Event Summary for the Week of January 16, 2012

Check out the AutMont Calendar to see all of the activities for this week as well as those coming up!

Tuesday, January 17:

Webinar: "Shift" and Progress in Disability Rights Awareness

Navigating the Financial World of the Special Needs Family

Wednesday, January 18:

LDAMC Parent Connection: Accommodations and Modifications

Extraordinary Parents Night: Mainstreaming Students on the Autism Spectrum

Parent University: Help Your Child to Start Thinking Organized

Respect, Empathy & Diversity: A School-wide Approach to Tolerance (DC)

Thursday, January 19:

Lecture: Gifted Children with Social Skill Challenges

Up for Discussion on AutMont:

Registration Open for Sports Plus Winter Programs

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Do you know of another event? Leave details in the comments!

Autism NOW January Webinars

Autism NOW hosts webinars each Tuesday afternoon. All webinars take place from 2-3 p.m. Eastern time. The schedule for the remaining three January webinars is below.

January 17: "Shift" and Progress in Disability Rights and Awareness—Mark Stairwalt of Shift journal will lead this webinar discussing the importance of press in the progression of disability rights and awareness. Space is limited. Register online.

January 24: Super Allies: The Real Role of Advisors—Join the leaders and allies of the self-advocacy movement for a rich discussion on how to use advisors effectively to help them help self-advocates run their organizations and committees. Space is limited. Register online.

January 31: Access to Autism Friendly Companies and Competitive Employment Opportunities—This webinar will present the experience of the employment partnership between the Autism Society and AMC Theatres. The partnership was created to provide equal opportunities in employment for individuals with autism. Space is limited. Register online.

M&L Special Needs Planning Workshops: Winter/Spring 2012

M&L Special Needs Planning will host several lectures over the next few months concerning special needs planning. For more information, call 202-248-7113.

January 17, 7-8:30 p.m.: Navigating the Financial World of the Special Needs Family—The workshop is an overview of the journey of the special needs family. It examines the unique process of providing and planning for such a family. Attendees will learn about about financial planning timeline and the difference between traditional vs. special needs planning. The speakers will address legal and estate issues, guardianship, special needs trusts, funding the trust, and letters of intent. This lecture will take place at LearningRx (5017B Wilson Lane) in Bethesda. Register online.

February 7, 7-8:30 p.m.: Understanding SSI/Medicaid and SSDI/Medicare—Learn about these government benefits in language that is understandable. The presentation will go into detail about what these programs are, their importance, when to apply, how to apply, how to qualify, and how much money the individual with special needs will possibly receive. This lecture will take place at the Treatment and Learning Center, Suite 100 (2092 Gaither Road) in Rockville. Register online.

February 21, 7-8:30 p.m.: Understanding SSI/Medicaid and SSDI/Medicare—See description above. This lecture will take place at LearningRx (5017B Wilson Lane) in Bethesda. Register online.

March 6, 7-8:30 p.m.: Estate Planning for the Special Needs Family—A special needs attorney will discuss key elements of estate planning for the special needs family. There will be an explanation of all the necessary estate planning documents with a description of a special needs trust, guardianship and estate planning considerations when dealing with individuals with special needs, and different ways to fund the special needs trust. This lecture will take place at the Treatment and Learning Center, Suite 100 (2092 Gaither Road) in Rockville. Register online.

April 10, 7-8:30 p.m.: Navigating the Financial World of the Special Needs Family—See description above. This lecture will take place at the Treatment and Learning Center, Suite 100 (2092 Gaither Road) in Rockville. Register online.

April 24, 7-8:30 p.m.: Navigating the Financial World of the Special Needs Family—See description above. This lecture will take place at LearningRx (5017B Wilson Lane) in Bethesda. Register online.

May 8, 7-8:30 p.m.: Preparing the Letter of Intent for Your Special Needs Child—The format is designed to communicate information along with your desires and concerns for your special needs child to future caretakers. Attendees will receive an M&L Special Needs Planning CD with all the questions to be filled out, which is accomplished as much as possible during the workshop. This lecture will take place at the Treatment and Learning Center, Suite 100 (2092 Gaither Road) in Rockville. Register online.

May 15, 7-8:30 p.m.: Understanding SSI/Medicaid and SSDI/Medicare—See description above. This lecture will take place at LearningRx (5017B Wilson Lane) in Bethesda. Register online.

Sports Plus Winter Programs

Sports Plus Winter programs are beginning this week. Swim programs began January 14 and Indoor Gym Programs begin on January 22nd.

Access registration on the new Sports Plus website.

Summer Opportunities Fair 2012

There will be s Summer Opportunities Fair for Special Needs Children, held at Ivymount School on February 26 from 1-3:30 p.m. Come explore sleep-away camps and local options for exceptional children.

Ivymount is located at 11614 Seven Locks Road in Rockville. For more information, call the Ivymount School at 301-469-0223.

Ivymount School Lecture Series: Winter/Spring 2012

The Model Asperger Program at Ivymount School will present several lectures this coming winter and spring. Registration for the lectures is free, although donations of $10 or more support MAPs programming.

Lectures take place at the Ivymount School (11614 Seven Locks Road) in Rockville. You can register online. Lectures run from 7-9 p.m., but doors open at 6:30 p.m. for networking and refreshments.

January 23: Unstuck and On Target: A Panel Discussion of How to Promote Flexibility and Problem Solving in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders—Join the authors of Unstuck and On Target for a discussion about the newly published curriculum designed by the Model Asperger Program staff and psychologists from Children's national medical Center. This unique collaboration has produced an intervention designed to address the executive function issues that result in frustration and rigidity.

February 23: Collaborative Problem Solving Model and Asperger Syndrome—Lecture by developmental pediatrician Dan Shapiro.

May 24: Yes, Virginia, There is a Life After School (Every Day, Every Weekend, and For the Rest of Your Life)—Lecture by Martha Denckla, M.D., Director of Developmental Cognitive Neurology at Kennedy Krieger Institute.

GTLD Network Lecture Series: Winter/Spring 2012

The GTLD Network will present a series of lectures this winter and spring.

Lectures take place at Walter Johnson High School (6400 Rock Spring Drive) in Bethesda. Each meeting features a pre-meeting advocacy discussion from 6:30-7:30 p.m., with the speaker presentation following from 7:30-9 p.m.

January 19: Gifted Children with Social Skill Challenges—Many gifted students face challenges related to working with others in the classroom as well as handling social interactions throughout the day. Rich Weinfeld, Steve Silverman, Janet Price, and Jennifer Fisher will discuss the diagnosis and identification of these students as well as specific strategies that work in the classroom. Implications for IEPs, 504 plans, and school placement will also be discussed.

March 15: IDEA, ADA, IEP, SLD, CPS, GT: Understanding and Mastering the Alphabet Soup of Getting Help for Your Student—Marissa Stemple, GTLD Instructional Specialist, will discuss the laws, regulations, policies, and processes that are in place in MCPS so that you better understand the world of IEPs and 504s.

April 19: Technology Tips and Treasures—Teacher Christa Gordon and MCPS technology expert Speri Silverman will help parents sort out options and apps for technology.