CARES: Children's Academic Resource & Educational Services: September Events

Information

George Mason University researchers are currently recruiting parents of children with autism for a new stress-relief training course. The new course will meet for eight consecutive Wednesdaysbetween Oct 5, 2016 and Jan 18, 2017. Classes will meet in the West Springfield area of Fairfax County, Virginia.

WHO: A parent or primary caregiver of a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, And the child is under 21 years old. Not an experienced meditator. Able to attend classes in Springfield, Va on Wednesday afternoons

WHEN: The class will meet from 12:30-2:30PM for eight consecutive Wednesdays between Oct 5, 2016 and Jan 18, 2017

WHERE: The class will meet in an office space off of Old Keene Mill Rd. in Springfield, VA

SIGN UP

Additional details about the training course and expectations can be found here: https://sites.google.com/site/gmustressreliefstudy/about

Recruitment will come to a close on October 4, 2016.

Community Events

September

ReelAbilities Film Festival Preview Event: Anita

Sunday, September 11, 4:00 p.m.

Beth El Hebrew Congregation, 3830 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22304

You will be captivated by Anita, the story of a young woman with Down syndrome who leads a happy, routine life in Buenos Aires, being meticulously cared for by her mother Dora. See Trailer

Following the movie, we welcome special guest, John Franklin Stephens, a self-advocate who has Down syndrome and is a Special Olympics Global Messenger. Frank will talk about his experiences and answer questions from the audience.

Admission is FREE. Walk-ins are welcome, but to be sure there are enough refreshments

Please RSVP at Brown Paper Tickets: anitapreview@brownpapertickets.com

How to Unlock the Learning Potential in Your Child

Monday, September 12, 7:30pm-9:00pm

McLean Bible Church, Community Room B (lower level), 8925 Leesburg Pike

Vienna, VA 22182

Presented by Maureen Loftus of Learning RX

By understanding your child's strengths & weaknesses, you can help them to develop successful learning strategies and unlock their learning potential. Discover your child's cognitive profile, and what to do to make it stronger. You can help your child to develop a faster, smarter brain and unlock the "smart" in your child.

The lecture is free and open to everyone.

The lectures are for adults only; please make other childcare arrangements if necessary.

To RSVP (appreciated, but not required): Emily.Johnson@mcleanbible.org

Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs

Friday, September 16, 10:00 am – 12:30pm

Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services, 2334 Gallows Rd., Entrance 1, Room 100

Dunn Loring, VA

At this introductory workshop you will learn the research behind the “Seven Essential Skills Every Child Needs”. These evidence-based skills all involve what researchers call Executive Functions of the Brain.

All workshops are FREE. Registration is requested.

http://www.fcps.edu/dss/osp/prc/index.shtml

Transition Series, The Arc of Northern Virginia

Sept. 17, Oct. 15 and Nov. 12, 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Marymount University, Rowley Hall, 2807 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, VA.

Over a period of three sessions, parents and caregivers will learn about employment, social security, medicaid waivers, future planning, legal authority, transportation, special needs trusts, housing and more for their adult child with disabilities. Simultaneously, transitioning youth ages 14-25 will receive training in meal preparation, travel, social skills, employment, self-advocacy, and more.

The training is free, but participants are required to attend all three sessions. Contact Diane Monnig, (703) 208-1119 x118 or dmonnig@thearcofnova.org

Motivation Meltdown: When Parents Care But Kids Don’t

Friday, September 23, 10:00am – 11:30am

Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services, 2334 Gallows Rd., Entrance 1, Room 100

Dunn Loring, VA

Have you noticed:

· Your child's motivaiton and engagement has dropped over time?

· Your family has a push & pull over academics?

· Your expectations and your child's expectations don't always meet?

Then don't miss this workshop!

Start the school year off right with great strategies to help prevent motivation meltdowns at home and in school! Join Ann Dolin, M.Ed., education expert and award winning author for this insightful workshop.

All workshops are FREE. Registration is requested.

http://www.fcps.edu/dss/osp/prc/index.shtml

Are You Concerned About Your Child’s Irritability?

Thursday, September 29, 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services, 2334 Gallows Rd., Entrance 1, Room 100

Dunn Loring, VA

Does your child have severe temper tantrums or "rages?" Then please join us for this important presentation for parents of children ages 6-17. Kenneth Towbin, M.D., Chief of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the Emotion and Development Branch at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), will present essential information for parents who are concerned about their child's irritability.

