
TeletonUSA and Univision launch fundraiser event for children with disabilities
Teleton Foundation and Spanish television channel, Univision, are holding a fundraiser on December 14 and 15 for children with disabilities and cancer
to build the first rehabilitation center for children or Teleton in theUnited States and support the nation's most prestigious hospitals for children. For more information, please visit the website athttp://www.teletonusa.org/(in Spanish).
TeletonUSA y Univision lanza evento para recaudar fondospara los niños con discapacidades La Fundación Teletón  y el canal de televisión, Univision, lanzanuna recaudación de fondos el 14 y 15 de diciembre para los niños con discapacidad y cáncer con el fin de construir el primer centro de rehabilitaciónpara niños o Teletón en los Estados Unidos y apoyar a los hospitales más prestigiosos de la nación para los niños. Para obtener más información, por favor visite el sitio web en http://www.teletonusa.org/ (en español).

Exciting New Social Skills Program at Ivymount
The Unstuck and On Target! Program is a 20 week, wrap-around program beginning on Saturday, Jan 5th and running throughSaturday, May 25th. The program consists of weekly therapeutic student groups and bimonthly parent instructional groups. Parent sessions will be led by Monica Adler Werner, M.A., director of the Model Asperger Program  (MAP) at The Ivymount School, and will include direct instruction, student observation, round-table discussion and follow-up support. Tuition for The Unstuck and On Target! program is $2500 (for 30 total sessions).We do not accept any insurance at this time, however we encourage parents to check with their insurance provider regarding coverage and reimbursement. For more information on tuition, schedule and registration, please contact Amy Couch, acouch@ivymount.org.  Registration closes December 14, 2012.
flyer attached, please distribute
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