Check out all of the amazing events on the AutMont Calendar for this week!
The Autism Society of America, Howard County will present a workshop with Dr. Jed Baker for parents and educators on the topic of Managing Challenging Behavior and Teaching Social Skills on June 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) has announced its new webinar series, all of which take place this June. Registration is open to attorneys and advocates who represent students with disabilities as well as parents. The non-member registration fee is $100, with members paying $35 for parents, $50 for advocates, and $75 for attorneys. Register online.
JSSA has published their schedule of support and social skills groups for this summer.
Cynthia Lett, MLS & Certified Etiquette Professional, and Susan Abrams, M.A., CCC-SLP, will offer a free informational meeting for parents introducing their new program to help children feel more confident in social situations with adults and peers. Their "First Impressions Count" training is aimed at 11-15 year olds with Asperger's Syndrome.
The YMCA will be offering several classes this summer on a variety of parenting issues.Check out all of the amazing events on the AutMont Calendar for this week!
The Least Restrictive Environment Access Group will hold a workshop on May 26 from 7 to 9 p.m. Topics discussed will include inclusion, Universal Design of Learning (UDL), education technology related to UDL and more.
I am always delighted to see families of typical kids who make an effort to explain autism and our kids with autism to their own kids. Michele Spring Fajeau is one of those parents helping to make the world a little more accepting for our children. Here, she reviews My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete. This post was originally published in April on her blog. —Jean
Nearly 1.75 million Americans have autism. Two of those “Americans” are family friends – little guys who I have known since they were born, rocked in my arms and chased around the yard with my own son. The boys are my son’s age and as my son grew more articulate and playful, they became more quiet and introspective. Nine years later, they each are challenged with friendship and navigating new situations. They are also kind and funny and very smart.
In the beginning, my son and I talked a lot about autism. What? Why? How come? Having little to no experience with autism, I choose my words carefully – often wondering how to explain the unexplainable. But, what if a child could explain autism to another child? At 12 years old, Ryan Peete delivers her twin brother’s story of autism in a new children’s books, “My Brother Charlie.” It’s a simple and genuine story.
Ryan Peete wrote the story with her mother and actress Holly Robinson Peete to raise awareness and understanding of children with autism. Ryan’s authentic voice as a child tells both the difficult and hopeful story of her twin brother, Charlie. She explains how hard it is when Charlie doesn’t play or speak or look at her. She celebrates when Charlie unexpectedly tells her for the first time, “I love you.”
“My Brother Charlie” is a must-read for all pre-school children. Told from the perspective of a child, the story explains autism in a way that kids can understand. It also models how to be compassionate and patient with children who have autism without the preachy overtones that an adult might interject.
For the last week or so, this is the book my 5-year old daughter has chosen to read each night. Even after finishing the story, she continues to ask me about Charlie and his sister. She is captivated by them – the real brother and sister. He is a kid with autism and she, a girl who writes. “Turn the book over, Mommy,” my daughter commands. On the backside, there are two photos of Charlie (whose real name is RJ) and Ryan, who have each become role models for character and kindness in our house.
As April draws to a close, you still have time to enjoy a book of compassion and cup of cuddles with your “littles” in honor of National Autism Month.
Check out all of the amazing events on the AutMont Calendar for this week!
The Carl Sandburg Learning Center will hold its May Fair fundraiser on May 23 from noon to 3 p.m.
The Bridge Parent Group will present a program called "Practical Skills Training for Teens and Young Adults with AS" on May 23 from 1 to 3 p.m.
The Ivymount School Outreach Program will offer a workshop on bullying on May 19 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The Auburn School will hold a free workshop for families and professionals about Related Services: The Role of Occupational Therapists, Speech/Language Pathologists, and Social Workers with Students on the Autism Spectrum on May 20 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The Autism Society of Montgomery County's next general meeting will be May 20 at 7 p.m. There will be a presentation on Understanding the DIR/Floortime Model at the meeting.
Paula Kluth, author of many books, including You're Gonna Love This Kid: Teaching Students with Autism in the Inclusive Classroom, will be speaking at the Howard County Autism Society Resource Center on May 17 from 7 to 9 p.m.
AT:LAST will offer a training workshop called, "Empowering Families: Addressing Behavior and Communication Through Calendar Systems" on June 2 from 9:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Information from a JSSA news release I thought I'd pass on to you. —JeanCheck out all of the amazing events on the AutMont Calendar for this week!
For Our Kids, For Ourselves will be offering three free Meet and Greet Children's Support Groups for children ages 8-16 years old.
The Abilities Network will be hosting a speaker on the topic of Making Friends on May 20 from 6-7:30 p.m.
Low Intensity Support Services (LISS) is a statewide program funded by the Developmental Disability Administration designed to provide funding for individuals who have developmental disabilities. There will be an information session for Montgomery County on May 24 from 6-8 p.m.
Kennedy Krieger Institute will offer a lecture by Barbara Obst on May 12 about Sexuality and Reproductive Health, as part of their Adolescent Transition Lecture series.
Montgomery College is offering a team-taught driver's education course for students with mild to moderate learning disabilities. The course will be co-taught by instructors with dual certification in MVA Driver Education and Special Education by MSDE.
The Montgomery County Community Support Network and Infants and Toddlers Program is offering another in their Time for Tea series, this one on Toilet Training for Children with Developmental Disabilities.Check out all of the amazing events on the AutMont Calendar for this week!
Hyland's Homeopathy is holding a contest to give away five one-year memberships to My Gym Fitness Center.
The Collaborative Outreach & Training Committee will hold a seminar on Five Wishes and Future Planning on May 5 from 6:45-8:45 p.m. at the Rockville Library (21 Maryland Avenue) in Rockville.
The Montgomery County Mental Health Advisory Committee and the Department of Health and Human Services Mental Health Core Services Agency will present a resource fair on Accessing Mental Health Services on May 25 from 6-9 p.m.
The Parents' Place of Maryland will offer two programs this week for parents of special needs children.
MCTransitions has two meetings coming up in the next two months offering information on transition. Both meetings will take place from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at The Arc of Montgomery County (11600 Nebel Street) in Rockville.
The Arc of Maryland will hold its 2010 State Convention on May 21 at the Crowne Plaza Baltimore ( 2004 Greenspring Drive) in Timonium, Maryland.