Dr. Towbin will discuss:

* How parents can help a child with severe irritability,

* Common signs and severity of symptoms,

* Available treatment of options, and

* Ongoing research being conducted at NIMH in Bethesda, MD

All workshops are FREE. Registration is requested.

http://www.fcps.edu/dss/osp/prc/index.shtml

Siblings of Children with Special Needs

Friday, September 30, 10:00 am – noon

Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services, 2334 Gallows Rd., Entrance 1, Room 100

Dunn Loring, VA

Do your children feel that their sibling with special needs gets all the attention?

Do they act like "parents" and take on too much of the emotional responsibility for their sibling with special needs?

Would you like new strategies to help support all your children?

Join Cathi Cohen and Melanie Kaplan from In Step Mental Health Counseling for this important workshop to address the unique experiences and concerns of brothers and sisters of children with special needs.

All workshops are FREE. Registration is requested.

http://www.fcps.edu/dss/osp/prc/index.shtml

OCTOBER

TAKING THE NEXT STEP: Transitions through High School and Beyond

Mon, October 3, 6:30pm – 8:00pm

Formed Families Forward offices 4031 University Dr. Fairfax, VA 22030

Presented by transition expert Rhonda Jackson, Founder & President of Add VOICE Too, LLC

Understanding key strategies for collaboration can make or break transition planning. This training will help parents and students understand and recognize 7 junctures or principles of transition services for all postsecondary activities as identified by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Both youth and their parents and caregivers are encouraged to attend this interactive session. Rhonda will help us create executable transition plans that reflect meaningful engagement by the student.

RSVP: http://formedfamiliesforward.org/taking-the-next-step/

The Co-Taught Classroom: 5 Ways to Create and Amazing, Nearly Miraculous and Earth-Shattering Partnership

Oct. 6, 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Meeting House, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia, MD 21045

Presented by Paula Kluth, Ph.D.

Registration is through the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education mcie@mcie.org

Contact Barb at barb@mcie.org.

12th Annual Walk for Autism

Oct. 8, 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Prince William Fairgrounds, 10624 Dumfries Road, Manassas, VA 20112.

For more information or to register, contact Barbara Wagner, info@walkforautismva.org.

ADHD Connections: A Mind-Body Approach Conference

Saturday, October 15^,8:00 am-4:45 pm

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) in 4301 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203

Sponsored by NoVA-DC CHADD and the ADHD Resource Group of Northern Virginia. Local attendees come to the conference each year for the latest in ADHD-related research, education, trends, treatment options, solutions and to network with others. The 2016 conference theme, ADHD Connections: A Mind-Body approach will focus on the brain and how research- and evidence-based alternative, complementary, and mindfulness techniques can help those with ADHD, learning differences, twice exceptionality and giftedness, and high-functioning autism. The conference will focus on different perspectives and provide participants access to cutting-edge ADHD research and information to build new understanding.

To register: ADHD Connections: A Mind-Body Approach

15^th Annual MOM’s Club Preschool Fair

Tuesday, October 18, 8:30 am-12 noon

First Baptist Church of Alexandria, 2932 King St., Alexandria, VA

RECURRING AND ONGOING EVENTS

Autism Acceptance Night @ Flight

Tuesdays 5:00pm-7:00pm

Flight Trampoline Park, 7200 Fullerton Road, Springfield, VA 22150

KEEN Greater D.C. (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now), a nonprofit, volunteer-led organization that provides one-on-one recreational opportunities for children and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities at no cost to their families, is offering the following programs in Northern Virginia:

Sports for kids and teens (ages 5-18): 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month at the Key Center School, 6404 Franconia Road, Springfield 22150 or Kilmer Center School, 8102 Wolftrap Road, Vienna, VA 22182

Music for kids and teens (ages 5-18): 3rd Sunday of each month, Key Center School, 6404 Franconia Road, Springfield, VA 22150

Bowling for teens and young adults (ages 16-21): 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month, Bowl America, 140 S. Maple Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046

Tennis for kids and teens (ages 5-25): 1st Saturday of each month, Four Seasons Tennis Club, 3010 Williams Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031

Athlete registration can be found online at www.KEENGreaterDC.org. A registration form must be submitted PRIOR to attending the program. Questions? Contact Sophia Venero at keengrdc.sophia@gmail.com.

Imagination Stage

4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20814, is offering access classes in drama, improv, music and dance to students with disabilities.

For more information, go to access@imaginationstage.org.

JSSA (Jewish Social Services Agency) Offers Social Groups

Groups for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other related disorders focus on strengthening the development and enhancement of social communication skills, social interactions, problem-solving, self-regulation, self-esteem and gaining real-world skills.

See a Full List of Social groups and classess

CHADD: Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder www.chadd.org

West Fairfax CHADD Parent Support Group

*** NOTE NEW DAYS***

1^st and 3^rd Tuesday of the month, 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

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