The Maryland Assistive Technology Cooperative will be presenting several trainings this spring on a variety of subjects. Unless otherwise specified, all trainings will take place at 7050 Oakland Mills Road, Suite 160, in Columbia. You can
register and pay online for the trainings or call Laura at 410-381-2667. Details on individual trainings are below.
Find more information on each training at AT:LAST's training calendar.
March 17: An Introduction to Computer Access Solutions Learn about he many ways individuals with disabilities can access a computer. This hands-on, part lab, part lecture-style session highlights accessibility features already available on your computer: from specialized input devices for those with multiple physical challenges to speech recognition software and products for those with low vision or blindness.
March 23: Device Differentiation: How It Impacts "Consideration" It’s tricky to fulfill the “Consideration” component of IEP’s if service providers and families are familiar with only a few available devices. Come explore a wide variety of low to high tech devices and brain-storm possible options for case study clients, giving thoughtful consideration to finding a best-fit—whether child, adult, or senior.
March 24: Boardmaker: Out of the Box Basics Boardmaker Software enables you to easily and quickly generate Picture Communication Symbols (PCS), no-tech communication boards, overlays for mid-tech devices, and instructional materials to help facilitate language development and communication skills as well as to support learning. Learn strategies and tips to begin assisting the student who is unable to communicate orally now.
April 1: Adapting Board and Card Games In this combination hands-on and brainstorming workshop, you will learn a variety of strategies for adapting board and card games. Games are a fun way to support educational goals, and they make great leisure or indoor recess activities while supporting language pragmatics related to social interactions. Adaptive options will be appropriate for clients of all ages and across a variety of disabilities.
April 14: Technology in Tough Times: Maximizing Features in MS Word/Office to Differentiate Instruction for All Learning Styles This hands-on workshop will be extremely useful for any parent or educational professional who wants to utilize technology in their classroom but are inhibited from purchasing new software by budgetary constraints.
April 20: Promoting Young Children's Participation by Adapting Routines and Activities Add ideas to your “bag of tricks” with the lively “20 Ideas in 20 Minutes” segment. Learn to analyze how to select toys and other materials that are “Universally Designed” for all children for use in inclusive environments. Also learn to adapt toys and activities so they will fit a range of aptitudes, personalities and play circumstances. Have fun in the hands-on “make it and take it” segment.
April 28: Writing Letters of Medical Necessity Be a part of the first local opportunity to learn how to write successful Letters of Medical Necessity! Don’t waste time and money struggling with how to figure it out yourself—learn how to get it done right the first time! School-based S/LPs can also stretch their device budgets.
May 6: Access to Communication You’ve recommended access methods. You’ve taught clients to use them. Have you ever tried them yourself? In spite of the wonders of technology, do you understand the frustrations and challenges these “miracles” impart? This workshop will investigate light tech to high tech communication access from the client’s view.
May 26: Let's Go Digital Integrating appropriate writing tools can help alleviate the stress frequently associated with the daunting task of legible handwriting. Let’s get students focused on the task at hand—learning the material—and allow technology to help support the often difficult and time-consuming task of notetaking.
Check out all of the amazing events on the AutMont Calendar for this week!
Montgomery County Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health presents their new support group for parents and guardians of children with challenging behavior due to emotional or mental health issues. The next meeting will take place April 7 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. with the topic of breaking the negative cycle.
The 7th annual World of Possibilities Expo Maryland 2010 will take place May 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Maryland.
If you're in the market for some used books and would like to help The Arc of Montgomery County, check out The Arc's Spring Book Sale from April 9-11.
SEEC's Parent 2 Parent mentoring program will host an inclusive playdate on Saturday April 24 from 3- 5 p.m. at MLK park in Silver Spring.
Sports Plus, a non-profit organization providing sports programs for children ages 5-14 with mild to moderate developmental disabilities, has posted their new schedule, including many new programs beginning in April..jpg){kind=logo}
The Auburn School is planning to open new schools in Montgomery County and Baltimore this fall and is currently holding information sessions for interested parents and professionals in the coming months.
Enjoy a screening of Shrek 4 in a sensory friendly environment on May 22 at 10 a.m.
The Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education will be holding "You're Going to Love this Kid: Educating Students with Autism in Inclusive Schools," a seminar on inclusive education on April 14.
MCTransitions will be holding their April meeting on April 8 from 7:30-9 p.m. This meeting will feature Lauren Thomas, Director of The GUIDE Independence Project in Montgomery County, speaking about behavior challenges.
Care.com is a childcare and housesitting service that helps people find local caregivers and facilitates interviews, reference checking, and background checks. This weekend, March 19-21, they are offering a free weekend of access.
The Parents' Place of Maryland will be hosting a teleconference on Extended School Year Services (ESY) on March 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The MCCPTA Special Education Committee will hold a meeting on March 23 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. to discuss the status on the closing of secondary learning centers and other program updates.
The Gifted with Learning Differences Educational Network will be presenting a lecture by Dr. Maureen Donnelly on Processing Speed: Impact on Learning and Social Skills on March 18 from 7:30-9 p.m.
The Maryland Assistive Technology Cooperative will be presenting several trainings this spring on a variety of subjects. Unless otherwise specified, all trainings will take place at 7050 Oakland Mills Road, Suite 160, in Columbia. You can register and pay online for the trainings or call Laura at 410-381-2667. Details on individual trainings are below. Find more information on each training at AT:LAST's training calendar.
The Parents' Place of Maryland will be hosting a teleconference titled "Putting the Positives in Your Child's IEP: Functional Behavior Assessments and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports" on March 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
M&L Special Needs Planning will be offering a workshop on understanding SSI/Medicaid and SSDI/Medicare on April 6 from 7-8:30 p.m. 
M&L Special Needs Planning will be offering another workshop on Estate Planning for the Special Needs Family on April 20 from 7-8:30 p.m. 
Transition Times will be presenting a program all about transition services in middle and high school on March 17 from 7:30-9 p.m.
Careers & the disABLED Magazine will be holding two career expos for people with disabilities in Washington, DC this year. There will be many companies at the job fairs, including Fortune 500 companies and government agencies looking to recruit new talent. 
The Developmental Disabilities Administration will holding a public meeting on March 23 from 6-9 p.m. featuring Marie Parker.
Families Together has just published their upcoming schedule of webinars. Each webinar costs $10. You can register online for each of them. See below for information on each autism-related online seminar.
Students, parents, teachers, and counselors are invited to an Information Session to learn about Montgomery College's Disability Support Services (DSS).
The Madison House Foundation, Montgomery College, and the Montgomery County Department of Health & Human Service Aging and Disability Services will present an Autism Training Seminar that will take place on April 8-9.
The Partnership for Extraordinary Minds will hold an Extraordinary Parents Night on March 17 from 7-8:30 p.m. for parents who have children on the autism spectrum.
If you are interested in getting a deeper understanding of how to advocate for your child, consider attending a Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Conference with Pete Wright. The Parents' Place of Maryland will be sponsoring a Wrightslaw conference held on April 22 in Bowie.
The Project Change Community Service Club at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School will present a free carnival for children with special needs on March 20 from 1-4 p.m.
The public is invited to attend a free Autism Resource Fair to learn more about programs and services for children with autism. The fair will be held on Friday, April 9 from 3-7 p.m. at Montgomery College's PE Main Gymnasium Building (51 Mannakee Street) in Rockville.
The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) is hosting a series of public meetings pertaining to the DDA's work plan including resource coordination, Medicaid waivers, regulations and more.
Every year the Kennedy Krieger Institute holds ROAR for Autism, a bike ride, nature walk, and festival organized to raise funds for their autism research and treatment programs.
Are you interested in autism insurance reform in Maryland? Do you like coffee? Or bagels? Or at least one of the above? Then come to one of three meetings about autism insurance reform.
John Elder Robison, author and adult with Asperger's, will be speaking on March 11 from 7-9 p.m. at the Ivymount School.
